1990 Volkswagen Golf Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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For 1990, the Volkswagen Golf came in 2- and 4-door GL hatchback versions, as well as a sportier GTI trim package that included a tad more power. The GL hatchbacks came with a 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder engine that generated 100 hp, while the GTI's 4-cylinder engine was goosed to 105 hp. All three versions came with a 5-speed manual transmission, which was standard. A 3-speed automatic was available as an option on the GL trim packages.
Standard equipment for the 1990 Volkswagen Golf was minimal and included power brakes, bucket seats, a tachometer, and a rear-window defroster. Options included air conditioning, cruise control, a manually operated sunroof, a cassette player, and tilt steering (airbags were not available).
Drivers' comments about the Golf were generally positive, with the car's reliability and gas mileage proving especially popular. Some drivers cautioned about the automatic transmission, however, as well as the car's electrical system.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1990 Volkswagen Golf
Write a reviewUser rating:
by Martin S
Jan 04, 2013
i dont like golfs but they are good as starter cars they dont have enugh power for me to care about it the one i have doesent even har rev counter
but it can get a little smile on my face when i drive it on the small roads around where i live not like the boat of a nissan patrol my dad drivesJan 04, 2013
by Travis B
Oct 27, 2012
It doesn't run. There is a hole in the engine. Thats what the Jetta is there for, im planning an engine/trans swap. The Golf was free and the Jetta was $400 and the only other charge was the $60 tow to my apartment.Oct 27, 2012
by Matthew P
Feb 28, 2012
being 4wd its great off the line no wheel spin :) amazing in the snow can get great drifts round round abouts. total bargin for 300 now its 2.5k later :) not many left in the country so gonna keep hold of it :)Feb 28, 2012
User rating:
by Martin S
Jan 04, 2013
i dont like golfs but they are good as starter cars they dont have enugh power for me to care about it the one i have doesent even har rev counter
but it can get a little smile on my face when i drive it on the small roads around where i live not like the boat of a nissan patrol my dad drivesJan 04, 2013
by Travis B
Oct 27, 2012
It doesn't run. There is a hole in the engine. Thats what the Jetta is there for, im planning an engine/trans swap. The Golf was free and the Jetta was $400 and the only other charge was the $60 tow to my apartment.Oct 27, 2012
by Matthew P
Feb 28, 2012
being 4wd its great off the line no wheel spin :) amazing in the snow can get great drifts round round abouts. total bargin for 300 now its 2.5k later :) not many left in the country so gonna keep hold of it :)Feb 28, 2012
by Mariusz D
Mar 23, 2011
Acceleration is weak because it's only 1.6 L 70 BHP
Breaking and handling are pretty good
He doesn't need repairs
He's looking good inside and outside as well
This is a petrol version so he does cost something but not that much
:)Mar 23, 2011
by Ashton L
Mar 04, 2011
always been a dream car. worth it to own. lots of space inside and lots of fun. one of the classic cars that car lovers should own or at least drive. old enough to have its quirks so best for the tinkererMar 04, 2011
by Yulam G
Dec 12, 2010
cabeza porteada
pila de gel
intake
soportes de protano
Rines 17
negro con una linea color anaranjado chevrolet
motor y transmision al 100
estandar con quinta
estereo soundstream, bocinas planet audio, pioneer
amplificador xplod de cuatro canales
1 bajo eclipse de 15 pulgadas y cuatro bobinas de 1 OhmDec 12, 2010
by Russell B
Dec 05, 2010
This was my first VW and i owned it for 5 years, it was really reliable and never let me down. I then sold it to a mate who had it for about a year or so. This was completely standard.Dec 05, 2010
by Markus V
Jun 06, 2010
For its age it still looks good. Off course it looks like an old car. But vw but the
hammer on the head with this car. Golf will always be synoym with VW. Good old
runner with few errors.
Performance - goes well with a few mods Build Quality - pretty good, usual wear
and tear items!Jun 06, 2010
by Michael L
Oct 01, 2009
For its age it still looks good. Off course it looks like an old car. But vw but the hammer on the head with this car. Golf will always be synoym with VW. Good ol runner with few errors. buy oneOct 01, 2009
by Anonymous
Sep 11, 2009
Best car I've ever owned, previously had a Mk1 diesel, this is
auto sun roof, electric windows, alloys etc. 1.8 L three speed
auto is very smooth and the injected petrol is very responsive.
From Japan with "Golf" only badging.
Sep 11, 2009
by Sam M
Aug 25, 2009
Performance - goes well with a few mods
Build Quality - pretty good, usual wear and tear items!
Appearance - old skool cool
Cost of Ownership - 40-75 miles to a tenner depending how you drive
Fun Factor - extremely, slammed on coilovers so handles like a go kart, has a nice sound thanks to a full scorpion stainless exhaust systemAug 25, 2009
by Gunvor A
Aug 15, 2009
Bad rost on lot of places on the car. Expensive to repair. The engine goes and goes, even in the winter.
Very god car to drive in snow and ice.
