24th Feb 2004, 14:58

My 1984 Volkswagen Convertible Is reliable, fun, quick, and cheap to run. I rescued it from someone's back yard four years ago. It cost me $500 and some T.L.C. (Truck Loads of Cash), but it has been well worth it. Although it isn't officially a G.T.I., it has many great G.T.I. components. There is nothing quite like the feeling of cruising the byways with the top down on a warm summer night. (Also, chicks love this car!) I now have over 210,000 miles on my car and I will never sell it. Waiting for spring in Maine...

23rd Mar 2006, 22:05

I have a 1983 rabbit GTi with a 2.0l engine in it and it can smoke all of my freind's cars from 0-60, Pontiac trans am, BMW 325i, Vw jetta 1.8turbo, BMW 535ti, Mustang, Audi 2.8l, Vw golf VR6, and yes I think it is possible to beat a 5.0l Mustang as they are heavy etc, but my rabbit handles like nothing else!!!

13th Jun 2006, 17:56

The Rabbit GTI was my first car, believe me, this was capable of more than people think. This car was amazing in many ways. It felt so good behind the wheel and wish I still had it. I agree, the right person behind the wheel can make a whole lot of difference. BEAUTIFUL CAR!!! I can never replace it!

26th Jul 2006, 18:03

This too was my first car, and my 2nd. The first one RIP, was totaled due to a lady making a left right in front of me.

But by far it was a awesome car!! It was fast, I mean you would put it into 2nd gear and you would sink into the seats!! I miss my old Rabbit GTI, anyone selling one?

I now have a 20AE GTI =-)

Allan H

San Diego, CA.

24th Sep 2007, 07:42

There is more to racing than just horsepower. There are many, many small 4 cylinder cars that can smoke the 5.0 Mustang, Camaros, or any other V-8 cars if they are light enough and geared right. But V-8s are tough!

25th Oct 2007, 12:57

So I just got ahold of a 1984 Rabbit gti. its been sitting for the past 10 years in a garage and doesn't drive, so thorough maintenance is a must of course. contrary to what some friends may say I love my new and first car and see major potential in it. i want her to show its true beauty I'm strongly thinking of an engine swap... any ideas? open to any suggestions thank you.

25th Nov 2007, 21:50

I too have finally found my '84 GTI. It is mint (164,000 miles), so for the hardcore enthusiast, excuse me, but my question is being... what are my options for motor swaps. Looking at 2.0 or 1.8t possibilities. Being a mechanic, I am no fool, so serious inquiries only. My main concern being motor mounting. I am looking for all advise on this please.

G-man...Nov. 2007.

28th Dec 2007, 15:14

I've had 4 Rabbit GTI's and I've loved them all, my current 84 white GTI (non-sunroof, non-window vents) is fitted with a 2.0L turbo 8V, intercooled, forged rods, pistons and crank, ported & polished head, 272 camshaft, engine management (megasquirt), Billstein suspension and Autotech strut tower brace will never be sold. As far as the engine mounts go you keep your Rabbit mounts and fit them to 2.0 (I suppose you are looking at a 16V from a Golf, if ABA it's the same set up). Now, as for the 1.8t I'm not sure about the mounts as I have never done that swap. (I like to keep it as old school as possible) Though it makes 300hp at the wheels using this setup, in the process of getting this number higher.

Josh

Clearwater, FL.

18th Jan 2008, 22:59

I have a stock 84 GTI and am the only owner, but need to sell. It just turned 200K two days ago and still drives great. What should I ask for it?

11th Mar 2008, 13:43

I'm 33 and grew up around GTI's, 5.0 and Camaro's of the 80's. I know for a fact a GTI or even a 16v cannot beat a stock 5.0 1987 or newer off the line. Look up the power to weight ratio for one and the 1/4 mile times. I used to own a stock 5.0 and raced many VW's 16v's and 8v's, and truthfully they never came close.

Also my sister owned a 8v GTI for a while; I used to borrow it. Yes it was a fun car. Yes it was quick, but not faster than a 5.0 or even close. In fact the '93 1.6 Nissan Sentra I owned beat an 8v once. That could of been just lameness of the driver or maybe the technology of a 1993.

9th May 2008, 00:08

I'm about to buy a 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI off of ebay, however the only problem is the fact that there is something wrong with the fuel pump. The guy isn't sure whether it's the fuel pump itself or the fuel pump relay. I'm only 17 and not much of a mechanic so I'm not sure what to think. Is this easily fixed? I mean, like super easy? If so, how much would this repair cost? Thanks, Mavrick.

Email me at MavrickSneaux@live.com.

8th Jun 2008, 17:15

Alas... I'm selling my 84 GTI that I bought new and am the only owner (201k miles). It's been a daily driver and well maintained. The only issues it has are normal wear and tear things like driver seat clothe is thin, needs new rubber for the rolling windows, plus a new windshield. Any idea how much I should ask? Thanks.

Tom - Seattle.

3rd Feb 2009, 11:57

Even though my 83 Rabbit GTi 1.8 8v has been giving me problems and my friends think I'm crazy, it's somewhat of a collectible alternative to those rice grinders... besides I picked it up in need of repair for $1400, keeping in mind it has a $1200 exhaust setup, $200 cam, high flow air filter, h&r lowering springs with Bilstein shocks, and a gold set of BBS ra's with low profile tires.

It's a little screamer that I'll regret selling or scrapping whenever I inevitably do... oh and when it comes to beating a 5.0, never underestimate a good power to weight ratio.

30th Jun 2009, 20:31

I owned a 1984 GTI (silver) about 20 years ago. It was my very first quick car (after having owned Corollas). Within a month or two, I had gotten used to its spunk and it just didn't feel as quick anymore. I was also annoyed by the temperature gauge that always seemed to run hot plus several other niggling problems. As quick as it was in its heyday, it was slow by today's standards for average cars. 0 - 60 was achieved in 9.6 seconds (best recorded time) which is quite close to what a Toyota Prius now does. At 1800 pounds, it was the same weight as a Smart For Two with 20 more horses so it was a responsive feeling car and it did handle well. As for beating a 5.0 Mustang, well I owned a 4.6 260 HP Mustang several years later and any driver of a 5.0 who loses to a 1983-84 VW GTI is pretty lame or has a seriously lame car in need of euthanasia. I am now the proud owner of a lightly modified Speed 3 that still never ceases to amaze me after 1 year of ownership.