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 1 through 10 of 63.00-
Maybe the greatest car for your money... - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
By Chris Moore - July 5 - 3:13 amThis is a car that can truly do it all. I was looking for a car that could fulfill my demands for having a fun, performance oriented vehicle that could simultaneously deliver respectable gas mileage, have four doors, a great warranty and not break the bank, including full coverage insurance. Oh, did I mention my non-manual transmission driving wife had to be able to drive it too? Under these strict stipulations, the GTI is absolutely sublime. I bought mine for $20.5K and spend $100 a month on full coverage insurance. I regularly get over 30 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in town. Because of its sleeper status, I can drive it like I sat on a wasp, and a cop would be none the wiser.
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Best Car Ever - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
By stx066 - June 10 - 11:06 amI have been looking into buying a GTI since about January of this year and finally found the one I was looking for. I traded in my 2006 Honda Civic EX and boy am I glad I did! The GTI may not get as good gas mileage as the Civic, but it is way more fun to drive. Well worth the price.
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Great, great, great - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
By Pata - May 8 - 10:33 amI have my 2008 GTI for almost a year now, and I have to say every time I get into it I still smile. When I get on the road and I have to get onto the highway the power of this car takes my breath away still. My husband has a honda si and that is a great car too but when I drive his car, I miss my GTI, I just love the instant turbo power you get when you step on the gas pedal, and you dont have to down shift to get that power. I have had lots of people stop and tell me how much they like my car, or ask questions. This is one great car, comfortable, fast, great on gas, I put snow tires on it for the winter and it was great in the snow, and I always feel confident driving this car. I Love it
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Best Car Ive owned - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
By Dan - April 22 - 2:26 pmI give this car 2 thumbs up for being the most fun and comfortable car Ive owned..Ive owned 2 dozen or more. Even with reliability issues, it is still worth having if under warranty. Ive owned it a month now...bought it used with 16k miles. It has FSI engine which i learned is the older version, but still very good, though. Great handling, comfortable ride even with 18" wheels. Gas mileage is awesome 26- 30mpg mixed mostly highway commuting. Premium gas is a must if you want good gas mileage. First tank from dealer got 26mpg with regular then after that I got close to 30mpg with premium. VW combines fun and practicality all in one package. Back seat is rather large, too.
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Bought it yesterday - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
By bbramely - August 14 - 12:03 pmI have been researching cars for about 7 months. I was looking at this, an accord coupe, a g6 gt, and mini cooper s, and so on. I knew that whatever car I got into I would be happy with and I feel content with my lease. I am about to graduate from college and got a great job, so this is my first car in my name. Big experience for me. I am such a car guy so I put a lot of time into this and found that rating for rating, pound for pound, dollar for dollar, i made the right choice.
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Switched from Honda - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
By Goose - June 24 - 6:40 amIve been a Honda customer for over ten years. Ive had an Integra, Civic (1995-2006 models), Accord, CL. I test drove the latest Accord and 2009 TSX. They are all very good vehicles. However they are boring. At least compared with the GTI. The moment I drove off the dealer lot on the test drive I new the car was different. Different in a good way relative to Honda products in this general price zone. The car is quieter inside, it feels solid. I love the DSG and the fuel economy is very good for a turbo. I want to speed off at every light but prefer to drive mellow so I can watch the drivers looking at my GTI as they drive off. If I need to speed off its waiting on my input :)
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Eine Kleine GTI!!! - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
By Pasnbyu - March 24 - 9:53 amI needed to upsize my daily driver from a 03 MINI Cooper to something fun with 4 dr (2 preschoolers) & the 4 dr GTI was at the top of my list because of the DSG transmission (this is the tranny wave of the future!). Even after 3 months, I am still stunned by the overall refinement level - handling/stability at speed, acceleration, braking, seats, & lights are all fabulous. There is absolutely no torque steer (I hate torque steer & would notice even a hint of it). When I have my 1st service, Ill ask about the radio display (I think its computer needs to be reflashed since speed sensative volume & name scrolling dont seem to work), but thats the only "quality" issue. The GTI is back!!!
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One of the best - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
By Todd - February 24 - 8:40 amI have not driven a car that gives you so much for the price. Its fantastic the way the motor and transmission work together. The DSG is the best auto-manual there is. The car feels very refined and stays relatively quiet on the road. The seats are awesome and I love the steering wheel. Loaded with features that are usually offered on luxury cars. Turbo lag is there low in the RPM range, but after driving a couple of weeks it is easy to get used to. The 4-door version has all the room I need. Carries 4 people comfortably, and my kids car seat fits great. Have had no reliability issues. All around this is one of the best cars money can buy. Could not be happier with my purchase.
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Performance without pretension - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
By JTi - December 16 - 1:46 amI have owned and driven a lot of different cars over the past 27 years, from true two-seater sports cars to sport/lux sedans. So take that into account when I say that this car is flat out a blast to drive! I live in an area where everyone has (or wants) a BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, etc., and being one to never be comfortable following the crowd, I took the advice of Car and Driver and Edmunds and gave the GTI a spin. Great little car inside and out. I opted to bloat the price by loading it up with everything but nav, but it was well worth it. More sophisticated drive than the the MazdaSpeed3 with comparable performance and better looks (IMO).
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Always fun to drive - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
By Terje - July 28 - 11:40 pmIve owned several BMWs which all seem to fall apart @ 80K miles. My last 740I was very expensive to maintain & boring to drive. I wanted to try something more practical with better mileage. Im 41 so I thought my white GTI with 18"s was a practical, fun and young looking decision. So far I like it very much. The DSG is amazing. If you are considering the fun factor, compared to BMW, Audi & Honda, the GTI is a great choice.
