Golf Which of the seven Golf GTI generations was the best?

[Rainer271]

Which of the seven Golf GTI generations was the best?

 

[Rolf]

As I grew up in the 1980's and 1990's my 2 favorite GTI out of the 7 has to be MK 1 and MKII. I have driven many Golf I GTI's and nearly bought one at one stage and but i am happy that I finally bought a 1988 GOLF 2 GTI 1.8 8 valve when I started my first job in early 2000's and that 8 valve model many people say is the best GTI model out of MK1 and MK2 models, even better than the MK2 16 valve. The MK 1 had its charm of that excellent 1.8 8 valve motor, crisp 5 speed gearshift, sharp and direct unassisted steering (at high speed only cause low speed it was very heavy) and fun handling, but it suffered from bad brakes (too spongy), bad rear passenger legroom, bad electrics in the fuse boxes and some bad rust. The MK2 was near perfect, much better space and build quality compared to MK1, more quieter at higher speed although its engine was still noisy when cruising at high speeds, much better body with virtually no rust problems, no electric problems. That 1.8 8 valve engine is a masterpiece with fantastic low to mid range torque and flexibility, great acceleration in lower speed ranges up to 120km/h (I clocked it from 0-50 km/h in 2.5sec and 0-100km/h in 8,1sec at the coast) as higher speed the acceleration pulls back due to the aerodynamics not been really good (top speed I got most 200 to 205km/h indicated) nice rorty exhaust noise and superb chassis with better ride than the MK1 and less body roll with even sharper steering. I have driven a few 16 valves and it didn't feel any faster than my 8 valve, only at higher revs it was more eager to rev to 7200rpm cut out compared to 6700rpm on 8 valve, although it lacked the low to mid range pull and torque of the 8 valve and its exhaust note was less fruity.

 

[Matski]

I have to confess, I was thoroughly underwhelmed by the Mk 2. I shared a house with a couple once, he had an Oak Green 5-dr 16v, and she had a Red 3-dr 8v, so I got to drive both a number of times. I've not driven any other GTI's so I don't know if the Mk 2 was better or worse, but when he crashed his 16v, he bought a Corrado VR6 instead, I thought that was much better.

 

[fredilon]

The first one.

 

[Giannis]

I've never driven the 1st and 7th generation, but if I were to choose, I'd get the 6th generation.

IMO, the best to drive is the 2nd, but if I were to get one for life, I'd prefer the much more grown-up 6th gen, the only one I stand the looks of.

 

[Rolf]

Just listen to this cars engine at high speeds, the joys of the Mk1 GTI!! What an awesome symphony of noises from that engine.

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[J.E]

Can't comment on the Mk1 and Mk2 as they were never sold over here. The only Mk3 GTI sold over here was the two-litre 8 valve with only 115 hp, so it wasn't a true GTI.

I can't comment on the Mk5 and Mk6 GTI, because they weren't sold over here either.

I can comment on the Mk4 GTI, which I thought it was very good. The 180 hp version was superb.

Mk7 GTI was impressive, but sold over here in very little number and I think the Mk8 will be even more impressive, but sadly it will sell even less than before.

 

[Rolf]

Ahh makes me miss my old Golf 2 GTI when I watched this video. That car was still one of the best cars I drove that put a smile on my face.

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[Rolf]

Although this is not a GTi, this Golf 1 brochure takes one back in time to 1974 when this brilliant hatch won the hearts of millions of people.

 

[Giannis]

Which of the seven Golf GTI generations was the best?

I've driven the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th generation. I'd say the 4th gen was quite definitive for the Golf name, but I think the 6th gen was the most complete product, in every way. After all, the Golf was never about driving experience and we're not talking GTI's here.

 

[klier]

From the Golf mark 2 until the mark 6 my uncle all his life bought the GTI version. Until he died of cancer and that chapter closed for good.

I have the best memories of the Golf mrk 4 GTI

 

[Rolf]

I've driven the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th generation. I'd say the 4th gen was quite definitive for the Golf name, but I think the 6th gen was the most complete product, in every way. After all, the Golf was never about driving experience and we're not talking GTI's here.

I have driven or been in all the Golf models except for Golf 8 and 8.5 and all of them except the Golf 3 gave me positive impressions. The Golf 6 and 7 I thought are really superb with all round handling, ride and refinement and overall probably the best models. The Golf 4 had an excellent interior but lacked some rear space. I wasnt impressed with the Golf 3, it felt a larger and softer car than Golf 1 and 2 and the interior was ok but rattled over bumps.

 

[SKY]

I owned a GTI 7 for 12 years. Been driving a GTS CS 8.5 for 5 months now.

The mk7 felt supremely built. It was a joy to drive and looked like a modern classic. The 8.5 lacks the attention to detail in the interior of the mk7. However, it is more comfortable, sportier and way faster.

GTI 9 should use the 8.5 as the base but trying to reincorporate GTI 7’s build quality and classiness.