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 71 through 80 of 150.00-
Incredible! - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By clarkma5 - March 31 - 2:00 amThe GTi is the best car ever. My aunts BMW 325i doesnt even come close....it is way to numb and uninvolving, unlike my GTi, which begs to be tossed around corners, and feels like an part of yourself when you get into driving it. Build quality inside and out is perfect, and is supposedly better if the car is from Germany (Mine is Brazilian, although the drivetrain is from Germany). The engine is excellent; the turbo comes on just below 2000 RPM, which makes for quite a rush. The car gets very good mileage considering its power output. The suspension is a bit soft for my tastes, but I dont have the 17" wheels. Remember, the GTi is also veddy practical....5 adults and stuff, no prob.
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Love It - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By 24vowner - March 28 - 10:20 amI love my GTI. I have one of the first 24V VR6 GTIs as it is a 2002.5 model. I agree that the suspension is a bit soft, but I had the dealer install Eibach springs within two months of owning it and that made a huge difference in the handling. I also installed a rear sway bar which helped a ton with the understeer. The car is rock stable at speeds of 85+ mph. I regularly get 30+ mpg on the highway if i stay under 80 mph. The VR6 rumble is music to my ears. After replacing the stock tires, the road noise went down and traction was less of a problem when getting on it. All the room in the back is great for carrying all sorts of stuff.
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I Love This Car - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By GTIDriver - March 25 - 10:00 amI cant say enough about this car! It is pure driving pleasure for under 25K. It handles like a true sports car and when you hit the gas, watch out because you will redline FAST and the front wheel drive will pull you to one side if your not ready. Also, its fun to watch all those kids in souped-uo Civics drool! Get One!
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Fun to Drive - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By belliott77 - February 15 - 2:00 amI have had the car for 5 days already have 1200 miles on the car and am very happy with it. A couple of trips to the Big Bear, a local mountain resort, and one trip to Phoenix and back. This car is fun to drive. On the mountain roads it was great! Handling is terrific, feels like it is on rails, scared my wife a couple of times, but pushed the car nowhere close to the limit. The engine is silky smooth with a fairly broad powerband. Power comes on around 3000 rpms, but unlike some cars I have driven with a high rpm powerband this one is not taxing to drive.
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Amazing car, could be improved. - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By anon. - February 11 - 9:43 pmReally fun to drive. Best first car I could have asked for. A bit pricey for the build quality that is has. The clutch tore out at 35K and the glove box handle snapped off. Love the seats and the sunroof. Love the smooth shifting and the engine sound. Really quick. Nice handing and really nimble.
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Best VW I have driven since 1978 - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By cumming hutch - February 8 - 10:00 amA,s a licensed driver for fifty years I have owned and driven cars built by GM,and Ford.I have rented late model Chryslers and Buicks for vacations (added space needed).There is no equal with VW,s turbo I cannot see where they could improve on.
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fun to drive but will it last ? - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By bingo baggins - December 12 - 2:00 amOkay, the car is a blast to drive, city or highway. Say goodbye to the Eclipses, will stay with the WRX. Even smoked an older Porsche. Transmission sucks, soft in the corners. Has been to the dealer for the defective ignition coil thang and a squeaky door. Good for trips to Home Depot as well as a jaunt down the Seward highway. Great in the snow and ice, I just hope this thing can hold up until I get it paid off !
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Former Honda Man - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By biker23nola - November 17 - 10:00 amWas looking for something to replace my worn out CRX. Looked at the new Si from Honda, cool shifting as smooth as butter. However, the GTI 337 performance, style, and interior quality is superior. Is this a fun car or what. The cool factor is way up there. I also got real lucky in obtaining this awesome ride. First to test drive, by chance and my mind was made up already. Will be a classic.
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Fun as He . ..heck - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By Subash - November 17 - 10:00 amGreat car, nice size and great to drive.
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great car! - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By protijy - October 1 - 2:00 amGreat all around sport compact. factory upgrades like none other, BBS rims, TT brakes, 6 spd, recaros, lowered sports suspension, ect... I love the car I hate the company VWOA and thier coilpack issues, unhelper customer service and bad dealerships have killed my VW experience next time Ill by an Audi and get the real service.
