Overview & Reviews

For the 2002 model year, the GLS and GLX trim levels are dropped. Instead, choose from the juiced-up 180-horsepower turbocharged inline four (that can be mated to a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic) or the VR6 engine. The current 174-horsepower, 12-valve VR6 will be replaced with a 24-valve unit good for producing 200 horsepower in the spring of 2002. Later on, a special-edition model called the GTI 337 will arrive with a six-speed manual hooked up to the 180-horse 1.8T, as well as 18-inch wheels, 225/45VR18 performance rubber, a ground effects kit, genuine Recaro seats and red accents inside and out. All-new Volkswagen vehicles come standard with an improved four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, up from two years/24,000 miles. In addition, Volkswagen offers a fully transferable limited powertrain warranty that covers five years or 60,000 miles.

• Fun to drive, reasonable price, lots of standard goodies, hatchback design offers excellent cargo utility, available six-speed manual.

• Some controls hard to decipher, handling could be crisper, dated styling.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 150.00

• 

  Amazing!!! - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By drewz - April 9 - 10:00 am

  Everything about this car is beautiful. I have never received so many complements on the way a car drives and looks. Probably one of the most fun cars Ive ever driven.

• 

  So far so good - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By gticl - March 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car (my 5th VW, 2nd GTI) for a month. So far, only door panels have rattle noise sometimes. This car is almost perfect despite the noise.

• 

  VW GTI - 2002 - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By NC Larry - February 25 - 10:00 am

  A fun, fun car that is practical at the same time.

• 

  Nice GTI - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By Tots - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I have now 21000 miles on the car and I have had no major problems with the car. For 2002 there is a recall for wiring in the ABS system. What was scary is the window regulators. I had one glass fall into the door. I took it to the dealership and it was fixed with an updated kit free of charge and they went ahead and did it on the passengers side. All that happened within the first 6 months of owning the car. I havent done anything to it since. The car is working great. Tires are stock michelin and are at half of their thread life. The only hard part about driving the car is keeping it under 60mph.

• 

  All-In-One Package - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By CJU - December 9 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great little car, despite a few minor problems(ignition coils, window brackets, radio replacement, & dash lights.) All of which were taken care of by the dealer. It is very functional, alot of room to haul people or cargo. Great handling, traction in snow, wet, & dry conditions. Decent MPG for the performance numbers. Safety and security features are of a caliber usually found on higher end vehicles. Improved warranty is also a plus.

• 

  VW makes fun cars - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By pat - November 14 - 4:03 am

  My 2002 Volkswagen GTI is my second VW, my first being a 2000 Jetta... The progress between these vehicles is impressive to say the least. And going turbo is a lot of fun as well. My only beef with the car is that I had to make some modifications to get it where I wanted it to be. The European versions of this car are not restricted by strange safety and emission laws. So once I had this car chipped and tuned, changed the piping and suspension, I was extremely pleased. It rides wonderfully and Ive never had to take her in for fixing, just slight improvements. If VW could find a way to lighten the vehicle and put better piping and supsension it from the factory, I think theyd sell more of these cars.

• 

  YOU GOTTA BUY THIS CAR!!!!!!! - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By br1an - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I am having a great time driving this car..never been grocery shopping so many times in one day! I dont know what else to say except that this car has so much to offer. Compared to other cars, price wise, this car has it all. YOU HAVE TO SEE THE CAR IN PERSON to know what I mean. Very thoughtful layout.

• 

  GTI GLS - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By b9e4n4 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Originally satisfied, but had many electrical problems and now it needs a new clutch...Been in the shop several times, and I dont think that VW wants to take ownership of their problems. Ive owned 15 cars and this has been by far the worst in terms of reliability, but one of the best in terms of fit and finish...

• 

  GTI - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By Newtisdead - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Window unit has failed 3times Turbo has gone out 2times Leak in the sunroof.

• 

  People mislead you - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By namornik - August 9 - 7:04 pm

  I have owned my Gti from 2002 and I feel for the performance the maintenance and repairs have been reasonable and minimal. First place in Europe the timing belt must be replaced in 6 years or the required mileage (I think 60,000). I read here someone complained they had to replace their belt sooner - time or mileage - the truth is in the details. I had to replace a few batteries, a water pump, and a clutch (I was racing on the autobahn). Water pumps are easily broken in any vehicle, my fault the clutch as I had tuning up in my VW and off Id go after some European idiot in his underpowered Audi, BMW or Mercedes that came up and sat on my rear bumper. Eat my dust was my motto. A good auto.