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.

Surviviorlet: 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio

Most cars have a bell shaped popularity curve, but have you ever noticed that some cars have almost a step function of popularity -- one minute they are all over the road and then suddenly they all just up and vanish.  This seems to have been the case for the legendary Volkswagen Mk 3.5 Cabrio -- which was styled to look like the Mk IV Golf (97-05), but used mechanical bits from the older Mk 3 Golf (91-98).  Maybe that's why they dropped off the face of the earth...15 year old parts when they were brand new...regardless, you don't see them very often and you certainly don't see them in this nice condition. Find this 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio offered for $2500 in Houston, TX via craigslist. Tip from Jeff.

Cheapest Around: 2004 Volkswagen R32

The Volkswagen Golf MkIV was sold from 1999-2006 around the world, but it wasn't until the 2004 R32 edition that a true performance version was born.  The R32 took most of its components from the 3.2 liter Audi TT, including engine, transmission and suspension, but it maintains the Golf level of useability and has a cool looking front air dam...wait a minute...this R32 has a Jetta front end...what's going on!??! At least the price is right. Find this 2004 VW R32 offered for $5600 in Los Gatos, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

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.

Rare and Cool: 2004 Volkswagen R32

The Volkswagen Golf MkIV was sold from 1999-2006 around the world, and the GTI version was sporty, but it wasn't until the 2004 R32 edition that a true performance version was born.  The R32 took most of its components from the 3.2 liter Audi TT, including engine, transmission and suspension, but it maintains the Golf level of useability.  The cars weren't that expensive when new, but have been practically depreciation proof, so you won't find many of the 5,000 cars produced for less than $10k...unless they have 200k miles on the clock. Find this 2004 Volkswagen R32 offered for $8000 in San Rafael, CA 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!

Sporty Lookin Golf? 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco

Volkswagen launched their second generation of the front-wheel-drive Scirocco in 1981 with updated styling by VW stylist Herbert Schäfer (the previous generation was penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro), but the name was still tricky to spell or pronounce. See-rock-o?  Sree-rock-o? See-rr-ah-ko? See-roo-koo?  It doesn't really matter, because what Scirocco meant in plain English was "sporty looking Golf".  Find this 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco offered for $2900 in Gainsville, GA via craigslist. Tip from Matt C.

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.

Captive Breeding Program: 1981 Volkswagen Rabbits

The Volkswagen Golf was introduced in 1974 as a replacement to the 36 year old Beetle (Type 1) and sold like salty pretzels at Oktoberfest, with over 6 million of the front-drive compacts leaving worldwide factories through 2009.  For the first few years, the Giorgetto Giugiaro (of ItalDesign - noted for his work on the Alfa Giulia Sprint, Ferrari 250 GT, Maserati Bora and Isuzu Impulse) designed family car was called the Rabbit for the US market. Find these 1981 Volkswagen Rabbits offered for $500 starting near Rome, GA via craigslist. Tip from Matt C.

Sport Luxury Coupe: 1993 Volkswagen Corrado SLC VR6

The Volkswagen Corrado was a oddball in VW's 1980s/90s lineup.  It somewhat replaced the aging 2nd gen Scirocco, but not really and it wasn't much sportier than a Golf GTI...so what was it?  A VR6 powered Golf chassis based 3-door with a 179 horsepower 12-Valve VR6 motor...forget the why and just enjoy! Find this 1993 Volkswagen Corrado SLC VR6 offered for $5000 in Las Cruces, NM via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

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.

#113 of 264: 1996 Volkswagen Golf Harelquin Edition

The theories as to why Volkswagen produced the Harelquin Golf are as varied as the drugs available on the silk road...but the idea that Volkswagen had spare panels of various colors and wanted to consume them is silly.  Personally I'm a fan of the "colorblind assembly technicians" theory, but there is no disputing the basic awesomeness of the lego-colored classics.  Find this 1996 Volkswagen Golf Harelquin offered for $8000 in Kent, WA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Windbeutel: 1992 Volkswagen Golf

The Mk II (2nd generation) Volkswagen Golf was introduced in 1983 as a 3-door and 5-door hatchback and was produced through the 1992 model year.  It featured basic front drive economy and was a slightly more refined (albeit heavier) version of the original Mk I Golf.  Find this 1992 Volkswagen Golf offered for $6,400 in Middlebury, VT via craigslist. Tip from Carter.

Syncro de Auction Watch: 1990 Volkswagen Golf Country Syncro

Need to scratch your itchy syncro? Checkout this 1990 Volkswagen Golf Country Syncro here on eBay bidding for $7,300 with auction ending Sunday at 6:45PM Pacific.

68mph Polaris Power: 2006 Golf Cart

You know what the real problem is with the sport of golf?  Aside from putting, because getting that little dimpled ball in the vicinity of the hole is fun, actually getting it into a hole the size of a super big gulp lid is seriously frustrating. So, aside from putting -- and defense...it would be such a good game if the other guy could have a small hockey goalie shaped putter for defense...aside from putting and defense -- the stock golf carts are way too slow.  Ever try to run an electric golf cart through a sand trap -- instantly stuck.  And forget about evading the police, a fat mall cop on a Segway will give you a run in a stock electric cart -- but not today, because some genius has just  fixed golf. Find this 2006 Golf Cart with 500cc Polaris power offered for $5,000 (or a llama) located in Miami, FL via craigslist.

Epiphany Special: 2003 Volkswagen Golf GTI 20th Anniversary

Today is January 6th, the traditional feast of the Three Kings Day or DT's Epiphany Special.  It is a celebration of when the three wise men visit the new born baby Jesus bringing him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Unfortunately, frankincense and myrrh are basically forms of tree sap and gold is way pricey -- so instead we bring gifts of golf, frankenbenz, and myrrhkur.  First of the wise men is Balthasar who comes bearing golf -- this 2003 Volkswagen Golf GTI 20th Anniversary edition here on eBay bidding for $5,100 reserve-not-met with 1 day to go, located in New Fairfield, CT.