Many factors come into play when shopping for a vehicle, from the specifications to the features to the design. However, there’s no denying that one of the most popular criteria that people rely on when car shopping is the brand. Having an in-depth knowledge of the brand lets you understand what you’re getting into, especially in various important metrics like build quality, reliability, cost of ownership, etc. Having said that, many people are asking: “are Volkswagens good cars?

Almost 50 years ago, Volkwagen helped carve out an entirely new subcategory in the auto industry: the hot hatch. This formula of combining a mundane economy car with a peppy engine is something that enthusiasts have been enjoying since 1976, when the first Golf GTI appeared. But no car is perfect. This means there’s a lot to consider if you’re thinking about putting this pocket rocket in the driveway. With this in mind, let’s explore Golf GTI years to avoid.