RIP 3-door VW Golf and GTI

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/09/volkswagen-axes-two-door-golf-gti-report/

While I'm not a big VW fan, I know a lot of you are. These were really the only VW's I would even remotely consider buying. They are blaming the diesel scandal as an excuse for scaling back their US lineup, and these are gonzo. Probably the best looking car they make, too.

So they compound their stupidity by not bringing the only cars that have any appeal whatsoever?

Not a big VW fan, but I morn the loss of any 2 door car. There are so few these days.

Just because the Rabbit and MKII Golf made the company what it is today, no reason to keep that formula going...

My guess is that the 4 doors greatly outsell the 2 doors nowadays. Maybe that means the Scirocco is coming to our shores?

I am still of the opinion that Volkswagen stopped making great cars in 1984, good cars in 1992, and OK cars in 1998.

I honestly have no idea what generation they are on now. I stopped caring after MK4s turned out to be real turds and MK5s had the horrible rear toe in issues.

It looks like DCC is no longer available either.

In reply to Burrito:

While only time will tell how the MkVII Golf will hold up long-term, a GTI with the Performance Pack(220hp + real LSD), DSG and DCC(electronic shocks) is a hell of a car, and I really hope to be able to get one within the next year. Unfortunately at this point that means it will almost certainly be a used one.

Burrito wrote: I am still of the opinion that Volkswagen stopped making great cars in 1984, good cars in 1992, and OK cars in 1998. I honestly have no idea what generation they are on now. I stopped caring after MK4s turned out to be real turds and MK5s had the horrible rear toe in issues.

I'm not sure why everyone thinks that the Mk4 cars are turds. I quite like mine.

I don't buy 2 door cars normally and I don't think they sell many. Not surprised they are disappearing. They such on resale too.

Sad day

I love my MkVII four door GTI. That is all.

I'm a fan of four doors in a car with back seats. Two doors on a car with more than two seats seems like a sporting pretense left over from the last century.

This is the same group of brilliant people who refused to bring the scirocco over, so yeah I'd say they've certainly added to the history lackluster decision making.

A recent example: the outgoing gen Jetta could only be had with the high end audio/nav/backup camera if you ordered the TDi. If you wanted the gas motor, you were SOL. Unless you were Canadian, then you could order it anyway you want it.

Ugh. Another victory for the bland.

Appleseed wrote: Not a big VW fan, but I morn the loss of any 2 door car. There are so few these days.

This. I have only owned one 4 door car in 26 years of driving. I hated it beyond words. The pillar next to my head drive me bonkers and the extra blind spots are distracting

I know one thing, I have no desire to ever own another car with more than two doors. I despise them. Actually, even a smart car would be a complete waste for me. They are too big, I don't need to drag around all that extra empty space and weight just to get me where I need to go. They are just too wasteful. I'm perfectly happy never owning another car again, for transportation that is. I wouldn't mind having a play toy, but a motorcycle is the most practical, least wasteful (in space and weight) appliance for me.

Anyway, BOO on VW.

+1 on the 2 door golf being the only thing of interest.

I'm fairly set on a 2 door next, unless I go Prius or full size(SHO)

Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: This is the same group of brilliant people who refused to bring the scirocco over, so yeah I'd say they've certainly added to the history lackluster decision making. A recent example: the outgoing gen Jetta could only be had with the high end audio/nav/backup camera if you ordered the TDi. If you wanted the gas motor, you were SOL. Unless you were Canadian, then you could order it anyway you want it.

VWofA has always had their heads up their asses when it comes to the scirocco. They were so afraid that the sports coupe would kill sales of the golf.. never mind that it would do more to bring people into the showroom than a basic bland golf.

I wonder if VW or Mitsubishi will leave the US market first? Wasn't there supposed to be a replacement for the Tiguan that would save their bacon by now?

Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: A recent example: the outgoing gen Jetta could only be had with the high end audio/nav/backup camera if you ordered the TDi. If you wanted the gas motor, you were SOL. Unless you were Canadian, then you could order it anyway you want it.

Not if you wanted a stick TDI. Each model year they changed what you could or could not get with a stick TDI. I had to buy a 2011 in order to get leather and a sunroof, as neither were options for 2012. I think for 2013 you could get a sunroof but no leather. Nav wasn't available in any of those model years. Not sure what you could do 2014 and on...

Huh. I much prefer the 4 door golf over the 2 door.

I pretty much hate any 2 door variant of a car that is also 4 doors but the chassis is unchanged. Except the Integra, and I can't quite pinpoint why.

I would buy the 5 door over the 3 door anyway. More practicality.

I'm in the won't be missed much group. Still struggling to decide what our "cheater" Sportwagen will be replaced with. The 4 door Mk6 and Mk7 DSG GTIs are high on the list, 2 door version is impractical and a little funny looking. Jetta GLI and CC has some potential too.

The Hoff wrote: My guess is that the 4 doors greatly outsell the 2 doors nowadays.

Yup! 4-door GTI's are pretty much all I see out in the wild. It's also what I would buy if I were to buy one, for whatever anecdotes are worth.

I wonder if 2 vs 4 door is another on of those things that separates new and used car buyers.

My wife picked a 5 door GTI for practicality reasons, but liked the 3 door, also. I could see an enthusiast who buys used a little less concerned with being practical.

ProDarwin wrote: Huh. I much prefer the 4 door golf over the 2 door. I pretty much hate any 2 door variant of a car that is also 4 doors but the chassis is unchanged. Except the Integra, and I can't quite pinpoint why.

The Integra looks as if it was drawn to be a 2 door and the styling department found out they were supposed to deliver a 4 door variant at 2 PM the day before their deadline.

Good. 2 door Golfs are fugly and useless. I have had one and wished it was a four-door.

Well, two.