volkswagen gti or volkswagen golf?

Question

thinkin bout getting one it would be used around 80k miles 1996+ what are the differences between the 2 and do they have problems

Answer 1

The Golf has a 2.0 liter gas engine rated at 115 hp, with a decent suspension and fair gas mileage at around 30 hwy.

The GTIs up the ante on every aspect - interior trim, exterior trim, wheels, tires, suspension, engine, transmission...you end up with a much more fun-to-drive version of the Golf, essentially. The GTI 1.8T has either 150 or 180 hp, depending on what year it was made, and fetches about 30 mpg. The GTI VR6 has a 178 hp V6 that should get you about 24 mpg if you behave...but what fun is that?

I've had several Golfs from new [1996, 1997, 2000], and all were trouble-free except the first one, which had a paint defect - hardly a driveability issue - that the dealership fixed under warranty. The last one had a minor problem with the power mirror switch, which fatigues easily and breaks, which was also fixed under warranty. None ever "nickel & dimed" me at all, let alone to death. Note that I currently have a 1983 GTI that I've had for about 20 years, and a 2003 Eurovan. None have required maintenance outside of the norm.

I do know that all 1998+ VWs with the 1.8 Turbo engine had hellatious problems with the ignition [specifically the ignition coil] and VW replaced all affected coils in those VWs under a mfr recall, so if you consider a 1.8T, make sure it has had the proper recall service performed. Check all power windows for proper operation as a great number of Mark III and some Mark IV VWs had problems with faulty window motors and tracks.

Otherwise, just decide if you want fantastic performance [GTI VR6], great performance plus better mileage [GTI 1.8T] or a great car with terrific reliability and mpgs [Golf]. I'd recommend any of them.

Drive all three if possible, and let your heart & your butt decide ;)

Good luck ~

Answer 2

the GTi is slightly sportier, The GTi VR6 is significantly faster. I actually have a 97 GTi VR6 with a turbo kit on it sitting at my house right now. Its a great little car.

The big stuff on the cars are rock solid and good, but the car will nickle and dime you to death. O2 sensor here, window regulator there, another window regulator, and another, then some wiring problems, etc etc.

if you dont have your heart set on one or dont like to fix cars, id search elsewhere.

Answer 3

from what i heard they are both good but the gti is a bit sportier and faster but both are very reliable