1984 Volkswagen Rabbit GTi from North America - Comments

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").

There is no way a stock Rabbit GTi could beat a Mustang, the motor is over 2 times bigger, and the 0-60 time is about 3 seconds faster. The Rabbit handles better though.

Yea you are right. I drive an 84 GTI with 109,000 original kms... its near mint, but getting wear and tear as it gets up in age... I need a new clutch asap... not sure if I should get stock clutch, or something simple, but with added performance. There is no way my GTI could beat a 5.0 off the line. I can't even beat my dads Buick Regal, or my moms 200hp Ford Windstar... hehe... I did wallop my buddies Rav4 V6, and a cavalier z24... but even then, it wasnt by a heck of a lot.. maybe I got lucky.

I agree with those of you who say GT i's are fast. And yes, it could possibly smoke a 5.0 Mustang. I drag race (not my GT i) and with the right driver dropping the clutch and catching a good reaction to the light you could smoke a Mustang. The GT i is a light vehicle and with the right driver you could possibly smoke a vehicle with a larger engine.

My 1984 Volkswagen Convertible Is reliable, fun, quick, and cheap to run. I rescued it from someone's back yard four years ago. It cost me $500 and some T.L.C. (Truck Loads of Cash), but it has been well worth it. Although it isn't officially a G.T.I., it has many great G.T.I. components. There is nothing quite like the feeling of cruising the byways with the top down on a warm summer night. (Also, chicks love this car!) I now have over 210,000 miles on my car and I will never sell it. Waiting for spring in Maine...

I have a 1983 rabbit GTi with a 2.0l engine in it and it can smoke all of my freind's cars from 0-60, Pontiac trans am, BMW 325i, Vw jetta 1.8turbo, BMW 535ti, Mustang, Audi 2.8l, Vw golf VR6, and yes I think it is possible to beat a 5.0l Mustang as they are heavy etc, but my rabbit handles like nothing else!!!

The Rabbit GTI was my first car, believe me, this was capable of more than people think. This car was amazing in many ways. It felt so good behind the wheel and wish I still had it. I agree, the right person behind the wheel can make a whole lot of difference. BEAUTIFUL CAR!!! I can never replace it!

This too was my first car, and my 2nd. The first one RIP, was totaled due to a lady making a left right in front of me.

But by far it was a awesome car!! It was fast, I mean you would put it into 2nd gear and you would sink into the seats!! I miss my old Rabbit GTI, anyone selling one?

I now have a 20AE GTI =-)

Allan H

San Diego, CA.

There is more to racing than just horsepower. There are many, many small 4 cylinder cars that can smoke the 5.0 Mustang, Camaros, or any other V-8 cars if they are light enough and geared right. But V-8s are tough!

So I just got ahold of a 1984 Rabbit gti. its been sitting for the past 10 years in a garage and doesn't drive, so thorough maintenance is a must of course. contrary to what some friends may say I love my new and first car and see major potential in it. i want her to show its true beauty I'm strongly thinking of an engine swap... any ideas? open to any suggestions thank you.

I too have finally found my '84 GTI. It is mint (164,000 miles), so for the hardcore enthusiast, excuse me, but my question is being... what are my options for motor swaps. Looking at 2.0 or 1.8t possibilities. Being a mechanic, I am no fool, so serious inquiries only. My main concern being motor mounting. I am looking for all advise on this please.

G-man...Nov. 2007.

I've had 4 Rabbit GTI's and I've loved them all, my current 84 white GTI (non-sunroof, non-window vents) is fitted with a 2.0L turbo 8V, intercooled, forged rods, pistons and crank, ported & polished head, 272 camshaft, engine management (megasquirt), Billstein suspension and Autotech strut tower brace will never be sold. As far as the engine mounts go you keep your Rabbit mounts and fit them to 2.0 (I suppose you are looking at a 16V from a Golf, if ABA it's the same set up). Now, as for the 1.8t I'm not sure about the mounts as I have never done that swap. (I like to keep it as old school as possible) Though it makes 300hp at the wheels using this setup, in the process of getting this number higher.

Josh

Clearwater, FL.

I have a stock 84 GTI and am the only owner, but need to sell. It just turned 200K two days ago and still drives great. What should I ask for it?

I'm 33 and grew up around GTI's, 5.0 and Camaro's of the 80's. I know for a fact a GTI or even a 16v cannot beat a stock 5.0 1987 or newer off the line. Look up the power to weight ratio for one and the 1/4 mile times. I used to own a stock 5.0 and raced many VW's 16v's and 8v's, and truthfully they never came close.

Also my sister owned a 8v GTI for a while; I used to borrow it. Yes it was a fun car. Yes it was quick, but not faster than a 5.0 or even close. In fact the '93 1.6 Nissan Sentra I owned beat an 8v once. That could of been just lameness of the driver or maybe the technology of a 1993.

I'm about to buy a 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI off of ebay, however the only problem is the fact that there is something wrong with the fuel pump. The guy isn't sure whether it's the fuel pump itself or the fuel pump relay. I'm only 17 and not much of a mechanic so I'm not sure what to think. Is this easily fixed? I mean, like super easy? If so, how much would this repair cost? Thanks, Mavrick.

Email me at MavrickSneaux@live.com.

"not much of a mechanic" + non-running '84 VW GTI + bought off ebay = recipe for disaster (.Y.)