I never understood the VW Golf GTi until now... | 4K

I am not sure how I avoided driving the VW Golf GTi until now. A car that has never really appealed to me. So I recently spent a week in the Mk8 Golf GTi and I think I get it now !
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Cars Insured by Lockton Performance - tinyurl.com/3dbt2c39
00:00 - Why they never appealed to me
03:10 - Mk8 styling
04:43 - Rear styling and practicality
05:48 - It all goes wrong inside !
09:34 - B Road fun
12:38 - Tree in the road !
14:18 - Long journey cruiser
16:09 - Final thoughts in terrible rain
#PetrolPed #Automotive #VWGolfGTi

[@tomevans5201]

Bring back red cars. The sea of monotone grey, black and white cars is depressing.

[@idrizmohdkhan]

I bought one like 4 days ago in the kings red with black rims 😁😁

[@butchmeister80]

Tornado red is best, I have moonstone which is cool

[@JedTaneo]

Charcoal gray is best for me. It looks clean even if it’s dirty lol.

[@andym1908]

With the GTI . You don't need huge power . It's the best all rounder . It's like Ronseal ....... Does what it says on the tin . I love my 7,5 Manual . Puts a smile on my face every time I drive it 😊

[@leccy9901]

The 7.5 was the best golf imo. I wish they still made them new. I've got a mk8 r, it just feels cheap compared to the 7.5

[@DarrenJMHughes]

Love that comparison to Ronseal 😂

[@MattHealey.]

@@leccy9901had a mk 8 gti and to drive it was ace. But the infotainment and software was awful. If the 8.5 has fixed it I’d love another

[@gbc7344]

I have a 7.5 …my 6th gti over the years and it is a brilliant all rounder

[@ZenzDeluxe]

I don't get how everyone here calls the GTI an all rounder. If it rains you're barely putting any power down and things turn into an FWD understeering snoozefest once you start cornering. If it snows lol, might as well leave it in the garage. The R is the true all rouder because its versatile and usable in all conditions because of AWD. In case of the MK8, you've even got a trick rear-diff capable of power on oversteer to boot. GTI's are great FWD fun, i've owned and tracked one, they're iconic. However, an all rounder, they are not.

[@georgeoztufan4403]

I literally picked up my MK7.5 GTI Performance on Monday, and I’m absolutely in love with it

[@PetrolPed]

Congrats 🥳

[@pwollerman]

I bought a MK5 TDI about 8 years ago: plain simple boring but it did have DSG about which I knew nothing. I’d had a 2002 for years, an Audi 90 and a Volvo 850 but was looking for a cheap to run care not a sports. A couple of years ago I was at a parts yard stripping a aircon from a GT and saw the bigger discs. I fitted them and had to buy higher wheels to fit. I got Siena 17s and good tyres - I’d already thought it handled well as standard but the new setup was a revelation! Subsequently I fitted paddle shift and cruise control along with the wheel from the GT badged TSI. The diesel is an amazing motor and squeezing torque effortlessly down country roads is my favourite thing ❤ Not about power, it’s the package!

[@jaredhoepfl9755]

I picked up an Mk8 GTI 10 days ago & I’m absolutely in love with it as well!!

[@MoeyComps]

Where did you buy it from? Looking for one myself

[@theTF2sniper]

Got my 7.5R around the same time as you, loving it

[@bunzbe9578]

For the last two years I have been driving a GTE VW hybrid which has many shortcomings but as you say puts a huge smile on your face when you select the GTE mode and wow the car comes alive. Stiffer suspension and steering together with that lovely grunt from the engine when you floor it!, and I’m 74 and still enjoy driving haha

[@markonline1.]

Never really got the GTI. Then decided to sell my 5.0 mustang as I needed a better daily driver. Decided to get a GTI mark 7 as a cheap run around. My first VW, and decided to get the DSG and it’s my first auto in 30 years of driving. I’m completely blown away. Even with my mustang being a V8, this little golf puts a way bigger smile on my face everytime I fire it up. I absolutely love it!!!

[@FightingGullyFarm]

Best is 7.5 3 dr 6 speed manual. Owned one since 2018 and love it. I’m lucky to live close by to many mountain roads and nothing is as fun in all weather conditions (except snow!)

[@eugenux]

congraz, best combo!

[@grahamatsea3575]

I run a 7.5 DSG PP with the torque vectoring l/s diff and Bridgestone blizzak winters tyre's and can assure you it's unbelievable. Couple of years ago we had some good snow and live on a single track road....it pushed through drifts upto the bonnet height with little fuss. On one occasion it rained and froze, no gritters on these back roads and on the 1/2 mile straights I could run at 50 with plenty of control, even when braking for corners I could do so with more force than I thought possible before it locked up and it recovered almost straight away. The winter tyres transform the cars abilities.

