Okay, $22,000 is a lot for an old hot hatch, even if it’s the ‘original’. When I was perusing some cars to consider, I noticed that there was a point where Mk.2, 3, 4 and 5 prices were all pretty equivalent. In fact, you can just about buy all four of these cars shown below for the same price as that Kamei X1 GTI. It raises an interesting question; what generation is the one to get at this price point? Certainly a lot depends on priorities – if, for example, you really want a fun daily driver or you’re looking for more of a weekend warrior show car. But let’s look at this group and see which has potential:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1992 Volkswagen GTI 16V on eBay
Year: 1992
Model: GTI 16V
VIN: 3VWHE01G3NM020096
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 198,000 km (123,000 mi)
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Price: $7,800 Buy It Now
In general it’s in great condition. owned since 1996. Never winter driven, maintained as best as possible. Has Bilstein shocks, new alternator, almost new tires (Yokohama)
As previously mentioned owned since 1996, never winter driven. Original paint, so its not perfect but you know what your getting. Car is listed locally.
The string of Montana Green Metallic GTIs continues! This one is a Canadian-spec model with nearly 200,000 KM, but it shows well and is claimed to be original and free of winter service. It appears to be in pretty nice shape, though not much is shown; the original BBSs are again missing and it’s got a replacement radio. Importantly the Recaros aren’t shown, which could be a sign of an issue – the bolsters are known to break down. It’s a bit ratty under the hood and the window tint is a touch heavy, but it appears that you could do worse – though for $7,800, I’d like to see more. What else can you get at this price point?
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CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1997 Volkswagen GTI VR6 on Autotrader
Year: 1997
Model: GTI VR6
VIN: 3VWHD81H9VM053601
Engine: 2.8 liter narrow-angle VR6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 128,941 mi
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Price: $4,999
CARFAX 1-Owner. WAS $5,999. VR6 trim. Moonroof, Aluminum Wheels. READ MORE!
KEY FEATURES INCLUDE
Sunroof, Aluminum Wheels. Rear Spoiler, Remote Trunk Release, Heated Mirrors, Alarm, Traction Control.A GREAT VALUE
Was $5,999.SHOP WITH CONFIDENCE
CARFAX 1-Owner
I’ve looked at a few Mk.3s recently, too. The Sequoia Green Metallic isn’t as iconic as Montana was, nor is the black leather as nice to see as the gray Recaros. Like the Mk.2, this one is also missing its original wheels. The MOMO units are an unusual period addition, but otherwise this one appears to be in nice shape and mostly original. The radio is a replacement and it’s got the wrong Fuba mast and there’s a bit of wear showing on the driver bolster, but otherwise this one seems decent. Mileage isn’t outrageous just below 130,000 and the price seems about what you’d expect from a dealer at $5,000.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2004 Volkswagen GTI VR6 on eBay
Year: 2004
Model: GTI VR6
VIN: 9BWDH61J444004982
Engine: 2.8 liter narrow-angle VR6
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 153,000 mi
Location: Orlando, Florida
Price: $3,999 Buy It Now
2004 VW Golf GTI VR6 (24v) with 6 Speed Transmission.
Clean Title in hand.
Car is in excellent shape and engine runs great. Has been used as a daily driver. The car is completely stock other then the RaceLand Primo Adjustable Damping Coilovers, Magnaflow Catback exhaust, clutch kit, and wheels.
– BRAND NEW Pirelli P-Zero GT summer tires with Silver OZ Racing Super Turismo wheels (17×7.5). This wheel and tire combo was $1500… they have less then 1000miles on them…Again, brand new.
**NOTE THIS SALE WILL INCLUDE ALL 4 VW OEM WHEELS THAT WERE ORIGINALLY ON THE CAR**
This GTI has been a daily driver since I have bought the car late last year. I’ve replaced a decent bit to get this car to be a great daily driver. I have just lost interest in the car now that everything I wanted to do to the car is done, which is the reason for the sale.
