This Golf GTi is a Keeper - VW Golf GTi Mk3 8V

[@JackVinall35]

I moved to New Zealand a few years ago when I was 15 and now I’m 18 and have a 1996 red 16 valve gti and I absolutely love it it’s awesome, definitely not gonna sell it.

[@TaketotheRoad]

Good stuff Jack! Definitely hang onto it. Being a 16v it will be a bit more sought after than the 8v. Enjoy your Golf😎👍

[@johnnywinstone]

Real nice video! Great to watch. I had a 97 8V, still my favourite car so far. Great memories! Thanks for uploading.

[@TaketotheRoad]

Thank you very much Johnny! Glad you enjoyed it😎👍

[@mattalki]

I've owned a mk1, a mk4, and now a mk7 Golf. I've always had a soft spot for the mk3 even though I've never owned one. Yours seems to be in great shape!

[@TaketotheRoad]

Thanks! It’s all there, just needs a tidy up now to get it looking good again. I’ve never owned a Mk1 or Mk2 but have used a Mk4 a fair bit. Wouldn’t say no to a first year of production Mk5 GTi. A friend has a Mk7 and he loves it.

[@bezradnymiastarybnika-mari5060]

Great movie. Thank you.

[@mattb9748]

I love your excitement over the Mk3, IMHO one of the finer styled Golfs in general. I'm intrigued by the spec of your GTI, as we here in the states had offerings that almost never overlapped with European models. I never realized that the 2.0L 115hp engine was ever in Europe at all and I had figured it was a North American motor and that European models at the very least were 16V 2.0L by then. The other thing I notice is that your car has 5-bolt wheels whereas across all of our Mk3s over here, 5-bolt wheels and associated suspension bits were only found on VR6 models and all our 4-cylinder models were 4-bolt wheels and suspension bits.

[@Spivwado07]

Superb vid! The quality just keeps improving. Great use of drone, cut away shots, music & presentation. Broadcast standard piece. I shall have to get up to speed on your others

[@TaketotheRoad]

Thank you very much sir! Much appreciated!😎👍Glad you enjoyed it.

[@rosshensman2607]

Really enjoyed watching your video, and the fondness you have for your GTI. I have just purchased a MK 4 GTI 8 Valve. It’s 23 years old but drives like a 5 year old car. Love it.

[@RestoDesignsnando]

Nice vid mate, the unloved MK3 seems to have come of age.

[@craigd8624]

I had 3 MK3 Golfs. A 1993 1.8 CL, 1997 1.6 CL and a 1996 8v GTI. I've owned 7 cars in total and the GTI is the one car I miss the most. Loved that car. The stock GTI exhaust had a suprinsingly sporty sound and the mk3's were pretty spacious. I was at a scrap yard the other day and there was mk3 Golf there. I sat in it and the memories came flooding back just looking at the interior again. I own a Mondeo ST220 now but would love to own a mk3 Golf GTI again one day

[@TaketotheRoad]

Thanks for sharing Craig! There just is something about the Mk3 Golf, once it gets under your skin that's it. Sure the ST220 has bags more power and space and is starting to become a collector car now. But the GTi is cool. Sadly a lot of MK3s have gone to the scrap heap now, numbers have really dropped in the past 5 years or so.

[@BogusBolloks-mf4wq]

Great car 👍 I currently own a Golf 4 GTI 20V T for the past 10 years and enjoy it very much.

[@plamendimitrov5762]

Just turned 20 last month, and I wanna say that I'm a proud owner of a 16 valve 1995 GTI. Owning and driving that is amazing, but it can't really get into my heart as my first car ever did. And my first car? - 1993 MK3 1.9 D (yes the most dead diesel). That 1.9 has been in my family ever since I started school - over 14 years now. Yes, that is a rust bucket, yes it's slow as a snail, yes the only luxury is the heated rear window (which also doesn't work) but I just love her. Even tho it's now retired, it's still sitting in the garage (scrappers, you will never get her!!!) and waiting hopefully the day I will have the funds to completely restore it. Hopefully I'll be able to share that process with you all :)

[@TaketotheRoad]

