Omni
Omni
I lived this in 1984, if you count the Charger as an Omnirizon. I chose the Shelby version, even after putting a weekend's worth of test drive on the GTI. Drove the two back-to-back, and the Dodge fit better.
Loved the Shelby, never regretted the choice. I'm sure I would have liked the GTI, too, but not as much.
In reply to mad_machine:
The Omni outlived the GLH and GLHS variants.
In reply to theenico:
The three-door Omni was the Charger. I have a 1984 Charger 2.2 with the H.O. Carb engine. It is quite fun. When I was in college in the mid-80s, I worked for a VW dealer in the parts department. We had a few Caddy trucks and Rabbits to use as parts runners. I loved those VWs, but there were not as fun as my Charger. The GTI was a different story, but the early GTI was no more fund than the GLH carb cars. The turbo cars are in a differnt league altogether. One of the cheapest ways to go fast on the planet.
Sorry but this one was a wast of time, the GLH would beat the ever living hell of of a GTI. Put in a GLHS and ......
Paul B
Hmm... kind of a toss-up for me... Mopar past vs. VW present...
GTI.
Omni, hands down, and I love VWs up thru Mk2.
Omni.
Flipped one end over end when I was 16.
My dad has a Charger GLHS.
I have an Omni GLH based rally car being slowly digested by my yard. I should give it to someone for a challenge car or something, but I like looking at it. I bought the Mazda2 because of my love for small hatches that was formed in my Omni days. Omni.
Years ago I would have said GTI but now I want something different. I would pick the Omni.
Remember, the GLH was conceived to beat the GTI in every measurable way by at least 10%. Which it did, quite handily. The GLH-Turbo was even faster and then of course the sledgehammer known as the GLH-S came along and well, there is no comparison.
The GTI had a more flexible chassis, the steering rack was mounted in a less rigid manor, and if it wasn't for the aftermarket and factory backing, it wouldnt be as popular as it was.
Easy choice again, GTI. A GLH is most certainly faster, but if I have to own it, GTI it is. It feels German where the GLH feels like a fast American appliance.
I had an omni that was a total pos. I again vote GTI. Hmmm, maybe a trend?
Since the Omni was a Chrysler attempt to complete with and somewhat copy the Rabbit, I think that both Chrysler and I vote a homage to the original; The Rabbit and therefore the GTI.
From a performance standpoint, omni by several miles. It is VASTLY 
cheaper to make big power with the turbo 2.2 than it is with any motor you can get or easily put in a GTI, period. Not to mention it's probably cheaper and easier to swap in a trans that wont blow up with 400 lb ft in an omni. Not that i know jack squat about vw trannies..
From an aesthetics standpoint.. GTI by a wide margin there.
Rabbit GTI vs. Omni = Omni wins.
A2 GTI vs. Omni is a more interesting comparison.
GTI but I am biasd.
In reply to chandlerGTi:
I worked for a VW dealer in the mid-80s. The rabbit was no better than the Omni in quality. I loved the Rabbit mind you, but its build quality was typical of small cars of the era. If there was any place the Rabbit held an edge was with the quality of the interior materials. VW had a big edge there.
In reply to rallymech:
How? The Omni was an 8 valve engine without a cross-flow head. Yeah it has a bigger engine, but its head was the weak link performance wise. Now find an old Hans Hermann 16 valve head and heh, heh...
GLH, no contest.
Another way to answer the question might be this....add up all the points that apre-1990 golf/rabbit earned in all of the challenges today, then do the same for Omni's, get averages and see the results. Lots more VW's competed I bet, but at a MUCH lower average score.
GTI
I must vote again.. This is ridiculous..
The GLH in carbed form with outrun, out stop, and out turn a GTI...
Then you add a turbo... Then an intercooler.....
The only real problem you have is keeping a supply of door handles around...
And when you throw the Charger in the mix.. please....
I simply don't see how it is possible to drive both cars and then tell me you want a Nazimoblie..
Omni.
GTI.
Oh, wow. I had a GTI and it was simply awesome as my first car.
A Rabbit GTI with a 2.0 16V in it would be the my choice. If that's not an option, I would need to drive a GLH before I could decide.
I do like the lego VW's. Part swapping is just so easy with them.
Omni.
You'll need to log in to post.
