1985 Volkswagen Scirocco GTX 1.8i 8v from UK and Ireland
Summary:
A lightweight sports coupe that goes, corners, but has trouble stopping...
Faults:
Most of the usual things that affect VW GTi's:
Valve stem oil seals needed replacing at about 100K, as it started burning oil.
Fuel tank corrosion was putting rust particles in the fuel, which meant three fuel pumps in as many years.
The car eats wheel bearings and exhaust downpipes.
Oil cooler sprung a leak and a cylinder head gasket failed.
General Comments:
Excellent straight-line performance from 112 BHP due to high power-to-weight ratio. Close-ratio box ensures decent acceleration, 0-60 in just over 8 seconds. 8V engine very torquey, throttle response immediate.
Standard GTX chassis good, decently stiff with little body-roll. Grip and handling excellent in the dry, tends to snap-oversteer in the wet! Steering very heavy, particularly in town. Standard brakes abysmal: replacement with good competition front discs, fast-road pads and DOT 5 fluid transformed them beyond belief.
I find the driving position to be good, with supportive seats, although the interior is cramped and noisy, and the ride is crashy. Build quality is first-rate - my car is now nearly 16 years old and there is still no corrosion on the body or chassis.
As well as a daily road car, the Scirocco has been regularly thrashed to death on the racetrack without complaint
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 10th December, 2000
5th Oct 2008, 08:06
I have an '85 GTX 8v. It is the best car ever made. If it were legal, I would make it my wife.
25th May 2010, 21:29
Original owner of '85, 8v, 90hp gutless go cart. After 385k miles, every component in car has been replaced or rebuilt at least three times, except the CV boots. They've been replaced every time they tear, which is about 15-30k miles. Years ago I decided to order ten at a time.
Original engine, clutch and suspension overhaul has less than 10k miles. All VW replacement parts. Never in an accident, no rust and still tear-free original interior.
I now turn it over to my 19-year old daughter heading off to college. She learned to drive in it. It will be in good hands.
My pushing it hard past RX7s in the corners ended years ago. But I just can't let it go. Today my kicks come from my third Infiniti G sedan, the first '09 G37s sedan on US soil. Chipped out at 353. Turn off the stabilty/traction control, drift it at 85-90mph through sweeping curves and shred rear UHP Potenzas in 8-10k miles. That Scirocco never could do that.
2nd Dec 2005, 18:45
Schwing. good review, awesome car.