[@PetrolPed]

Good choice!

[@fiddycaliber947]

Agree, mk8 GTI is a fun drive. Even the infotainment you get used to it when you live with it for a while, it's not a deal breaker for sure.

[@davidfroehlich4598]

I have a manual 2017 MK7 GTI and it puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. One of its strengths, as this video points out, is its ability to laugh at inclement weather. It just stays so composed, it's a joy to drive. And the MK7 is delightfully analog. I can actually set the temperature with a dial!

[@tomashley5869]

Such a nice surprise this evening watching your video on the Golf GTI. Never owned a GTi, sadly, but loved my Golf 7 GTD, and now my 8 eTSI. You can’t go wrong with a Golf. It is the iPhone of the car world. I remember loving the GTIs back in the 80s. Hope to drive one sometime soon. Brilliant review Pete, and can’t wait for more Golf content this summer! Am loving your Japan trip coverage btw! 👍🏻 Cheers, Tom

[@ianstretton3814]

My wife & I both owned Mk 7.5 GTi's and enjoyed them both. On the 1st March this year I took delivery of a manual Mk 8 GTi. It was one of the last manual GTi's ever to be built. 👍👊

[@hannahtaylor9951]

Ditto, mine registered 30th Jan. Manual is the way to go, just a shame you haven’t been able to order it for some time and there will be no more three pedal GTIs.

[@PetrolPed]

Very nice!

[@ian5445]

I bought an 18 plate 7.5 in January and its a great car. My last car was a 206 180 which was a teenager and the Golf is a grown up. The performance is enough on British roads and it feels very planted. Following the demise of the 206 I had a Mk 8 for a month but prefer mine. Loving it ❤

[@DarrenJMHughes]

Thank you for this video and bringing across that the Golf Gti is not just about number chasing power figures; it’s the consummate practical all rounder that can do it all without looking out of place at Harrods or on a housing estate. The GTi is playful as the rear moves around whereas an R is so planted you have to go above and beyond the speed limit for the car to un stick but you then may end up in a hedge. I am on my second GTi. I had a mk5 (featured in your Covid 20 owners cars section) and had that for 9.5 year. I now have a 2020 mk7.5 GTi performance. The LSD works a treat and makes the car fun and enjoyable to drive.

[@Bob-sy7ln]

Good review here - well balanced viewpoints and I’m thankful you’ve got the GTI “thing” ! I started with a Mk2 16v GTi shortly after a canny salesperson loaned me an 8v when my lowly 1.6 Golf was out of action. This was it for me and became just a matter of time until I had that 16v sitting on the drive. Fast forward 30 years when a random visit to the dealer left me with a 7.5 Performance on the drive during lockdown. Living near open countryside meant I could sneak out for some hooning about on very quiet roads, for legitimate reason of course. The LSD was the most amazing feature for a FWD hot hatch, just astounding grip out of corners and out of gnarly junctions. Someone got a great motor when I swapped it for a Tiguan…..

[@karene4990]

Great video Ped, I’m not a great lover of the 8 truth be told. However, we had a MK5 GTI Edition 30 that we just loved, also a MK5 GTI which was great but my own personal favourite was our MK 7.5 GTI Performance (‘Eddie’), absolutely amazing car!!!!! 🥰

[@TheProphet937]

I owned a Mk7 GTI for a few years and got rid of it late 2022. I've missed it so much that I'm getting a new MK8 GTI in 2 more months (waiting for it to get to port). Was such a great daily driver that was very practical, but if you ever wanted to have fun it knew how to flip a switch and become more than a daily. The MK8 styling and interior takes a lot of getting used to coming from someone who owned a MK7. However, working at a dealer and being around them and hearing from people who have owned them for 10k+ you start to see that they aren't bad especially the outgoing 2024 model year. I look forward to your endeavor coming up later this year the 8.5s as I'm curious to see what all changes.

[@handscombmj]

Great video. I love the Golf over the years and the Scirocco that came from it. Had a lovely bright red mk 2 Scirocco in the 80’s. Can’t wait to see the Golf 8.5. Sounds like they’ve sorted many of the issues and Golf is back to its best.

[@PetrolPed]

Loved the Scirocco 👌

[@stanislas4990]

Great review. I am waiting for the next Golf GTI 8.5, to see if there are real improvements. I have own some Golf GTI in the past, a long time ago.

