Is a 40 HP VW Mk1 Golf Diesel Even Fun to Drive?!

Hey guys! So this is one of the lowest horsepower vehicles we've ever driven here on Roads Untraveled and also one of the slowest. Does that mean it's not fun to drive?! Absolutely not. With the original 1.5L diesel engine under the hood, this gorgeous little VW Mk1 Golf (Rabbit as it was named here in Canada) is fully capable of providing endless laughs and a surprisingly engaging driving experience. Enjoy!
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[@RoadsUntraveled]

We're announcing our merch giveaway winner next week on the podcast! :D In the meantime, checkout Matt's Rabbit

[@SlowGoat54]

It’s always more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

[@bsimpo18]

No lie

[@Tony-112]

well said I'd prefer this :D

[@ReddoX30]

Well said!

[@mlghamsters2555]

Definitely, brings to mind my old Polo 1043cc. That was 47bhp in a car probably the same size as the mk1 golf before it & it was a blast to be able to thrash it everywhere with no fear of a ticket except for maybe excess noise!

[@MrTheHillfolk]

It makes you a driver .... Mk1s are a blast. concentrating to keep all the speed you can while blasting backroads. Brakes aren’t needed as much, you have to stay focused to not lose momentum. Get a good driver in one of these, and a lousy driver in something with more power, and the good driver won’t be all that far behind. I was giving some kid in a civic a fit on the backroads in the 4wd Mitsubishi fuso work truck a while back.

[@therealboofighter]

I love how you put as much effort into filming this review as you do a MK4 Supra. The beauty shots and the respect for the owner and his car show the passion that your crew has for cars. This is so good to see.

[@SarahnTuned]

Holy crap, it’s absolutely beautiful there!

[@RoadsUntraveled]

Fall in Vancouver! :D

[@BradLancaster86]

is that over the park on the way to north van? I used to have to commute from kits my day job to northvan for my night job. Rocked a G-30 camper van in traffic every day :P for six months. Sort of miss all that time in my mobile office.

[@paulbelanger7383]

Looks like Stanley Park. I subbed to support a local 'Tuber. Good video as always!

[@MrMduchesne23]

Sarah -n- Tuned gotta love our local talent on the BC coast.

[@cheesesandwich1236]

Indian River road, North Van. Shh, don't tell anyone.....

[@connarcomstock161]

"You had the beetle...but this was, like, *really* mass produced" andiwaslikebbbbiiiiiitttttcccchhhhhhhh?

[@Addison0526]

“You have the Beetle, but this was really mass produced” lol the Beetle was the 2nd most produced vehicle.... a 1.5 diesel is completely different than a GTI too.

[@frisco-2.0]

That is not correct! The beetle ist still the MOST build vehicle in the world. Because it is only one major design that was used from 1938 up to 2003. The beetle had only minor changes, but the car was the same from the beginning. Over 21 million beetles were build.

[@windoak2113]

Frisco -2.0 the most built vehicle is the flying pigeon bicycle, actually The second is the Honda cub Third is the beetle

[@galehess6676]

"It's a momentum car," yup. You learn to drive real fast. Super easy to work on and very reliable and inexpensive to operate, especially with antique plates. When I was little we had 2 of these baby blue Mk I beauties. Got 55 MPH on a trip from Boise to PA (with the prevailing winds pushing us, but to its credit it did the Rockies). I have a minty '85 Mark II Golf diesel 1.6 and it is so stinking fun to rail that thing, it's a little wider and heavier than the rarebit. It is a turd, 0-60 in 21.6 seconds from the factory, but it does fine considering there's always a car in front of me slowing me down.... 40mpg if driving it hard, 55 if nursing it on longer trips. Top speed is 89, but it will do 100 on a mile long downhill in West Virginia's mountains, you just gotta believe for a while.

[@NoDautMK1]

Yeah. Id rather drive this than a modern car anyday.

[@jman1239]

honestly

[@FADn12641]

no, you wouldn't

[@fastinradfordable]

Yes. We would.

[@feistyfinn9365]

Probably’d die quicker in this too

[@fastinradfordable]

Isaac Woolley Don’t go to drive throughs tho dude. I get 60mpg Suffer a little. Life isn’t meant to be comfortable. You have a fossil fuel burning machine. Do you want a new quiet one that you can’t hear? Ok sheep. Life is dangerous. A rabbit is way safer than riding a motorcycle in traffic.

