1984 Volkswagen Rabbit GTi review from North America

Radiator leaking - replaced.

Light switch assembly wore out - replaced.

Front wheel bearing worn out - replaced it plus the hub assembly.

Tail light assembly heat damaged from the previous owner(s) using too high wattage bulbs - replaced.

Rear hatch rubber seal worn out, leaking rain - replaced.

Will need new bushing set for the shift linkage - worn out, hard to shift into first gear.

Leaking oil from the back of the motor, most likely a worn out rear oil seal - will need to be replaced.

Even though this car reads like a piece of crap, realize that the items replaced were wear and tear items that many cars would need when 16 years old and with over 200,000 miles.

Rabbit GTi's are nicknamed pocket rockets, aptly so. This 'lil rodent, even at its age, leaves Stock Mustang 5.0's way behind at red lights. This car handles really well - there is no body roll whatsoever, even in curves at 55 mph.

This car is not appropriate for those 5'10" and over - I took out the stock driver's seat and replaced it with one out of a junk Fiero, had a custom sliding mechanism fabricated, and now drive happily with my seat all the way against the rear seat (I am 6'4").