[@dennissabelonkosi8226]

That's great driving on the right hand side. Most of the people I watched before they drive on the wrong side and I don't like that. Thanks for the beautiful video brother. Keep up the good work ✌🏻🇿🇦

[@michaelstaunton1632]

Great mix of content on the channel well done 👍👍👍

[@PetrolPed]

Thank you 👍

[@philipparkes5682]

Hi Ped It was a wake up call when you mentioned “50 yrs”.🤭 Going way back in time we had Golf GTI but then changed over to scirocco and then Corrado VR6. What a car never went back to the Golf!😉

[@reitsmaassociates]

Love our golfs , my first car in the 80’s was a mk1 golf and since then my wife and I have owned 5 different generation GTI’s. Our current mk8 is a fabulous drive. It shares the garage with my much loved 350z and current model Defender 90. If we could only own one car it would hands down be the GTI - great review - cheers from Brisbane

[@edwowen]

This gen was a horrible miss for me. I took delivery of a Clubsport in November 2021 and VW accepted my rejection about 4 months later. The bugs on the SW where it thought it was in Germany and braked because it thought you were undertaking, set the speed to 100mph thinking it was 100kph... The hepatic buttons were miserable, the volume and temp buttons not illuminated and the infotainment crashed all the time. Then I got creaking suspension dealers couldnt sort and that was the end of that! It was a shame as it was great fun to drive!

[@PixelVibe42]

I bought a CS (2023) for my wife as a daily driver and she loves it. No issues with the software, and the ACC has been brilliantly intuitive. My wife would be the first to say she isn't into cars and doesn't like tech - but she really likes the CS. True, it takes time to adjust to the haptic buttons but once you've dialed into it they are not a problem. It's a car that quietly grows on you and impresses you over time. We've found it economical, plenty of power, superb motorway cruiser, easy to drive and park. Build quality has been excellent. And it's great fun on B roads.

[@chrisp4899]

The creaking suspension needs a thick grease in the voids of the suspension bush

[@PetrolPed]

Not good 😢

[@edwowen]

@@chrisp4899 Sadly VW at the time couldnt work out what to do despite 3 visits to the dealer.

[@edwowen]

@@PixelVibe42Looks like they ironed out the bugs from the early cars as you'd expect!

[@MT-zh9wc]

Try a 7.5 TCR, which is essentially an updated 7 clubsport, and you will find the pick of the bunch for the majority of people. Pairing with the tune of £25-28k for a decent well specced TCR however is a big ask for a lot of people. Only 800 or so in the UK though, well looked after examples are sure to hold values relatively well though I don’t imagine will climb any higher than current prices.

[@seanmorgan4099]

My mates always had Golfs when I had 205 GTis and I thought the Golf was not as good. After I bought my first Golf GTi I reckon I was converted within about 500 miles ! They are a great car - and so stable in the wet as you found out. I reckon because they are built to drive flat out on the Autobahn at normal driving speed they just tick over easily. I remember back prior to speed cameras driving to the south of France in one at a steady 120 mph, 3 up with 3 mountain bikes hanging on the back - great memories !

[@tim_headley]

Pete, I had a 1980 reg Mk 1 1.6 GTI in red between 1983 to 1986, but had to sell it not long after getting married. If I remember correctly it cost £4600 then. Fond memories of that car, really quick in 2nd & 3rd gears [only 102hp if I recall]. Before the days of aircon and elec windows, but such a great drive! Definitely had the grin factor. Sad to see it go, but don't have the marriage either any more :). Great video.

[@dubster8086]

Great review! I have an identical GTI to the one you drove and overall it’s a great all rounder. After 3 years however I have to say the infotainment gets no better and the unlit slider controls are just stupid. Otherwise it really is a car, greater than the numbers suggest,is fantastically well balanced, technology like the predictive cruise control and the IQ lights are seriously good and it still puts a smile on my face. I’ll be ordering an 8.5 as soon as the order books open and really hope they’ve sorted the software and infotainment as promised. Enjoy Wolfsburg!

[@abrahamgeorge4994]

I have a Mk2 GTI (1989) which I absolutely love. A few years ago I took it to Wolfsburg to visit the factory and it was a very memorable trip. Glad you’ll be joining VW for the drive to Wolfsburg to celebrate 50 years and the chance to drive all the variants. I’m sure VW will bring out a special edition GTI to celebrate 50 years. Now that would be a temptation as it will almost certainly be the last ICE GTI before it all goes electric with the Mk9. The GTI has always been understated and a great all rounder which is why it’s such an excellent car.