[@oprikawize]

Excellent dialogue with the owner, one of my favorite videos from your channel

[@beautyjuicynayx06]

I owned two rabbits when I was 14yrs old,I had a orange 78 2dr rabbit that my cousin gave me as a gift,and then later that same year bought an 84 silver mk1 rabbit gti that my mom and dad bought me from my cousin for 800$ it was almost mint condition

[@jman1239]

wow i wish i had a mk 1 im 14 too

[@zragevii4705]

@@jman1239 I got lucky and found a mk1 rabbit pickup with the 1.6 n/a. You'll eventually find one if you keep looking.

[@Andrew-hs8ri]

@@zragevii4705 truck brothers

[@Pobrais]

I use my Mk1 '82 diesel as a daily driver. My dad bought it new. It's been painted once and it's taken me and the wife around Europe. Ok, it's a bit slow but it takes my kids to school every day and takes me to work. You can see me driving in central Lisbon practically every day in it.

[@johnarcher4189]

Hi, Paul. I just acquired an ‘81 Golf GL D that I imported from Spain. One owner older lady. Garaged. Only 34K km. 1.6L I love the personality and noise. The lack of power doesn’t bother me. I’ve completely cleaned/polished it to the bone. Took it all apart. Anyway, now it’s in the condition I have to have it to fully enjoy it. Do you still have your ‘82?

[@Pobrais]

@@johnarcher4189 hi there. I’ve tried to reply to you a number of times but it doesn’t seem to be working.

[@Pobrais]

@@johnarcher4189 Yes Sir, I do. Half a million kms on her now.

[@baohoainguyen]

I love this discussion from enthusiasts of what would today be considered a greatly underpowered car. I'm thinking of buying one myself. The ease of working on these cars is a big plus for me. I don't mind the lack of power either since I don't like driving fast, and maximizing the fuel economy.

[@jozegrd4123]

I have a question. How is it on the highway? Since you mentioned you toured Europe in it..... can it do 100-110 kmh on the highway?

[@user-dn6qy1ou1f]

My wife and I are huge vw fans. Especially diesels. We have an 01 TDI Jetta, 01 TDI golf, and an 82 1.6 rabbit. The Jetta and golf are both stage 3 tuned with big injectors and hybrid turbos. They are night and day faster and also get high 40s mpgs . But the rabbit is so much more enjoyable to drive. It's a real head Turner. Everyone always asks about it wherever we take it

[@vwporschefreak97]

I love Volkswagens. I'm pretty sure there isn't any brand in the world that is more like Lego than Vw.. everything fits in everything with just minimum changes like custom enginemounts. So much fun!

[@drMINDdamage]

I have a 55hp MK2. It's super fun and nice to drive. A timeless classic!

[@sverduijn1]

Back from the days when you could beat the factory fuel mileage

[@FreeUpTheWeed]

Beautiful video *as always* and a great talk with the owner! Would love a lil Mk1/2

[@misternobodysixtynine]

it's probably sold a few days, after the release of this short film. thank you for showing...

[@imbackinthegame3611]

6:48 Volkswagen used NA Diesel engines (SDI) till 2010 in the Caddy I drove them. Very responsive

[@1pickle12345678]

I have a 1982 Rabbit Pickup/Caddy with only 37k original miles

[@camshank]

This was a great expression of this car. Beautiful location and a great VW. Thank you!

[@theblackbull55]

Damn that looks so fun, iv had a couple mk2's but this looks like the real deal!

50 mpg its nice but my B5 1.9TDI AFN Wagon goes around that number as well. But FINALLY some VW on this channel. SO MAD

[@antoinezammit4504]

never leave an old diesel in 1st gear downhill.. it will start itself and leap forward and cause accident.. an old diesel manual always leave it in reverse downhill and 1st gear uphill ;)

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Antoine Zammit These won’t unless you juice up the fuel solenoid on the pump

[@devlintaylor9520]

Why would it start itself

[@fastinradfordable]

Devlin Taylor It won’t without the key being on. However, if your fuel shutoff solenoid failed and your ebrake failed it could very well kick over on a steep enough hill.

[@michaelbonner8662]

Thank you for doing a video with proper driving shots. 👍🏾👍🏾

[@riddlerusmc]

Seats 5.... uncomfortably!!! 😂

[@williamfullman2639]

My first love haven't seen one in years thanks for the great video

[@matthewmcneely2271]

Dang!! This makes me want to finish mine. I’ve got an 82’ rabbit diesel 1.6l n/a.

