VW Golf Mk2

Now seeing a rise in values, the Volkswagen Golf Mk2’s popularity is creeping up, making it a great time to buy. But what do you need to know before making the jump?

- Danielle Bagnall

A time of leg warmers, leotards,leggings and the tightest of perms...well, we’re not sure what you get up to on the weekend, but we’re talking about the 80s! The very same era that saw the introduction of the increasingly-popular Volkswagen Mk2 Golf.

Despite what seems a never-ending controversy following ‘Dieselgate’ back in 2015, the Volkswagen Group (the core Volkswagen range, along with its mainstream sister companies such as Audi, Skoda and Seat) continues to be one of the world’s most successful car makers. I’m certain, in fact, that the younger generation (such as myself) would struggle to recall a time where they weren’t so dominant in the car market.

It’s thought that original plans for a Mk2 revamp of the Golf date back to 1979, but due to design and manufacture issues its launch was postponed. Designed in house – much like the Mk2 Scirocco – as opposed to Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro like the original, the first of the Mk2s rolled off the Wolfsburg production lines in late 1983. Upon arrival, there were certainly obvious styling links to its predecessor, but with a much bigger, roomier interior and updates inside and out.

Certainly, as far as the classic car market is concerned, the Golf Mk2 is arguably not as popular as the Mk1. However, it is a great deal popular than the Mk3. So, a great middle-ground for the leap into a classic German hatchback, then.

When it comes to options, the Mk2 features a range of engine options: a 1.3, 1.6 and 1.8-litre, as well as the more powerful GTI model which was introduced two years into its life. If it’s the GTI you’re wanting then you have a choice between the 8-valve and 16-valve unit. The 8v offers 112bhp, while the 16v will give you 137bhp. Be advised, though, that the 16v is renowned for being rev happy, whereas the 8v is a little more relaxed while still having sufficient get-up-and-go.