Manual Farewell! Why You NEED the 2024 VW Golf GTI 380 in Your Garage

Is the 2024 VW Golf GTI 380 the Ultimate Collector's Edition?
Attention VW enthusiasts and driving purists! The iconic manual transmission is waving goodbye to the GTI lineup, and the 2024 Golf GTI 380 might be your last chance to snag a legend.
This video dives deep into everything that makes the 380 a potential future classic. We'll explore its unique features, limited-edition status, and its place in the rich history of the GTI.
But is it just hype, or a genuine collector's item? We'll take you on a test drive, analyze its performance specs, and uncover the hidden details that might make this GTI a must-have for your garage.
So buckle up, friends! Hit that subscribe button and get ready to discover why you NEED the 2024 VW Golf GTI 380 Performance in your collection!
2024 VW Golf R Manual Review:
• 2024 VW Golf R: Benchm...
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#brianmakse #2024GTI #VW #GTI380 #HotHatch

[@peteyification]

I wasn't planning on buying a new car anytime soon, but I put in an order for a GTI 380 the second I heard the news... it's now currently in my garage and one of the best cars I've ever owned!

[@kineticU]

You are genuine and fun to listen to. Cheers! I have a golf R lol in FL….overkill Yeah..the torque dip on upshift is annoying

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks! Great car! Enjoy!

[@JacesOwnWorld]

I am the original owner of a 2017 VW GTI 6spd. I knew I wanted a manual, looked in my area, fell in love with the Night Blue Metallic color, but the only one listed in my State was listed as DSG. I went to go look at it anyways, loved the color, and when I looked inside, I realized the dealership listed it incorrectly. It was a 6spd! I bought it that day lol. I’ve never owned an automatic car in all of my 28 years of driving. I love driving manuals, BUT, the clutch on my MK7 GTI has been a pain. So many ton/slave failures, and when they fail, it requires an entirely new clutch. For this reason if a bad ton/slave design by VW, I always tell everyone to stay away from the 6spd. It’s a money pit in the long run. It’s great when it works, especially when matched with a short shifter and weighted shift knob, but it’s expensive to fix when it goes wrong, and it goes wrong way too often.

[@KC-lg8qf]

As a fellow mk7 owner there are just too many things in these cars that regularly fail. I adore the way my dsg drives....but I'm thinking about letting it go after putting 115,000 miles in it. It's just repair after repair after repair. Fuel pumps ..... thermostat housing.....water pumps....intake manifold...you name it. Now to hear there is issues with the clutch in the manual!!? Ridiculous I did test drive a manual Mk 7 when I got rid of my Mk 6 and thought the clutch was very vague and imprecise.. so I decided on another DSG.. I couldn't imagine having even more problems with this car..

[@Makcc87]

What are your thoughts between a 2023 GTI 40th anniversary (Canadian edition with the bigger centre screen) vs a 2023 WRX sport tech? Both are roughly around $40k here in BC.

[@adamleininger1387]

In the US those seats are standard in the S and the SE, but leather is an available option in the SE and 380 SE. The only trim not available with plaid is the Autobahn.

[@gaborherman1481]

I have seen several used Autobahn models with plaid seats, though they were '22 or '23.

[@ak2112]

Lost interest when they botched the interiors on the MK8 and now that there won't be a 6 speed going forward, there's absolutely no reason to be interested in the GTI anymore. What a shame.

[@_Marc_D]

I bought one in Feb, got it in March and I love it!

[@BrianMakse]

Good choice!

[@LoveLikeaHurricane]

All cars have pros and cons. GTI has been well for the do it all car. However, maintenance cost and long term ownership has turned me off. (I owned a Mk5 gti for 10+ years) I now have a Type R 2019. It’s the replacement to the GTI, but I feel the Type R is too big. There currently is nothing in the market that checks these boxes: 1. Gti size 2. Cheap/easy maintenance 3. Manual transmission

[@user-gr4oz8jb1o]

I don’t have the 380, but the 40th AE with a manual in pomelo yellow. I get compliments on it frequently. Normally, I drive mine in Eco mode, but the other day put it in Sport and let her rip! Ho boy! One heck of an automobile!

[@luisjalvareztorres8481]

The 380 is essentially the same package that came with the 40th AE. 19” wheels, gloss black roof and side mirrors and the performance DCC adaptive dampers and summer tires. The main differences are the wheel design and the fact that you can get the 380 package in any of the three trims VW offers (S, SE & Autobahn) while the 40th AE is it’s own trim.

[@elgoogkcuf]

i got those same seats in my US 2024 380se

[@robertnagy1902]

same here

[@al_f.miami.semperefideles2879]

GTI has always been one of my favorites .. definitely in my bucket list. My wife mentions it’s not “ age appropriate “ “ What are you regressing to your High School / College Undergrad Days!” .. it’s sad to see how few cars bring manual transmissions .. I drove only manuals in South Florida , land of constant gridlock .. and boring grids.. I’ll refer to a Wall Street Journal article published July 5 , 2024. Titles “ Baby Can I drive your car? Not if it’s a stick shift!”

[@hitmanhart6275]

No age limit to own a Golf.

[@michaelsmith9308]

I have the manual, however, the dsg is so LAZY cool:)

[@BrianMakse]

It’s not a bad gearbox, but that’s not my point.

[@ShadowBend]

I really wanted to replace my MK7 GTI with a MK8. I hated the new interior controls, and ended up picking up a Jetta GLI. Its still very tempting to get the last generation GTI with a stick...

