2002 Volkswagen GTI Review
2002 Volkswagen GTI Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Fun to drive, reasonable price, lots of standard goodies, hatchback design offers excellent cargo utility, available six-speed manual.
Cons
- Some controls hard to decipher, handling could be crisper, dated styling.
What’s new
For the 2002 model year, the GLS and GLX trim levels are dropped. Instead, choose from the juiced-up 180-horsepower turbocharged inline four (that can be mated to a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic) or the VR6 engine. The current 174-horsepower, 12-valve VR6 will be replaced with a 24-valve unit good for producing 200 horsepower in the spring of 2002. Later on, a special-edition model called the GTI 337 will arrive with a six-speed manual hooked up to the 180-horse 1.8T, as well as 18-inch wheels, 225/45VR18 performance rubber, a ground effects kit, genuine Recaro seats and red accents inside and out. All-new Volkswagen vehicles come standard with an improved four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, up from two years/24,000 miles. In addition, Volkswagen offers a fully transferable limited powertrain warranty that covers five years or 60,000 miles.
Edmunds says
Need a sport coupe for the real world? This is it.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 Volkswagen GTI 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$230/mo for GTI 1.8T
GTI 1.8T
vs
$180/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Back in 1983, the Volkswagen Rabbit GTI stormed onto the scene and created a new market segment: the hopped-up econosport. In recent years, however, the increasingly upscale Golf-based GTI was slipping out of reach for enthusiasts who lacked fat wallets. For 2002, VW decided to restructure pricing and content and market the car simply as the GTI with a choice of either the 1.8T or VR6 six-cylinder engine.
The price cut was achieved by removing some of the formerly standard features (such as leather trim on the VR6) that folks may not want anyway and moving them to the options list. Rest assured that the 2002 GTI is not stripped down, however. Air conditioning, keyless entry/anti-theft system, cruise control, premium stereo (with both cassette and CD players), tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and power windows, locks and mirrors are all standard features on the GTI. Consumers will be impressed by the hatchback's structural rigidity, which not only provides a solid, quiet body with precise gaps between the doors and body panels, but an overall feel of quality. Performance hardware includes 16-inch alloys (17s on the VR6), four-wheel disc brakes and a sport suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars.
A plethora of safety features is also present. In addition to dual front and side airbags, the GTI comes with a side curtain airbag, which helps to protect the heads of both front and rear passengers in a severe side-impact collision. Active safety (that allows one to avoid an accident) is up to snuff as well, with antilock brakes employing electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and traction control both standard.
Options with the 1.8T are a leather package (seats, steering wheel, shift boot and knob), a "luxury package" with power glass sunroof and premium Monsoon stereo, 17-inch alloy wheels and a cold weather package (heated windshield washer nozzles and heated seats). For those who choose a GTI VR6, an additional "technology package" is available with a self-dimming mirror, rain sensor wipers, and an automatic climate control system.
New life is breathed into the 1.8T powerplant for 2002, which brews up 30 more horsepower than the previous version for a total of 180. Doling out the power is your choice of a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic tranny with Tiptronic manual shifting. Currently the 2.8-liter, 12-valve VR6 makes 174 horsepower, but if you wait until spring a 200-pony, 24-valve version will come your way -- and you'll be able to get a six-speed manual with it.
In spite of the power upgrade for the VR6, the late arriving, special-edition GTI 337 equipped with the 1.8T and a six-speed (the same powertrain used in the New Beetle Turbo S) promises to be the most serious driver's car in the lineup. Based loosely on a 25th anniversary-edition GTI recently offered in Europe (to commemorate the car's original birth there in 1975), the 337 features 18-inch wheels, 225/45VR18 performance rubber, a ground effects kit, tinted taillights, red brake calipers, genuine Recaro seats, Monsoon sound and red stitching for the steering wheel, shifter and parking brake handle.
All GTIs ride on front MacPherson struts and a rear independent torsion-beam axle; the suspension is of course tuned for sport but without sacrificing day-to-day livability. Separate shock and coil-spring mounts reduce intrusion into the luggage compartment and cut road noise.
Ownership peace of mind comes from VW's improved four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, up from two years/24,000 miles. In addition, Volkswagen offers a fully transferable limited powertrain warranty that covers five years or 60,000 miles. Four-year/50,000-mile 24-hour roadside assistance is also provided.
Whether swayed by the value or performance of the GTI, drivers will be racing to start their engines.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Volkswagen GTI.
5 star(71%)
4 star(18%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(1%)
153 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
The Best/Worst Girlfriend You'll Ever Have
lehmann108, 08/25/2014
2002 Volkswagen GTI 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
I bought my 2002 VW GTI 1.8L turbo used with 50,000 mile on it. It is a rocket ship of a car: fast, nimble, quick as a cat. This car is a blast to drive. You can mod the car to make it even faster raising the HP
from 180 to 240 with a new ECU chip. But, all this being said, this car is the best/worst car you'll ever drive for this price. It requires dedicated maintenance and $'s to keep … it in top shape. You'll grown as you pay the $1500 shop bill every 6 months, but when you rocket out of the parking lot you'll say, "Yeah baby!" The best/worst girlfriend you ever will have! She'll rock your world and drain your wallet at the same time. And you'll just smile.
3.38 out of 5 stars
VW Mk4 Gti 1.8t (TIPTRONIC)
Tanya Luther, 02/23/2015
2002 Volkswagen GTI 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
So, I bought myself an 02 GTI about a year ago with 73,000 miles and it was a one owner car. Interior and exterior of the car was excellent. Sadly, 1 month after buying the car...the glove box door broke. The next month, my car started to make a horrible noise. Took it to my trustworthy mechanic, and he said that the waterpump had gone bad. Along with that I had the waterpump, timing … belt, etc..replaced; $1,000. Later on, my heater blower, windshield wipers, and turn signals ALL went out...in the middle of winter. Come to find out after replacing a few things it was the relay switch; $35. Still not finished, after dealing with that. The check engine light came on, needed a NEW TRANSMISSION.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Love the 337
the_original, 06/29/2009
2002 Volkswagen GTI 337 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Bought a slightly used 337 while I was looking for a 20th Anniv. model and have never regretted it. It replaced (directly) an '89 GTi 16V and I have to say the build quality of the newer car FAR exceeds the old. The North American 337s were built in Brazil, so they do not suffer many of the Mexican GTi problems (windows do not fall out, etc.). Handles incredibly well even in stock … configuration. The Audi-sourced brakes and 6-speed make excellent additions.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Silver Bullet
dartmthboy, 12/26/2002
2002 Volkswagen GTI VR6 2dr Hatchback (2.8L 6cyl 6M)
Having driven a 1997 Mits Eclipse GSX
(AWD, 210hp, Turbo) for 5 years, I was
a little skeptical about jumping to a
FWD, 200hp, 6-cyl car. At the
suggestion of a friend, I took the GTI
VR6 for a test drive and was pleasantly
surprised by the car's performance and
the total VW experience. It far
surpassed my experience with Mits,
Subaru, and Mini Cooper. After 5 …
months, I have few if any complaints
and the car gets more and more fun to
drive. Overall: Super fun drive, great
interior and exterior and overall great
package at a great value. My biggest
complaint with my Mits GSX was its
reliability and so far my GTI has been
A+.
2002 GTI Highlights
1.8T
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $18,910 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $230/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 18 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the GTI include:
- Alarm
- Stability Control
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