1990 Volkswagen Golf GTI Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
Based on the popular Golf hatchback, the two-door Volkswagen GTI came with a choice of two engines in the 1990 model year. The base engine...
Based on the popular Golf hatchback, the two-door Volkswagen GTI came with a choice of two engines in the 1990 model year. The base engine was a 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder powerplant that generated 105 horsepower, while the GTI 16V trim package came with a 2.0-liter double-overhead-cam 4-cylinder engine that goosed horsepower up to 134. Both versions of the GTI came with a five-speed manual overdrive transmission as standard equipment; an automatic transmission was not available.
Standard features for the GTI included power brakes, power steering, bucket seats, alloy wheels, a rear window defroster, foglights, and a tachometer. The GTI 16V added Recaro seats and 15-inch wheels, among other features.
Generally, drivers like the GTI because they considered it a fun car to drive, and it has proven especially popular with aftermarket fans who like to trick the car out with additional parts.
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 1990 Volkswagen Golf GTI express a lot of love for this classic car, praising its fun driving experience, excellent handling, and impressive performance. Many drivers appreciate the powerful engine and sporty design, along with the high build quality that Volkswagen is known for. However, some lament the lack of all-wheel drive, which can affect performance in snowy conditions. Despite this, most agree that the car remains a joy to drive and offers good reliability."
I LOVE THIS CAR. Bought it used and put some money into it so it would be reliable and boy has it been a faithful workhorse. It is so much fun to drive, even with what it now older technology. Mine is an 8v GTi and one thing that bugs me? ALL GTi's are HATCHBACKS. Who named this group on the forum anyway? You find me a Golf that is not a hatchback and I will eat my words! Anyway my car gets great gas mileage (26 around town, up to 36 on the highway) and is reliable enough I would drive it anywhere. The Recaro seats are very comfy with lots of support. I made my suspension stiffer with the addition of Boge Pro Gas shocks and struts. I also beefed up the exhaust with a header plus manifold. I love the boxy styling, even more so than the Mk5 Golfs now. My car had a/c issues when I bought it but after rebuilding the system (something that is necessary when you let the system run dry) it has been trouble-free for more than 10 years. Maybe this car's only fault would be the airbox: it seems to go out on a regular basis and is expensive to fix. (Update: after replacing 3 of them over the years, the MAF sensor has been fine) This could be related to the Digifant fuel injection system on my particular car, and there were two FI systems available. I think Motronic is the other one. Anyway, with some research you could probably figure out which one is best. The brakes are more than adequate. Back seat is tight, but works for small kids although the safety is probably not the best due its lack of a rear end. For sheer Fun Factor vs. Cost of Ownership? MY MONEY WAS MORE THAN WELL SPENT.
April 14, 2009spent eight years driving and rebuilding and driving some more with a big grin on my face, loved every secound of it, even when the engine blew 200 miles from home, just a good excuse to fit a faster one!
March 15, 2008The big bumper 16v Mk2 Golf is just the sweetest hot-hatch ever...period!
January 10, 2008What owners say
I LOVE THIS CAR. Bought it used and put some money into it so it would be reliable and boy has it been a faithful workhorse. It is so much fun to drive, even with what it now older technology. Mine is an 8v GTi and one thing that bugs me? ALL GTi's are HATCHBACKS. Who named this group on the forum anyway? You find me a Golf that is not a hatchback and I will eat my words! Anyway my car gets great gas mileage (26 around town, up to 36 on the highway) and is reliable enough I would drive it anywhere. The Recaro seats are very comfy with lots of support. I made my suspension stiffer with the addition of Boge Pro Gas shocks and struts. I also beefed up the exhaust with a header plus manifold. I love the boxy styling, even more so than the Mk5 Golfs now. My car had a/c issues when I bought it but after rebuilding the system (something that is necessary when you let the system run dry) it has been trouble-free for more than 10 years. Maybe this car's only fault would be the airbox: it seems to go out on a regular basis and is expensive to fix. (Update: after replacing 3 of them over the years, the MAF sensor has been fine) This could be related to the Digifant fuel injection system on my particular car, and there were two FI systems available. I think Motronic is the other one. Anyway, with some research you could probably figure out which one is best. The brakes are more than adequate. Back seat is tight, but works for small kids although the safety is probably not the best due its lack of a rear end. For sheer Fun Factor vs. Cost of Ownership? MY MONEY WAS MORE THAN WELL SPENT.
