The Mk2 Golf GTI had some pretty big shoes to fill when it was launched back in 1983. While it was slightly larger and heavier than the Mk1 GTI it replaced, thankfully, it still offered the same magic mix of fun and practicality that made the original Hot Hatch such a smash hit.
While it may also have been a financial success for Volkswagen, for a long time the Mk2 GTI didn’t hold quite the same kudos as the Mk1 - perhaps because it simply wasn’t the ‘original’ or it hadn’t been ‘styled by Giugiaro’. Some might argue, however, that it was actually the better car…
It’s quite astonishing to think that, even today, you’ll still occasionally see Mk2 Golf GTIs being daily driven - especially when you consider early cars are now over 40 years old. While this longevity has been great for those owners using these cars purely as a regular mode of transport, the popularity hasn’t been fantastic for those collectors looking to cash-in on their investment. Well, not until recently, at least…
Due to its bomb-proof build quality and huge production run (6.3 million examples were produced in total) the Mk2 Golf was hugely popular, but it’s also been one of the last modern classics to see residual values significantly rise. Thankfully, as numbers finally start to dwindle (and parts are becoming increasing hard to come by) the car’s iconic status - especially in the GTI - has increased, and so have second-hand prices. Don’t worry, though, there’s still time to get in on the action, but you need to
