2008 Volkswagen GTI Consumer Reviews

8 Month Update

Written by: MrRizzo on 04/02/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen GTI 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

After 8 months I am still enjoying this car. It responds to all my driving moods. Whether I want to poke along and enjoy the scenery or zip down a winding road, the GTI is a ready companion. Gas mileage has improved to 27 mpg (per the computer display). I alternate between regular and premium gas and have not noticed a reduction in performance. I have had no mechanical issues and the car runs great.

Favorite Features

heated seats, great looks, performance/practicality balance.

Suggested Improvements

less road noise.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Awesome Car

Written by: Kane on 03/27/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen GTI 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)

Review

Bought this car used (1 year old) with 11000 miles on it. I love it. The 6sp TWIN CLUTCH auto is superb. That was the deciding factor between this and the Mazdaspeed3. 90% of my driving is in rush hour so I didn't want a manual again. Lightening fast shifts. Manual mode makes it very fun to drive. Getting pretty good mileage ~26/27 mostly city. The instrument cluster lighting(blue & red) is fantastic. The heated seats are very supportive, gobs of torque on que, xenon headlights are very bright - even when the car is filthy. This car wants to be driven fast - so fun to drive. I like having to do errands b/c I get to drive the GTI.

Favorite Features

Twin clutch AUTO. Torque curve peaks and is flat from 1800-5000 RPM. Sliding centre armrest. Factoy stereo, blue cluster lights, 10 airbags, dual climate control, 6 disc in dash CD, ALL FOUR windows are auto up AND down.That little convex mirror on the driver side mirror-eliminates shoulder checks

Suggested Improvements

Could use a touch more HP from factory - like 20-30 to stay competitive with other turbo 4's. You can chip it but that will most likely void your powertrain warranty. But, will be more than enough for most people. The lumbar support is in a weird spot for me

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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fun to drive

Written by: Reggie on 03/04/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen GTI 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

This is my first VW I have ever owned and I couldn't be more happy with it. The plaid seats look very cool in person but in picture I thought they looked pretty ugly. Horrible gas mileage when using the paddle shifters as all you want to do is drive like a maniac :). I average 24 mpg when I keep it in drive. The sunglasses holder up near the sunroof controls kept popping open during the summer if I had glasses in it. After a while I couldn't keep it closed even if I took the glasses out. Finally after weeks of twisting things in different directions it stays up. Back seats are roomy according to my coworkers but you have to pull up the front seats for there legs.

Favorite Features

Sound of engine when I accelerate. Engine is very responsive. Instant acceleration when wanting to pass someone on the highway. Love having the sunroof open as it makes driving around at night that much more fun. Interior is very Nice compared to the 06 civic I use to have.

Suggested Improvements

Ipod adapter in center console armrest leaves little room for anything else. I do like the convenience of it being there instead of the glove box though. Gas mileage - I have never gotten above 24 mph even when it has mostly been highway miles. Fix sunglasses holder.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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I've Had Mine a Year, Time To Review...

Written by: Eric on 02/22/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen GTI 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I bought this car even though I knew all about VW's terrible reputation for unreliable build quality, overpriced dealer service, and poor customer relations due to the 1.8T and its sludge issue. Why would anyone do that? I blame BBC America! Top Gear's rave review and Jeremy Clarkson's wistful reminiscences of his MKI Scirocco lured me into the dealership for a very fateful test drive. The GTI made my Scion TC feel like a Yugo; it was so much more responsive, faster, better brakes, agile, and afterward getting back into my faithful and dependable Toyota product was just depressing. The dealership screwed me on price and interest rate because I had to have the car right now and was a moron.

Favorite Features

I never use the crappy radio because the exhaust sounds so awesome.

Suggested Improvements

Speakers are abysmal and are non-standard dimensions so they are difficult to replace.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Maybe the greatest car for your money...

Written by: Chris Moore on 01/29/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen GTI 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)

Review

This is a car that can truly do it all. I was looking for a car that could fulfill my demands for having a fun, performance oriented vehicle that could simultaneously deliver respectable gas mileage, have four doors, a great warranty and not break the bank, including full coverage insurance. Oh, did I mention my non-manual transmission driving wife had to be able to drive it too? Under these strict stipulations, the GTI is absolutely sublime. I bought mine for $20.5K and spend $100 a month on full coverage insurance. I regularly get over 30 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in town. Because of its sleeper status, I can drive it like I sat on a wasp, and a cop would be none the wiser.

Favorite Features

Usable and broad torque band, eager and frisky chassis, a platform that is as rigid as a safe, interior fit and finish that are consistent with its German heritage, interior materials that have no business being in a sub $30k vehicle, steering wheel and dead pedal ergonomics are divine, balance.

