Tag: GLI

1988 Volkswagen Jetta GLi VR6 Syncro

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Dan’s recent acquisition and post about the new GCFSB Project GLi got me thinking about GLis again. Truth be told, I’m firmly in “Camp Golf”, but I had a few friends with nice GLis growing up and they were always great looking and fun. One in particular was a very clean black 91 model, correct with the original BBS wheels. One day my friend came to me and asked if I wanted to buy it; I did, but it was pretty far outside of my price range at that point, so I watched it disappear to some distant land and new owner. That seems to be the story with many GLis and German car fans; everyone seems to know someone who had one at some point and now misses it. I have a feeling that today’s owner is someone who will miss this particular GLi very much, as likely will be all of his friends – who probably like me want it very much but can’t swing buying it right now. But unlike my friend’s clean 1991 2.0 GLi, today’s example shares very little in common with most GLis at all. A bunch of runs to the Volkswagen parts bag have yielded a pretty unique GLi – a VR6-swapped, Syncro-swapped sleeper. Yes, please!

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 Volkswagen Jetta GLi VR6 Syncro on Phoenix Craigslist

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1989 Volkswagen GLi 16v Project Car Part 1

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Introducing the first official GCFSB project car! I’m going to encourage the guys to start blogging their rides too, but since this one fell into my lap when I needed a cheap daily driver, I’ll start first.

1989 Volkswagen Jetta GLi

This car isn’t a perfect fit for our site as it has it’s share of bumps and bruises. Overall it’s a bit of a kid’s car in it’s current state and we obviously prefer to feature the cream on this site: examples that are worthy of the attention of well informed enthusiasts. But that’s exactly what led me to buy this car.

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1989 Volkswagen Jetta GLi 16V Helios Edition

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If yesterday’s 1987 Jetta GLi didn’t spark your interest, perhaps one of the most sought-after GLis made will. The 1989-only “Helios Edition” Jetta GLi took the already good economy sports sedan from Volkswagen and followed the “more is better” rule, adding better BBS RA color-coded wheels and awesomely striped and hugely supportive Recaro seats. It was the prototype for what would become the standard GLi in 1990, but this car was decidedly the best GLi we had seen to that point. Only 1500 were made and they infrequently come up for sale, so while today’s isn’t in as good of shape as the 1987 from yesterday, it’s still a bit of an event to see one:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1989 Volkswagen Jetta GLi 16V Helios Edition on eBay

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1987 Volkswagen Jetta GLi

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Nearly as rare to see as the 1984 Jetta GLi is the model that replaced it, the 1985-1987 8V Jetta GLi. While I’ve lamented several times that we didn’t receive the 4 door GTi until just recently, the reality is that for all intents and purposes, through 1992 the GLi was a 4 door GTi with a trunk. They shared nearly all of their running gear, styling and performance; the only difference was the non-folding seats and the trunk. Despite this the GTi was the more popular option for most, and the GLis that were sold suffered from rust and heavy use. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I saw a fairly clean early A2 GLi for sale; but here’s a pretty good example today!

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1987 Volkswagen Jetta GLi on eBay

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2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDi Cup Edition

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2014 will reportedly introduce to the U.S. a car that many Volkswagen fans have been eagerly awaiting – the Golf “GTD” TDi. Basically a GTi with the turbo diesel in place of the 2.0T, the GTD looks great, drives wonderfully and gets some fantastic mileage. But go back a few years and we basically already had the prototype here; the short lived 2010 Jetta TDi Cup Edition. What you got for your hard earned bucks was a basically a Jetta GLi with it’s heart yanked out and replaced by the thrifty and torque-laden turbo diesel. But this wasn’t just a styling exercise for Volkswagen – they had actively engaged in racing the Jetta TDi in the “TDi Cup” to help promote the TDi brand, so this car has some racing heritage as well. Only 1,500 were produced in black, white, blue, or today’s Salsa Red:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDi Cup Edition on eBay