It would god if they had isolate the car from outside sounds. Aug 15, 2009
by Felicity G
Dec 24, 2008
I like this car a lot I found it reliable and easy to drive. I liked the fact that the head lights were round ... gave it character (lol) It is very spacious inside but then I'm not tall so it's just my opinion.The interior was basic and easy to keep clean. It did not cost much to run and was quite fun to drive. I would recommend this car to a friend , it would also make a good first car.Dec 24, 2008
by Christina A
Dec 04, 2008
Den lille røde brave næsten Herbie, er ikke til at slå ihjel.....Den vil bare overleve os.... Den skal bare have olie og kærlighed, på sin vis er det jo nemt nok, men er sgu lidt træt af den..... Har ikke haft brug for megen reperation, kun almindelig sligtage... Hva kan man forvente af en næsten veteran bil, der holder ude 360 dage om året.....Dec 04, 2008
by Francis G
Sep 18, 2008
GTI parts bolt straight on. Easy to work on by the home mechanic. Cheap parts due to CITIGOLF. Well built. Going up in value. So easy to fix when it goes wrong. No electric rubbish. Very much fun to drive. Cheep insurance, well recommended sorted little car big thumbs upSep 18, 2008
by Tasha R
Sep 18, 2008
love my car to bits, they are a good car as long as u get one that has been looked after properlly!! got min on 33k which for 17yr old car!! amazin!! wouldnt have anything else!! all i can say is tht if its a old car, u have to expect problems!!Sep 18, 2008
by Steve M
Jul 31, 2008
Bought this car of a mate, it was the 1.8 4x4 Syncro model so it was a very rare model, handling was fantastic (stuck to you like a fat lass at a nightclub!) and the performance wasn't bad.
Only problem was when I had to replace the exhaust it was a special one and VW had to order one from Germany at £600!!!!Jul 31, 2008
by Jason H
Jul 18, 2008
Not very much to say about this motor, i had the 1.8 driver with the full gti big bumper kit in dark metallic blue. drove ok but the dash is horrible and the gearbox seemed to be out of a chieftan tank. outside though its an ok looking motor and has plenty of potential for modification.Jul 18, 2008
by Ian B
Jul 01, 2008
great, love it, top down wind in ya hairJul 01, 2008
by Jani H
Jun 22, 2008
Kisa kiree :DJun 22, 2008
by Anonymous
Jun 05, 2008
Not too bad i suppose for £400 it got me about for a couple of monthsJun 05, 2008
by Lars S
Apr 28, 2008
G-lader.sport chassi,ac,16".Apr 28, 2008
by Leonie V
Apr 19, 2008
Horrible car, drove it for a year, and got rid of it...Apr 19, 2008
by Tom K
Apr 14, 2008
boring car,uneventfulApr 14, 2008
by Franziska B
Apr 03, 2008
with this car you can drive after 15 years and some kilometers -> 200 km/h if you canApr 03, 2008
by Jon B
Mar 19, 2008
I loved this car, it looks amazing, my particular car was in mint condition, new hood etc. the age of the car meant that some of the electrics were dodgy, the heater was temprementel! It didnt do winters or cold weather very well, and it seemed not to like fuel, everytime i tried to put some in, it would spit it right back out all over me, which was a nightmare! However, when the nice days came, you forget all of that, and it transforms into an awesome car! Amazing handling, and everybody looks at it and admires it! I was forced to sell, but i really want one again, i loved it!Mar 19, 2008
by Ash W
Feb 12, 2008
This was a great car, it would start first time every time, I got 40mpg and it did 216000 miles before I got rid of it. Interior was timeless and built to last, I would have another one of these cars tomorowFeb 12, 2008
by Jon K
Feb 04, 2008
This car was bought for my wife because of its automatic transmission which is hard to find with low kms (140,000kms) when I bought this one.Feb 04, 2008
by Andy T
Jan 14, 2008
Factory built 4x4 special model as shown at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show. Jan 14, 2008
by Sebastien O
Jan 12, 2008
Prep'd by Yves Bedard, TRAC Racing.. simply magic!Jan 12, 2008
by Sebastien O
Jan 12, 2008
prep'd by Yves Bedard, TRAC Racing.. simply magic!Jan 12, 2008
by Garo K
Jan 08, 2008
this car is indestructible! Almost 18 years old, and only 76,000 miles. No rust either! Easily beats new cars off the lights, brilliantly responsive. Jan 08, 2008
by Phil C
Jan 08, 2008
White 8v GTIJan 08, 2008
by Anonymous
Jan 07, 2008
great truck most are bort 2modify as this was, this 1i fitted a 1.816v engine lowered it painted it etc cool pickup truckJan 07, 2008
by Peter C
Jan 07, 2008
nice car i would get one any dayJan 07, 2008
by Marie D
Jan 07, 2008
bought this car (banger) because i needed one quickly for work, it had been bodged about with, rough spray job bits falling off it everywhere! but i do recomend golf cars it was just i got a cheapo one at the time.Jan 07, 2008
by El R
Jan 03, 2008
The mk1 was the prototype, the mk2, the real thing! Retro kool with some modern luxuries!Jan 03, 2008
by Thomas D
Jan 01, 2008
Looked Nice low.. on alloys. Got it like I wanted it, got bored and sold it.Jan 01, 2008
by Elliot R
Dec 26, 2007
car has a 2.9 vr6 conversion from an early corrado rolling road tested at
198 bhp, sound and performance was awesome but lack of power
steering and an engine that wieghed a ton on the front wheels made the
steering a little heavy!!! loved taking the car to shows and regret selling
it!!Dec 26, 2007
by Chris S
Dec 02, 2007
slow, everything broke, handled like a dog on ice, not a patch on GTiDec 02, 2007
by Anonymous
Nov 25, 2007
Diesel version Great car to drive solid and reliable drove it for5 yearsNov 25, 2007
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Top Comparisons
Have you driven a 1990 Volkswagen Golf?Compare this car
1990 Volkswagen Golf Pricing
Original MSRP
$8,695 to $8,995Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth