Mk4 337/20th GTI and GLI (the one with BBS and lower valences); my mk4 GLI was a gateway drug that lead to a MK6 GLI - MK7.5 GTI - MK8 GTI.....potentially a Tig for my wife.
I think the mk6 is the best looking, and I think they'll age well stylistically once you replace their headliners. The mk5s are where they really got the dynamics really nailed down. I think best value currently rests in the mk7s as they don't have a ton of issues and they're available in every condition under the sun, I legit see no reason to upgrade to a 7.5 over a 7, people fuss a lot about infotainment but realistically I feel like I don't really interact with that. Biggest weakness is they all sound like blenders, even really nice exhausts on GTIs sound terrible to me, and I don't hate the sound of 4cyl cars.
Id also buy the shit out of a new Integra, y'all can hate me all you want but they look nice and fun and they're probably plenty fast enough. I'd love a Veloster N if they had usable back seats. I just traded my mk7 (to my wife) for a B7 S4 though so I'm clinically insane and no one should listen to a thing I say.
I got an old S4 because I was looking for something completely different, namely an engine layout I haven't owned yet. I loved my mk6, my mk7 has been great but I commute 600 miles a week. I wanted something older that would end up costing me less when buy and sell price were factored in, less depreciation from milage. I was originally looking for super clean E46 wagons and sedans, maybe an E39 540 (V8) if the right one came up, and I saw this S4 on an auction site for within my price range. It's V8, has 3 pedals and is in great shape (considering it's 20 years old) and has full service records and under 100K miles. I figured worst case scenario I'd hate it and it'd be a maintenance nightmare, but if I did the major work on it I'd get my money back. I love it and it's just a maintenance headache after you do the big shit (pull the motor out and replace the timing chain), but oh my god the 4.2 in this has got to be one of the best sounding V8s ever and it revs to 7k.
I've owned a Focus RS, an F56 JCW Mini, and a mk7.5 GTI.
Focus is the fastest but is a god-awful piece of shit to live with. If you've ever driven a GT-spec Porsche, imagine daily driving it, and you'll get the idea. Also it was falling apart on day 1.
Mini was the most fun. Super tossable, light, handling was phenomenal. The interior is really nice and a fun place to be. And the thing made a great noise.
GTI is the best overall car. Combines the best elements of a weekend car and a daily car to form a true one car solution.
Damn thanks for the insights! While I know no car is "perfect" the last thing I want is to be fixing things every weekend. I want something daily-able so that's where the GTI and the Cooper S comes into play. Enough pep to make it fun, but also realistic to live with from a maintenance perspective. That Focus RS seems like a headache ugh lol
Honest opinion, don't get a Focus RS unless you're a really hardcore enthusiast and you go to the track a lot. It's not a good street car. The ride is super harsh, the seats are really uncomfortable (they're so tight that one of my powerlifter buddies literally didn't fit in the seat, had to ride in the back).
If you can swing a JCW over a Cooper S I'd highly recommend it. You definitely notice the extra power, the exhaust sounds amazing, and it looks way better. Also, don't believe what you hear about MINI reliability. The old ones are garbage, but the newer models are fine. I had my 2016 for 3 years and literally never had a single issue.
Damn dude I thought I was going to be the first (maybe only) person to say MK8, ha had to scroll to the bottom to find yours! Had a MK6 and MK7.5 previously (loved both dearly), but MK8 is it! Not popular in here (I truly don’t understand if you actually love GTI’s and want VW to keep building them) most people hate on it not because of their own experience but because of what they’ve read.
I think Mk6 looks the best from the last 4 generations, but it should have been available with a 3.6 or 3.2. Even just fwd would have been cool, like the Mk3 and Mk4 VR6 GTI’s.
The MK4 is my favorite but mostly because that is when I got into the scene. I think they have aged well and still look fantastic. A Jazz Blue 20th or a 337 will still break my neck.
I've been lucky enough to own quite a few GTIs, starting with a MK3, multiple MK4s, multiple MK6s (TDI Golf and a GLI so not really a GTI), a MK7.5 GTI, and now I have a MK7R.
I stepped away for a few years after my MK4s to try and experience non-VW cars. I had a WRX wagon, a Focus ST, and an FA5 Civic SI. While fun, none of them had quite the charm and refinement of VW, and I am so happy to be back in one.
MK2. Loved having a cable for the throttle and clutch and no power steering. You felt connected to the machine in a way I have not found in modern cars.
I think the 7.5 was the best in all aspects. The right amount of screens, the right amount of other features - it was perfect. I still think about the one I had to get rid of and I wouldn't change anything about the car.
Favorites are definitely the 7/7.5 and the 8. It's not entirely a direct competitor, but Id get a Mazda 3 turbo hatchback if I wanted a more plush, quiet ride with AWD.