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

We had a mk 2 16v for about 12 years. That was an excellent car. Very well built and reliable. Quick and decent handling. Much better brakes than my old mk1. We sold it with well over 100k miles on it for decent money. You cant really beat that , can you?

[@abrahamgeorge4994]

Absolutely agree - I remember Jeremy Clarkson writing in Performance Car in the 1990s as to why anyone would buy GTI over Maestro EFI - I wasn’t the only one who replied to that opinion - my view was if it was your own hard earned money you wouldn’t be saying that plus how many EFIs will be on the road in 10 or 20 years

[@SpacedOdyssey]

Most overrated Hot hatch, I had a NEW (1989) MK2 Golf GTi Campaign on loan for a week. What a Shed, No Central Locking, Wind Up Windows No Tints totally GUTLESS, Having been bombarded by the likes of Clarkson and Brewer about how great they were It was CRAP, So I bought a Toyota Corolla GTi-16v , Pilloried by the motoring press as BORING. Well Guess What, It's a better car than any MK1 MKII or MK3 Golf, I still have it kzbin.info/www/bejne/gp2TfKusqqimjbc

[@abrahamgeorge4994]

Congratulations on your Corolla - very good car and sorry about your experience with the Mk2 Golf GTI - early cars didn’t come with electric windows, power steering or tinted windows except the 1988 special models to celebrate either 19 or 20 million Golfs. The big bumper models from 1990 came with central locking, power steering and electric windows. Enjoy the Toyota- it looks great in red and well looked after 😊

[@crellys]

My only Golf was the ‘89 Mk2 GTI. Was fun but by modern standards a bit of a yawn! I remember thinking 0-60 in 8.5 seconds was great, especially after coming from an MGB GT shed !!

[@stumcfoo]

I recently bought a Mk7 Clubsport Gti (supposedly for my wife) and I absolutely love it. I test drove a Mk8 Golf R a few years back and I was not excited by it. Also not a fan of the Mk8 Styling. I think Mk 7/7.5 is my favourite flavour of Golf Gti. Fairplay on your honesty about previous Golf Gti experience btw.

[@simonhughes7141]

Good review, appreciate thought gone into presenting car in real world driving conditions

[@PetrolPed]

Glad you liked it!

[@Mark-nu3ej]

Great video! In the past I owned an '88 GTI for 200+ thousand miles and loved it. Currently own a Mk6 GTI (since 2011) and have handed it down to my 16 year old son. They are truly great all around cars!👍

[@PetrolPed]

Very nice!

[@graemeadamson7272]

🖐️It was mentioned a while ago on a Top Gear episode , that when questioned about the 220 h/p (at the time) , not being significantly more , VW said it was quite sufficient . All these years later even at 240 h/p , it seems they were right . Great review , thank you 👊

[@andrewdavis6226]

Great review of the GTi - summed up perfectly why these are such fabulous daily cars. We’ve been lucky to have had 3 GTis including our current 7.5 Performance which is arguably the best ever. Very keen to try the 8.5 as that will surely be the last ?

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@leebradfield2438]

Love my Mk7 Gti, going to the 50 yr bash at Wolfsburg in July also.

[@johnbrown3951]

I had never driven a Golf GTI until two years ago when I was looking to replace my JCW and had found a 19 plate GTI Performance but I was really disappointed in the sense of theater with it ie interior and noise. It drove OK in the limited time I had it on test but in fact I liked my Golf GTD Estate more than that car with the sound generated through the speakers, fuel consumption and practicality with the Estate and two dogs. There is still something to this day I seem to like about the Golf GTI though and I think it is the heritage of being the genre of car I seem to revert back too after owning a JLR product and being let down but always returning after I have come to terms with it.

[@malcolmbrew8815]

Yes never really ticked the box for me. Test drove a couple a 6 and 7 I think. Just missing something. Was a passenger in a mk1 convertible a number of years ago and yes that was very special.

[@stuartmilne1819]

Loved my MK1 Golf - Also love my Type 2 Splitty from Wolfsburg which you can drive if you really want to see what driving is about. No haptic controls in that one

[@stephenhitchen8753]

Had a mk1 8v on a y plate, loved it, yet never went back to one.

[@davelawrence594]

Wow loved this video pete as that has more or less made my mind up about waiting for the facelift 8.5 as I'm considering either the 8.5 GTI or a M135i or the facelift Leon Cupra so would love you do do even a review of the M135i but again the facelift as thats due soon too like the GTI & the Leon Cupra!!😊 Anyway great video pete all the best Dave..👌🏻👍🏻

[@PetrolPed]

M135i is a great car too 👍

[@MrAust13]

Had a MKV GTI for twelve years and absolutely loved it. Had no issues with it and was a joy to drive.