Brand New Parts listed below show what have been done in the past 8k miles:
– RaceLand Coilovers…………………………………………………….$500
– VW OEM stunt mounts and bearings…………………………….$70
– Pirelli P-Zero GT summer tires with Silver OZ Racing Super Turismo wheels (ONLY <1000miles on them...)..................................................................................$1500 - VW OEM Front Fender Liners...........................................$350 - VW OEM Steel Front Skid Plate........................................$200 - VW OEM Rubber Floor Mats.............................................$105 - VW OEM Air Filter.............................................................$20 - VW OEM Cabin Filter.........................................................$20 - VW OEM Thermostat (80C)...............................................$50 - iBED Industries Aluminum Thermostat Housing Kit.........$220 - BFI Billet Water Pipe (aka Crack Pipe)...............................$95 - VW Coolant Tempature Sensor with O-Ring & Clip..........$30 - VW OEM CV Boots (front left and right)...........................$100 - VW Shifter Bushing Kit.......................................................$200 -Magnaflow Catback Exhaust Kit..........................................$630 - Valeo Clutch kit with Single Mass flywheel. When I did this install I replaced every seal on the transmission and engine that I could reach with the transmission removed. This included seals such as the Rear Main Crankshft Seal, Input Shaft Seal, Axel Flange Seals, Output Shaft Seals, Shift Tower Seal..........................................................................................$800 Total cost of parts installed: $4890 This car really has had everything gone over and is now to a point of being a reliable daily driver or autocross car. I do not expect to get anywhere near the amount of money I have put into this car back, but I am reflecting the price of the car appropriately from all the work that has been done and the rarity of a MK4 GTI VR6 6 Speed in this condition.
While the Mk.4 GTI is no stranger to these pages in 1.8T form or the R32, I don’t usually write up the VR6s. They were really overshadowed by the more tunable turbo and the launch of the all-wheel drive R. This one has some promise, though – mileage isn’t very low but it looks to be in nice shape overall. The dark Indigo Blue is nicely offset with OZ Racing wheels, and under the hood is the 200 horsepower 24V version of the 2.8 liter VR6 hooked to a 6-speed manual. The seller has also undertaken some maintenance as well and it appears to be a nice example at $4,000.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2008 Volkswagen GTI on eBay
Year: 2008
Model: GTI
VIN: WVWGV71K88W188526
Engine: 2.0 liter turbocharged inline-4
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 112,327 mi
Location: Pompano Beach, Florida
Price: $6,850 Buy It Now
UP FOR SALE IS A BEAUTIFUL GERMAN HATCHBACK FROM DS|MOTORS THIS ONE IS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI WITH A BEAUTIFUL RED EXTERIOR AND GRAPHITE INTERIOR WITH PLAID SEATS ! COMES WITH SUNROOF, CD PLAYER, CD CHANGER, MP3, SATELLITE RADIO, STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS, TRIP COMPUTER, HEATED SEATS, REAR A/C, REAR SPOILER, ALUMINUM PEDALS, KEYLESS ENTRY AND POWER EVERYTHING! VEHICLE WAS JUST SERVICED!!! WITH A BRAND NEW SET OF TIRES MOUNTED ON FACTORY 17” WHEELS! CLEAN TITLE – EASY FINANCE – BAD CREDIT, NO CREDIT, NO SOCIAL, NO PROBLEM! FINANCING AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL BUYERS FOR A MORE IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION CALL DS|MOTORS AT 855-601-0973 OR 855-601-0973. 548 S. DIXIE HWY E, POMPANO BEACH, FL 33060. IF SHIPPING IS NECESSARY, WE ARE MORE THAN GLAD TO ASSIST!!
The Mk.5 GTI dropped the VR6, mostly because the 2.0T was boosted to the same power output that the 24V VR6 had produced while returning better fuel economy in a lighter package. VW added a 4-door GTI, along with Tartan fabric and a few other niceties, and they’ve been selling like hotcakes since. As a result, you’ve got a plethora of Mk.5-6 GTIs dropping well below $10,000 these days. This is key; we’re at the point where these cars are well out of their first (and likely second) ownership, and owners are moving towards mods over maintenance. This particular example looks to be nice and original. I like the 4-door version of the Mk.5 a bit more as I think the proportions are better, and it’s becoming hard to find one wearing the original Denvers these days. Mileage is in check at 112,000 and the Tornado Red over Tartan is a nice combination. Little history is offered and there are some known issues with the 2.0T, so you’ll want to leave room in the budget to catch up on some maintenance. With a price under $7,000, though, this one looks like a nice basis.
Which is the winner? Again it depends on priority. But the 2008 is probably the most practical, will get the best mileage, may be the most reliable, is the newest and has the least mileage, and is the only one built in Germany, if that matters to you. The Mk.5 is a much nicer car in just about every way than the others, but still the Mk.2 is the one that will really turn heads and the price on that Mk.4 sure is appealing for what you’re getting…
-Carter