2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI

 Is it still possible to have a fun, trackable daily driver without paying the average new car price of $48,000?

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2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI

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Nov
08
Nov 8, 2024 | Volkswagen | track day | Volkswagen Golf GTI
How to properly tech a used car for the track

New-to-you car? Here's how to properly prepare it for a day at the track.

Nov
04
Nov 4, 2024 | Volkswagen | Volkswagen GTI | You Need This
For sale: 2017 Volkswagen GTI GRM project car

We got this Mk7 VW GTI to find out if one car could really do it all. Now that we've answered that question (spoiler: the answer is yes), it's time …

Nov
01
Nov 1, 2024 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | Continental | 034 Motorsport | Titan 7 | ExtremeContact | Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02
Track tires for a daily driver: Bigger isn't always better?

Normally, we'd fit the widest Super 200tw tires possible–but since our GTI is still a daily driver, we'd need to pick a wheel-and-tire combo that balances track prowess and street …

Oct
31
Oct 31, 2024 | Volkswagen | VW | brakes | GTI | FCP Euro | Mk7 GTI | 034 Motorsport
Are two-piece rotors worth the extra money?

Seeing how well our Mk7 GTI's factory Performance Pack brakes handled back-to-back hot laps, we first decided to just upgrade the pads and rotors.

Oct
21
Oct 21, 2024 | Volkswagen | Autocross | Volkswagen GTI | Project car
How to convert an autocross newbie into a lifelong autocrosser

How to turn someone new to autocross into a lifelong participant? A third-place class finish helps, as does a ride-along in a Miata named Oscar.

Oct
12
Oct 12, 2024 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | Lamin-x | Mk7 GTI
Do you hate rock chips? Here’s how we’re fighting them.

We installed a Lamin-x Clear Bra kit on our Mk7 VW GTI project car to help protect its paint from chipping–both on and off the track.

Sep
26
Sep 26, 2024 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | Track Car | Project car | Mk7 GTI | 034 Motorsport
Can we get faster laps in our Mk7 GTI by upgrading the intercooler?

If your turbocharged track car is losing speed because of heat soak–just like our own Mk7 VW GTI–it may be time to upgrade the intercooler.

Sep
21
Sep 21, 2024 | Volkswagen | Volkswagen GTI | 034Motorsport
Video: Is a tune worth it? We put our GTI on the dyno to find out.

We put a 034Motorsport tune in our Mk7 Volkswagen GTI. Was it worth it? Let’s put it on the dyno to find out.

Sep
04
Sep 4, 2024 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | Mk7 GTI | Walnut Blasting
Cleaning our direct injection GTI’s intake with walnut blasting

A big issue with direct injection cars like our 2017 VW GTI? Gunk can build up on the intake valves, which can affect performance. Luckily, walnut blasting can be used …

Aug
28
Aug 28, 2024 | Volkswagen | Autocross | Volkswagen GTI
From behind the scenes to behind the wheel

Our Mk7 GTI continues to spread the good word of motorsport by getting GRM's newest member of staff, associate editor Paris Van Gorder, behind the wheel at a local autocross.

Aug
24
Aug 24, 2024 | Volkswagen | Volkswagen GTI | Track Test
Can a Mk7 GTI be made as fast as a new Civic Type R or GR Corolla?

Don't have the money to spend on a new Civic Type R or GR Corolla? We purchased this Mk7 GTI for just $20,000 intending to make it just as fast–if …

Aug
07
Aug 7, 2024 | Volkswagen | Autocross | Volkswagen GTI
Autocross math I like: inexpensive, plenty of runs and done early

Think autocross is too expensive or too time-consuming? A recent outing with our Mk7 GTI proved autocross can be both inexpensive and efficient.

Jul
30
Jul 30, 2024 | Volkswagen | Autocross | Volkswagen GTI
Spreading the love of autocross with our Mk7 GTI

Our GTI isn't solely meant to be quick on track (which it is), it's also intended to get more people involved in motorsports–our staff included.