April 14, 2009spent eight years driving and rebuilding and driving some more with a big grin on my face, loved every secound of it, even when the engine blew 200 miles from home, just a good excuse to fit a faster one!
March 15, 2008The big bumper 16v Mk2 Golf is just the sweetest hot-hatch ever...period!
January 10, 2008a true underestimated classic with impressive handling and possiblilities for more and still usable for everyday purposes - so no need to hide and only use on sundays..THIS ONE IS BUILT FOR USE - and still follows most more powerfull cars...YEE HAW
July 26, 2009When I traded in my used 1979 GTI in favour of a brand new 1990 model GTI, I was pretty stoked. I loved the older one but it had older car problems and this was my first brand new car. It was between this and a slightly used supercharged Toyota MR2 and a Mk1 Mazda Miata. It's fair to say I had pretty good taste in cars as they all became iconic cars. While the Miata was a soft top and was very sexy and the MR2 went like stink, I was having a love-affair with VWs so I went with a blend of good-looking, practicality and fun. VWs have always been brilliantly-made cars, and ever since then I've always done the "VW door test" with new cars as the vacuum-seal and satisfyingly muted "whump" sound of a VW door closing indicated pure quality to me (compared to, for eg, a Honda Civic of its time which sounded decidedly plasticy and cheap). If I could've afforded it, I would've gone for the 16-valver (which also had a nicer grill/headlights) but I loved driving the Golf nonetheless. Great handling, good stereo, excellent brakes and a peppy 1.8L engine. I would highly recommend a Golf, though in recent years they've become a bit expensive and aren't breaking new ground as much.
March 23, 2008The Golf Mk2 GTI G60 was an excelent Car, with a really good Performance, Top handling, Brakes,Powerfull Engine. Quality: This Volkswagen have best Quallity and lowest repair costs. Interior: Recaro Seats was the best was Market brings in a Car. Exterior: Sporty Body with Understatment Fenderflares, Foglights,Roofspoiler, big Bumpers from 89-91 Cost: New Car Cost was ok, but a good used Car have very high prices. Fun Factor: was absolutly great! for Street and Racetrack
January 18, 2009Good performance from an old hatchback, great fun to drive with excellent handling. Cool styling from GTi models. Ultra reliable, will easily cruise into 150k miles with minor maintenance, I get 40mpg on the motorway. I swapped a 1.6 golf driver for this car and I have never looked back. This has power steering, onboard computer (which all works), it's cool getting miles per gallon readings from a 1990 car. If you want a classy piece of motoring history, get one.
August 10, 2008My first car that I ever bought and boy was it a wonderful machine. This car has the heart of a porsche at a much more reasonable price. I think I paid around $22k for the car and it was well worth it. Mine was a 6 speed, 16V version. Very peppy pickup and great handling. the only downside was it did not have all wheel drive so in the snow it was a bit of an adventure. I understand the new higher end GTIs have all wheel drive which would make this a wonderful all season car. overall, I loved this car and would highly recommend.
October 10, 2006bought this many years ago. Have since sold it. Wonderful car. Great handling, great pickup, very reasonable price. the only reason I ended up getting rid of it was that it did not have all wheel drive. I think you can now by the Volkswagen r32 which has a monster engine and all wheel drive.
November 2, 2007love it just a shame i can't drive it at the moment!
June 19, 2008