Wow that is a cool story! Thanks for sharing! Funny we've owned the same cars, with the exception of my GTi being an 8v. Yup the 1.9D is a slow beast alright. And mine had drum brakes which were shocking! How VW got away with them I don't know. My old diesel gave in to rust a good few years ago (2012). But the last owner took it up to 177,000 miles ( I sold it at around 120,000) so it was well used. Good luck with the restoration of your one!👍

[@plamendimitrov5762]

Take to the Road Thanks! ATM the diesel has 340 000 or so kms on the dash, but the joke in the family (and our mechanics(btw they hate when they see it)) is that it's on double that, atleast xD. And about them brakes - compared to the GTI these are horrible. I have big plans for this car - whole GTI suspension, bigger fuel injectors, golf 2 turbo, TDI gearbox. Basically make it around 150 wheel HP. I honestly think, that after everything it did for us, that car deserves it. And that wasn't little - we built 4 houses hauling 95% of the stuff in a trailer, racing, drifting, burnouts, off-roading - almost everything you can do with a car. This is why I love her so much - was everywhere with us :)

[@billynomates7347]

I used to have a 1.9D so SLOW but it ran on used chip oil which was nice. With hindsight I should have sprayed some of that chip oil on the underside to stop it rusting away...

[@TaketotheRoad]

Yup they are slooooow! My first one was so sluggish. But went forever on a tank. Imagine it ran for even longer on chip oil. Rust took my old one in the end. Got up to near 180k miles though.

[@TaketotheRoad]

Cool! The same as my first Golf. They do like to rust when they get old. But if it is not too far gone it is worth saving. They are solid and go one forever. Good luck with it👍

[@kim007250]

really enjoyed your back story on the Golf also the drone footage was brilliant

[@TaketotheRoad]

Thank you very much Kim! Really appreciate that 😎👍

[@TheAimzaii]

I have the exact same car same colour same wheel same sun roof and the sun roof and it also has same problems but im glad to see its still running and we also bought it in 2004 so everything is relatable

[@TaketotheRoad]

That’s cool! Thanks for sharing👍Funny we got our the same year... enjoy😎

[@Tschempe]

Nice Video and Beautiful Mk3 Gti. And what they have done to your car is very cruel.... I also own a Golf 3 1997 but its only an SDI :D I bought it last year from an mechanic who bought it from an old man and the car was not driven for over ten years.. it was in a garage and de mechanic bought it and restored the important parts of the car like the brakes and stuff and now its mine for over one year and as i bought it the mileage was at only 30.000km and i love my litte 1.9 diesel.. and i have done so many mods on it :) I chiptuned it to 80 hp bought the original golf 3 gt bbs rims bought vr6 leather seats a new radio and also new head lights, the gti front spoiler and some other litte extras... and two months ago i had an accident.. I thought I could throw away my car but then I completely repaired my old lady and now I am driving around with my litte dream... i know the sdi isnt the fastest but the condition of this car is like factory new and i love it and also a lot of people say it is such a beauty :D thats my story of my mk3

[@TaketotheRoad]

That’s very cool! Thanks for sharing your Golf story😎Thats super low miles for yours. Getting hard to find them like that now! Yeah the diesel isn’t that quick but those upgrades you’ve done are good ones. My GTi now has a new Jerez exhaust and it’s back on the road which is a great feeling. Cheers👊👍

[@kungfulender8733]

I had two over a 20 year span. I miss them dearly. My BMW is superior in every way, but those GTI's have so much charm.

[@ast4546]

can’t wait to get a mk3, great video!

[@fast4life100]

Ive had 2 vr6's and 2 8v gti. Although i now own a mk5 r32 i still crave a mk3 gti or vr6. All my mk3's were bullet proof. The vr6 was quick and felt solid but the 8v felt nippy enough around town and was fun on B roads. Keep up the mk3 love.

