Just to say that over the year I have owned:
A mk1 1800 GTI A reg ( Standard apart from K&N panel filter drilled airbox and a Sebring oval rear box).... engine like a turbine ,it was a VERY smooth and responsive car to drive ...once I got used to the brakes! GREAT CAR :wink:sadly missed

A mk2 1800 8v kjet C reg ( K&N panel drilled airbox, lowered 30-40mm , G60 front ARB Sebring twin oval rear box and 7x15s ) obviously heavier than the mk1 but better brakes an more stable even before the the mods were done but not as quick as the mk1 . Also a GREAT CAR

Also sadly missed

Presently I have the Vento 2.0l ( K&N panel drilled air box,Magnex Uni rear box bla bla bla ) it's no where near as quick as the other two
But I like it because it's different and despite it being heavier

I worked from 1984 until 2001 at VW dealership and I have obviously lost count of all the GTI mk1s,2s.3s,4s that I have driven (also AUDI QUATTROs and 200 Turbos). But one thing I can say is that they are all good but in different ways although when I drove a mk3 GTI for the first time I thought the badges had got mixed up as the handling felt more like a GL not a GTI

( The VR6s felt the same )
(The the car that I had the most fun in was a 1973 MINI 1275 GT with Spax adjustable shocks 6x10s with yokos and LEYLAND SPECIAL TUNING Dpt goodies on it .. it was nice to get back in that after a day working on and driving Golfs and Quattros ).