2004 Volkswagen GTI Consumer Reviews

Turbo Commuter

Written by: driver on 04/04/2007

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen GTI 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

What a fun little car? Great Styling. Turbo lets me squirt through traffic with ease. Great utility. Comfortable on long trips. Haul around stuff when you need to by folding rear seat. Spent two weeks on the road out west camping with this car with mountain bikes on the roof. Still plenty of power and extremely supportive seats. Mazda 3 owner stopped me in the badlands. She was from chicago. she asked me how I liked the v-dub. I told her it's the most awesome car. She said her car was killing her. She was turning it in as soon as she got back to chicago. Go for the leather, 17's and monsoon, you won't be dissappointed unless you're not really looking for hot hatch.

Favorite Features

wheels. turbo. monsoon. style.

Suggested Improvements

get the oem roof rack its really nice. add some aftermarket bits and a chip and you'll have a real monster on your hands. Independent rear suspension would be nice and 4 wheel drive would be nice. I use blizzaks in winter.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Tall people's little car

Written by: veedubbahjoo on 05/03/2006

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen GTI 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I sat in a GTI as a joke while waiting for a sales rep to get back to me. I then test drove it since at 6 ft 8 I didn't fit in the other cars I wanted to test drive. It's roomy for me. It is way fast for its size. It does 0 to 60 in 6.5 secs. All of its amenties are convenient. It is very easy to park. The GTI is well designed and communication with the road is excellent.

Favorite Features

The head room, leg room, how the seats lift up, acceleration, and handling.

Suggested Improvements

Make it cheaper.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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I Like it a Lot

Written by: steve on 03/07/2006

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen GTI VR6 2dr Hatchback (2.8L 6cyl 6M)

Review

i bought my 2004 VW GTI with some hesitation, I was concerned about the reliability. It has had some minor issues with reliability in the electrical department. I knew going in too that this car takes premium gas. This is not a great thing with a car that averages 19-24 mpg and the current cost of gas. Having said this, I do declare, that this car is wonderful. It is not a hot rod, but it is very fun. if I need the horses or torque, they are there. It is very solid, and the most comfortable car that I have ever owned. The hatchback is great, easy access and roomy. I don't see myself coming and going on the highways and byways of this town. I strongly recommend this funky little car.

Favorite Features

The engine is smooth and quiet. The comfort of the front seats over long distances is great. The GTI has a very solid ride.

Suggested Improvements

VW needs to continue to improve its electrical reliability. Also, the standard transmission is nowhere near as slick as the ones that are available in Japanese cars.

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Great Little Car

Written by: Carl on 12/19/2005

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen GTI 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I love my GTI 1.8T. Although, I am a little disappointed in it. I had to replace the passenger slide-arm entry actuator, replace the ignition cylinder (Froze on cold days) plus some other minor demo-induced wear. Fortunately, it was all covered under warrenty. I bought my 2004 in March of 2005 with 60 miles on it. It handles great, has fantastic excelleration and looks regal (in Reflex Silver). The dash is a pretty blue and red mix.

Favorite Features

Fantastic fuel economy, a nice soothing lit-up dashboard that doesn't blind you when you put on the brights (ie: It doesn't assume you're a moron because you need light - like other American cars do).

Suggested Improvements

Fix the dim headlights. I live in the country and travel the speed limit. I can't see more than 45 feet in front on me. There is not enough time to slow/swerve if something (ie: a critter) is in the road at night. I CAN'T SEE! That's the biggest drawback I have on this car. Inner City driving is OK

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great for the money!

Written by: Ready to Roll on 12/06/2005

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen GTI 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I've invested in an upgrade chip for my Volkswagen GTI. It now has 215 horsepower. There has been a significant improvement in the acceleration. K&N air filter helped too. This car has been all that I've expected. If you want a Porsche then that's what you should buy. This is a bang for the buck automobile! Knock on wood I've had no mechanical problems. I'm 6'2" and I think it could use more leg room though.

Favorite Features

this car has decent handling, decent gas milage, and quality German engineering.

Suggested Improvements

Upgrade the cheap interior. My armrest cover is broken already. Give the option to move the rails back to obtain more leg room. If it's so easy to safely and efficiently increase HP then why not give it from the factory?

