Overview & Reviews

The 2008 Volkswagen GTI receives a lower ride height for better handling, and minor equipment and trim level changes.

• Hatchback utility, upscale features and interior design, strong turbocharged engine, optional sequential-shifting DSG gearbox.

• Higher price than many competitors, handling nimbleness dulled by beefy curb weight.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 63.00

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  Ive Had Mine a Year, Time To Review... - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By Eric - April 16 - 3:53 pm

  I bought this car even though I knew all about VWs terrible reputation for unreliable build quality, overpriced dealer service, and poor customer relations due to the 1.8T and its sludge issue. Why would anyone do that? I blame BBC America! Top Gears rave review and Jeremy Clarksons wistful reminiscences of his MKI Scirocco lured me into the dealership for a very fateful test drive. The GTI made my Scion TC feel like a Yugo; it was so much more responsive, faster, better brakes, agile, and afterward getting back into my faithful and dependable Toyota product was just depressing. The dealership screwed me on price and interest rate because I had to have the car right now and was a moron.

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  VW LOVE - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By Kyle - April 11 - 5:06 pm

  After driving several more expensive "luxury" hatches I drove the new GTI and it put them all to shame. It is fun and sporty and the by far the most bang for the buck!!

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  American Thunder to Pocket Rocket - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By Greg - October 30 - 8:23 am

  When I released my beloved Cadillac CTS-V(400HP, 6 spd) to my son, I with serious trepidation, approached my next daily driver purchase. After not being impressed with the frivolous gimmickry and weight of most Asian cars nor upscale pricing of the elite Europeans, I found the GTI to offer the highest fun per dollar while being environmentally friendly (relative) and with no unnecessary accessories. It is, I found, more than than it; is a fully serviceable quality machine, that makes you feel good to drive. Its build quality is on a par with the best, and I am well pleased with my decision.

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  Great car for the money - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By Josh - October 6 - 5:56 am

  I leased the 08 GTI as an emergency replacement for my beloved A4, which was rear-ended at an on-ramp light, and have been pretty happy with my stand-in. The car is a blast to drive and feels solid... all at around 20k! The interior styling is passable and the exterior is pretty awesome for a hatchback. I am very impressed with the engine and the turbo lag hasnt really annoyed as I thought it might. The only problem Ive had, which worries me a bit, is the tranny. It doesnt always want to go into reverse and the clutch pedal stuck to the floor on one occasion. I dont know if this is a singular issue with my car or its a model issue. Overall though, puts a smile on face on a daily basis.

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  Awesome Car - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By Kane - September 28 - 3:56 pm

  Bought this car used (1 year old) with 11000 miles on it. I love it. The 6sp TWIN CLUTCH auto is superb. That was the deciding factor between this and the Mazdaspeed3. 90% of my driving is in rush hour so I didnt want a manual again. Lightening fast shifts. Manual mode makes it very fun to drive. Getting pretty good mileage ~26/27 mostly city. The instrument cluster lighting(blue & red) is fantastic. The heated seats are very supportive, gobs of torque on que, xenon headlights are very bright - even when the car is filthy. This car wants to be driven fast - so fun to drive. I like having to do errands b/c I get to drive the GTI.

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  My faithful Steed - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By meistering - August 27 - 4:06 pm

  You always see the cowboys with their horses riding off into whatever the next adventure may be. The horse, of course, is more than a horse...of course, of course. It is their faithful steed--a loyal companion. That is what my GTI is--my partner of the road. The car has gone with me from as close as the grocery store, to as far as the other side of the country. It has seen blizzard, rain, sunshine, drought, you name it. My car does everything I would ever ask, and not once has it broken my wallet or told me "no, thats too much." The next adventure is always around the corner, or just less than 6 seconds away.

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  Its not that great - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By Javier - August 6 - 8:23 pm

  I purchased this car to be my everyday car. It is very fast and fun to drive. The auto trans shifts to quick, it is twitchy. The build quality is not what you would expect a nearly 30,000 car. The factory ipod connect is bad! Fuel economy is not that great if you get on the gas. Over all it is a good car but I just feel that for the price you should get more and better quality. My rear cup holder broke like in 2 days. There is some cabin noise and the seats are not that comfortable. It does have considerable blind spots even when turning your head to switch lanes. I say you owe it to your self to drive the competition before you buy, I did not.

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  AWSOME CAR - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By fireball667 - June 9 - 2:35 am

  This is car is so great even though i have had it a short time i tthe best the car i have ever had and i am really happy with it and i hope to have it for a very long time and i love the accleretion and th ehandeling best VW ever i would and it i a supprised at the gas message i get lately

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  What fun! - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By junior - May 16 - 11:30 pm

  I looked at many different cars, but found none to be more fun than the GTI. Its well built, well priced and is truly a joy to drive. The transmission is easily the best automatic that Ive ever driven and the F-1 style paddles make the manual mode fun. Its also as practical as a station wagen. In short, for the money, Im could find nothing better.

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  My first VW - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By Sam - November 17 - 12:56 pm

  Test-drove a friends GTI; I was so impressed I traded in a 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 GT. As expected, I took a pretty good beating on the trade in. But it has been worth it, the GTI is a much more refined driving experience than the Speed 3, the suspension is more compliant to road irregularities and the turbo power plant provides power with virtually no wait time for the turbo to spool up to boost. On paper it is not as fast as the Mazdaspeed 3 but you would swear that is. Quality materials and workmanship throughout, engine and DSG are matched prefectly and is a really wonderful piece of engineering.