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Heap of the Week: 1984 Volkswagen Jetta GLi

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So few remain around these days that it’s easy to forget that in 1984 Volkswagen introduced the hot 4-door Jetta, the GLi. Like the GTi brethren, these featured an upgraded 1.8 inline-4 mated to a close ratio 5-speed transmission, as well as upgraded brakes and a few external changes to set them apart from the run-of-the-mill Jettas. Not many were produced, and again like the GTi few remain around in good shape; in fact, I can think of only one that I’ve seen in the past decade. Like me, the owner is a high performance driving enthusiast and we’ve been trucking our old Volkswagen/Audi products out to BMW HPDEs for years. Despite neither of us having the fastest car out there, it’s always fun to see his red GLi, hunkered down over very wide semi-slick tires bouncing down the front straight at Lime Rock park. Today’s GLi isn’t quite ready to do that, but offers a glimpse into a rare car that’s quite affordable and should be saved:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1984 Volkswagen Jetta GLi on eBay

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2007 Volkswagen Jetta GLi Fahrenheit Edition

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It’s funny how similar the Golf and Jetta are, and yet how far apart the people that really get into them are. Enthusiasts really seem to like one or the other, but generally don’t really like both. I have to say, while I’m pretty firmly in the “Golf” camp myself, there are a few GLis that I really appreciate – the original Mk.1 GLis are some of my favorites, and in more recent times the Mk.5 and Mk.6 GLis have been pretty impressive and competent sports sedans. In particular, the newest of the range really steps up as a budget A4. But with a few special editions available in both the Mk.4 and Mk. 5 platform, there are some things to love there as well. Today’s Fahrenheit Edition GLi is one such special; a Jetta GLi that was turned up to 11 to make it a little more special:

Year: 2007
Model: Jetta GLi Fahrenheit Edition
Engine: 2.0 liter turbocharged inline-4
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 63,975 mi
Price: $10,777 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2007 Volkswagen Jetta GLi Fahrenheit Edition on eBay

2007 Volkswagen Jetta This is a smoke-free automobile.There is no damage evident on this vehicle.This is a garage kept vehicle.The engine on this vehicle is running properly.This vehicle has no known defects.The exterior of this vehicle is extra clean.Extra clean interior. Absolutely no rips, odors or abuse.There is approximately 75% of the tire tread remaining.The mileage represented on this vehicle is accurate.There are no signs of prior damage on this vehicle.There are no noticeable dings on the exterior of this vehicle.This vehicle has a smooth shifting transmission.All power equipment is functioning properly.

The Yellow caries over to the interior on this car, with stitching and accents which tie it all together. The “Charleston” 18″ wheels are neat and fit the design well, though these show a little curbing typical on Mk.5 wheels. Otherwise, the car appears in great shape and with lower miles is offered at a quite reasonable $10,777 – a figure not far out of line with the earlier and more problematic Mk. 4 GLis. Truth be told, I like the look of the Mk.4 slightly more than the Mk.5, and some would complain that the interior details on Jettas of late have cheapened. But keeping in mind this is a 200hp, 6 speed performance sedan for under $11,000 in great shape, I think it’s pretty reasonably priced for a special daily driver!

-Carter

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLi

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Like the GTi 20th Anniversary Edition I wrote up earlier this week, the Jetta GLi received a host of upgrades towards the end of the Mk. 4 chassis, including lower and stiffer suspension, a body kit similar to the GTi, the same Recaro seats – but the trump card of the GLi was that it received the same wheels as the 337 Edition GTi – 18″ BBS RC wheels. They made the package look both more upscale and racier at the same time. While the design didn’t look at clean as the GTi does in my mind, as a package they’re pretty neat little cars that are quite sporty and can be had on a budget. While it’s usually difficult to find one in reasonable shape, today’s is quite pristine with lower miles in the splendid Jazz Blue:

Year: 2005
Model: Jetta GLi
Engine: 1.8 liter turbocharged inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 55,623 mi
Price: $9,900 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLi on eBay

