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 11 through 20 of 63.00

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  Possibly the best sub $30k car you can buy - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By robcarter3 - June 30 - 1:31 am

  This car is a blast. It puts a huge smile on my face every single time I drive it. The power delivery is smooth and effortless and the engine makes a satisfying growl. The DSG is fantastic. The ride strikes a great compromise between sportiness and comfort. This car does everything. I can drive aggressively and have a fantastic time. I can haul 5 people, or 4 comfortably. I can haul a ton of stuff. I get great gas mileage. The interior of this car is far more refined than any of its competitors. The materials look and feel upscale. Its just a nice place to be. For the money, this car is darn near unbeatable. It is equally good as a daily driver and a weekend toy.

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  Expensive to own! - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By pbesong - June 8 - 7:46 am

  Expensive to own and operate! It takes premium gas only, so while everyone else is paying $2.60 per gallon, youre paying $3.00 a gallon. It takes a special oil, too, which at Pep Boys costs $8.00 per bottle and youll need 5 bottles. The oil filter from the dealer costs $28, but you can get it from NAPA for a mere $16 (still expensive if you ask me). And you need to change it every 5k miles. Its not a straight-forward oil change either. A bit more complicated. Xenon headlights cost $150 to replace and since the daytime running lights are on all the time, youre sure to burn through quite a few. Im not keeping mine long enough to find out how many. transmission can have mechatronic unit problem.

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  Gotta Love the DSG! - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By Curt - May 25 - 12:26 pm

  I like driving sporty cars with manual gearboxes. I never thought I would give up the thrill of shifting. But then, I test drove the GTI with the direct shift gearbox and I fell in love with it. The paddle shifters on the steering wheel give the same thrill as doing the clutch thing. But there are times when you just want to let the car take over. On the other hand, drop the shifter into sport mode, step on the pedal and hang on! What a rush! The fit and finish are superb, like all my VWs of the past. I also love the exterior styling. This car looks like it is always in motion. I never would have considered the GTI an option until they came out with the 4-door version.

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  Bye-Bye STi - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By David Bond Jr. - May 24 - 1:46 am

  Last year I had to go down to one car. I thought a Subaru STi Limited would satisfy my need for scalding performance, reliability, a warranty and 4 doors. After driving the STi daily for a full year, I realized that driving a race car to work every day was not as much fun as it sounded. The GTI is fantastic; quiet, refined, good ride, handles exceptionally well for a front driver. This car makes for a great enthusiastss daily driver. The Autobahn package is worth every penny. The car swallowed a a surprising amount of stuff on a trip to the home improvement store [including a 7 long mailbox post via the pass through], with two kids in the back. A great vehicle.

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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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  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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  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.