(not my) 3 Door Mk2 GTi 8v - First Drive

[MASimmo]

I'm never selling my golf, owned for about 15 years now, the most recent photo from when it had a massive underbody / suspension refresh a few years back, going back to the same place next month for more!



I agree, they are just great fun to drive after all the modern stuff. Yours looks a decent one, if he ever sells it, you should buy it and store it!

[E30M3SE]

Nurburgsingh said:

Will be loads more next week - the boy is going to be taught how to clean his car properly.
But in the meantime...

Handsome.

[V1nce Fox]

Snooot!

[chrismc1977]

I had 3 mk2 GTi’s & a Jetta GTi back in the day.

Easy to mod to OEM+ & make decently swift. Chassis wise I found sone updated ARB’s really dialled-out any inherent understeer without ruining the ride.

280mm front brakes are a great upgrade if you can squeeze them under RA’s

[5harp3y]

Mk2 golf's are always awesome
Rusty rattly piles of awesome

[ShampooEfficient]

More inspiration to get ours finished...

[Nurburgsingh]

5harp3y said:

Mk2 golf's are always awesome
Rusty rattly piles of awesome

I’d love a silver one.. I know everyone waxes lyrical about Helios and Oak cars but I think silver ones just look so crisp.
Love that

[Jader1973]

Nice car. I always wanted a big bumper GTI but ended up with a 3 door Civic instead.

Unlikely I’ll ever own one now as they seem to be very rare in Australia

[D1on]

Lovely.
You have old beetles too?
Lets see...

[Searider]

What did it cost to insure your lad on it?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Any excuse to relive old memories

100,000 miles in this in the late 80s



Just 5,000 miles in this one

[okenemem]

cant believe these still look nice

[Nurburgsingh]

Searider said:

What did it cost to insure your lad on it?

Currently £0 because it’s on my fleet and his test has been delayed because of Covid.

But I think we’re looking at at about £2k when he passes. He’ll be doing day insurance until he passes

[Nurburgsingh]

D1on said:

Lovely.
You have old beetles too?
Lets see...

So I’ve got a couple of running projects...

I’m building a German Look cabrio..

It started like this...


Currently looks like this...



It’s Porsche Aetna Blue.

And I’ve got this...



Which I’m pondering doing “singer” style.

And my old race car ...



Which I never should have gotten rid off

[Nurburgsingh]

okenemem said:

cant believe these still look nice

Playing the usual “did you know..? “ with the lad today and he comes out with -
“ the golf GTi has the same coefficient of drag as a Ferrari 360... 0.34 “‘

I was shook!!

[J51dhu]

Great thread. Heres my ‘89 GTI 8v big bumper.
Initially picked up with a mate who brought it from a family who’d had it for 20 years. They cried when they saw it leave!

My friend then left it in the corner neglected until he was considering selling it and I bit his hand off!

Mines had a full oil service, filters, spark plugs, gaskets, belts, gear linkages, waterpump and at 193k still pulls like a train with no sign of smoke at all.
Still plenty to do though but in no rush, exhaust is blowing and suspension refresh next!

After the gear linkages it has such a taut and keen shift its phenomenal. Only problem is, once its warmed up it wont engage reverse so can do with some adjustment ??

Such a fun car to drive, with an amazing ‘back to basics’ driving experience that just has you grinning ear to ear. Not the quickest but plenty quick enough to hustle down a country lane. Its feel / character more than make up for it.

Even though I hate selling cars, I did consider getting rid of it as it really doesnt get used. But as time goes on, the more I seem to be getting attached to it!

P.S nurburgsingh - cant believe you sold your amazing E39 M5!

Edited by J51dhu on Friday 19th March 23:09

Edited by J51dhu on Friday 19th March 23:11

[Nurburgsingh]

J51dhu said:

P.S nurburgsingh - cant believe you sold your amazing E39 M5!

Edited by J51dhu on Friday 19th March 23:09

Edited by J51dhu on Friday 19th March 23:11

That looks awesome - and it’s good to see these still running well at 190k +
Can you imagine the bag of st a Mk7/8 GTi would be at that mileage!!

Yes the M5 was great and I still regret letting it go but there’s no way I could have made it work with the dog and to have two big cars would be as silly as having two beetles or two 911’s


...hang on a minute... D’oh!!!

[dontlookdown]

I had a couple of 8v Mk2 GTI's back in the day, fondly remembered for their blend of practicality quality and eager-puppy character. They were a design sweet spot for a peppy daily driver - easier to live with than the slightly too basic Mk1, not gone soft like Mk3 and beyond.

But if I was looking for a classic weekender now, I think I'd go for a 4sp Mk1 on steel wheels. One of Guigaro' s best.

[J51dhu]

Nurburgsingh said:

J51dhu said:

P.S nurburgsingh - cant believe you sold your amazing E39 M5!

Edited by J51dhu on Friday 19th March 23:09

Edited by J51dhu on Friday 19th March 23:11

That looks awesome - and it’s good to see these still running well at 190k +
Can you imagine the bag of st a Mk7/8 GTi would be at that mileage!!

Yes the M5 was great and I still regret letting it go but there’s no way I could have made it work with the dog and to have two big cars would be as silly as having two beetles or two 911’s


...hang on a minute... D’oh!!!

Mines just had a fresh wishbones, ball joints and a fresh powdercoated subframe. I Can’t wait to drive it! And yes at 190k its still going strong with solid original bodywork.

Fair enough regarding the M5, maybe you’ll have another one day!

[mercedeslimos]

dontlookdown said:

I had a couple of 8v Mk2 GTI's back in the day, fondly remembered for their blend of practicality quality and eager-puppy character. They were a design sweet spot for a peppy daily driver - easier to live with than the slightly too basic Mk1, not gone soft like Mk3 and beyond.

But if I was looking for a classic weekender now, I think I'd go for a 4sp Mk1 on steel wheels. One of Giugiaro' s best.

You're a brave boy, MK1 brakes are fking ste