It definitely makes me think that modern cars have lost sight of something. Sure, they are safer, more powerful etc etc. But small cars with "enough" power are so much fun. Driving now seems to be something to be tolerated, to get you somewhere efficiently. The Golf GTi is something to be actively enjoyed. Something that makes life just that bit better.

I drove one last year at the NEC classic car show. I was really impressed for a 40 year old car. The build quality still holds up.

I agree with the family car comment…growing up we only had a ford fiesta mk3 as our main family car and we had a roof box for holidays….i now have a 2013 1.2 fiat panda and it’s perfectly adequate for family use and day to day commute to work etc, costs nothing to fix, run and insure…most family cars now are too expensive and luxurious and cost a fortune to maintain/repair.

I think the Beetle DNA was definitely still noticeable in the early Golf. These would make a super Classic to own these days.

Great video! The 1.8 did bring just 2 extra BHP but transformed the torque curve. There is a servo under the bonnet but that brake rod linkage does not help at all. I love these cars, my first car was a Mk1 and I’ve still got one to this day.

Timeless. ❤

What a wonderful little car. Brings back memories of early 80's American car magazines raving about how much better it was than anything domestoc in its class.

Great review! Just one point it's actually a 1982 car, the 1.8 upgrade was introduced at the 82 Motor Show.

Nitpicking: the Mk2 Golf was introduced in 1983 (I've driven one in the late 1990s which was sold new in October 1983), but the Mk2 GTI appeared in 1985. I can't remember if the Mk1 had that feature: the Mk2 had a small storage bin under the steering column which fitted the dealer service book. Never driven a Mk1 GTI myself, only a 1979 Mk1 LS (1.5 litre engine) and a facelift 1983 Mk1 CL Diesel which had some aftermarket GTI features like the centre console gauge cluster and steering wheel, but its top speed was 143 km/h (89 mph) so it wasn't sporty at all. But a reliable car none the less!

Good video. The VDO gauge in the centre console is oil temperature in this 1.6 GTI. It was removed for the 1.8 GTI as it was included as a function in the MFA computer where digital clock is. The water temperature gauge above the clock was also moved to the rev counter next to the petrol gauge and replaced with a fuel consumption meter. The 1.8 has far more torque lower down and is easier to exploit the performance over the 1.6 but both are fun to drive. Throttle response is instantaneous as it's a cable. Had both a 1.6 and my current 1.8 since 1988 and love it to bits.

It’s such a wonderful piece of design.

So great to see you do the Mk.1 Golf, as it has a special place in my heart and I wondered what you would make of it Sion. Thoroughly enjoyed your drive and observations and so glad it grew on you.

I remember buying them in the under £1000 section of the auto trader

I remember quite of these still being around in pristine condition when they were 10-15 years old, which can't be said of most other cars of its time. I think it shows that it was so iconic that, being a GTI, it always kept its cool factor. Lates ones like this example, looking particularly smart in green metallic and the famous Pirelli style wheels. People mentioning cars like the Simca 1100Ti really don't understand the impact the GTI made in its time.

Lovely example and being a late iteration, very sorted by the engineers by then I am sure!

Great video Sion, congratulations on 6 thousand subscribers! I've got an '89 Escort that would be a good laugh for you to try I reckon, even just to compare and contrast with yours. I suppose the MK4 is really just a MK3 in fancy dress with some slightly better engines and (very) mildly better interiors, whereas it seems MK4 to MK5 was a much grander step up. Anyway, I'm in Scotland so maybe not but if you're ever up here you're welcome to have a go lol.

Georgetto Guigiaro knows his stuff - very few misses many many hits

Well done Sion a great review on the mk1 Golf and that one is in amazing condition it’s incredible to think that my Volkswagens including my current t toc came from Listers the successor dealer in Worcester to Pearsons! It’s amazing how fresh that the design looks now Always remember those VW dashboards well with the small LEDs they were iconic I think that one is a 1800 as it has the multifunction computer in the cluster but I agree with the seat fabric and you could get it in silver as well I think the very last mk1 were on a A plate and were the campaign edition All the best and credit to the owner on how that one is kept and enjoyed Daniel

Great mod well done! You’ll improve it further by fitting a Weber 32/34 dmtl

I still drive one. Red one.

#WANT! brings back memories of being a kid and riding around in other peoples mark 1 golf's ; ahhhhhhh they were the days! VW should re-issue this car. Don't forget to put a sisters of mercy tape in the cassette player.........and proceed to spank it down the duals.

What a clean and iconic car, great video! On another note, is the XC70 still around? :D

Warning lights for brakes. Symbol I think was dictated by regs and the size is because when it is pressed it will determine if the fluid level is sufficient. A brake failure warning needs to be something that is brought to your attention rather than those Christmas tree like bulbs in the centre of the cluster. Can wait for you to add a diesel power basic Golf to the flee

Great video and a lovely car. As for the non-servo brakes it's just one of those things you get used to. They would soon start to feel normal.

Nice Video, thank you. I had an exact same model and colour from 1990 to 1994. (CPA560Y) I don't think what you're driving there is a 1600 cc though as the 1800 cc was the revised - slightly better - engine introduced from 82 / 83 onwards, with a 5 speed box. Mine had a self winder sunroof as well, which was a nice feature. Very reliable and nippy. I progressed to a Mk2 in 1994 (1989 facelift model - still small bumpers) and this was a better, more resolved design overall and much more grown up - no faster though of course as it had the same 1800 cc engine. Of the two I thought the Mk 2 was the better model, and much more refined and grippy too.

Where is the MFA?

If you’re not driving it on 3 wheels then you ain’t driving it.

Lovely example, I always quite liked the MK1 Golf: probably the only generation of the Golf I’d want to be seen dead driving though. Later generations have morphed into an overrated dreary box bought by chavs and praised by VW sponsored car journalists who wet their pants with excitement because of the soft touch plastics.