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 81 through 90 of 150.00

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  I love this car!!! - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By rickrover - February 16 - 10:00 am

  I love fast hatchbacks and the 1.8t GTI is by far the best. One of the biggest factors in purchasing it is all the aftermarket support it has. The stock GTI is a fantastic car in every respect, increadable build quality, top notch material content -first class all the way. It is so easy to take it to a whole other realm performance-wise - one that will terrorize Biff and Buffy in their 330i BMW. After only spending $2,200 in aftermarket modifications Ive got something that outhandles many sports cars, and it has gone from a stock 180 HP to 240 with a few engine modifications - this car is an absolute blast to drive and extremely dependable.

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  200HP love it - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By RobbC - January 10 - 10:00 am

  The 200 Horsepower VR6 is great. The 6 spd manual seems easier to use and shift than a 5 spd I test drove. I bought my car with all the goodies. (It was the only one avail. in DC area at the time) This car has loads of personality and I love that. The car also gets 21 city and 30 Highway which I think is very good for a 6 cylinder.

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  Great Car! - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By Max_Quebec - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Im very satisfied about my GTI 1.8T 2002! Fun to drive, but too much rattle sound who comes from averywhere!.... I think volks should think to upgrade HP in his 1.8T to 225hp minimum! (in competition with subaru 2.5 RS)... The thing i more like in my GTI 1.8T is high torque when you push item over 5500 RPM!!! Whatta feeling!!

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  Love the 337 - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By the_original - September 8 - 10:26 am

  Bought a slightly used 337 while I was looking for a 20th Anniv. model and have never regretted it. It replaced (directly) an 89 GTi 16V and I have to say the build quality of the newer car FAR exceeds the old. The North American 337s were built in Brazil, so they do not suffer many of the Mexican GTi problems (windows do not fall out, etc.). Handles incredibly well even in stock configuration. The Audi-sourced brakes and 6-speed make excellent additions.

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  Turbo Love - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By Biff Henderson - August 28 - 10:00 am

  If you want to drive a stealthy car that blows the doors off of all civics, focuses, and celicas... this is the car for you! It has awesome utility + performance for a very reasonable price. I love this car!

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  Love It!!! - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By InigoCO - August 23 - 10:00 am

  This is my second GTI in 2 years. I bought an 01 VR6 GTI and loved it, but I found a great deal on an 02 GTI 1.8T. This car gives up nothing in the way of performance to the VR6. I noticed the VR^ had more low-end grunt, but all it ever did for me was spin the tires. The 1.8T just goes. On the Highway at about 75-80 MPH, just hit the gas in 5th and off you go, no need to downshift. This thing just pulls all the way to nearly 140 MPH. I plan to do some mods int he future, but for now, Im happy with the power Ive got and so should everyone else who buys one.

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  200 HP V-6 is a winner - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By trillium - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I kept waiting for "buyers regret" to set in and it hasnt. The torque the engine provides pulls all the way to redline and the six speed manual gives you all the choices you need to keep you entertained. The car has the added benefit of not attracting undue attention from the local police. Having ESP (stability control) instead of ASR (plain old traction control) is a big benefit for Minnesota winters.

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  The best new car mod platform under 20K - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By LotsABoost - June 4 - 10:00 am

  I went with the GTI over a WRX because aside from performance, I also wanted an understated exterior and some luxury inside. Chip it for $500 and youre over 200HP at the flyhweel. Seriously, even non- performance oriented people should do this. Air filter, turbo back exhaust, dv valve, inlet pipe, maybe some intercooler piping...about $2K installed for all of the above. Shocks+Springs for about $750 installed will satisfy most. Bilstein Sport/H&R Sport keep a near stock comfort level. A clutch and limited slip (awesome upgrade) for about $2K installed. Audi TT front brake upgrade (same as off the 337 model) for $550 installed.

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  GTI IS A SICK CAR. - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By Super Steve - May 29 - 10:00 am

  This is a beautiful car. After driving around in an 84 caprice classic for a while, you really appreciate the nuances put into the GTI; great handling, quick acceleration, amazing fuel effeciency... its a complete chic magnet. Glad I didnt get the 337 edition, 18" rims would get eaten up in 6 months w/ all the potholes in Jersey. And Im glad I wasnt a sucker to spend an extra $2000 on special badging and an inch lower suspension. I gladly took that money and put on a new exhaust & ECU so my car has 240 HP, and flies by any stock 337 on the road. Do yourself a favor and take one for a testdrive. Its worth it.

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  Best Buy - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By Frans - May 17 - 2:00 am

  I went looking for a used BMW M3 or Audi S4 and was dissappointed by availability around $30-$33k. Walked into VW and saw the newest 200HP VR6 and immediately asked for a test drive. Sadly, only a 1.8L Turbo was available. Within 2 hours, I had signed to buy the next VR6 coming into the lot thinking, "well if the 1.8 hums, imagine how a v6 will perform!" I was not at all dissappointed by my decision especially considering I was ready to buy a used car and walked away with a brand new one.