Facing the spring home improvements I’ve mentioned a couple of times, we decided to sell our Audi Allroad that was hardly being driven (Take good care of her Tim!) Suddenly our 1986 Volkswagen Golf ‘dog car’ is getting full time duty — and her flaws are a bit more apparent than they used to be. Here’s a picture with the recent suspension upgrade and Corrado wheels:
It’s a good project car for someone, but we’re looking for a more original and solid platform for our daily. After considering newer 4 door Golfs like this one on the VWVortex (112k miles, $2500 obo, Seattle):
We decided we should really stretch just a touch further and seek out a GTi model. For starters, all of the bits I’d upgrade to on a Golf are already installed on a GTi, like bucket seats, sway bars, close ratio transmission, performance tune motor, alloy wheels, etc… Unfortunately 4 door Golf GTi’s (like this one) were never imported to the U.S. But the 60/40 split folding seat does come in both 2 and 4 door configurations — so we can still get Super Sam into the back of course!
But it’s been several years since I’ve kept up with GTi values, and I’ve been surprised at just how difficult it is now to find a clean original. Here’s a couple on the VWVortex that appear to be of the quality I’m looking for, but are unfortunately nowhere near where I live:
1992 GTi 2.0 16v $2800-5800 depending on options, Spokane Washington (this is our pick of the litter right now, but a 14 hour round trip sounds silly for a GTi!)
My wife is really eager to get a nicer example now that the Audi is gone, so I’m on the lookout on Craigslist and local enthusiast forums for GTi’s. If you know of one in Western Oregon, let me know!
A list of MK2 Volkswagen GTi Buyer Guides:
- Great buyers guide on Octane.ie
- Golf/Jetta MKII FAQ on VWVortex
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How about a 1992 vintage Top Gear episode featuring tips on buying a used GTi (skip to 18:45 for this segment, or hang out for the whole episode with a Porsche 968 and Jaguar XJS review!):
dc
7 replies on “Shopping for a Clean Volkswagen MK2 GTi: Hard to Find!”
[…] how I wish I could squeeze this into my GTi search! Check out this very rare 1989 Volkswagen Rallye Golf for sale on […]
[…] cars in both threads. While the prices are potentially record setting, I have actively been on the lookout for a clean MK2 GTi or GLi and examples of decent quality often have asking prices of $5k+. The fact that these are FAR nicer […]
[…] been on the prowl for a modern classic, affordable, sporting German car for a while now. And while we were pretty […]
I just came upon your site. I know it’s been over two years since your search, but I have a 1992, 16v GTI -4 DOOR- for sale in Seattle. I am the only owner. It’s one of 3 that I know of in North America (1 in LA, 1 in Vancouver BC). It was the Blaupunkt show car (California) for 1993. The engine is a European spec, Oettinger prepped, 190 HP 16 valve. Stereo (460 watts), Corrado calipers, full anti-sway package, Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks and struts, 10.5″ crfossed drilled and vented discs -the list goes on and on. Last I checked it got 28mpg hwy, 23 city. Has 99,000 miles on car and about 70,000 on engine. Car’s been in several magazines in the early 90s. Get back to me if you’re still looking, it might be a good match for what you’re looking for. Cheers, J
Sounds like an incredible car! We’re not looking right now, but you never know when we’ll need to change out the stable. I’ll keep this in mind. Thank you!
dc
Jeff, I may be interested in your car if it’s still available. How much are you asking? Thanks…. Eric
Hi Eric, $6,500. May seem a lot for a ’92, but it’s rare. Additional work was done by both WolfSport in Berkeley, CA and Neuspeed in Santa Clara, CA. -It’s red.
It was the Official Blaupunkt show car for 1992/93.