[@JunkJard-uo2bz]

40 hp is enough for daily driving to work and back, to grocerie and back. It's cool to have that kinda golf mk1

[@BengtHansves]

I owned and drove a VW Golf DIESEL Mk 1 1983 in the 90:s and early 00:s ! 150 000 km mostly in Sweden and Norway but also to Geneva - on the german AUTOBAHN - and to Murmansk in Russia. 80-100 km/h and you could go on for 800-900 km From +35 C down to -30 C Yes! An "economy-box"!

[@rawthentic.]

8:56 “when you see another VW on the road” 🤣🤣

[@southerncatfish4030]

The greatest thing i have bought was My 1981 MK1 Rabbit truck with a 1.6 diesel and a 1986 MK2 Golf with the original 1.6 diesel in it. Funnest cars in my driveway to drive. I love the 1.5 and 1.6 diesels. They might be slow but they are reliable if you take care of them

[@garrittstork7891]

new to the channel might be a silly question, where in BC you guys at? im in Hope, BC, Love the Mk1 diesel absolutely beautiful, ive got ta 14' jetta tdi 6mt and love it, always wanted an ol diesel rabbit

[@urgolf1974]

1.5L "CK" 50 hp, later 1.6L "CR" 54 hp. Not 40 hp.

[@imbackinthegame3611]

Don't forget the mighty 1.6L CY 70hp GTD

[@antoncretu5581]

There was also a 80hp version mk2 with the intercooler. And there was a 49 hp na diesel version as well.

[@PoplinsGarage]

For real. Do some research before putting incorrect hp numbers in the title. 😂

[@uhhhivan5180]

@@PoplinsGarage 40 year old car no rebuilt engine you think it makes stock numbers

[@ashtonbutler2082]

2:55 that was him flooring it and going top speed

[@bryantb3391]

Cool little summer cruizer

[@BigThree4Ever]

Damn it... I want a diesel mk1/mk2 now

[@JoJoJoker]

I may rescue one of these from the woods by our farm. Looks like a fun little run about.

[@tymac3306]

I really enjoyed that. The car is the same year I am lol. I had a mk2 and my current mk7 GTI. I love my Hondas too.

[@July.4.1776]

My 82 pickup’s owners manual says 54HP for the NA 1.6L

[@dogknott62]

What muffler are you running

[@JT-un7dc]

I had a 81 diesel rabbit. That thing had amazing fuel economy. I would drive all week on two dollars.

[@willymccoy3427]

I owned and drove a '80 Rabbit Diesel C for most of a decade. If it hadn't got totaled in a wreck with a one ton GMC pickup, I'd still be driving it.

[@joep9219]

There is one for sale in my area for 1800 in good condition. How many mpg would I gey6in this little rabbit?

[@germanmg4257]

I would drive this thing everyday... Hands down

[@luigidinardo]

I wish I had known this vehicle was for sale! I would love to own this car :)

[@williamfullman2639]

How much did it sell for+ anyone know

[@pdx650]

I have an ‘80 dasher diesel wagon (B1Passat) and I love the thing.

[@khester7397]

I had a four door hatch back. Brimming with character. Can't get a new windshield for them though.

[@neonaffliction]

My old VW MK2 used to have 52hp 30 years ago.. I miss that thing... :(

[@MrTheHillfolk]

neon mines sitting in the driveway right now, since it’s nice weather. 91 Jetta coupe, my dad bought it new and now I have it.

[@westcoastsingletrack7854]

Is ther an aftermarket exhaust on it?

[@GenziEiE]

This reminds me of my Mk5 Golf 2.0 SDI, another non turbo diesel but with 75bhp and, what I imagine, double the weight lol.

[@fastinradfordable]

50hp moped?!?? That would be so ungodly fast. I had a 35hp 1981 Yamaha and it had no problem doing over 110mph

[@tdipwr5020]

This video makes me miss my 1991 MK2 JETTA TURBO DIESEL.

[@oscarmccormack1761]

My grandma in poland had the same car, bought it new and just sold it last year with half a million kms

[@kingkong-og4qu]

that engine is indestructable i live in europe and the golf2 has the same engine and you can get it with a turbo

[@traceur21]

I would buy this in a heart beat and bring it over to Calgary!

