Volkswagen Golf 1.8T GTi Review

I am a hardcore VW Golf GTI fan, and have owned various throughout my 10 years of driving. I still have a 1989 16v that I plan on rebuilding when I am older and settled. The MK4 got a lot of stick when compared to the performance of the older GTI models, mainly due to the size and weight. I can elaborate on why I think this is OK. I am 28, and I purchased my mk4 second hand with very low miles and complete with all the optional extras from the factory. My first GTI, a 16v Mk2 was the opposite, the base model with high miles. It was a lot of fun, drove well and was very fast. When you compare both my GTI's there are elements from both I like, but I can say, with no uncertainty that I would choose the mk4 every time. I love the design, I love the interior quality, I love the heated leather Recaro's, I love the blue dash lights, I love the factory DSP sound system, I love the comfortable ride, I love the turbo boost, I love the traction control, I love the abs brakes, and I love the quietness of long drives.



when was 20, I had the GTI 16v mk2 and I loved the stiff suspension kit, the minimal interior items that couldn't go wrong, I loved the raw engine that growled when hard accelerating, I loved the rainbow interior trim, the centre console, the high mounted stereo, the lack of abs or TC, I loved the look of the 17" alloys and lo-pro tyres.



But what happened was, I grew up. I got past the boy racer feel the mk2 carries... the mk4 carries itself with class and pride. I can park my reflex silver mk4 GTI in a car park with a selection of other cars, and it always stands out as a classy car, it is not modified, it has standard Montreal 2 alloys, and the GTI kit that rolled out the factory. so really, the car grew up, just like I did. if I was 18 again, I would have the mk2 any day, but the mk4 has everything I need. I had some uprated suspension and roll bars added to it, and this gave it the GTI handling many people say it lacked, and a year on and I am yet to get bored. until I can afford a new mk6 GTI, I am more than happy with my mk4. When looked after, this car will go on, and on and on and on....