Overview & Reviews
All Golf models get clear side marker lights, trunk entrapment buttons, new cupholders and head protection airbags. Golf GL and GLS get higher-quality interior fabrics and the GTI benefits from a new 16-inch wheel design, optional 17-inch wheels, and multi-function steering wheel controls.
- Fun-to-drive, lots of standard goodies, hatchback design offers excellent cargo utility.
- Some controls hard to decipher, handling could be crisper, dated styling.
User Reviews:
Showing 21 through 30 of 54.00-
im buying GTIs for my whole life. - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
By nj_vw_punk - December 7 - 10:00 amIll make this short. This is the best all-around car you will find. The car is fun as hell to drive, looks good, is practical (as most hatchbacks are), is designed intelligently (for the most part) and the build quality is great. you wont get this much car for this little money anywhere else. forget what you think you should be driving (especially inefficient SUVs), and go to a dealer and take a test drive. Power is more than sufficient. Handling is good for all but the most performance minded. My only complaint is that some dealers are genuine jerks. Reydel VW in Edison NJ is quite good.
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Ups and Downs - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
By JT - November 30 - 9:03 amI bought the car in desperate need of a way to get to work, didnt really research it. The performance is good and bad. The turbo is great, very fun, but the engine sometimes jumps when I try to give it gas at lower speeds. Interior is cheap, Ive already had broken lights, switches, and compartment handles. Its also too easy to leave scratch marks on interior parts, just rub your fingernail and bits of black dust come right off. I only average at about 23 mpg which is pathetic. Note to all buyers, solve these performance problems with a manual, not automatic. Alternator keeps giving out at 40000 miles too, not sure about that..
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Pocket Rocket!!!!!! - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
By karma72 - October 25 - 10:00 amThis car is a blast to drive. I have had it for 22 months now and I still can not wait to drive it at any chance I get. Great acceleration and handling. Extermely quiet interior too. This car drives and feels like it should cost alot more! The only problem I have had with this car is the power window mechinism in both windows have gone out twice. My dealer has handled this repair at no cost to me even with it being out of warranty.
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MINE MINE MINE!!! - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
By GTI-Zak - May 9 - 2:00 amBought mine new in 07/2001. Added the 17" rims and sport suspension - resulting in absolutely amazing handling. Only 2 warranty items - driver side window regulator (common problem) and an ignition coil blew (apparently a known issue and now replaced with a new design). The dealership replaced both window regulators with new metal ones and both ignition coils with the newly re- designed one. After 2-1/2 years the occasional odd little interior creaks are a bit annoying. Overall Im very pleased with this wicked little speed demon. The GTI is a fantastic vehicle and is highly recommended!
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READ THIS REVIEW!!! ONE FABULOUS CAR!!! - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
By seandmc1 - May 7 - 10:00 amI know cars, and Volkswagens build quality has greatly improved in the MKIV series. The VR6 has a great track record + torque and HP. The build quality, drivability, ergonomics and looks are excellent. The wheels tend to be a bit weak, so watch for potholes! Manual trans. is the only way to go on this car. If you are looking for a sportier, classier, and cooler alternative to a Toyota...then the GTI VR6 is definately for you. Do be prepared for mediocre dealership service. I do most of the car work myself anyway, and this car is a breeze to work on! This car epitomizes all that is great about German engineering. Japan and the U.S. cant touch it!
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Ignition Coil !?! - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
By irritated - May 4 - 10:00 amMy ignition coil failed at 49,000 miles. This is unacceptable and I got no support from customer service. Apparently this is under recall on other engines, but not mine. They were a terrible organizaition to deal with. The power windows failed 4 times, even though they extended the warranty, it was still a hassle to deal with. The car in general has not worn well, I want to sell it immediatly.
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Reliability, Build, and style - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
By connor7 - November 7 - 12:54 pmI bought my MKIV almost a year ago, and cannot sell it to any offer. Between its peppy engine and reliability, I love it. The 1.8t has been nothing but good news, but be warned..Know how to drive and maintain these cars or you will have issues. I put 40k on it in the past year for work and school, going 100+ on most highway journeys, bringing it to 236k. Besides the belt changes done by the previous owner, its needed very little work. No oil leaks or power loss, or tranny problems yet. The trannys usually cant pass 150k but I guess im lucky. A con is the materials used in the interior. Headliner falling, door panel upholstery falling off, and finish fade. Numerous modifications available
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all included - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
By Bartman - October 30 - 2:00 amwhat else do you need ? sporty powerfull engine, it feels like a car - much more car than you think - it does not feel like one of those lightweight small cars, it feels more like a car twice it size. Also you will be surprised about the interior space. standup bass, skis ( 210 ) 4 adults comfortably etc
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Fun to drive between repair shops - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
By caro2012 - April 20 - 3:12 pmI bought my 2001 GTi with 25,000 miles on it and put another 105,000 miles on it over the course of 5 years. While it was comfortable to drive and had nice styling, the car completely lacked reliability. In the 5 years that I owned it, these are the things that broke or degraded prematurely: PCV tubing Ignition coils Ignition coil wiring harness (degraded insulation) Timing belt (replaced at 50,000) Clogged oil pick-up tube Radiator fan (broke) Coolant flange (degraded, leaked) Drivers side seat belt clip (bad sensor) Automatic transmission (failed at 100,000; rebuilt and failed again at 130,000) Broken, leaking axle at 130,000 Leaking power steering pump Cam tensioner Belt tensioner
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Turbonium! - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
By CDN20VALVE - December 5 - 10:00 amI love my 2002 180hp GTI! I switched from a Sunfire GT to a VW, and I never looked back! The VW is a much more capable car in every way! No other car in its class can compete with it. I just came back from a camping trip, where I turned my German cruise missile into a stationwagon (folding down the rear seats). We carried everything, and people were amazed at how much we could fit in the GTI! Did I mention it was very fast?
