GT Up and Go: 1987 Volkswagen Golf GT

The MarkII Volkswagen Golf (1985-1992) was offered in a variety of trims, starting with the lowly base, and continuing up in equipment to the C, CL, GL, GT and finally the GTI trim.  Prices for the super sporty and hip GTI model are high, but you can get into a Mk II GT for pennies and it'll offer a almost the same of shhhportiness from the GTI's fuel injected 1.8liter 8V watercooled engine and a 5-speed manual box.  Today's example has some serious digits in the odometer...but there was a time when VW's basic economy car were reliable and rugged.  Find this 1987 Volkswagen Golf GT offered for $2600 in Tarzana, CA via craigslist.

Syncro de Mayo: 2004 Volkswagen R32

Welcome to Daily Turismo's Syncro de Mayo, our May 5th celebration of Volkswagen's four wheel drive system known as Syncro. Today's first entry into our symphony of synchronicity might not have used the Syncro name in its advertising literature, but the R32 Golf MkIV puts power from its VR6 engine into a haldex controlled center diff that'll put power to the rear wheels when needed. It still maintains a certain degree front front-wheel-drive understeer, but judicious application of the throttle pedal will make the little boxy shaped Golf turn and squat like a Weimaraner in heat. Find this 2004 Volkswagen R32 here on eBay offered for $12,995 buy-it-now or make-offer located in Mesa, AZ.

Second Edition: 1989 Volkswagen Golf GTI MkII

The Volkswagen Golf was a huge sales success for Volkswagen in the '80s & '90s because it combined family car capabilities with a light and nimble chassis.  The hopped up GTI version was the one to get, with a powerful engine, Recaro seats, and some GTI-specific road hugging suspension.  The MkII version night not be as iconic and OG as the original, but like every new generation of Golf it was just a bit nicer and more liveable for daily commuting. Today's example isn't some perfect trailer queen, but it does offer a decent amount of that grand touring injection that is much needed in your life. Find this 1989 Volkswagen Golf GTI MkII offered for $4000 in East Palo Alto, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Dimma Widebody: 1989 Peugeot 205 GTI

The Peugeot GTI wasn't the only hot hatch to roam the streets in the late 80s (Civic, Golf GTI, etc) but it was the major French entry into the world of body cladding and fart can exhaust. Today's example is equipped with a "Dimma" widebody kit and spent some time in Europe and later Japan, but its got steering on the correct side and sweet looking wheels. Find this 1989 Peugeot 205 GTI offered for $16,995 in Kirkland, WA via craigslist.

Modified VR6: 1996 Volkswagen GTI MkIII

Golf enthusiasts tend to gravitate towards the early MkI/II examples or a later model that has all the dual-clutch gizmos that the kids want in their cars these days, so the MkIII Golf is a bit of a forgotten classic -- known only to a die hard group of people who probably inherited the Golf from their parents or don't know that Japan made cars in the mid 90s...ANYWAY, the MkIII Golf and its sporty GTI brother is a good deal on the used market. Find this 1996 Volkswagen GTI MkIII offered for $4,200 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Callaway Turbocharged: 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI

A brand new Volkswagen Golf will set you back at least $20,910 before taxes, license, registration, etc etc and a GTI starts at $26,415 and something called a Golf R will cost at least $39,785...and I'm certain they are nice cars with all of the safety, convenience, and Apple car play that you'll ever need...but they don't have a golf ball shifter knob and will be worth 1/2 of what you paid in 3 years...so I'm going to recommend a classic Golf for half the price to start.  Find this 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI offered for $15000 near Portland, OR via craigslist.

Vee Six Vee Dub- 1991 VW GTI 3.6

The second generation of the VW GTI soldiered on until 1992 in the USA.  The later MK2 cars benefited from a roarty 16V 4 cylinder engine which made a respectable 134 hp.  Today's GTI rewrote the playbook for what can be done with one of these cars.  It's close to 300 hp 3.6 V-6 engine comes from a late model VW CC and has cool custom touches everywhere you look.  The custom GTI modifications are so well executed that it is hard to believe there is a reasonable asking price.  In the metro NYC area, there are tons of slammed VW's with stretched tires that literally are on different planet than this beast.  Find this 1991 VW GTI for sale in Lake Hopatcong, NJ for $9,800 via craigslist.

Gas To Oil Burner: 1998 VW GTI TDI

Turbo diesel engines large fan base out there love their ability to rack up miles and produce stump pulling amounts of torque. VW and Mercedes were the only two brands who offered passenger cars with diesel engines back in 1998. Today's GTI has had the venerable 2 point slow engine swapped for the same year TDI power plant.  It would seem to be an unusual move for all but a die hard diesel fan, but when you dig into the numbers further it makes more sense. The stock 2.0 8-valve gasser was good for 115 hp and 120 lb-ft of torque, while the TDI engine made 90 and 150.  This TDI engine has a Malone stage 1 tune that takes things up to 110 hp and 188 lb-ft so this should be a good bit quicker than stock due to that mountain of torque.  Find this 1998 VW GTI for sale in New Fairfield, CT for $5,500 via craigslist.