[@PetrolPed]

Good to hear!

[@TheBarnster75]

Ditto

[@mayhem035]

I was always attracted to golf as a kid.. i am as old as the golf..😑 the first car i bought was a golf! A manual 1981 With the skinny bumpers.. i had a super bike at the time before having a car! I called it my rally car. It had no power, interior was basic. But the driving experience was mind blowing. After that i got a 1998 e36 bmw 318i .. manual as well.. 🤯 german cars are so nice to drive.. love the handling and the driving experience even if you dont have the top end model. Back then my dream car was a golf vr6! Cheers mate.. yeah not much power but the driving experience is super nice...✌️👊👌👍♥️

[@dbheath]

Love your channel Ped, please keep up the quality. Have owned 4 GTI's, two MK1 1.8's and a MK2 8v. Then marriage reduced income for a while. The money had to be found to PCH a MK7 though, almost back to the GTI roots. Loved my too few years with it. Really hope VW's change back to physical buttons, etc goes far enough to improve this current dreadful generation of interiors. I'd love to own another ICE powered GTI before they too are removed from production.

[@PetrolPed]

Very nice!

[@harpritgrewal7987]

Golf GTI 8 is an awesome car. I totally agree with you with the switchgear being poor. That has now been corrected in the Golf GTI 8.5.

[@slineboy]

Great video ped. I owned 4 mk 2 gti s 1 mk 3 gti and an mk 5 R32. My son runs a mk 7.5 slightly modified also various golf diesels. So a true golf history. Looking to move to a golf R . or an 8.5. Looking forward to the 50 th celebration. .

[@PetrolPed]

Very nice!

[@petejackson3113]

Ive had several over the years and for me the best was the Mk2 16v in Oak green! Lovely, wish I still owned it!

[@jamiep61]

I enjoyed watching the Video. I particularly like the Red Paint Colour 😊

[@davidbarringham7992]

I had a Mk1 GTI. It was a 1983 Y reg model with the 1781cc engine. Just about the best fun car I’ve owned, and never failed to put a smile on my face. As said, not loads of power, but the package was just so right. A very forgiving car, which was just as well given my youthful exuberance😄. The overall package is made/makes it was it was/is.

[@pwollerman]

Even the basic TDI can be a lot of fun on a twisty road - gobs of power and precise handling. I put 17" wheels and bigger discs and paddle shifts in mine - quite happy with the power and easy on the mpg

[@ChefDaveWillard]

Took me a few days to get used to the haptic controls on the steering wheel, and mercifully, have the 8" infotainment (S model). No complaints with the lack of real buttons. Really happy with my Mk 8.

[@DanG90]

I had a 7.5 GTI for a few years, it was a fantastic daily driver and good for an early morning Sunday drive in the hills. This video makes me miss it!

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@ianbeck5897]

I have a Jaguar XF-S sportbrake, my wife has a 7.5 GTi performance (both are auto). I love driving both cars as they are so different. The Jaguar is understated, practical, great on a long journey, superbly smooth and plenty quick enough. The GTi is louder, more of a hooligan, feels quick and is great fun to drive. Sadly, hers doesn't have the adaptive dampers and this makes it quite a hard ride on our country roads, It also has the low profile 19's making it even more rock hard but, in a way, that adds to the fun. oh, and hers is volcano red !

[@MattHealey.]

Great vid as normal Pete but can’t agree re the gearbox. These things are epic and having had both wouldn’t go back. Especially if have to use in traffic which as a daily you do.

[@derekhastings8481]

Loved my 7.5 manual. I think it was a sweet spot. I am keen to see the 8.5 but not sure we will see another manual.

[@visionsinblue7093]

Got a 2018 GTI 7.5 Performance DSG (APR stage 1). Been fantastic for the 5 years I have had it. It's everything you need in one car. Prices are slowing going down again now, I've been riding the wave of high resale values for the past couple of years. I think this will be with me until it dies (or I do!) 🤣 Welcome to the GTI party, Ped - even though it's overdue 🖖

[@reaazmiller979]

Have a 2017 7,5. Love the drive and a great all round runner

[@chuckashton9688]

Still enjoying my MK6 GTI. A great daily driver and a quite fun back road bomber.

[@alasdairwilson4806]

A good all rounder but those haptic controls would be challenging.Look forward to more drives later in the year.

[@grizzlystr3445]

Nice motor but I couldn’t get past the slider controls & why I bought a BMW 128ti. No manual option, but such is life. An absolute hoot in sport mode & sensible when needed in normal. Great review as usual 👍😎

[@PetrolPed]

Good choice!