Suggested Improvements

The car is so great at everything it does, it makes you smile like a goon every time you get in it. May require a plastic surgeon to remove said perma-smile from face. Also, since this car is so over-achieving for its price, I doubt I'll be able to buy a better car until I can spend $40k on one.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great car for the money

Written by: Josh on 12/22/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen GTI 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) Prod. End 05/08

Review

I leased the 08 GTI as an emergency replacement for my beloved A4, which was rear-ended at an on-ramp light, and have been pretty happy with my stand-in. The car is a blast to drive and feels solid... all at around 20k! The interior styling is passable and the exterior is pretty awesome for a hatchback. I am very impressed with the engine and the turbo lag hasn't really annoyed as I thought it might. The only problem I've had, which worries me a bit, is the tranny. It doesn't always want to go into reverse and the clutch pedal stuck to the floor on one occasion. I don't know if this is a singular issue with my car or it's a model issue. Overall though, puts a smile on face on a daily basis.

Favorite Features

Tight driving car at this price. Up to 30 mpg. Reasonably priced. Quirky plaid seats are growing on me. Instrumentation is well done.

Suggested Improvements

Transmission is suspect. Stereo display is cheap looking compared to other instrumentation. Cloth seat bucket sides seem prone to wear. Teasing us with inoperable Euro feature buttons on steering wheel seems cruel.

2 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Fantastic!

Written by: 2VG26 on 12/14/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen GTI 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) Prod. End 05/08

Review

I have now had this car for a year and three months and this car has served me well. It is extremely fun to drive, gets great mpg (when you're not on it) and shuns most everything on the road. The manual transmissions are bullet proof and the electromechanical steering has great feel and control. Overall this is the best bang for my buck!

Favorite Features

Self-leveling bi-xenon headlights, power, handling, the stock Bridgestones are amazing! Solid feel and surprising roominess. Many features for the price and much more upscale than the competition.

Suggested Improvements

The doors on the 2 door are very long. It takes some physical ability to get in and out in tight spaces. More power outlets would be nice. Scrolling the radio stations using the buttons on the steering wheel instead of the radio would be nice but that's just me being picky.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Are you kidding me?????

Written by: Dave on 11/18/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen GTI 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM) Prod. End 05/08

Review

I was hesitant to buy a GTI due to "claims" of reliability issues. I took a chance and I cannot tell you how happy I am. This little rocket is amazing. Performance is top notch, fuel economy is great (26 MPG during 50/50 commute) interior quality is top notch (drive it at night) and it handles like a go- kart. For 22K with 0% for 60 months I walked away feeling like a king. There are little options to be had on this car, and it will not disappoint. Go with the basic package and keep the cost down. And yes, believe the hype on the DSG. It is ridiculously responsive. No car with this much torque and off the line acceleration should be this economical. The enthusiasts affordable dream!

Favorite Features

DSG, MFD Computer, Steering Wheel, Interior Quality, Fuel Economy, Nightime Interior Illumination, HID Headlights

Suggested Improvements

Seatbelt hard to reach in 2 door. No center console storage. Nothing major.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Its not that great

Written by: Javier on 11/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen GTI PZEV 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I purchased this car to be my everyday car. It is very fast and fun to drive. The auto trans shifts to quick, it is twitchy. The build quality is not what you would expect a nearly 30,000 car. The factory ipod connect is bad! Fuel economy is not that great if you get on the gas. Over all it is a good car but I just feel that for the price you should get more and better quality. My rear cup holder broke like in 2 days. There is some cabin noise and the seats are not that comfortable. It does have considerable blind spots even when turning your head to switch lanes. I say you owe it to your self to drive the competition before you buy, I did not.

Favorite Features

The quickness

Suggested Improvements

the plastic rear cup holders,I-pod connector,chair comfort,drop a gear on 6 speed auto tranny

7 out 25 people found this review helpful

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My Fun Mobile

Written by: rich116 on 10/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen GTI 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) Prod. End 05/08

Review

Needed something with a back seat, and also wanted a car with decent gas mileage. But mostly the car had to be FUN to drive, since I was giving up my roadster. I drove Toyota's, Subaru's, Chevys and Mazdas, but once I drove the GTI, I knew I was buying one. I've always been a manual transmission guy. But a salesman encouraged me to try the DSG transmission, I did, & loved it. I bought the 4-door in white, really looks classy, sporty, yet practical.

Favorite Features

Body style, it's different than most 4- doors, good solid car, sun roof, Denver rims, and Turbo performance and sound.

Suggested Improvements

None-love it the way it is, good job VW.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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