eBay Find of the Day: 1984 Volkswagen GTI MkI
1984 Volkswagen GTI MkI - click above image for hi-res gallery
No doubt we've had GTI on the brain the past week or so after driving Volkswagen's new, fun, we-like-it-more-than-we-thought-we-would MkVI GTI. And if you read our review, you're aware that Volkswagen is actively trying to market the new GTI as if it's cut from the same cloth as the original gangsta GTI. It's priced nice, too, starting at just a smidge over $23,000. But what if you could get a real GTI, an ur GTI – which would you take? And what if said MkI GTI had only 517 miles on it? That's not a typo – just 517 miles! And stored properly, too. At least according to the seller, "My father had owned a Shell Service station for 50 years, he knows how to maintain a vehicle LOL and is quite the perfectionist."
Well, friends, today is your lucky day. Here we have a 1984 GTI that isn't even done with its break in period. The story –complete with lots of LOLs – goes something like this. The seller's dad bought the car new in January of 1985. He had a new Blaupunkt stereo installed (gotta have that). Then he had back surgery. Two more surgeries and twenty-five years later, the poor guy still can't drive a stick. So, the GTI has to go. And there's no reserve. Currently the bidding's at $5,600 with over six days to go. We have the strange premonition that it's going to tick up a bit higher than that. Happy bidding! Big ol' Autoblog shoutout to Mike R. for the tip!
[Source: eBay Motors]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
FitFan 3:44PM (10/08/2009)
I don't think that I LOL would trust the LOL seller's story.
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craighead 3:47PM (10/08/2009)
Yeah, I'm sure it's really easy to fake a 25 year old car with 500 miles.
n-word please.
nardi 3:48PM (10/08/2009)
I agree, something about the photos say this car isn't all its said to be.
Franz 3:56PM (10/08/2009)
I dunno... looks pretty clean to me.
geo.stewart 4:00PM (10/08/2009)
but is it real easy for a garage owner to roooolllllll back the odometer?
Paul 5:28PM (10/08/2009)
No, I've had Rabbit GTIs and this one appears legit. That car is unused. Besides, how are commenters here seeing "something wrong" with the pictures? Used or not, it's still a 25 year old car!
I'm actually looking for a Rabbit GTI now but, honestly, this car is already near my budget's edge. Whoever buys it for less than $20,000 will get a screaming deal as these are starting to rise in value and this is truly unique. I wouldn't be surprised if it stalls at $15,000 (given the economy) but I wouldn't blink if it broke $25,000. They're THAT GOOD.
FitFan 5:59PM (10/08/2009)
Rolling back the odometer is very easy. You just jack up the front end, start the car, put it in reverse and place a brick on the gas pedal.
Ken Stamper 4:27AM (10/09/2009)
@FitFan
Ferris and Cameron tried it with the Ferrari. Didn't work
craighead 5:29PM (10/08/2009)
Incredible.
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MikeofLA 3:51PM (10/08/2009)
Everything looks pretty legit... btw the bidding is already up to $8500
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Ligor 5:28PM (10/08/2009)
i'd take that think to the junk yard even if someone gave it to me
it's nothing more than one of the ugliest pieces opf crap i've ever seen
overrated tin can
Martial 6:56PM (10/08/2009)
@Ligor
Trol, troll, troll your boat
Gently down the thread
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a...your...face?
yosh 3:54PM (10/08/2009)
Ah look at that, I had no idea the red grille accents went all the way back to mk1
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Dave in MI 3:56PM (10/08/2009)
I'll bet autoblog coverage is good for a $1000. Hope he sends you a Christmas card.
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txdesign 4:00PM (10/08/2009)
Oh man, I had this identical car in 84 except for the red interior. It was a ball. Only thing I changed was the US bumpers to smaller euro versions.
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Paul 5:58PM (10/08/2009)
Me too! I had a silver one that I promptly crashed (as all 17 year olds did) and a white one, both with blue interiors. I put the Euro bumpers on and fiddled with the suspension: Springs, shocks/struts and tie bars. Very simple and made a great handler even better.
These cars are a BALL. Shocked the hell out of V8s and muscle cars at the time. For those who don't know, these Mk1 GTIs were truly revolutionary for the time.
Stumpy 4:04PM (10/08/2009)
Real or not, I would love one of those.
..
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NicksGarage 4:07PM (10/08/2009)
Maybe it's time for a comparo drive between old and new. A lot of people don't know how much fun old crude cars can be to drive. And they'll also realize how much car manufacturing and design can progress in that much time.
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ckm 4:13PM (10/08/2009)
There is actually quite a stark contrast between cars made before about 1993 and cars after. For some reason, build quality, design and materials jumped dramatically in the early 90's. The difference between a 1995 and a 2005 car is not nearly as great as the difference between 1985 and 1995 cars
larry a 5:31PM (10/08/2009)
Wow, you have a point, competition must have changed cars that way. The difference between an e30 and an e36 is night and day. Maybe technology helped?