[@final_mile_music9713]

Nikes a manual. The last one to ever be made in the US. We demanded it.

[@betteheadbettehead4800]

Not a big deal after a few hrs in the car

[@Edico999]

Great review

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@andrewcubbage1007]

Have had 2 Golf GTI’s over the years, both red (sorry!) and both with a manual gearbox. The first was a 1983 late mark 1 with the 1800cc engine rather than the earlier 1600. It was an ex demonstrator which was about a year old when I bought it, I loved it, a really great car . My second Golf GTI was bought new in 2012, it was an “edition 35” that the dealer had in stock which meant it had slightly more power than the regular one, it must have been god because I kept it for over 3 years. Shortly after buying the second one a friend looked at the edition 35 badge and asked if that meant 3.5 litre or 350 horsepower, I was tempted to lie but decided to explain it was the 35th anniversary model which had apparently been kept in production for a few years!

[@betteheadbettehead4800]

Just got an mk8 R a few weeks back. 💕 Love it

[@PetrolPed]

Nice 👍

[@michaeljohnson4975]

Will keep my Mk 7 Golf GTI. Just simple to use buttons and switches. Not stabbing away at a screen! What a stupid idea!

[@SoloVentureExplorer]

Say that again. Surprising how they could approve such a stupid idea

[@spills_n_thrills]

Mark 3.5 Octavia 245 in manual, passive dampers, 18" wheels. Best setup for broken UK roads, with all the power of the GTI, the LSD, tardis interior, proper buttons and handbrake

[@mastanford1970]

Hi, I had a Mk1 campaign and enjoyed it very much. I sold it due to buying a house and later saw it on Car SoS when Tim Shaw went to a specialist.

[@GeorgeT370]

That was very interesting....thanks!

[@PetrolPed]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Scotty_in_Ohio]

The last GTI I drove was an '82 or '84 Mk I in the early 90's - since then I've not parked my cheeks in the fun seat - only rode as a passenger. We were considering one before we purchase our first F56 JCW - I'd be interested in give a vee-dub a whirl....

[@danielheathcote5625]

My dad had a couple of mark 2 gtis back in the 90# and noughties as his sensible car (his other being an early 1988 911 carrera sport which he had for over 25 years from 1991)- and he loved his golf’s. They handled being driven so damned hard without breaking sweat, yet my mum would drive it if they popped out and didn’t want to take the family car (she refused to drive the 911). The gti could keep up in the twisties with much more powerful cars especially amazing if you weren’t called senna or Prost or mansell, but my dad also picked me up from uni in it as my mum needed the big car. We both enjoyed the drive home. The second one left us with 150k on the clock only just run in, and feeling like it still had 139 ponies under the hood. My dad always came back to golf as a model. He still has a golf (gtd now, mk7) as it does enough of the fun stuff whilst being parked on the street and not get noticed, and 50 to the gallon on a run.

[@tonytcook]

Thanks for this great video - having a mark 8 delivered next week......

[@PetrolPed]

Have fun!

[@Statimtek]

Bought a Mk8 GTI. I love it! When you put your foot down, like on an overtake, and that turbo kicks in, man does it take off!. Few peeves, the seats do get a little uncomfortable on long drives. I had the infotainment screen not come on, then later work, twice now. I find the Windshield wiper controls for both front and back to be a bit Fiddley. No problems with the haptic buttons. Many reviewers complain about accidentally turning on the heated steering wheel, it has happened a couple times, but for the most part, it’s not a problem. Overall I love my GTI, it’s a fun car on the twisties. Maybe my only regret is not going for the Golf R.

[@PetrolPed]

Nice 👌

[@betteheadbettehead4800]

Just got an mk8 R but test drove the GTI. Great car

[@cyberfroggy]

Had a Mk5 R32 for 6yrs. Great fun, wonderful all-rounder. Last year, picked up a 2019 Mk7.5 GTi. Big improvement over Mk5 in many ways, yet the core spirit of the Golf lives on inside. Hugely practical, fantastic economy, great fun on b roads...and everybody in the family can drive it any time anywhere!

[@TIM612826]

I think the mk7 gti is where it's at, looks and performance, especially mine. Stage 1 300bhp more fun than my standard golf mk7 r for sure! Both are manual aswel. I think you would ❤it too in gunmetal grey!