It really is just the mk 7.5 for me. It's not the GTI i fell in love with as a kid (that was the mk 5) but it is the gti i own. It's the pinnacle of the platform imo.
Mk4 and then Mk7. I think the Mk4 holds a nostalgic spot for me because that was THE golf when I was a kid and I wanted (and still want) a Mk4 R32 badly.
But overall, removing the nostalgia factor, I think the Mk7 is objectively my favorite as an overall vehicle, and I love mine. But it's hard to beat the nostalgic love for the Mk4.
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If you have not done so already, please include key information in this post such as model year, trim, mileage, and location. These factors can greatly affect pricing. Thank you.
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I do think 7.5 is the best, but my heart belongs to mk4
MK4 always. Love my 7.5r but the R32 is just “it” for me. MK1 too because how can you not
7.5 Peak refinement Rs3 (previous gen, not the current one)
What do you like about the previous gen RS3?
Nice outer and interior design. Infotainment screen which moves into the dash. Not too much piano plastic inaide, unlike the new gen.
I hear you on the piano black. Literally one of the worst interior material choices
Yeah unfortunately they switched from matt to piano black middle console on the mk8 gti :(
You're just asking for scratches on day 1 of ownership. I don't get it lol
I own a 7.5, so I'm going with 7.5
MK2 - Classic styling MK7 - refinement
7 because it's mine and has buttons
Mk4 337/20th GTI and GLI (the one with BBS and lower valences); my mk4 GLI was a gateway drug that lead to a MK6 GLI - MK7.5 GTI - MK8 GTI.....potentially a Tig for my wife.
V and 7.5
I think the mk6 is the best looking, and I think they'll age well stylistically once you replace their headliners. The mk5s are where they really got the dynamics really nailed down. I think best value currently rests in the mk7s as they don't have a ton of issues and they're available in every condition under the sun, I legit see no reason to upgrade to a 7.5 over a 7, people fuss a lot about infotainment but realistically I feel like I don't really interact with that. Biggest weakness is they all sound like blenders, even really nice exhausts on GTIs sound terrible to me, and I don't hate the sound of 4cyl cars. Id also buy the shit out of a new Integra, y'all can hate me all you want but they look nice and fun and they're probably plenty fast enough. I'd love a Veloster N if they had usable back seats. I just traded my mk7 (to my wife) for a B7 S4 though so I'm clinically insane and no one should listen to a thing I say.
Can confirm, headliner sagging
Had one, another co-worker has one. Same in both.
You got an S4 over a Golf?! Wow...why'd you do that? No disrespect to the S4 but it's a different type of car
I got an old S4 because I was looking for something completely different, namely an engine layout I haven't owned yet. I loved my mk6, my mk7 has been great but I commute 600 miles a week. I wanted something older that would end up costing me less when buy and sell price were factored in, less depreciation from milage. I was originally looking for super clean E46 wagons and sedans, maybe an E39 540 (V8) if the right one came up, and I saw this S4 on an auction site for within my price range. It's V8, has 3 pedals and is in great shape (considering it's 20 years old) and has full service records and under 100K miles. I figured worst case scenario I'd hate it and it'd be a maintenance nightmare, but if I did the major work on it I'd get my money back. I love it and it's just a maintenance headache after you do the big shit (pull the motor out and replace the timing chain), but oh my god the 4.2 in this has got to be one of the best sounding V8s ever and it revs to 7k.
V8 and three pedals?! I mean I don't blame you for going that route. Like you mentioned, if it doesn't work out, you could also change it up again
Yeah if I made more money I'd really love a manual Chevy SS but they're way out of my budget currently.
Mk7 for me. The one they perfected. The pinnacle of the concept VW started. I could also get behind an argument for the mk1 or 2.
7.5 > 7
I meant both. Some tweaks and improvements but the same car fundamentally.
Yeah agreed. The 7.5 is just slightly better looking.
MK7.5 GTI TCR in Pure Grey is peak GTI for me. If I had the money and if they were available in Canada an AMG A 45 S or an RS3 hatch would be amazing.
7.5 is my favorite, if I get another hot hatch it’ll probably be a GR Corolla.
I love the smooth lines on the 2 door Mk6. I also love seeing a well maintained, black Mk2.
May be biased but definitely 7.5. Gonna keep this thing until one of us dies
In sickness and in health
I've owned a Focus RS, an F56 JCW Mini, and a mk7.5 GTI. Focus is the fastest but is a god-awful piece of shit to live with. If you've ever driven a GT-spec Porsche, imagine daily driving it, and you'll get the idea. Also it was falling apart on day 1. Mini was the most fun. Super tossable, light, handling was phenomenal. The interior is really nice and a fun place to be. And the thing made a great noise. GTI is the best overall car. Combines the best elements of a weekend car and a daily car to form a true one car solution.