[@d.w.j.1114]

In the US we get 2 versions of the 380, the S & SE. If I were to buy it I'd definitely get the S because it doesn't come with a glass roof & it also comes with a simpler radio that has a knob not full touch. You've mentioned several times that in the US we don't get that seat material, but both, the 380S & 380SE, have it. I've been considering getting the 380S or upgrading to a Golf R because 2024 will be the last chance to get either with a manual, I believe, but I've decided to keep my MK7 because - it's a 2dr, there's no sun roof, the seats look better, it has a non electronic emergency brake handle not a button, it doesn't have an unrelenting menu of drive selections and it doesn't have all that digital haptic touch/non-haptic touch nonsense on the dash & steering wheel. I love GTIs and like the look & power of the MK8 and the 380 that you're showing us, but the electronics(why an E diff, put a real mechanical one in)and digital stuff kill it for me. Great video, TY.

[@ranganabartlett5003]

we actually also get the 380 autobhan but that trim really just comes with a whole slew of extra tech and comfort features that I'm sure will break in a few years

[@stevemartegani]

Today marks the first day ive had issues with my carpel tunnel while driving manual... (25 years of driving manual) So the DSG only 2025 GTI will have to be on the short list for sure.

[@youdidntbuildthat47]

Those seats ARE available in the US. Fairfield Volkswagen in Fairfield, OH has a black one (stock # RW137674) with those seats.

[@BrianMakse]

Cool! I guess the American product planners do have some good taste!

[@elgoogkcuf]

@@BrianMakse for once lol

[@brandonhindmarsh4353]

Luckily i was in the market. Picked mine up in March.

[@BrianMakse]

Congrats!

[@leviefrauim1425]

Ok, Brian, this GTI or the 2024 VW Jetta GLI ?

[@BrianMakse]

This.

[@wicked_smaaht]

Does this trim in Canada comes with adaptive dampers? Asking because if this is the equivalent of SE trim in the US, they do not come with adaptive dampers. Only Autobahn trim (higher than SE) have adaptive dampers. I almost bought one in April, until the dealer messed up the entire deal, and I moved on to BMW 2 series (for 10K more). If the dealer didn’t try to screw me on the day I was supposed to sign papers, I swear I would be driving the GTI Autobahn today. What a car! What a car!

[@ricktrue8441]

Wish it had dual port injection.

[@VitoC.]

"Car enthusiast participation🏆" lol

[@BrianMakse]

😝

[@matthewsanders6499]

I'm super into both these and the newer Jetta Autobahn 6-speed. How are they on reliability? VW offers a dogshitte warranty of just 4 years/50k, and tbh they do not have the reputation of similarly priced Japanese models. What's your feeling on repairs, reliability, maintenance costs etc?

[@keatonpotts3183]

You can indeed get those seats in the US. Have them in my SE

[@BrianMakse]

Cool!

[@Thankyou_3]

Great review ❤ I just wish VW would place more emphasis in fixing all the interior buttons or lack thereof. Finally, the elephant in the room is their reliability…I would walk cautiously owning this vehicle outside of warranty. Turbo engines are disastrous don’t matter which manufacturer. Leaks, head gasket issues and burning oil are all part and parcel of Turbo engines pitfalls. Personally, if I was part of VW engineering team, I would have placed a naturally aspirated bulletproof engine. ..the nostalgia reasons of owning a VW GTI when this car ages it is going to be irrelevant how fast the vehicle is today with Turbos. Generally, pushing the car to the limit does not make a reliable vehicle long term.

[@SlipAngleG70]

Brian, what do you think about tuning cars like the GTI? Tuning as in adding more power.. maybe stage 1

[@BrianMakse]

My rule of thumb is to careful with tuning. No tuners have the resources of an oem. A good tune, though, can be a delightful game changer.

[@jrms60r]

APR is the way to go. Had it on my past GTI’s and a Golf R and huge difference and never had a problem.

[@a914freak]

Is it me, or did that engine cover look like it came off of a Honda J32 engine

[@paulpellico3797]

would it be asking to much for more details on this VW engine? is it similar in any way to the triguan? does it have that same horrible rubber belt in the oil pump? is it chock full of plastic water and hose connections? any information about the motor and everything under the hood??????

[@KC-lg8qf]

Yes it is similar..... It's essentially the same engine with a different tune.

[@genzigzag]

At least you can get it in red unlike the Golf R

[@msalvag]

Discontinuing the manual in NA is a mistake. Its not like VW is ending production of manual GTIs all together. They're still being produced for Europe and I assume the NA models come off the same production line. Its a shame. I hope GTI sales in NA tank next year. I would no longer be interested in buying one.

[@BrianMakse]

GTI and Golf R manuals are done globally starting in 2025. We’re left with the GLI in North America.

[@TheRyanc490]

so what does the 380 stand for? #cliffhanger

[@listener84]

380 is the chassis #

[@yoshw13]

I'm in America and I have those exact seats? Don't I?

[@BrianMakse]

Congrats! I don’t pore over the mundane and just focus on driving dynamics for this channel. Quirks and features can be found on most every other car channel.

[@yoshw13]

@@BrianMakse for sure. I just thought I heard you say that those seats were exclusive to Canada that's why I commented.

[@BrianMakse]

@@yoshw13appreciate the clarification. Great seats!

[@theb4r138]

I would like it but I can’t stand the interior and all the tech I find it cumbersome annoying and frankly an unsafe distraction

[@wardellward]

GTI 380

[@keithmorton9591]

The next generation gti void of a manual gearbox is absolutely pointless. This vehicle will eventually become all electric and will handle like a golf cart.