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 1 through 10 of 150.00-
Tired of problems - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By wantagti - April 23 - 10:00 amIn the 13 months since we bought the car, its been in the shop 6 times, had to be towed there 3 times. Multiple recall parts, multiple times overheated, etc. etc. We are sick and tired of the unreliability, though we love its looks and how it drives.
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VW Mk4 Gti 1.8t (TIPTRONIC) - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By Tanya Luther - July 27 - 4:44 pmSo, I bought myself an 02 GTI about a year ago with 73,000 miles and it was a one owner car. Interior and exterior of the car was excellent. Sadly, 1 month after buying the car...the glove box door broke. The next month, my car started to make a horrible noise. Took it to my trustworthy mechanic, and he said that the waterpump had gone bad. Along with that I had the waterpump, timing belt, etc..replaced; $1,000. Later on, my heater blower, windshield wipers, and turn signals ALL went out...in the middle of winter. Come to find out after replacing a few things it was the relay switch; $35. Still not finished, after dealing with that. The check engine light came on, needed a NEW TRANSMISSION.
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Piece of junk, Im going to trade this... - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By SlyGuy - July 2 - 2:00 amMy car has 12,000 miles and its sad its been in the shop 5 times 22,000 dollar car gti 1.8t fully loaded all the packages. Window fell in door, coil packs went(ignition), door seals leaked, monsoon radio stopped working, seats made cheap noises, and now its going back again for a loud tapping noise when its started. My tip dont buy one!!!!!!!!!! been in the shop 2 out of 6 months!!!!
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DO NOT BUY THIS CAR - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By Joe - May 1 - 2:46 pmThis car is the worse investment I have ever made. Bought it used in 05 with 18,000 miles on it for $18,500 and have put over $9,000 in it on maintenance. Currently it does not run because the car leaks water very badly through the ceiling. I had to replace both axels, the clutch after about 2,000 miles in my ownership, i had suspension problems, turbo/exhaust problems, leaking all over the ceiling. About 20 different hoses and gauges replaced, no exaggeration. It was on 2010s Consumer Reports worse car list. Timing belt was replaced a lot sooner than is should be replaced because of issues, the Catalytic Converter was replaced, all of this because of the cars build quality.
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Where To Start With the Problems - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By rocky - February 29 - 5:46 pmI would have to disagree about the reliablity of the GTI. The first day I got it, the airbag light was on. They said it was the sensor in the seatbelt buckle. This was service trip #1. Then my GTI died on me three times due to the terminal connecting to the battery, trip #2. Then my car started to overheat on two seperate occasions. The dealer said it was a burnt fuse box that was above the battery that caused my fan to not kick in (good place to put a fuse huh). Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that the moonroof sqeaks and the turbo lags. If you are ever to listen to a stranger in your life, listen to me. DONT BUY THIS CAR! You will spend more time getting to know your mechanic than enjoing a turbo car.
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Mixed Feelings - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By JPel - May 25 - 2:00 amThis is the first car I ever purchased. I am a first year college student, so the 19 grand I dropped on my new GTI was a lot. I loved it until everything started to go wrong. I have had water in my brake lines (which froze so I could not stop or shift), a broken fuel pump, broken ABS module, broken window mechanism, broken clutch cable, broken dome light switch, and a problem with the door locks. I will never buy another VW unless the company restores my faith in a serious way.
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The car that breaks down weekly - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By felix11111 - October 26 - 10:00 amIt spends more time at the dealer than actually runs ;-(
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Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By Vance - October 12 - 2:00 amThe 1.8T is fun to drive and I havent done any modifications. My biggest gripe/problem is the car is seeing the dealership more than the road now! Check engine light has came on 3 times over the last 3 months...and its on again. This is my second VW and I dont think there will be a 3rd. They say they only get better and learn from the consumer...but i guess Im tired of being the test market on my account. Coil pack issue, plastic window clips, air bag sensor light...whats next?
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Fun to drive, defective parts - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By gtidriver301 - July 4 - 2:00 amLove to drive this car. But has one recall for brake wires that catch on fire. Window motors are defective, but vw will not replace them till they dont work (hope it does not rain), and the ignition coils are defective.
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Reliability - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
By aliaso - February 21 - 2:00 amReliability 3 brake repairs now engine malfunctioning (possibly coil pack) trim rattles WJ ABS recall windows regulation intermediate problem avoid VW if need car everyday