Here’s a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLI with only 55,000 Original Miles. This Jetta was just traded in at the local Carmax and we have driven it 50 miles on the highway and it performed like a champ! Options on this Jetta include: power windows, locks and mirrors; Recaro raving seats in great condition, 4 Wheel Disk Brakes, BBS Wheels in great condition, Monsoon premium sound system, Sirius satellite radio ready (just need subscription), cruise control, sunroof, 1.8L Turbo 4 Cylinder engine that runs strong with automatic transmission that shifts smooth and much more. This thing is super clean and you can see it has been well cared for in the 100 pictures below. As far as how the vehicle runs and drives, it’s 100%. The transmission shifts smooth, the motor runs strong with no service lights on, and the A/C and heat work perfect. All services are also up to date, so all you have to do is get in, turn the key and drive. We have went through the vehicle and made sure all fluids are topped off and ready to drive. This makes the perfect vehicle for a son or daughter, or a car for a family, these Jetta’s are very reliable and very safe and they get great fuel economy without sacraficing power. I can tell you that I would be proud to give my child this car as a gift, and under $10,000 it makes a great candidtate. If you have any questions or would like to make us a reasonable offer, please give us a call at the phone number below. If you need assistance with shipping quotes or how the fees and taxes work (please check below pictures), or just plain want to know if we are real and have questions about buying vehicles online, please give us a call. Thanks for your interest in our vehicle and have a wonderful day!

Please Call

Todd Clouse

With Any Questions

Or Offers

(904)-861-5272

It’s become so rare to see these cars in their original specification, it’s very nice to see one again! Because these cars are a pretty solid platform that looks smart and has a quite tunable engine, most have ended up very modded, driven hard and put away wet. Most have lost their BBS wheels, and few that I’ve seen for sale have retained their original low-slung spoilers in undamaged condition. I only see two downsides; the tires are budget replacements that aren’t in great shape, and it’s an automatic. Unfortunately some of the sporty feel is lost with the auto, but if you’re looking for a sharp looking and affordable commuter perhaps that doesn’t matter. Price is pretty much on par with what I’d expect for one of these in this condition, so the question is do you like the color and can you live with the auto?

-Carter

1990 Volkswagen GLi 16V – REVISIT

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The Tornado Red 1990 Volkswagen Jetta GLi 2.0 16V we featured in last week is back up for sale with a low Buy It Now of $3,000. One of these gems has recently joined the GCFSB fleet (watch for an update soon!); they’re neat quick cars that remain a solid value among special Volkswagens – especially in comparison to the Scirocco and GTi 16Vs that pull much stronger money. With a nearly 30% price drop, this one seems like a great value now!

The below post originally appeared on our site November 3, 2013:

Volkswagen and Audi in the 1980s were an interesting bunch. Consistency in product was just not one of their strong suits, and consequently there are some strangely equipped “changeover” cars that made there way to the U.S.. My Coupe GT is one of these; a digital-dash equipped 1986 non-Commemorative Edition car, it’s one of those “off the books” cars. However, I’m not alone; I had a friend with a 1990 8V GTi that should have had the later “big bumpers” but didn’t. Today’s Jetta GLi must have also been a “Monday” car as well, since although it sports the 2.0 16V engine, it doesn’t have the 1990 aerodynamic bumpers that characterized the 2.0. Either way, it’s red, it’s got Recaros, and it’s got a 7,200 RPM redline:

Year: 1990
Model: GLi 16V
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 109,000 mi
Price: $3,000 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1990 Volkswagen Jetta GLi 2.0 16V on eBay

A dying breed, an unmolested pre-93 Volkswagen is a rare find. An unmolested 16v GLI is even rarer. A favorite of VW enthusaists, the 16v GLIs and GTIs are the top level of performance offered in the MK2 (at least in the US). The 1990 model sported the 134 bhp 2.0 16v (it was 1.8L on earlier GLIs) mated to a quick ratio 5 speed gearbox making these cars are a blast to drive. The GLI also offered Recaro sport seats, BBS RA alloys and a GLI trim package that differentiated it from your every day GLI, Recaro Seats. 109K mileage, well maintained, new studded snow tires,sunroof w/ deflector. One small dent on left rear door, one small dent under trunk lid, one crack in windsheild on passenger side, right rear ext. door handle needs work.