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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2004 VW GTI 1.8T Review

Written by: Jillian on 11/13/2005

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen GTI 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

My 2004 Volkswagen GTI broke down twice within the first week of my purchase. I had to have the entire computer system replaced. The interior quality is horrible...all the little pieces seem to be breaking i.e. console clasp, front seat release handle (to get into backseat) and foot vent. The A/C failed on the hottest day in the summer on the NJ parkway in bumper to bumper traffic...cool! I suppose that this is a decent first car for younger drivers.

Favorite Features

The Monsoon stereo system, 17" alloy wheels, Ricarro type seats, interior dashboard lights (pretty!), turbo engine, size......its a cute little car!

Suggested Improvements

The interior quality needs to be improved.

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2004 Volkswagen GTI

Written by: Turbonium Commuter on 09/25/2005

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen GTI 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

My 2004 Volkswagen GTI has been first rate from the moment I took it off the lot. It is a considerable improvement in build quality over early models. I traded in a 2002 Golf for this GTI. The turbo, 17" wheels and sport seats make a huge difference. If you need one car to do it all, and you don't want to blow a ton of money, this is it. Romp on the pedal and this car will take off like a rocket. Lay off the pedal for good gas milieage. Need to haul some junk, just fold down the seats. The manual five speed is fun to drive even in traffic. The paint and materials look better than other cars in its class. There is a ton of aftermarket parts available for this car. I've driven Porsches, and yes, they're better, but for the money you can't beat the all around champ, GTI.

Favorite Features

Turbo! Style. Road feel. Quality materials. Other owners wave and give thumbs up. Stealth quality keeps me out of trouble with the law.

Suggested Improvements

Do it yourself maintenance is not as easy as other cars.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Overpowered ;^} Underbraked :-(

Written by: BanjoMike on 07/21/2005

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen GTI 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

My last two cars before this were Porsches. I wanted something practical and fun. The GTI fit the bill. Out of the box the GTI's handling is sporty but not overly reasurring. The shocks seem a bit soft. But when pushed hard it really does very well. It is predicatble, powerful, controllable, tossable, and fun. The limiting factor in the performace is definately the brakes. Extended hard driving will lead to noticble brake fade. It will seat adults in the back seat comfortably; has lots of cargo space; has power everything (almost); and is FAST. The GTI proves to the US that a hatchback can be a luxury car! Finally the motor. It just loves to go. It's all about the tourque! Wow.

Favorite Features

The Turbo! Leather. The monsoon stereo is the best factory stereo I've ever had, though I'm sure it is not enough for all the bass addicted kids out there. Nice ride. General fit, finish, and feel. Cool wheels. ABS.

Suggested Improvements

Suspension is designed in such a way that lowering it significantly detracts from handling. This is unfortunate for people who feel they must lower their cars. Get a Honda. Brakes, though much better than in my '86 Golf are not enough to balance the incredible motor.

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Fun to drive

Written by: Lane on 07/11/2005

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen GTI 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I have owned this car since last July, i have owned one other VW in my time, and this is a contiuned experience in the ultimate fun, comfort, reliabilty and all around excellent car experience. I couldn't possibly think about going back to another brand after this. What other company can boast such a family like following. The aftermarket makes it such a pleasure to work on and make this little car your own. You couldn't possibly get bored with this VW. Just get a subscription to EuroTuner Mag and your brain will be filled with the possiblities. you won't even have to break your bank. and many you can do by yourself. So try it out, performance, comfort, luxury. it's got it all!

Favorite Features

1.8 Turbo motor makes a ton of horsepower for such a little car. Telescoping steering wheel is awesome, seats keep tradtion alive, don't fix what ain't broke! Exhaust system is great sounding. Stereo is awesome. 17 inch rims give lots of style right out of the box. the ability to turn off EPS a +.

Suggested Improvements

Improve cloth seat coverings. Rock guards could be sturdier, (mine fell off after the first snow fall of the year.) A bigger OEM Intercooler would increase horsepower easily. More Crome rims to pick from.

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Not what I expected

Written by: greg on 03/08/2005

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen GTI 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Bought the car because I knew this car had great potential. However after 600 miles the car had problems starting. As well as a lot of other little electrical gremlins. Took it in and they said it was because I had installed an aftermarket cd player?!?! VW fixed the problem but I am scared to touch the car now. Wish I never bought it. In stock form it just sucks. I have also had problems with it randomly stalling at a red light when I turn on the a/c, a rough idle and window problems. With only 5000 miles on the car I'm looking to get rid of it! I will probably never buy a vw again.

Favorite Features

Turbo

Suggested Improvements

Better designed electrical. Bad leather. 30 day 1K mile return policy!!

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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