[@patroell]

This is creepy lol. I have an 81, same color but two door on the same wheels lol and it’s a 1.6 diesel.

[@Road2RacingPA]

Pat Roell Those wheels look pretty good on that car. Btw, Im a subscriber of your subscribers

[@fredyscanlan]

You want to sell it by any chance???

[@fredyscanlan]

Lhd or rhd?

[@kobiemiller7285]

Pat Roell ikr i thought the same thing !

[@ben8090]

Is it fun to drive?

[@buddy8225]

Sweet ride dude. 👍😊

[@bballdude76]

Man, why sell it? You have a reliable FWD car that gets around 50 mpg for daily, a fun weekend RWD in the E30, and AWD race car in the STi. Wish I was fortunate to have a fleet like yours.

[@thepilotthatcould7178]

Whats the paint code for that blue?

[@HikeOntario]

Cool vid! Thanks!

[@emiholm7342]

were can i buy a steering wheel like that?

[@davidlabadie6071]

My first car! Put over 300k on it with no issues. Gave it to my brother, he put another hundred k. I still dream about it. My College friends still call me “diesel Dave”. We still remember how nicely a keg fit in the trunk for the long road trips. Dead battery, deep water: no problem.

[@thisoldjunk5752]

Very cool. Just subscribed

[@1pickle12345678]

If you are ever in the chicago area, I have a 1982 VW rabbit pickup with 40k original miles

[@dennisyoung4631]

Darker blue color = “Thunder bunny” - what I and a friend called his ‘76(?) instance.

[@Masterstrange879]

you should do more cars reviews like that, the kinda underdog thing cool.

[@carlosorlandofuentestabora1201]

These cars were fast for their engine size. As Matt says: its a momentum car........

[@jonroberts6518]

Brother has a 1984 1.6 diesel rabbit. Belive me I was like 😳 a 1.6l diesel "what" was more my remark when I saw it when he brought it home. Have the 2door plus hatch Not 4door like yours. For me I was thinking more in with the mk2 mk3 swaps 2.8vr6 / 3.2 vr6 .. Since it's already a diesel I believe he would want to keep it in a diesel configuration.. He's more into diesel engines and I'm more into gas engines. And I like the revvy-ness of the vr6 type engines, and I need more then 40 -100 bhp . I would keep the 1.6 diesel kind of curious of using it as a marine application.

[@edstababy]

I have a 1980 diesel we did a video on my channel. Really easy to work on and they come in really cool colors from factory.

[@BorisBeer24]

I literally just sold my 83 mk1 1100cc petrol in the same colour...... will miss it

[@hitmaniak1737]

Very cool Mk1 Golf :)

[@brandonmeens]

There’s one for sale near me so I’m trying to find out as much as I can before I buy it because it’s a project for sure

[@skswig1]

I had one and I thought it was fun to drive. It's all about momentum.

[@otischristensen7233]

I have a mk2 Jetta ECOdeisel, only 746 ever produced. The difference is that its a stock N/A 1.6 but with the turbo added from the factory to reduce emmisions. 62 hp and 74 pounds of torque! lol

[@cardays3673]

Moped POWER! :D Yes it's can be fatser with another engine, but it doesn't need to. Slow calm drift drive along the watchers.That is fun!

[@ChrisSs993]

Just gonna put it out there, but my Motorcycle got 85hp and thats little power today. 180 is pretty normal to see today, which isnt normal.

[@bungcheese5901]

Chris S sounds about right, my 95 750 makes 100~ at the crank. And 40-50mpg. Sad to say 40hp diesel isn't the way to have fun and save money, it's the bike lol.

[@zach7459]

Lol my 08 cbr makes 165. And weighs 450lbs

[@martinishot]

If turbo and a trunk means something to you get 83-84 Jetta TD

[@mazdaman1286]

These should be a great drivers car , the problem is everyone thinks they can " improve " them. By altering the suspension set up you have made a smooth , comfortable and responsive car a pain to drive. Put it back stock with good brand of the correct tyres and you will be amazed.

[@riverman33]

Volkswagen Golf Mk1 - USA/Canada/Japan: Diesel engines: 1.5L 48 hp (36 kW) I4 (MY 1978-80)

[@eddiemichael4333]

I manage to put my hands on a 1979 US Rabbit mk l,very hard to find one in Europe,now i m the struggle to find parts to restore it from zero.