[@CASFAN]

I think many of us are in the same camp as you Pete, when it comes to the Golf GTI. I lusted after them back in the day. I owned a MK2 1.6CL, which looked like a GTI, but obviously lacked the performance. I just loved the look of the MK2 though, in a Lancia Delta kind of way. From there on the GTI just seemed to become more of a ‘sport lite’ car, not delivering the performance of the R, the A145, the M135i/M140i etc. I’ve given them a cursory consideration from time to time, but have struggled to see why I would consider it ahead of some of its rivals. Like you say in the video however, sometimes we should just drive and experience cars, rather than shortlisting after playing a game of top trumps with the stats.

[@BrianKeen-oz7sw]

Have a MK5 GTI, owned for the last 5 years and still love it. Completely stock apart from a cat back exhaust. Fancy a MK 7.5 but I still think the MK5 styling is great, much more distinctive than later models. Hate the MK8 front end.

[@drewontour2]

Had a mk7 performance for 9 years. Always loved it, still looks great. Put a stage 1 on it and it became a completely new beast. Even more smiles when you chuck it through corners and it jumps out ready to eat up the road. Great car.

[@PetrolPed]

Very nice!

[@user-ul4wy2lx2m]

It’s tuff for me to get into the mk8 because I have no payments on my 7.5 and I heard that no more manual transmission 😢 It’s one of my favorite cars and it feels a little like my gf mk1 r8 in overall drivability.

[@tonycalvin4496]

I have owned one of the first Mk1 1800cc in the country, mk2 8v, mk3 vr6, mk4 Gti,mk 7 R. The mk1 was outstanding in its day, great reliability and build (I traded in a mk2 RS2000 Escort), the Others never had the spark of the Mk1,but the Golf R is a fantastic car.

[@MrWhitehawk88]

Had a MK6 GTi manual, loved it. Now in a DSG 7.5, and never fails to not put a smile on my face. Had a 7.5 R as well and I know which one I preferred, the GTI all day long

[@MartinPearson-df8xf]

I have a r and love it. But never tried a golf gti. I literally went from a stage 1 polo gti to an R....what do you prefer about the golf gti ???

[@MrWhitehawk88]

@@MartinPearson-df8xf for me the R was great as well but the 4motion just seemed to take some of the fun away, knowing you can chuck it in to any corner and it would get you round there. The GTI just feels a bit more fun. Dad has had 4 Golf GTI now and has move onto his 2nd polo GTI now. I can see where I get it from now

[@britboy70]

I ran 2 MK1 Sciroccos and then got both an 8 and 16V Mk2 GTI as company cars when I worked for London Car Telephones. The Mk2 was a wonderful car, and so reliable. I put 100,000 miles on the 16V between services (it was a company car after all) and it never missed a beat and always a blast to drive on any type of road

[@PetrolPed]

My brother had a Mk1 Scirocco Storm…loved that car 👌

[@ronvandijk4133]

Although i had my doubts, considering the lousy software, i bought one last year. It is as brilliant as my late Golf 7 GTI Performance. It’s still the car that ticks all the boxes. Comfortable and spaceous for the family and when you are allone, you can drive as if your trousers were on fire. The software problems are gone, although, when the emblem is wet or dirty, the radar behind it gets confused and leads to alarm messages that the brake assist and travel assist do not operate anymore. Slight drawbacks that do not nearly weigh up to the exquisite ride. A brilliant car then, but fully equipped like mine it costs EUR 70,000 here, in the Netherlands….

[@aaardvaaark]

As a mk5 gti owner, the mk8 is the ugliest, crappiest, cheapest looking thing ever, and really dragged the VW badge down so low that I don't think I'll bother with VW in the future. Everywhere you look on the mk8 screams "Cost cutting" and nothing else. The engineers were tasked with making a silk purse out of a sow's ear. If you own a mk7.5, don't ever let it go, they'll surely appreciate in value once the supply of them thins out.

[@final_mile_music9713]

It’s a perfect car. Mine is the US GTI 380. Manual. Got all the Autobahn dynamic stuff, sticky tires and adaptive dampers with LsD. It’s fabulous. It’s my daily driver and I have a Cayman for the weekend. I didn’t wait for 8.5 because this was the last manual to be ever made and I can live with the infotainment.

[@PetrolPed]

Very nice!

[@MarkHolyoak]

Really balanced review; I currently run a late 7.5 DSG and can't think what I'll replace it with. I was very close to pressing the button on a Mk 8.0 clubsport last year but just could not see past the VW cost cutting (no std heated seats/rear view camera/gas struts deleted on bonnet). Add to that the low rent interior and poorly thought out controls - what is that gear selector about? - Like many people in the comments have said, it's an 'everyman' car; enough power without ever being intimidating.

