the 8v golf GTI, the lukewarm hatch

[Dan_GTi8v]

on in fairy tales

[Gavv8]

I think your right, it was universally panned when it came out and it was only the 16v and vr6 that saved face for VW but i love mine to bits, its fast enough, it looks great and when it breaks i can fix it for peanuts, i won't be changing it anytime soon.

[Dan_GTi8v]

I was more than happy with my 8v, but also under no illusions that its a rocketship in disguise  for what it is though its very good

[snifferdog]

I loved mine and was plenty fast enough to bring a smile to the face! I'll have another at some point! Id say its a warm hatch 

[tomScotland mk3GTI]

I loved mine and was plenty fast enough to bring a smile to the face! I'll have another at some point! Id say its a warm hatch 

It is indeed "warm". The only way you'd be disappointed with an 8vGTI was if you didn't have a clue or didn't do a little research before buying one. I'm not a "spirited" driver anyway, if I was I would have bought my 8v! The good thing about the AGG engine is that it offers a balance of performance/fuel economy and longevity. They are pretty strong wee lumps that will run forever if looked after.

[mksmk3gti]

Ive not had mine long, got it for bargain. so easy to work on and parts are cheap. 8v lives on.

[tdi_blu]

Personally I think the 8v deserves its Gti badge after all it was the original Gti engine that gave the mk1 its status as the best hot hatch of its time.Lets not forget aswell how old these cars are now most are over 15 years old and have well over 100k on them so for what they are there good.My own 8v isnt fast but its not slow either will run with most modern day cars and it puts a smile on my face when I drive it but I dont expect the world from 115bhp and if we are all honest the whole Golf range isnt exactly rapid is it..

[harlemex]

I love the 8v's robustness of engine. Dont like the weak gearbox though... . As for the speed debate, I struggled to keep up with a mk4 polo (not sure which model, probs a 1.0  )

I also got beat off the lights by a clio.

However I recently had a burn up with a 16v and seemed to have no trouble keeping up with him/her. 

[tweed]

I love my 8v to bits. Will never sell it! heated leather, aircon, easy to drive around town.
And when I want to drive fast I put the 8v in the garage and take the vr6 out 

[stainesy]

I have had plenty of seriously fast cars but I keep getting drawn back the the 8v gti as I love all the things you can do to them. Love the low stance when slammed but I would never think of it as a fast car as it isn't I bought it as they just look foooookin awsum with nice rims and low.
But also with coilys they can see off a lot of cars on corners so where as boyracers have to break into corners I can just get the right line and make them look silly lol.

Love my 8v and wouldn't change it for 16v or VR.