[@user-dn6qy1ou1f]

Look ups partsplace.com they only deal with vw. They are hear in Michigan. They have a ton of new and used parts not listed on the site. Check them out. Great people. And they all drive vws!

[@TheShockLoad]

I had ice stud tires for winter. In the worst ice storm ever here I just ice skated through all the wrecks. Car like a figure skater on wet ice. Got pulled over for speeding. Going 76 in a 60. Speedo said I was going 64. Got a warning.

[@janaebert3059]

It may be cleaner than the new Audi A8. LOL.

[@Tony-112]

ahaha

[@antoinezammit4504]

the mk 4 features an 'SDi' model its the 1.9 68bhp at the crank NA diesel... along the TDi from 90bhp at the crank upwards (110, 130, 150)... in Europe obviously.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Antoine Zammit Lollll so what’s my 1.9 block /1.6 head combo have 😂

[@mlghamsters2555]

At last, a car I feel would be fair competition in a race with my '95 Xantia. That's a whopping 68bhp 1.9D admittedly but through a ZF auto box and heavier car I think power to weight would be fair. Also I challenge the statement that every diesel after this was turbo, because Citroen/PSA Group were still selling a detuned variant of the old n/a XUD as late as 2001 . Sweet sounding little motor that Golf though, on a straight pipe naturally :)

[@kuamik2719]

We are restoring on just like this

[@tommyboy1two]

All these reviews are great but I'm still waiting on the next mr2 mod

[@Lando_og]

Did it sell yet?

[@westcoastsingletrack7854]

I have a 1981 Volkswagen rabbit 1.6 l diesel and I get 38 mpg don’t know why it doesn’t get it like that one

[@chrisp5710]

If speedo is off so is the odometer.

[@Gundamzerowing1]

"go full tilt and mash the breaks" Till you drive a 1974 citroen gs. Then you give it a little bit of a press with your toe. Otherwise you bounce off the windshield.

[@toddshreve2971]

Where is this road, looks like a nice drive

[@RickGTI2019]

Who needs more than 40 HP anyway ? 👍 great video, thanks… RickGTI

[@BradLancaster86]

Yay, muh frist car that worked was a Diesel rabbit, Torque and dirt works great for the tractor bunny

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Brad Lancaster Used to love tripping my friends out by idling up steep hills in the woods without touching the gas.

[@crisismcnoodle]

Anybody know how scary these things are on the highway? Is a constant 70mph too much to ask for from that wheezy power plant? Thinking about daily duty

[@skepticalobserver7484]

Way late on the reply, but I have a good answer for you. On the 1.6 diesel rabbits the ability to cruise on the highway depends A LOT on the transmission. They came in 4 and 5 speed. On some of the 4 speeds the RPMs get really high once you get above 60, and some of them are geared to have a max speed of about 67 or so. It can feel like you’re riding a chainsaw. The 5 speeds seem to be geared much better, with the 5th gear good for highway cruising. Regardless, with that kind of HP “a constant 70mph” is physically impossible going up hills regardless of what transmission is in it. The trade off on the lack of speed is that you can stick it into a corner pretty hard and, as they indicated on the video, you can really feel the handling. Think over-built go kart. 😂 All that being said, I’ve done a LOT of miles in a LOT of VW Rabbits over the years. It’s really efficient and it is TONS OF FUN to drive as long as you don’t expect it to be anything other than what it is.

[@crisismcnoodle]

@@skepticalobserver7484 Hi Skeptical, it's indeed not too late a reply. That's super useful, thanks for elaborating. I will definitely make sure to hunt for the 5 speed in that case. I'm really thinking rabbit truck on ronal teddies to be my end goal at this point. Better to drive a slow car fast and all...

[@timothyprice9064]

I had the same car with a roof rack and took it to Germany in 1985. That was a mistake. By 1980 I thought they were up to 50 hp. They got 50 to the gallon when diesel was 75 cents a gallon. I would run it up to 75 miles an hour.

[@seachdamhneamh7771]

I really wanna buy an old beetle

[@davidhayes4814]

Mark 1 Golfs very very pretty

[@hitmaniak1737]

I just end car video with the same song :)

[@PredatersTA01]

awesome look!

[@RevDickbutt]

Damn I want this so badly.

[@powerfuel297]

My go kart has the same power 😂