[@PetrolPed]

Yep 👍

[@tdmtam]

Neither had I until I was 50 then I bought it and flipping love it. 2016 GTI performance pack.

[@nitesh-maharaj]

My G7 GTI is 10 years old this year and I haven't had a single issue with it. It still looks brand new and I love driving it. I was a bit disappointed by the interior of the G8, but I'm glad that they've fixed a lot of the issues in the G8.5, so I'm looking to finally upgrade later this year. The fact that it's understated is something I really love, but those who know, know. Cars like the i30N are a bit too boy racer for me, whereas the GTI is the more "elegant" of the bunch.

[@TenPester]

I had a mk7.5 Golf R and while it was fun, I always wanted a GTi because the R wasn’t fun unless you were breaking the speed limit everywhere. Hate the mk8 design inside.

[@paulbetesta]

Love this ped love the golf gti since was a kid friend as gt one she said take me out in it when we’re both free and can’t wait.

[@lewishunter]

In the process of looking for a new car and the GTi is on the list all be it the clubsport, along with a Tiguan R or a countryman JCW so vid was a help👍 have had 2 GTi’s in the past in Mk2 and 3 guise and loved both

[@lazarushernandez5827]

I am glad you made the distinction between the Golf R and the GTI. Despite sharing most of their DNA, having the same driver interface, they are different. I had a U.S. 2002 GTI MKIV 337 (25th Anniversary GTI in the rest of the world) and a 2004 MKIV Golf R32 concurrently for a few months. The GTI was light (for a MKIV) hung on to corners and was a joy to drive, the R32 while heavier, attacked the corners better, the AWD changed the dynamic. If I had the means at the time I would have kept them both.

[@johnbarry731]

Fantastic cars! I’ve had a mk1, mk2 and mk4. I moved on Octavia VRS estates as I needed the room. They are pretty much the same car underneath.

[@PetrolPed]

Very nice!

[@bradq2769]

I had a Golf MkIV TDI. I know it's not the GTI but, I loved that car. It wasn't super reliable though. In the shop once a year for something I couldn't do myself.

[@shakesnbake]

Yesssss :) So happy you liked it. I've had a Mk6 and had my Mk7 for 10 years!! It's just the perfect all rounder. I've promised myself I'll stick with GTI's until I can afford a 911 :)

[@PetrolPed]

Nice 👌

[@scottwatson7844]

Completely agree with your opening statement re the Golf GTI. Great all rounders but lack the style and quirky nature of some other brands.

[@moonbaby6134]

Thank goodness they are changing the interior slightly and the mild increase in power gives it just enough to be a great finish for one of the automotive greats.

[@ginggur17]

Hello my friend. I’ve always liked these. The GTD is a nice drive too.

[@jamesj97370]

I'd always have the GTI over the R, the badge is better, you don't get the stigma you get of driving an R and they offer more engagement!

[@paulfenner1867]

With you on the gear selector it's putting me off replacing my superb with the Octavia

[@CFCseventy]

Had a mk 2 what a car beautiful no gimmicks power steering power windows just a solid Moter brilliant drive 😊

[@markday5797]

I bought MK&.5 GTI S AKA base with the DSG transmission. So far so good just clicked over 5 years on 22 March. She is a keeper.

[@PetrolPed]

Nice 👌

[@bbr92]

Great vid but can’t believe how big the GTI has become. Owned a Mk1 1.6, Mk2 oak green 16v, Mk3 VR6 and MK4 GTi/1.8T. Hands down the Mk2 16v is the only one i really miss and regret selling as a drivers car. But if I could only have one back it would be the mk1 but in lhasa green not the red mine was.

[@Einsteindks27]

First time owner, '24 380 SE. REALLY getting to like it! Just have to modify the gear shift height and throw. Stock feels too much like a game. Shifting by sound is out, intuition is the name of the game, about the only learning curve. Yeah, the buttons are a different philosophy, but workable. Would like better software functionality behind them, though. Beautiful sound system.

[@RobertGrayson-pg8zu]

I was an early adopter of the mk8. Bought mine in 2020 (covid) and got a great deal at the time. The car was great ,as you have mentioned in your film. But it had issues with the info screen and cluster from the beginning. Went back to vw for software updates but progressively got worse the longer I had it. Eventually it became dangerous as both screens would go blank while driving and the last straw was when it started to brake on its own with nothing in front of you,even on a clear road.I was Sad to see it go, I loved the car. Not the operating system

[@PetrolPed]

😢

[@simonhilton41]

I had 7.5 performance gti .. great car wish I still had it . Plenty of power for driving on roads front wheel drive but handled really well . Much prefer the interior of golf compared to the mini