SO the MK2 GTI is getting engine swapped in winter. So 1.8T vs VR6 vs 2.0T
throw up your opinions and why. i have access to swaps for all three choices
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1989 Volkswagen Golf GTI Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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No changes for the 1989 Volkswagen GTI, a sports hatchback that is more about performance and less about utility. Even though it seats four and has an adequate trunk for cargo, owners love the GTI's incredible zip and racer attitude.
You still have your choice of either an 8-valve, 4-cylinder, 1.8 liter, 105-hp engine in the standard hatch or the 16-valve, 1.8-liter, 123-hp engine in the 1989 GTI. Both give you great performance and acceleration, though the 16V will give you a lot more bang. The GTI never came with many standard features, but the Recaro racing seats provide added support up front, and the tachometer is handy on the dash. For a little extra, you can get air conditioning, power windows and locks, and a sunroof.
Though not as good as the Golf, the 1989 GTI gets decent gas mileage, at 23/29 mpg, making it a street racer for the budget-conscious. Parts, though sometimes hard to find, are relatively inexpensive, which means it is a popular tuner car. Owners love how little they have to spend on the GTI, but the main attraction is an engine that is both powerful and durable, able to take a constant beating and still deliver optimal performance.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1989 Volkswagen Golf GTI
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by Hector I
Dec 02, 2011
Era feo pero no gastaba nada de gasolina y no se dañaba. Nunca me dejo
botao y me llevaba a mi casa cuando me daba mi jumo con los panas.
Si el hablara estaria preso por los desordenes que hicimos en el, lo mas
probable.Dec 02, 2011
by Luis J
Nov 06, 2010
Performance - good acceleration, excelent bracking and awesome handling
Build Quality - No repairs needed, excelent car
Appearance -Totally OEM, exterior and interior
Cost - gas aprox 11 km/l maintenance low cost
Fun Factor - really comfortable and sport car for drive, awesomeNov 06, 2010
by Nikki H
Sep 29, 2010
more fun than you can shake a stick at!!! 4 wheel slide around a roundabout? tick. beat an Alfa Spider off the lights? tick. completely indiscrete? tick. built like a tank, quick off the mark, a Mk2 1.8 8v golf gti is highly recommended! Sep 29, 2010
User rating:
by Hector I
Dec 02, 2011
Era feo pero no gastaba nada de gasolina y no se dañaba. Nunca me dejo
botao y me llevaba a mi casa cuando me daba mi jumo con los panas.
Si el hablara estaria preso por los desordenes que hicimos en el, lo mas
probable.Dec 02, 2011
by Luis J
Nov 06, 2010
Performance - good acceleration, excelent bracking and awesome handling
Build Quality - No repairs needed, excelent car
Appearance -Totally OEM, exterior and interior
Cost - gas aprox 11 km/l maintenance low cost
Fun Factor - really comfortable and sport car for drive, awesomeNov 06, 2010
by Nikki H
Sep 29, 2010
more fun than you can shake a stick at!!! 4 wheel slide around a roundabout? tick. beat an Alfa Spider off the lights? tick. completely indiscrete? tick. built like a tank, quick off the mark, a Mk2 1.8 8v golf gti is highly recommended! Sep 29, 2010
by James C
Aug 04, 2010
performacne- 115bhp, 0-60 8 secs
build quality- good, little rust
appearance- sexual!
cost of ownership- good mpg at around 40mpg on motorways but will drink like a fish when you hoof it!