Jul
24
Jul 24, 2024 | Volkswagen | Volkswagen GTI | autoccross
This weekend’s autocross: How I won, lost and won again

A reward bigger than winning your class? Securing the future of autocross with the next generation.

Jul
12
Jul 12, 2024 | Volkswagen | Volkswagen GTI | autoccross
Checklist: What should you pack for an autocross?

Don't wait until you get to the autocross course to make sure your car is ready to compete. Feel free to copy our pre-event checklist.

Jun
24
Jun 24, 2024 | Volkswagen | Volkswagen GTI | autoccross | Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park
Have you autocrossed on a race track before?

Who would have thought that all it takes to transform a race track is to add a few cones to the layout?

Jun
10
Jun 10, 2024 | Volkswagen | Autocross | GTI | Volkswagen GTI
All you need for a life-changing afternoon? $30 and a Mk7 GTI.

What does it take to open up a whole new world of motorsports? In this case, all it took was $30.

Jun
05
Jun 5, 2024 | Volkswagen | Honda | GTI | Civic Si
Why the Mk7 VW GTI is like a modern take on the EP3 Civic Si hatch

Did Volkswagen build a modern version of the EP3 Civic Si? Based on the specs–and the feeling from behind the wheel–it's closer than you might think.

May
08
May 8, 2024 | Volkswagen | GTI | Cars and Coffee | Mk7 GTI
What if we took our GTI to an event not involving lap times?

Our 2017 VW GTI makes an ideal track car, but can it also work as an ideal daily driver for, say, a trip to a cars and coffee?

Apr
24
Apr 24, 2024 | Volkswagen | Autocross | GTI | Mk7 GTI
What about simply autocrossing for fun?

How to have the most fun at an autocross? As we found out with our GTI, just look for the class labeled "Fun."

Apr
18
Apr 18, 2024 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | Porsche Club of America
Wanna autocross with GRM this weekend?

We're running our 2017 VW GTI project car this weekend with our local Porsche Club of America in Tavares, Florida.

Feb
21
Feb 21, 2024 | Volkswagen | Autocross | VW | GTI | Mk7 GTI
Our Mk7 GTI again proves to be an ideal dual-duty car

Every time we drive our GTI–whether for street, competition, or both on the same day–we fall deeper in love.

Feb
01
Feb 1, 2024 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | Mk7 GTI | Intercomp
What’s it weigh? Mk7 VW Golf GTI edition.

Guess the weight of our Mk7 GTI correctly, and you'll win the satisfaction of making the correct guess.

Dec
28
Dec 28, 2023 | Volkswagen | VW | brakes | GTI | brake pads | VW GTI | Mk7 GTI | Pagid RSL 29 | Pagid
Are endurance race pads really the best choice for a daily driver?

Would upgrading our Mk7 GTI from Pagid's Street+ pads to its more endurance racing-orientated RSL 29 pads be worth the gamble?

Oct
10
Oct 10, 2023 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | 034 Motorsport | Sway Bar
Fitting stiffer sway bars that won’t ruin our GTI’s streetability?

Can installing stiffer sway bars give us faster laps without hurting street manners?

Oct
09
Oct 9, 2023 | Volkswagen | VW | 3d printing | GTI | brake cooling | VW GTI | Mk7 GTI | Brake Deflectors
Using a 3D printer to make custom brake deflectors

How to get more out of your brake setup? How about a 3D-printed set of brake deflectors to help keep things cool.

Oct
04
Oct 4, 2023 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | One Lap of America | VW GTI | Mk7 GTI | 034 Motorsport | Dogbone Mount Insert
Dogbone inserts: Will they work just as well as solid bushings?

In an attempt to stop our GTI's tendency to wheel hop, we installed billet aluminum dogbone mount inserts from 034Motorsport.

