Made To Drive | S10 E20

1990 Volkswagen Mk2 GTI: The People’s Sports Car

This do-it-all hot hatch is an unmolested survivor and a well of '90s nostalgia.

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Steve88M3

5 years ago

Really great video. Down to earth owner, fantastic car, lovely story.

Jay Froelich

This just makes me really miss my two GTIs… I owned a Mk 2 and Mk 4. Those two cars were the first of my many cars. I am always trying to find that feeling I had when I first started driving… the GTIs were such a great “first” car, it is hard to recreate that feelings after 205+ years of driving.

Liowerks

What a great video dedicated to all of us who cannot afford or have the resources to acquire all of the other high end and rare cars.
A while back when I read the article on this car I asked Petrolicious for a video on this car. THANK YOU!!
Great car. In great shape.
I think the VW Golf GTi MK2 is the epidomy of the raw feedback and driver evolvement

PDXBryan

I love the features of regular folks who have a real, long-term connection with their automobile. I was envious of Europeans having the GTI available. When it finally came to the US I thought I’d eventually get one, but it’s never happened. My only critique of the film is the odd use of sporadic slow motion.

Daniel Jett

This ad came out right about the time I turned 16. All my friends and I wanted to reenact this commercial with the real thing…
https://youtu.be/3zcm4oS9IaM

Martin Philippo

….and the scenery……

Tim Shaw

Exactly the GTI i would have… if you can find one

Robert in LA

Reply to Tim Shaw

Yes. The later ones are much larger cars.

JB21

I had quite a few of MK2 GTIs and GLIs myself. What people don’t talk about much is the 16v engine. That engine is actually epic, very twin-cam-y engine that rides beautifully on the cam (especially in 1.8 litre version), like 4AG-E, or Alfa’s 105/115. I liked that engine so much that the rest of the cars just came with it, sort of. I guess I got them out of my system now after, eh, 7 or 8 of them, but every time I see one of the road, it makes me smile. (MK2 Golf/Jetta was also one of the easiest cars to boot, too, got couple of mine stolen as well.)

Jono51

Reply to JB21

Having owned both 8v and 16v versions of the Mk2 GTI I agree that the 16v version had a more sporty feel. The engine had a very different character to the 8v, and the suspension was also set up slightly lower in the 16v cars. The 8v had its merits though as it delivered more power at low revs and therefore was an even easier car to drive fast – especially in city traffic!

zeb

The resevoir looks vaguely familiar…where was it filmed?

Reply to zeb

I can’t place it all. Or his accent. The license plate does not seem to be a european code. Those typically have a country code to the left. I wonder if the plate is an older one, before the country coding.

He says around 1:10 that he bought the car from a collector in Cornwall. I have a feeling that the film was made in the English mid-lands, or up towards the Scottish border.

Nigel McHugh

I think it shows Pontsticill reservoir in the Brecon Beacons national park, in Wales.

JJRodger

As noted, the reservoir is Pontsticill Reservoir in Powys, Wales, within the Brecon Beacons National Park. The gentleman’s accent is fairly neutral, mid-England. The registration plate is a standard British registration: the blue country flash is optional.

Larry Beale

Parts remind me of Worlds End / Horseshoe Pass which are very near me. Some of the best roads in the land.

Bill Meyer

Ah, the GTI. I recall the first generation in the late seventies really started something that still flourishes.
I always thought I might own one but it just never happened. About a month ago I decided now or never and swapped my Mustang GT for a new Mark 7 Golf R. It may not have the GTI badge but to me it seems the ultimate development of the original idea.
Thanks for an inspiring video.

Dan Kauffman

Great video, great car, and a great story. As this video shows, being an enthusiast is all about the love you have for automobiles and nothing to do with the value or rarity of your car. I hope this owner enjoys many more happy miles in his GTI.

Paul Duesler

Great video. Underscores that great cars come in all price ranges. Cool dude appreciates his GTI and has a connection to his dad.

Landroving

I test drove the USA version of this exact car many years ago and still wish I had purchased it. I recall it was very balanced, connected, tossable, and just fun to drive.

RDMcG

I just love a video of a normal but interesting car, with a real owner, nothing too exotic. Very refreshing to see a genuine enthusiast who is doing his bit for the car hobby. Great little video.

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1990 Volkswagen Mk2 GTI: The People’s Sports Car