[@TaketotheRoad]

Cool Brett! I have yet to own let alone drive a VR6. Love the sound from that engine. Really want a Golf VR6 and a Corrado VR6 Storm. There is something about the 8V. It might not have the power or the grunt of the V or the 16v. But it works well. Hoping to get mine back on the road this year. Bit of a list of jobs to do on it now. It will get done though👍

[@fast4life100]

@@TaketotheRoad i like the simplicity of the 8v engine. Easy to work on an just a generally all round car for day to day driving. Your 8v looks great and in a lovely colour. If you want to do a video i would happily chuck you the keys to my r32 👍

[@TaketotheRoad]

Thanks mate! I’ve always loved grey on Golfs, ever since I first saw a Mk1 GTi in gunmetal grey. Just love that colour. That would be awesome actually! I do love the R32 as well. Such an awesome sound from them👌😎Drop me an email at [e-mail] and we can sort something out👊

[@remcopeters4427]

Still smiling when i think about the years driving around in my MK3 GTI..should have never sold it 😢 but at the time it seemed the best idea 😂

[@NeilTodd]

Gutted for you on all the dings & scrapes, I feel your pain. I have a Mk4 V6 4-motion which I've also owned for 13 years & many people over the years have kindly left me dents and scrapes which is more than annoying! Great film & think mine's a 'keeper' & would love to get it back to original condition.

[@TaketotheRoad]

Thanks a lot Neil! Glad you enjoyed the film 😎 Sorry to hear you've suffered similar issues with your Mk4. I've always liked the V6 4-motion and the subtle changes to the bodykit versus a standard Mk4. What is it like to drive?

[@NeilTodd]

Take to the Road, the MK4 always got a bit of a slating in the motoring press but I think the 4-Motion version is very underrated. Great motorway cruiser, plenty of power, superb v6 sound and great traction with the 4wd system. Yes, maybe not the best track car but I’ve got no complaints and enjoyed every minute of ownership. It’s been the perfect ‘all round’ car for the last 13 years.

[@TaketotheRoad]

Cool! I know the V5 was considered a bit of a strange one and you are right the Mk4 wasn't loved. Even the the Mk4 R32 didn't win the critics over. Although I haven't driven one I do agree and think the 4 Motion is underrated. Prices have started creeping up for clean low mile examples so they will be one to watch. All the best with yours! 👍

[@-m.d.n-9019]

Is the Mk4 GTI reliable?

[@PaulDoldenDetails]

As you know my son owns a Mk2 driver and a 1985 polo s my Dad owned a mk3 vr6 and a Mk2 gti love them

[@TaketotheRoad]

One you go VDub it is in the blood! Love the MK3 VR6. Would like to add a Storm to the collection. And a MK2 in Tornado red. And a Mk1 GTi.... loads of 💸 💸 💸

[@PaulDoldenDetails]

Take to the Road yes the Mk1 gti is the holy grail very cool 😇

[@santamulligan676]

Thanks for this exactly how I feel about my colour concept

[@TaketotheRoad]

Thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed it😎 Your colour concept is pretty rare. Don't seen many around these days.

[@hp6r]

You have a very lovely Golf, fellow mk3 owner here. Great video !

[@TaketotheRoad]

Thank you very much Hector! Really appreciate it😎👍Good luck with your Mk3👊

[@hastingsdirect7300]

Take to the Road would you recommend this as a first car?

[@mindflowers1792]

Hastings direct I would

[@geraldzenelaj]

Hastings direct absolutely.

[@mad4dubs300]

I used to hate the mk3 but I must say they do look good now .

[@samthebirdspotter3956]

I just got a Golf 3 1997 as my first car I have to pass my driving test then I will take it to work I can't wait it has Sport exhaust and some little tweaks but I love it it's black with tinted windows

[@TaketotheRoad]

Nice one Sam! Best of luck with your Mk3 😎👍 And thanks for watching 👌

[@samthebirdspotter3956]

OMG!! I just got and everything you said in the video is correct I love mine it's a dream to drive I drove my friends 1.8 CL but you can't compare it. It's so smooth and to be fair it wants to drive quick i won't give it away anytime soon. Thankyou for the Great honest review mate.

[@TaketotheRoad]

Thanks a lot Sam! Really appreciate that😎👍

[@love.pugsss449]

I had 10 great years with my old mk3 Gti vr6. I knew that car like the back of my hand. Wish I never sold it.

[@TaketotheRoad]

Ah one that got away. Have never had a VR6 and would love to add one to the collection some day. Do love the sound of that engine.