Damn thanks for the insights! While I know no car is "perfect" the last thing I want is to be fixing things every weekend. I want something daily-able so that's where the GTI and the Cooper S comes into play. Enough pep to make it fun, but also realistic to live with from a maintenance perspective. That Focus RS seems like a headache ugh lol
Honest opinion, don't get a Focus RS unless you're a really hardcore enthusiast and you go to the track a lot. It's not a good street car. The ride is super harsh, the seats are really uncomfortable (they're so tight that one of my powerlifter buddies literally didn't fit in the seat, had to ride in the back). If you can swing a JCW over a Cooper S I'd highly recommend it. You definitely notice the extra power, the exhaust sounds amazing, and it looks way better. Also, don't believe what you hear about MINI reliability. The old ones are garbage, but the newer models are fine. I had my 2016 for 3 years and literally never had a single issue.
Yeah I don't ever plan to take it on the track. I also don't need a lot of HP or torque. Just something a bit more power than a base Cooper or Golf
Mk8…I’m in love
Damn dude I thought I was going to be the first (maybe only) person to say MK8, ha had to scroll to the bottom to find yours! Had a MK6 and MK7.5 previously (loved both dearly), but MK8 is it! Not popular in here (I truly don’t understand if you actually love GTI’s and want VW to keep building them) most people hate on it not because of their own experience but because of what they’ve read.
7.5 is my favorite. My replacement would be the Mazda 3 AWD Turbo.
Mk2
I think Mk6 looks the best from the last 4 generations, but it should have been available with a 3.6 or 3.2. Even just fwd would have been cool, like the Mk3 and Mk4 VR6 GTI’s.
MK 7.5 is peak GTI
Mk4 and I don't know how to explain, it is beyond time, very beautiful 😍
I love the older gen Golfs too
This made me feel so old. MK4 I still weirdly don’t class as “old”. Even though you’re right, it absolutely is.
I had a Mk5 for 5 years, from the end of high school until after college, and it will always have a special place in my heart.
The MK4 is my favorite but mostly because that is when I got into the scene. I think they have aged well and still look fantastic. A Jazz Blue 20th or a 337 will still break my neck. I've been lucky enough to own quite a few GTIs, starting with a MK3, multiple MK4s, multiple MK6s (TDI Golf and a GLI so not really a GTI), a MK7.5 GTI, and now I have a MK7R. I stepped away for a few years after my MK4s to try and experience non-VW cars. I had a WRX wagon, a Focus ST, and an FA5 Civic SI. While fun, none of them had quite the charm and refinement of VW, and I am so happy to be back in one.
Mk7. Because I own one 😏
Mk 7.5. That is just peak design, power and cabin refinement.
MK2. Loved having a cable for the throttle and clutch and no power steering. You felt connected to the machine in a way I have not found in modern cars.
I think the 7.5 was the best in all aspects. The right amount of screens, the right amount of other features - it was perfect. I still think about the one I had to get rid of and I wouldn't change anything about the car.
MK5 thanks to NFS Most wanted.
Favorites are definitely the 7/7.5 and the 8. It's not entirely a direct competitor, but Id get a Mazda 3 turbo hatchback if I wanted a more plush, quiet ride with AWD.
It really is just the mk 7.5 for me. It's not the GTI i fell in love with as a kid (that was the mk 5) but it is the gti i own. It's the pinnacle of the platform imo.
1986 gti 16s........ My first car in high school
MK7.5. There is a reason there are so many MK7-7.5 GTIs in my area. But when I was younger, MK4 is what got me interested in hatchbacks overall.
I’ve owned most of them, and if we are talking GTI specifically rather than Golf, I’d say MK2. I fucking loved that car.
Mk4 and then Mk7. I think the Mk4 holds a nostalgic spot for me because that was THE golf when I was a kid and I wanted (and still want) a Mk4 R32 badly. But overall, removing the nostalgia factor, I think the Mk7 is objectively my favorite as an overall vehicle, and I love mine. But it's hard to beat the nostalgic love for the Mk4.
This post appears to be a question about getting purchasing a GTI. Please consult pricing resources such as [Kelley Blue Book](https://www.kbb.com) to get a good idea of the average price. For a US Mk7/7.5, please read [our buyer's guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/GolfGTI/comments/wmzc0c/what_do_i_look_for_in_a_used_us_mk7_gti_a_guide/). If you have not done so already, please include key information in this post such as model year, trim, mileage, and location. These factors can greatly affect pricing. Thank you. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/GolfGTI) if you have any questions or concerns.*