I LOVE THIS CAR. Bought it used and put some money into it so it would be reliable and boy has it been a faithful workhorse. It is so much fun to drive, even with what it now older technology. Mine is an 8v GTi and one thing that bugs me? ALL GTi's are HATCHBACKS. Who named this group on the forum anyway? You find me a Golf that is not a hatchback and I will eat my words! Anyway my car gets great gas mileage (26 around town, up to 36 on the highway) and is reliable enough I would drive it anywhere. The Recaro seats are very comfy with lots of support. I made my suspension stiffer with the addition of Boge Pro Gas shocks and struts. I also beefed up the exhaust with a header plus manifold. I love the boxy styling, even more so than the Mk5 Golfs now. My car had a/c issues when I bought it but after rebuilding the system (something that is necessary when you let the system run dry) it has been trouble-free for more than 10 years. Maybe this car's only fault would be the airbox: it seems to go out on a regular basis and is expensive to fix. (Update: after replacing 3 of them over the years, the MAF sensor has been fine) This could be related to the Digifant fuel injection system on my particular car, and there were two FI systems available. I think Motronic is the other one. Anyway, with some research you could probably figure out which one is best. The brakes are more than adequate. Back seat is tight, but works for small kids although the safety is probably not the best due its lack of a rear end. For sheer Fun Factor vs. Cost of Ownership? MY MONEY WAS MORE THAN WELL SPENT.

spent eight years driving and rebuilding and driving some more with a big grin on my face, loved every secound of it, even when the engine blew 200 miles from home, just a good excuse to fit a faster one!

The big bumper 16v Mk2 Golf is just the sweetest hot-hatch ever...period!

a true underestimated classic with impressive handling and possiblilities for more and still usable for everyday purposes - so no need to hide and only use on sundays..THIS ONE IS BUILT FOR USE - and still follows most more powerfull cars...YEE HAW

When I traded in my used 1979 GTI in favour of a brand new 1990 model GTI, I was pretty stoked. I loved the older one but it had older car problems and this was my first brand new car. It was between this and a slightly used supercharged Toyota MR2 and a Mk1 Mazda Miata. It's fair to say I had pretty good taste in cars as they all became iconic cars. While the Miata was a soft top and was very sexy and the MR2 went like stink, I was having a love-affair with VWs so I went with a blend of good-looking, practicality and fun. VWs have always been brilliantly-made cars, and ever since then I've always done the "VW door test" with new cars as the vacuum-seal and satisfyingly muted "whump" sound of a VW door closing indicated pure quality to me (compared to, for eg, a Honda Civic of its time which sounded decidedly plasticy and cheap). If I could've afforded it, I would've gone for the 16-valver (which also had a nicer grill/headlights) but I loved driving the Golf nonetheless. Great handling, good stereo, excellent brakes and a peppy 1.8L engine. I would highly recommend a Golf, though in recent years they've become a bit expensive and aren't breaking new ground as much.