[@abrakadabra762]

Был такой, даже в таком цвете, шустрый 👍

[@eddiemichael4333]

I hope 🤞 you have friends in east Europe where you can still find parts at a decent price.

[@geraldzenelaj]

Did you restore the car ? I keep seeing this video many times, remind my Golf too, its the same colour, and when I see this video its like those words was thinking by me too..cant wait to see another video.. awesome car 😍

[@TaketotheRoad]

Thanks for watching Gerald! Glad you liked it 😎 Great to hear you have a Golf as well 👍 No I haven’t restored mine. It’s getting to the stage where I need to sort some paint on it. And a new headliner. So a few jobs to do!

[@TheThejpmshow]

At one point My sister had a 1.6 CL 1995 My dad had a 1.9 TDI 1998 I had a 2.0 GTI 8v 1997 Very special cars, but none beats the GTI for something you just can’t put your finger on

[@TaketotheRoad]

Cool! Always good to hear about a family loving their Golfs. You are right there is just something about the GTi.

[@TheThejpmshow]

Yeah they aren’t the fastest, or the lightest, or the most efficient - but the benchmark for hatchbacks

[@TheThejpmshow]

By the way, awesome video too - very professional looking, like something from a certain motoring show

[@TaketotheRoad]

Very true on all accounts. VW did drop the ball with the MK3 and the MK4. But they were still the benchmark.

[@TaketotheRoad]

And thank you very much! Really appreciate the feedback😎Cool you think its like a certain tv show 😉👍

[@zstxrzz]

Sorry about your car being abused by assholes. I feel you on that subject, people don’t know how to respect other people’s vehicles. I always have the courtesy to make sure not to open my door to wide in a parking lot, an all these other per cautions. Sometimes I tell myself why do I if people can’t be the same way. Afterwards though I tell myself not to be like them. Cruel world lol

[@TaketotheRoad]

It sure is Christopher! That's for the support. It still gets me the way others treat peoples property. I too always try to be considerate and careful around peoples cars. Hopefully I get the damage repaired on mine this year and then I can put it all behind me and enjoy the car.

[@zstxrzz]

Take to the Road you welcome! Nice growing channel. Exactly man, it’s ridiculous feel like some people do it on purpose because you have something nice. I hope so! When you do make another video on how it looks afterwards. really nice GTI !

[@TaketotheRoad]

Cool! Thanks mate! Yup I’ll be doing a couple of videos with the Golf when it gets back on the road. Can’t wait to drive it again. Fingers crossed it will be soon!

[@mikemayers9353]

i almost bought one when i was 18 , 13 yrs ago for 2500 euro , now a good one starts from 2500 , it would have been a great car to drive and it was brisk enough at that time .

[@TaketotheRoad]

Prices have started to climb now. They are a rare sight on the roads these days.

[@xiiifas2968]

Ive got q 16v gti mk3 in storm grey aswell with 207k miles on it!

[@JMc.D]

What happened to this series? I just found it and was looking for ward to seeing the follow up vids. Would love to see a modern classic be brought back to life.

[@TaketotheRoad]

Cheers John. This series hasn’t got going yet. Plan was to fit a new exhaust system. But doing a pre fit inspection shown some corrosion behind the centre exhaust heatshield, on the floor pan. Not serious but enough to make it a longer job than just swapping in a new exhaust. It will get done this year. At some stage!

[@drewwagar]

Not a big fan of the Mk3 tbh, but great to see the passion for the car. Good luck with the rebuild!

[@Crazy_Alex_7667]

We have an extra green mk3 gti in my vacation house and hasn’t run in a couple years, and we’re planning on selling it… but now I want to fix it so we don’t sell It(but I’m 14 so it’s not gunna be ez)😬

[@kristoferturner2194]

20 years of ownership now it seems. Do you still have it?

[@keenanjogiah5935]

I'm planning on getting one of these as my first car ,either this or a golf 4 tdi ,which would you suggest ? With my budget I'm able to get a really clean golf 3 or a tdi that would need some work. Which is the better option?

[@TaketotheRoad]

The MK4 TDi isn’t a bad car. Engine has ok power and the interior in comfortable. It would be more economical obviously than a Mk3 GTi. But I can get close to 40MPG out of my Mk3 GTi. The thing is the Mk3 Golf is getting rare now so the time to get one is now. If you’ve got the budget for a tidy one go for it. They make for a great first car.

