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 1 through 10 of 54.00

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  Poor reliability - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By Spngbobfan - December 10 - 6:56 am

  Purchased car new at dealer outside my home state. I knew I wanted the GTI because I felt like it was a lot of car for the money with some great standard features. It was very hard to locate a VR6 at the time. Experience with the selling dealership was wonderful. However, future service issue experience with Maryland dealers was terrible. When the car runs well, it can be a lot of fun to drive. Problem areas include replacing 2 window regulators, replacing cat converter at 50K, rain sensors not working and poor quality door materials. As of now, Id never purchase another VW again

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  value - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By turbodude - August 29 - 2:00 am

  bought new for less than $20,000 three years ago. the power during the test drive convinced me to buy it. solid feel of a german car puts my old honda to shame. my first car was vw bug in 1972 so it was kind of like coming home to an old friend. the only problem ive had is the engine light sometimes comes on in cooler weather (ignition coil factory recall?). i suppose my only real complaint is that i need to be aggressive with the clutch when the light turns green to keep up with the automatic transmissions.

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  gti in audi clothing - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By andys review - January 6 - 12:26 pm

  So far so good! This car took me a while to get used to because Im so used to driving second generation gtis, but I really like it now. Not as much fun as the 1st and second generation gtis but but smoother and better all around. Very roomy and handling is up to par. The vr6 is such a nice engine. You move a lot faster then it feels. Definitely a much more solid feeling car. Fuel is pretty good if you baby the car. Easy to drive slow and exciting to drive fast! In my opinion it has an Audi feel to it and the cabin is pretty quiet. This glx model is loaded and I love and use every option. Im very happy with my purchase!

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  150k miles new - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By torchmonkey - September 18 - 10:46 am

  i have owned vw most on my post high school life. from an 02 5 spd vr6 gti to a 03 vr6 6 spd jetta. great cars when taken care of and modded properly. stay away from the automatics, and enjoy on a back road once in awhile. currently own a 2001 gti 1.8t. great gas mileage. bit of a hit on power from the vr6 cars im used to but can be made up in parts and the 1.8 definitely handles better. my current car has 160k on it and runs like new. interior is showing signs of wear around the ac controls, console, and ignition. shall be replaced soon. rolled my 02 gti 2.5 times at highway speed and 3 ppl walked away unharmed. (perrelli tire went flat and came off the rim). so i dont buy perrellis anymore.

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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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  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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  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.

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  Ups and Downs - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By JT - November 30 - 9:03 am

  I 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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  MINE MINE MINE!!! - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By GTI-Zak - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Bought 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!