Used 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Hatchback Consumer Reviews
Used Golf GTI for sale
GTI + APR = bliss
Annonymous, 07/02/2016
updated 01/04/2017
2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Update: 8000 miles. I still really love driving this car. It's feels tight and solid, like it's got rubber washers everywhere to eliminate rattles. The shifter is excellent...buttery. So glad I got a manual. It's small and maneuverable on the outside, but big on the inside (4 guys' camping gear with rear seats down). I'm still happy with the APR re-program of the CPU (305hp/370tq); no mechanical problems. Once it's rolling, the turbo and APR stage 1 upgrade makes it a sling-shot for passing slower cars on the freeway. The stock tires suck, though. I can't wait to wear them out and replace 'em. I have no idea what this car would do from a standing start because I can't get any traction. Lesser cars can get the jump on me. Kinda makes me wish it had the R's all-wheel drive. On the other hand, the 2-door is awfully pretty... ________________ Original Review: I had an Infinity G37, and test drove a GTI but found the acceleration lacking, so I walked away. The Golf R is what I really wanted, but it's out of reach financially. Then I stumbled on the APR software upgrade. Could I have my cake and eat it too? So I got the GTI and absolutely love the steering, shifting, and handling - simply a precision instrument. Fantastic value. The acceleration from a stock GTI is adequate; I could make the passes I wanted with no problem, but still the seat-of-the-pants thrust was less than the G37 (328 hp/330 tq). So I went through with the stage 1 APR upgrade. Man oh man...Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde. At 3500 rpm the car wants to squirt out from under me, like I'm being sucked through a straw. From 210 hp/258 tq to 305/371. Hilariously terrifying...I love it. Warranty? Nothing's going to happen. I'll flash to stock for routine maintenance. And warranties don't last forever, anyway. Live life. The only minor complaint is that the steering wheel blocks the gauges when it's down low in my lap. Otherwise, the GTI feels just as "luxurious" as my G37 did, it's quiet, fuel efficient, easy to squeeze into parking spaces, feels like a sports car behind the wheel, and thanks to APR accelerates like one, too. It's got a bunch of electronic do-dads, too, but so far listening to Howard Stern is the only benefit to that stuff. But as far as a driving machine goes, I got a steal.
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Great Value
Nick, 02/20/2016
2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn w/Performance Package 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
After 3 years of driving a BMW X3 SUV, I decided that I was ready for a car again. I ended up with a fully loaded manual GTI and I'm totally happy after 5,000 miles. First of all, the car has character. It is almost retro with the boxy design and great visibility that is reminiscent of one of my first cars, a vintage VW Rabbit. The interior and the electronics rival cars that are $10K to $20K more expensive. The sport seats are very comfortable and the door and console elbow rests are wide and nicely padded. The car is tight, quick, and agile. It is really fun to drive. I was expecting loud road noise, but the car is actually pretty smooth and quiet. It handles well on the highway, in heavy rain and wind, and in the snow. I would suggest that you turn off the lane departure feature because it gives the steering a little wiggle every few minutes even though you haven't drifted. My combined fuel economy while always in sport mode is 30 MPG. I highly recommend this car because it feels like you nearly get BMW quality at a VW price.
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2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI for sale near you
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- SE 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $16,99071 mi away
- SE 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $15,99548 mi away
- SE w/Performance Package 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $14,99985 mi away
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GTI is "aufregend" (exciting)!!
Eric Rubery, 01/29/2016
2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn w/Performance Package 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Just ask my wife - I looked and looked and looked and looked to find the perfect four door hatch for me. My previous daily-driver was a 2004 Jeep Rubicon (short wheelbase, lifted & gets about 11 mpg around town). Was looking for a four-door so we can have some extra room and actually drive every once in a while when we go out to dinner with friends. I only have about 250 miles on the GTI, but so far - great car, great to drive, lots of fun. Interior is very comfortable! Love the front seats & my wife approves of the rear seats as well. First thing she does when we go car shopping is sit in the back seat to see how "uncomfortable" our friends will be when we drive anywhere - she was pleasantly surprised with the rear seats in the GTI. Very comfortable! For the front - I love the driving position and the visibility is truly amazing! Never had a rear-view camera before & figured it was a bit of a gimmick, but having to back into my driveway at night, I've realized how amazingly easy it is now! Storage is adequate for what my wife and I need. I really like the "dual level" floor in the rear cargo area. Don't know if I simply missed it, but in all the research I did on the car, I never saw that function. Makes it much easier to carry taller items, as the rear deck drops down about 6" or so to rest directly on the spare tire. The acceleration is a blast! Granted I'm coming from an overloaded brick wall of a Jeep, but once the turbo spools up you get an extra kick in the seat of your pants - lots of fun on the twists! The suspension is great too - not too soft, not too firm. Can feel the road without needing a kidney belt on rougher roads. Only "option" I added was the Lighting Package. Really wanted the xenon lighting - makes a big difference (at least to me) on dark nights. The high-beams are nearly as bright as the off-road racing driving lights I have on my Jeep! Like I said earlier, I've only had the car a little over a week & have only put about 250 miles on her (mixed city and highway) & I've found the DSG transmission a dream - looked at the manual, but just couldn't justify having to shift several thousand times per day in So Cal traffic. Paddle shifting is fun on the more spirited drives & shifts while in "Drive" are very quick and predictable.
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The GTI is Ausgezeichnet! (Excellent!)
Russ, 03/24/2016
2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I wasn't quite sure what I really wanted, so I shopped around for quite a while. I read review after review of many vehicles including, Audi, BMW, Subaru, Lexus and Infiniti. However, none of them were as fun to drive as the GTI. Also, I have several friends who own BMWs who told me they are in the shop quite a bit. I tested a Lexus IS250 and it was really boring compared to the GTI. Also, the Audi A4 is great, but again, somewhat boring to drive. However, I opted for the 6-speed manual transmission of the GTI and it has been a lot of fun. The 2016 GTI gives you plenty of room and is made of quality materials. I just got rid of my Jeep Grand Cherokee because it was a pile of junk. It was my first American car purchase and sadly, my last. American cars simply do not use the same high-quality materials that foreign manufacturers use. And when they do, the cost is prohibitive and ridiculous. My Jeep cost me $45,000 and it wouldn't stay running, so I decided to go back to the foreign car market. The 2016 GTI will not disappoint you!
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Awesome Hot Hatch!
Erin H., 04/01/2016
2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
This car is simply AWESOME! The manual transmission is fast and responsive, as is the steering. The seats are incredibly comfortable and the flat-bottom steering wheel is an excellent touch. The cabin is roomy and I love that the center console is positioned slightly towards the driver. The drive feel is incredibly sporty and no matter which drive mode you choose (or literally dictate yourself using the "Individual" drive mode which you can manually adjust to your liking), your ride is always going to be fun and exhilarating. On top of that, this car, while fast, remains controlled and feels safe. I am absolutely thrilled to be the proud owner of this exceptional car!
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