[@lucacavallini561]

hello, I have the same car, but mine is 93, I wanted to ask you for information: when you turn on the Key and activate the starter engine, with the lights on, for example, or other onboard services, do they go out during cranking? they stay on to me, and I suspect it's not normal..

[@TaketotheRoad]

The lights should go out once it’s started and the key has returned to the 2nd position. Do any other lights stay on? Maybe check the manual to see what it says as it should explain the starting procedure and what lights come on.

[@PaulDoldenDetails]

Put a stainless system on it feel your pain Niall I had a mk1 escort and it was keyed heart breaking

[@TaketotheRoad]

I'm cooking up something Paul don't worry 😉 It is heartbreaking. Went to a body shop the other day. Because of all the dings etc they say it needs a full respray 😭 And I wanted to keep it all original. Oh well.

[@sosss505]

where is the video of makeover?

[@footbollpro]

When more videos of the mk3 coming? :)

[@TaketotheRoad]

Hopefully soon. I have a long list of jobs that need doing on the car and all going to plan I'll starting ticking them off in the next month of two. So stay tuned 😎 👍

[@ucefkh]

@@TaketotheRoad is it yet done? please? cant wait for it thank you

[@TaketotheRoad]

No not yet. I’ve fitted a new stainless Jetex exhaust since the video and picked up a few bits for it. I’m still waiting to sort out the frustrating key mark damage to the paint. Maybe next year it will get done.

[@footbollpro]

Take to the Road im glad you still have yours and haven’t gotten rid of it tho.

[@geraldzenelaj]

Amazing Video. Your Golf looks very nice and clean even with those dents 😔. I feel you in every single word you've said. Mine its a Golf GL, LK7Y code paint..like yours. Storm Gray. 1.6 101hp. My first car, and felt the same as you described your first ride with yours. 2 years of ownership was looking to him carefully, made every service and keeping the paint in tip top shape, but world have so many cruel people everywhere, mine too has some small dents and the bigest its on the passenger side of hood. Someone with an expensive vehicle, with parking sensor hit my. And I felt exactly like you. I want to follow you on Instagram too if its possible. Succes with your projects 😊

[@TaketotheRoad]

Thank you very much Gerald! Really appreciate that😎👍Yeah Storm Grey is a great colour isn’t it👌That sucks yours has been damaged as well. Others have little respect for property! Hoping to get mine sorted out soon and back to looking good. Yes of course do follow me on Instagram👍

[@geraldzenelaj]

Take to the Road Yes,I think Storm Grey its the nicest colour for Golf mk3s. Its rare for those oldies, fits perfectly and gives the car a look that never shown as an old car. keep your car as good as you can, its a trustworthy friend 🤗. I cant wait to see other videos what you make to your car. Another think that i like to your GTI its that OEM look. Its difficult to find such a performance car without mods or tunning. 👌 Thanks for your reply.

[@TaketotheRoad]

Thank you! It sure is an old friend. Can't wait to get it back on the road. Yes do keep an eye out for more videos on the Golf. Have a few planned. And yes the OEM is my fav as well. Too many have been messed with and ruined with rubbish mods. I won't be doing that to mine.

[@javierdesande9620]

I dont worry anymore when someone keys my car. I feel proud because some really envys my car. Poor suckers…

[@lazgyrorider3894]

Yeep.. That is a great car....

[@TaketotheRoad]

Thanks Laz! It sure is 😎

[@been9ne991]

same car lol same probs

[@Speedwelltuning]

I think you need to experience a faster car mate, they really are gutless. You literally don’t know what your missing. There’s way more fun to be had...

[@TaketotheRoad]

Actually I drive a performance hatchback with 340BHP. It’s ridiculously quick and lots of fun. But there’s no emotional attachment to it. Which is the point I think you missed.

[@samthebirdspotter3956]

What's the point have having a fast car yeah fun but the fun only lasts so long until you crash. A golf 3 is plenty for the roads these days if you wanna experience fast cars just go on a race track on roads it won't bring you anything but danger.

[@gavinthomas7375]

You need to drive something else as well.