Sellers, sellers, sellers…if you’re going to quote what makes your car special and then not have those items, don’t quote them. Case in point; “BBS RA alloys”. Yes, the GLi came with them but no, the wheels on this car are not RAs. They appear to be RZ alloys, probably off a Corrado. It’s a minor point, but it shows a lack of attention to detail in ownership. That’s backed up by the “quick ratio 5 speed” quote. Steering boxes are quick ratio, gearboxes are close ratio. But ultimately, you’re not buying the seller or the description, so perhaps neither of these things matter but I do have to admit they bother me.

The car shows signs of use, but overall presents decently for a driver. The 16V specific air dam needs to be replaced but last time I bought one from the dealer it wasn’t too pricey, there are some dents, but the important stuff is there. Critically for these cars, it’s unmodified. While it would carry more weight if it was a GTi 2.0 16V, at below $4,000 this car appears to be appropriately priced considering it’s current condition. It sure would make a fun daily driver!

-Carter

1990 Volkswagen Jetta GLi 2.0 16V

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Volkswagen and Audi in the 1980s were an interesting bunch. Consistency in product was just not one of their strong suits, and consequently there are some strangely equipped “changeover” cars that made there way to the U.S.. My Coupe GT is one of these; a digital-dash equipped 1986 non-Commemorative Edition car, it’s one of those “off the books” cars. However, I’m not alone; I had a friend with a 1990 8V GTi that should have had the later “big bumpers” but didn’t. Today’s Jetta GLi must have also been a “Monday” car as well, since although it sports the 2.0 16V engine, it doesn’t have the 1990 aerodynamic bumpers that characterized the 2.0. Either way, it’s red, it’s got Recaros, and it’s got a 7,200 RPM redline:

Year: 1990
Model: GLi 16V
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 109,000 mi
Price: $3,800 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1990 Volkswagen Jetta GLi 2.0 16V on eBay

A dying breed, an unmolested pre-93 Volkswagen is a rare find. An unmolested 16v GLI is even rarer. A favorite of VW enthusaists, the 16v GLIs and GTIs are the top level of performance offered in the MK2 (at least in the US). The 1990 model sported the 134 bhp 2.0 16v (it was 1.8L on earlier GLIs) mated to a quick ratio 5 speed gearbox making these cars are a blast to drive. The GLI also offered Recaro sport seats, BBS RA alloys and a GLI trim package that differentiated it from your every day GLI, Recaro Seats. 109K mileage, well maintained, new studded snow tires,sunroof w/ deflector. One small dent on left rear door, one small dent under trunk lid, one crack in windsheild on passenger side, right rear ext. door handle needs work.

Sellers, sellers, sellers…if you’re going to quote what makes your car special and then not have those items, don’t quote them. Case in point; “BBS RA alloys”. Yes, the GLi came with them but no, the wheels on this car are not RAs. They appear to be RZ alloys, probably off a Corrado. It’s a minor point, but it shows a lack of attention to detail in ownership. That’s backed up by the “quick ratio 5 speed” quote. Steering boxes are quick ratio, gearboxes are close ratio. But ultimately, you’re not buying the seller or the description, so perhaps neither of these things matter but I do have to admit they bother me.

The car shows signs of use, but overall presents decently for a driver. The 16V specific air dam needs to be replaced but last time I bought one from the dealer it wasn’t too pricey, there are some dents, but the important stuff is there. Critically for these cars, it’s unmodified. While it would carry more weight if it was a GTi 2.0 16V, at below $4,000 this car appears to be appropriately priced considering it’s current condition. It sure would make a fun daily driver!

-Carter