Thought I would put my mk2 penneth in...!
Must admit it took me a year and half to get over letting go of my mk1 GTi Campaign.. which was fantastic, but gave me back ache..

I bought my 91 J plate 8 valver in Jan last year, and after massive amounts of elbow grease, sad levels of autoglym product use, bits and bobs..trips top the breakers yard....and a set of new G60 winter wheels sitting on Eagle F-1's..... I absobloominlootly rate it.
Improvements:
More comfortable than mk1
Much less potential for rust (my one anyways)
More solidly put together
Improved seating position in relation to gear stick
Good agricultural solid switch gear
No fussing with sh!te details...... i.e. No Fricking cup holder.... I want to drive the car not sip a latte..!

Controversial Observations:
Mk3's in my opinion seem to be poorly put together compared to Mk2's... It may well be true about the rumour that the factory workers loved putting together the Mk1's... also the classic Mk2's.... maybe they were bit bored by the time the corn fed, bloated bubble car came along with its fat arse seats for the septics... ! Sorry no offence meant.
I have noticed some really rusty mk3's about... hope they did not do the British Leyland thing whilst making them ...i.e.
leaving bare metal panels out in the snow.
Anal points:
You get a middle bi-direction air vent in the mk2 golf gti, with individual controls. mk3 as far as I know has only one close / open for 2 air vents... sorry VW... but thats a kak handed cost cut.... keep yer mk3's for the skip... harsh (sorry)
Final point:
I think they look boring...! Cars I reckon look better when the design is of the school of "form following function" ... mk3's show the start of the alien headlight look which I can't stand... their too rounded so you can't see all four corners of the car so easily as on the mk1 + 2.. hence why mk3's have so many scuffed bumpers.
That concludes the Ombudsman anal journey on why he likes mk2's and not mk2's..... for those that have made it this far in this post ... I salute you !

Cheers.
Omby
P.S. In my humble opinion you see a lot more gorgeous and wonderfully sassy ladies driving around in mk2's than mk3's.... yet more sterner and serious looks from madamoiselle's in the mk3....
