Overview & Reviews

With an all-new GTI on the way next year, there are no changes to the current platform for 2005.

• Fun to drive, reasonably priced, lots of standard equipment, premium cabin materials, utility of hatchback design, available six-speed manual.

• More expensive and slower than many of its peers.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 30.00

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  Great ride, but take a look at the 2006s - 2005 Volkswagen GTI
  By Smoove - March 23 - 10:40 am

  With the new models coming out, I got a great deal on a 2005 GTI 1.8T. This is a kick-butt car especially if you live in an urban area. It has a lot of fun to zip around narrow streets and into and around traffic. Its reasonably comfortable enough for long road trips and trips to the slopes/casinos, but practical enough for the daily commute and running errands. Ive seen a lot of complaints regarding the gas milage and I have to agree. To be perfectly honest, this car is so much fun to drive aggressively that I think the poor gas milage could easily be attributed to the drivers. Im coming up on 7,000 miles and the only issue Ive had was the rear wiper stopped working...during a downpour no less.

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  Much love here!!! - 2005 Volkswagen GTI
  By **Heather** - March 9 - 7:40 am

  I cant tell you how much I am impressed with this car. It definitely feels like it has more power than it actually has, and the handling is amazing. Lots of mods are available. The inside has alot more room than expected (and this coming from a mom of 2). The seats actually fold up like a jeeps would, so its quite easy to get in and out of the back. The monsoon radio is great. Im very pleased with my purchase, and encourage to test drive this car. I think youll be pleasantly surprised.

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  My First Car, and an Absolute BLAST! - 2005 Volkswagen GTI
  By Chris O. - November 26 - 3:36 pm

  Being a lifelong Manhattanite, getting a car is really a luxury. I was really close to buying a MINI Cooper S, but after much research I went with the Volkswagen GTI. Im a musician, so I needed a little extra room for cargo. With the GTI comapred to the Cooper I get better top-speed, equal acceleration, better performance, almost-as-good MPG, and 25 cubic feet more cargo space, for thousands less! I cant say enough about how much fun it is to drive. The 05s dont have the slick style that the 06s will, but I like this boxy little guy. It looks so unassuming and frumpy. But then you step on the gas, and it says, "See ya!" Fun, fun, fun.

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  I get excited everytime i turn it on. - 2005 Volkswagen GTI
  By jrx45x - October 8 - 2:21 pm

  This car is my love. I dont like how these cars look stock though. there kinda boxy and awkward. So i lowered mine and its the most amazing thing ever i get so many looks. At first i got it with 60k miles and it needed alot of maintenance like timing belt and ignition coils. Timing belt was $1000 at dealer so i took somewhere else for $500. Beware, the dealer is expensive. I either fix stuff myself or take somewhere else. It is a reliable car if you treat it good. If you always rag on the car itll rag on your wallet. Its fast too, i wont ever sell mine, in fact when the engine goes i will swap another 1.8t into it i love it that much. Hope you like yours just as much as i do.

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  The GTI Rocks! - 2005 Volkswagen GTI
  By stkshftgti - April 25 - 4:23 pm

  The sporty turbocharged 4-cyl. engine once chipped ripped all sheds of doubt from the smaller K03S german engineered turbo, powered the 4-cyl. to well over 200HP and gave the VW the power it really needs to be a sporty coup. With a quick throttle responce and fast spool, the GTI outperforms most coups in the price range. this car has the tuning of a import turbo mixed with the luxury of a European one. I love it!

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  A solid, blast-to-drive, quick, legend! - 2005 Volkswagen GTI
  By George Pitt - December 23 - 8:10 pm

  The VW GTI is an automotive LEGEND worldwide! Its been around, in one form or another, for over 25 years, and has been the sports-hatch bargain of choice for countless drivers seeking affordable performance and style the world over. The 24 valve VR6 is no exception. What an awesome engine! It can be argued that this is one of the BEST GTIs EVER, given the superb quality and engineering evident inside and out. The interior is absolutely impeccable, with fit and finish worthy of an Audi or BMW. The exterior design and overall looks convey German class and performance, especially with the gorgeous 17 inch Monte Carlo rims, which enable the car to perform admirably. A very TIGHT car!

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  Fun but needs consideration before buying - 2005 Volkswagen GTI
  By Katie - October 12 - 11:26 pm

  This was my first new car I bought. It was a great purchase for the price. It really gets up and goes. I really love taking turns that suggest 30 mph and you can sweep through it at 50. Great styling and love how the back seats fold flat for trips. Have had some problems with extreme wind noise and rattling. It seems most in the rear of the car and side panels, rather annoying actually because at about 2,000 miles it started. I was able to get a wind noise silencer kit that the dealership installed, but it still didnt do the trick. The gas mileage is ok, depending on how heavy your foot is on that turbo! It is a great buy and I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a fun car.

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  Total Fun - 2005 Volkswagen GTI
  By floyd - July 2 - 6:50 pm

  The car is a blast to drive, very safe, and has an interior like a BMW without the cost. It has looks to kill for. Its performance is outstanding, and its gas milage is great. I love the heated leather seats and one touch windows. I highly recommend it.

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  Love my GTI - 2005 Volkswagen GTI
  By texasgti - February 24 - 3:43 am

  I have a 2005 Volkswagen GTI and I love it. It is a blast to drive, the turbo spools up at about 3,000 to 3,500 rpm and then from there to redline it is a pocket rocket. The torque is there as well, even at low rpms. Passing on the highway is a breeze. You never need to downshift, just keep it in fifth and it will spool up and go. As far as comfort for the price nothing can touch it. It comes with heated seats, leather, power everything, a sunroof, great stereo, and 6 air bags. Also, when it comes to build quality, there is nothing that is better. I have a 7 year history with Volkswagens owned through the family, and no one has ever had any major problems to speak of.

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  Great car... if you have a sense of humor - 2005 Volkswagen GTI
  By Extensioncord - April 21 - 6:53 am

  Good and bad. Smooth power, slick shifting, excellent handling, great ride and Audi-level interior design. Unfortunately, insurance is high, rattles and squeaks intrude on an otherwise library-quiet cabin, electonic gadgets are prone to failure. OnStar inoperative from day one. Buggy alarm/central locking system. Wouldn’t start at 5,200 mi, was towed. As this is my fourth VW, I’m used to the quirks … bad electrical systems, squeaks, leaks (like inch-deep puddles in my ’02 and that windows iced up on the INSIDE), stereo replacements, windows that fall into the doors, etc. The only question is: can YOU get used to it? Better make sure you have a good dealer. Otherwise, two words: CIVIC Si!