While not the fastest or the prettiest car Volkswagen ever made, the GTI represents the ethos of VW’s 1980s philosophy of cheap, fun-to-drive, and eminently practical cars for consumers. As they did when new, the first generation GTI also represented a car which gave much faster cars a run for their money. True, the 90 horsepower under the hood won’t scare a supercar. But what this car lacks in straight-line performance it more than makes up for in value.
You see, over the past few years we’ve watched the fan-favorites and driver’s cars from the 1980s increasingly price themselves out of the range of most enthusiasts. The esoterics are also forged in unobtanium today, and while there was a period where you could snap up cheap 80s products in Europe and import them, they’re going away, too. Sure, the M3 and 911 led the charge, but today a clean 190E 2.3-16 or Quattro will set you back some serious bucks. And then when you do get one, you need to worry about collector insurance, expensive and hard-to-source parts, and whether you bought in a bubble.
The solution is still the giant-killer GTI. Find a clean one, and you’ll have a car that can be driven at 10/10ths still today and generate plenty of smiles, yet is relatively cheap to buy and very cheap to run. You’ll get thumbs up just like the 911 driver will. Maybe even more, honestly, because when was the last time you saw an A1 cruising around?
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1983 Volkswagen GTI on eBay
Year: 1983
Model: GTI
VIN: 1VWDC0178DV028302
Engine: 1.8 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 70.800 mi
Location: East Aurora, New York
Price: Reserve Auction
I am selling a 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI. This vehicle is in MINT condition. Only 70,800 miles…VERY HARD TO FIND THAT LOW!! Red interior with black exterior and pin striping. Very clean. We have tons of paperwork on all the service that has been done (oil changes, filter changes, etc.). Comes with all 4 original floor mats. Only 1 scratch, as shown in the picture. Also have a lot of manuals for the cars. Runs great, drives great. Car is as clean as it looks in the photos.
Pick up any review of the GTI and you read nothing but praise. “This product should be a cause for rejoicing among all those people who ever owned a Beetle or treasured the high-protein goodness of a BMW 2002, because this car marks a return to the fundamental German verities by Volkswagen†– Car and Driver. “Well, we could go on for days singing the praises of the Rabbit GTI, but if you fancy yourself some kind of car enthusiast and hot-shoe driver, you’re probably already on the way to the nearest VW dealer. If not, you better hurry. – Road and Track. Like the magazines, I could go on and on. No one hated the GTI, ever.
This one looks stupendous and is shocking to see on the East Coast, in an area where not many are known to survive. Refinish the bumpers and call it a day; this one looks like one to enjoy. The reserve is not yet met, but consider this; a clean A1 just sold on Bring a Trailer for $70,000. And it wasn’t a GTI. If you really want one of these, it doesn’t look like they’re getting any cheaper soon.
-Carter
