Volkswagen Golf GTI MK8.5 review | Why this GTI saddens me

#GolfGTI #Volkswagen #VolkswagenGolfGTI

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[fernandodavidez]

What’s wrong with this fool ? An R ain’t 90k euro !

[chaz]

It's the price of the GTI that is the worse part.

[tomquimby]

60k is not an aspirational price, it's beyond absurd.

[digibyke]

A price of 60k makes sure, that many of the old farts, that couldn't afford one when they were young, still can't afford one today. Thanks VW, maybe you deserve, what's coming to you.

[alexmaple]

I thought cars in the U.K. were expensive, but in the Republic of Ireland… oh my gosh.

[keithronson]

ICONIC! THE Standard bearer! The ultimate Q car . Amazing.
Take this over anything Porsche produce.
Had a MK 1 many years ago...
Stays with you forever.

[fxrvw]

I just stumbled upon your channel whilst looking up Mk 8.5 gti and I have to say I very much enjoyed your commentary. It is quite thoughtful and very well spoken. Cheers!

[MichaelSwanson-jl]

I’m in the USA and bought my 2023 GTI 40th AE manual with the DCC, and yeah, with a 10 year dealer warranty and lifetime drivetrain warranty for $36K. Not sure what that equates to in pounds or euros, but I can tell you, it’s the most fun car I’ve ever driven. Just to be safe, I change the oil and filter every $3K miles as I plan to keep it a long time. I believe it will be a classic. And most days I drive it very civilly, but every so often, I get rowdy with it. It’s just enough power for great fun, but not enough for you to get yourself into trouble. A beautiful platform that just does everything so well. Nothing from Asia feels like it, and here the other day after a long road trip, I got 40.1 mpg (not sure what that equates to with your measurements, but it is almost as good as I got on my standard 2017 Golf I once owned). Just a joy to drive for me, an old guy! And BTW, no problem at all with the infotainment system other than the occasional connectivity problem with Apple CarPlay Bluetooth. I feel we made a wise purchase.

[reitsmaassociates]

Have owned/enjoyed a stack of different cars//brands over the year’s, however if you could only own one car then a Golf GTI would surely be it. (6 generations of Golf - 5 GTI spec) Owned Mk2 GTI, Mk5 GTI (total revelation) Mk6 GTI (nice), Mk7 (excellent ), Mk8 (love/ hate), 8.5 GTI in the spec you have looks great ! Wish too that it was manual, and yes here in Australia drive away will no doubt be close to $70, 000!!! - cheers from Brisbane

[LordStaind]

Greetings from Canada. I configured my own GTI with all the options I would like on Volkswagen Ireland's website and got mine to just under £65k. It is mind boggling to see that amount you guys pay for a Golf. After conversion, it is just under $99k CAD. For that amount of money, I could get a fully optioned out BMW M2 or a base M3. That is wild!!

[brandonzimmerman]

On my 8th overall GTI. Started back with the Mk3, currently with the Mk8 GTI 380 Edition. Will hold out until the last year of production of the Golf R to make the switch. My wife and I have driven nothing but VW. The only non GTI VW I've ever had was a VW Fox.

[davidmaslen]

The reason VW didn’t make a manual is because people don’t buy them. I read a review the other day where the reviewer castigated them for not doing so then said but no one would buy them.

[robertpatrick]

A Mk 7 or 7.5 with a virtual dash would be my preference….. i drive a car with a similar dash setup as the MK and I abhor the big central display….. it’s unnecessary and a monolithic carbuncle in the centre of modern cars…. It add complexity to control and looks like it was designed by a 7yr old….

[benpatana]

The GTI seems very expensive in the European market. Here in New Zealand you can get a fully specced GTI 8.5 (incl. sunroof, HK sound system and leather seats) for NZD72, 990. That equates to 40, 750 euros ... nowhere near 60k.

[peterscaife]

Don’t like the iPad on the dash. Don’t like slider controls for temperature. Don’t like the lack of gas struts on the bonnet. Don’t like lack of mini glove box that used to be in 7.5.

[russelleldridge]

Just checked prices on Irish configurator, €93k for a nicely specc’d R. Utterly mental.

[wadi]

In Malaysia, mk8 costs £ 49k (GTI) and £ 59k (Golf R)

[davidclymer]

I agree completely with your analysis. I've owned every generation of GTI over the years except for the Mk3, and I find the Mk8.5 very appealing. But the prospect of this being most likely the final generation is indeed sad. I wish they could do a stunning looking Mk9 that shared the same bodywork, but could be had as a petrol, hybrid, or full electric. But unfortunately, VW painted themselves into a corner with their dedicated electric platforms, and there is no easy way to make a flexible powertrain model. I just don't think a Golf Mk9 that is only electric is going to generate enough sales in 2028.

[chrismantonuk]

Excellent video! Your production quality and editing is excellent. And that is a proper good looking car! 😎 Glad to hear they’ve sorted the niggles from Mk8.0…. also, we need to make Nob Heads catch on 😂

[johnpotter]

I’ve had 2 GTI over the years and follow you so that defo makes me a knobhead… brilliant