Sep
26
Sep 26, 2023 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | Turbocharging | VW GTI | Mk7 GTI | 034 Motorsport | intercooler
Want more full-throttle laps on track? Upgrade the intercooler.

After multiple hot laps on track, our Mk7 GTI would lose power. Thankfully, the solution is one bigger intercooler away.

Sep
20
Sep 20, 2023 | Volkswagen | SCCA | Autocross | VW | GTI | Mk7 GTI
What can our GTI daily also do? Win at autocross.

Checking off “local autocross” from the list of achievements for our Mk7 GTI.

Sep
13
Sep 13, 2023 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | MQB | VW GTI | Mk7 GTI | Data Driven MQB
Want more performance out of a Mk7 GTI? Check this out.

If it's an analytic approach to making the MQB platform faster, Datadrivenmqb.com is a good place to start.

Aug
01
Aug 1, 2023 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | VW GTI | Mk7 GTI | Water Pump | Thermostat
The truth about fixing one of the most common VW GTI weak points

The latest surprise in our Mk7 GTI ownership? A leaking water pump/thermostat.

Jul
12
Jul 12, 2023 | Volkswagen | GTI | VW GTI | Mk7 GTI | 034 Motorsport
Can a rear sway bar really make our GTI faster on track?

In an effort to maximize the on-track performance of our 2017 Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI project car, we fit a larger rear sway bar from 034Motorsport.

Jun
29
Jun 29, 2023 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | Mk7 GTI | ESC | OBDEleven
Unlock your GTI's software to shave a second off your time

As it turns out, tweaking the software in modern cars can often yield some interesting results–like faster lap times.

Jun
08
Jun 8, 2023 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | Hyperfest | VW GTI | Mk7 GTI
Did we see you at Hyperfest?

After we completed One Lap, we steered our GTI towards Virginia for Hyperfest.

Jun
05
Jun 5, 2023 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | VW GTI | Mk7 GTI
Yes, our Mk7 GTI survived One Lap of America

How did our Mk7 GTI fare during the 2023 One Lap of America? How does a podium finish sound?

Jun
02
Jun 2, 2023 | Volkswagen | $2000 Challenge | VW | FIRM | GTI | Golf GTI | Mk7 GTI | Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park | VW Golf GTI
How to complete a weekend of motorsports? Even more track time.

Nothing like ending off the $2000 Challenge with a track day at the Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park.

May
22
May 22, 2023 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | Golf GTI | Mk7 GTI | 034 Motorsport
A simple way to add more power without upgrading hardware?

Here's how we added horsepower to our Mk7 GTI without touching or upgrading any hard parts.

Apr
25
Apr 25, 2023 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | Camber | Mk7 GTI | 034 Motorsport
Mk7 GTI: Get better lap times without adding more power

In order to get faster laps out of our Mk7 GTI, we needed to find an aftermarket solution for lowering and adding camber.

Apr
10
Apr 10, 2023 | Volkswagen | VW | gridlife | GTI | Carolina Motorsports Park | CMP | Mk7 GTI
Is our improved, do-it-all GTI really capable of doing it all?

We built this VW GTI to be competitive on the track while still being usable as a daily driver on the street, but now it was time to put that …

Mar
23
Mar 23, 2023 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | Golf | Trailer Hitch | Mountain Bike
Installing a trailer hitch: Useful for more than towing?

Sure, a trailer hitch is useful for towing, but fitting one to our Mk7 GTI also lets us enjoy our other hobbies, too.

Mar
01
Mar 1, 2023 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | Golf | Carvana | Mk7 GTI
What’s it like buying from Carvana as the company crumbles?

We find out what it's really like to buy a car from Carvana.

Nov
16
Nov 16, 2022 | Volkswagen | VW | GTI | Golf | Mk. 7 | Golf GTI
Announcing our latest project car: 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI

We bought this Golf GTI to find out if it still possible to have a fun, trackable daily driver without paying the average new car price of $48,000?

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