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 11 through 20 of 54.00

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  Very fun and safe to drive. - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By Leonel Castro - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for over 2 years. The windows have fallen inside the door several times. Though Volkswagen did admit that it was a huge defect on these vehicles, they are replacing all window mechanisms with a complete newly designed piece. Its been now almost a year and the windows work perfectly. Other than that I have no complaints. I love driving the car and am very pleased with the smooth drive. 150 hourses can really give you some serious G-Force! Oh, and one last thing... This car has always made head turns since the first day a owned it. Its sleek European design definitely stands out within the rest.

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  Bang for the buck - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By kevbelz - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely the BEST bang for your buck. I bargained the price down to 21000 (maybe could of done better?) based on the fact that the 2002s would have 180HP stock. Well for a little more than $500 I added a Garrett chip and a K&N filter, and the cars horsepower jumped to 195 from 150. There are some reliability issues that seem to come up for MANY owners. (coilpacks need replacing, window regulators, and brakes and clutch seem to wear out too quickly) but luckily I havent seen any of this. Just treat her good, and shell take care of you.

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  The pleasures of driving a 2001 GTi VR6 - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By o2bavr6 - July 4 - 2:00 am

  This the 3rd GTi Ive owned and have had the car now for about 3 years. I never tire of driving it. The VR6 has such a wondeful power band. It also handles quite well for a hatchback with a V6 in it. I havent had many troubles with the car at all, and the ones I did were covered under warranty. 2004 VW R32 here I come.

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  Fun to drive but.............. - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By karma72 - May 9 - 10:00 am

  I really like this car but I cant believe the problems I ve had the past 2 years. Five times the windows have fallen down into the doors, various plastic pieces inside keep falling off or break, the headlights suddenly stopped working, and the tail lights have had problems. My dealer has fixed most of these problems without charge but Volkswagen will not even admit there is an epidemic with the window situation and are non cooperative on the customer service phone. The car is a blast to drive but I really have to question the overall quality of some of the design, and Volkswagen needs to fess up to the window problem and do a recall.

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  Great Car - My 2nd GTi - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By Dante - March 1 - 10:00 am

  I owned an 84 GTi (the original) for 12 years, then a Jetta GLi for 8 more years. After a quick stint with another vehicle, I went back to VW. I bought this car used, with 60k miles already on it. I am now very close to 100k and I absolutely love this car. Only problems I have had is: replacing the water pump (normal) and a bad coil pack (normal?). I maintain it religiously, running only synthetic oil. I honestly never have to open the hood between changes - it uses absolutely no oil, and the old oil is only moderately dirty after 5k miles. One odd issue - I have to top off the power steering fluid every 5k-6k miles and I see none of it leaking out(?)

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  My GTI Review - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By Rccar 111 - November 1 - 10:00 am

  My GTI has been a blast to drive everyday for almost 2 years now. The 1.8t engine is the same one youll find on the Audi TT, A4, and A3. I dont think most people realize that. It has a lot of low end torque and high end hp. With an aftermarket chipping program, you will have a 210hp 240tq mini monster. The handling isnt too bad, but with a aftermarket suspension, the handling performance is greatly improved.

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  GTI oh my! what an experience. - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By kudin - August 4 - 5:40 am

  Honestly I can say owning the VW GTI VR6 was nothing short of a nightmare. I had purchased the top of the line 2001 in 2011 GLX with less then 140,000 kilometers and was the third owner. Over the span of one year it coast me half its value in repairs for parts that are literally prone to failure. Volkswagen knows this but makes no attempt to fix it, simply Google coil-pack failures for the mk4. As a car it is fun to drive its fun. However its heavy slow and antiquated. The whole VR6 thing is overrated till you hit the highway and the bulk of my driving was city so its a pig on gas, changing the oil is at least a 100 dollar job if you do it right and go full synthetic.

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  vroom!!! vroom!!! - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By babs johnson - March 13 - 2:00 am

  this thing flies. i just sold my saab 900 turbo and this thing gets just as much zip for half the cash. handles well with a nice interior. but for a "hatch back" it could use a lot more trunk space. also its 2002 could we please make it standard to have a cd player. im finding along with other vw owners that the stock batteries die early. mine died twice during the test drive!

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  2001 GTI 1.8Turbo - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By 1FE - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Great driving. Would like the 2002 180hp engine software. Coolant system leak following delivery. Power window failed X3 due to faulty regulator. All problems repaired under warranty. Generally pleased with car and service

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  Never Again . . . - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By JDC - December 26 - 10:00 am

  This car has been plagued with problems, regardless of the fact that I bought it new. Where do I start? 1)Rain sensor was broken, which required a new windshield. 2)Rear-view mirror came detached twice. 3)Check engine light came on twice. 4) Passenger window fell in. 5)Air conditioning motor stopped working. 6) Alarm system malfunctioned. I take excellent care of this car, yet Volkswagen has let me down repeatedly. I will never again purchase a Volkswagen, and I am cautioning everyone I know to stay away from them.