Sub-$2k MkII: 1992 Volkswagen GTI

It's getting pretty tough to find any running & driving car for less than $2,000 these days - the proverbial $500 car may still exist, but more than likely the engine is long gone and a family of feral cats have set up base camp where the back seat used to be. Blame a variety of market forces: inflation, gentrification, consternation, whatever. A fun, early '90s hot hatch for less than $2k though - there has to be something wrong with it...right? Find this 8-valve 1992 Volkswagen GTI for sale in Covina, CA for a paltry $1,800 via craigslist.

Rabbit Out of the Hat: 1984 Volkswagen GTI Mk1

The Mk I GTI was a world changer and showed post fuel crisis world that a front wheel drive, reliable family econobox could be fun.  Its combination of fuel injected engine, manual rack-and-pinion steering, 2000 lb curb weight, and room for your junk put the GTI in a class of its own.  The paradigm is still true today and you don't need a spend a bunch of money to pick up a used GTI.  Find this 1984 Volkswagen GTI Mk1 offered for $3,500 in Boise, ID via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Auction Watch: 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI

Find this 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI here on eBay bidding for $6,600 in Hopkins, MN with 3 days to go.

Wicked Pissa: 1982 Volkswagen Puma GTI

 Listen up ya chowdahead, if you need to get a new cah because your old one is busted, you'd bettah get that idear about buying sum high priced gahbidge from ebay outta your thick skull and head over to that list by the Craigs and get somethin killa.  Like this 1982 Volkswagen Puma GTI offahed for $7995 on the North Shore of the Hub. Tip from FuelTruckah.

The Original: 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI

The now iconic Rabbit GTI hatchback helped usher in a post Brougham era into the 1980's.  It is almost laughable to think that a 75 horsepower car could made such a big impact on the auto landscape.  Things like a zippy 4 cylinder engine, slick shifting 5 speed trans, sharp handling, great ergonomics, 60 series tires, and space efficient design were all very difficult to find on any price point cars back in 1983.  The first generation GTI is a sure bet to become a future classic to Generation Xers.  Find this 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI for sale in Northfield, MA for $5,000 via craigslist.

Feito no Brasil: 1981 Volkswagen Puma GTI

The Volkswagen Beetle was used for a number of kit-style cars over the years -- but don't think for a minute that you need to settle for some homebuilt project, because a few crazy people in Brazil built a legitimate production car using bits of old Beetles...and it doesn't look bad at all.  Find this 1981 Volkswagen Puma offered for $6,000 in Mokena, IL via craigslist.

Riveting Ride: 2000 Proton Satria GTi

Proton is a Malaysian manufacturer which made cheap runabouts in much the same vein as Hyundai and Kia during the 1990s. Based on an old Mitsubishi Colt, the Satria was nothing special. However, the GTi badge can work magic, as it did on the Mk1 Golf and Peugeot’s 205, and the same rings true for the little Proton, with its Lotus tuned handling. Find this 2000 Proton Satria GTi for $4,400 AUD ($3,350 USD at the time of writing) in Taree, NSW, Australia via gumtree.com.au

The Other, Forgotten GTI: 1988 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6

During the hot hatch wars of the 80’s and early 90’s Volkswagen Golf GTIs squared off with Honda Civic SIs in the United States each with a dedicated following. It looks like with the Ford Focus ST now joining the two well-known models and what seems to be and arms race of horsepower in the hatchbacks there may be a resurgence in the market. But there are hatchback models that never were modified by flat brimmed teens with street glow and stanced to a level where they scrape their oil pan on the paint while changing lanes. Here is the chance to own an unmolested beauty that was imported recently and appears to be intact and correct. Advertised on the list that is Craig’s, located in Newport News, Virginia this 1988 Peugeot 205 GTI  is yours for the mere price of $7,500; beret and baguette not included.

Roll The Dice: 1982 Puma GTI (Volkswagen)

Las Vegas is an interesting place.  It is a city that was built a reputation around giving people a chance at something great.  You might be schmuck today, but with a little luck at the roulette table, you could be a rich schmuck tomorrow is what brings an average of 40 million visitors to the filthy hot desert town each year.  So perhaps then, it is fitting that this next pile of unknown consequences is located somewhere off the strip, in Sin City.  Find this 1982 Puma GTI offered for $4,500 in Las Vegas, NV via craigslist.