fun factor- unreal! lovely old skool rumble, and ace to drive. will see off most modern "hot hatches" :)
Aug 04, 2010
by Alexander M
Dec 22, 2009
Bought this car for $275, winter 2005. Used it cause I keept my E Class warm in the garage (nordic countries are cold). Didn't take long until i changed the seats to Golf II G60 ones, painted the car from red too light blue, put a full system into in, new wheels, lowering spring, exhaust, angel eyes, anonymous grill, smoked turnsignals and rear lights, wing, cup diffuser, front lip and so on. Sold it from almost $2600, got my money back. And the new owner got himself a new/old car.Dec 22, 2009
by Merza A
Jul 13, 2009
the sound of the engine is jst incredible top speed of 180 i didn have the chance to do more every thing in it is just solid i jst love the feeling when u hit the second gear ..amazing car really Jul 13, 2009
by Chris H
May 29, 2009
Imported From Germany
Metric cluster & MFA
German racing Interior
K&N Air Filter
Swiss Cheesed Air Box
Full Bosal Cat-Back exhaust
Street Glow Optyx (green)
European H4 Headlights (Adjustable)
8000K HID kit
Smoked Markers & Signals
Half Smoked Tails
2 - 12" MTX Jackhammers
MTX Jackhammer Amp
Pioneer head unit
Aktiv amps and speakers
15" Borbet wheels
May 29, 2009
by Josh P
Apr 16, 2009
it was my dads but got written off by some ****. It wasn't amazing but i loved it and was sad to see it go. It was a fun car. Interior was in good nick. It didn't squeak or rattle in any way and she was gorgeous!Apr 16, 2009
by Patrick A
Jan 14, 2009
Petit projet de renovation en souvenir de l'epoque
ou j'ai eu mon permis... C'est une GTI 16s toute
d'origine, avec le cuir et le compteur digital. forte
de 140 cv et surtout ne pesant "que" 890 kg elle a
toujours un peu de peche à revendre.
C'est assez spartiate question comfort, mais
excessivement simple à renover /restaurer.
J'espere l'avoir terminee pour l'ete et attaquerJan 14, 2009
by Stacey V
Dec 06, 2008
Cams\chipped\exhaust\light fly wheel....this car makes some nice power, lots of TQ. Also the 60\40 kit makes it handle very nice around the twisties...not like the 83\84 GTI, but close.
Also, there is a whole culture with VW owners, they have clubs, and meetings that revolve around any Volkswagen, from air-cooled to water.
The interior has the stock Recaro bucket seats, this was the best inititive by VW. The brakes are full disc all the way around...instant stop with stock brakes.
The cost of ownership is decently low, as long and you have a parts car XDDec 06, 2008
by Hennie B
Aug 08, 2008
the one thing i hate the most is any car i own is a taget to get stolen.2 of my previous cars has been stolen and this wil be no exception when its finished.its stil a working progress. the only other thing is its to slow,but thats a problem that wil be sorted out shortly as soon as the money is in place!Aug 08, 2008
by Edvin P
Jul 29, 2008
This one was a 1989 16 valve version. It's a very fun car for sporty drives on twisty roads. It's not fast by today's standards but decent anyways. Maintenance costs next to nothing as parts are cheap and consumption is ok. But like so many 80's cars most have turned into rust. Finding one today that isn't completely rotten will be challenging.Jul 29, 2008
by Leo B
Jul 05, 2008
a legend of the hot hatches, mark 1's are better but a good one of those is far to rare a findJul 05, 2008
by Chris G
Jun 27, 2008
Absolutly great. Bought from a desperate Aussie. Had been nicely pimped with a very loud stereo, looked how all mk2 golf gti's should look. Black, lowed on deep dish16s, slightly tinted windows, factory big body kit, vr6 exhaust and green air filter, nice.Jun 27, 2008
by Graham W
Apr 23, 2008
Too early yetApr 23, 2008
by Julie S
Jan 11, 2008
nice to drive,good lookerJan 11, 2008
by Ricardo B
Jan 03, 2008
Golf 2 Jumbo, 2.0L 8V,complete D/Walace branch & free flow system.
Jamex suspension,Flowed head.
Good road handling.Jan 03, 2008
by Matt S
Dec 14, 2007
i traded my beautiful civic for this pile of junk, i have no idea why.. but even after all the grief, i still love VWsDec 14, 2007
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1989 Volkswagen Golf GTI Pricing
Original MSRP
$13,970 to $13,970Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Seats
Front seat type: sport bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent