They are great cars to borrow. I had one for a summer in Europe.

Not completely sure I'd want to own one.

if proparly used Clutches aren't a wear item that needs replacing at fixed odometer points

I have never had to replace a clutch on any of my cars, ever.
That includes sports cars, and high torque diesels driven hard.

The thing that kills clutches is burnouts, and Jerky shifting. You know kids that think you gotta slam each gear like Need for Speed Don.. and jerk the entire car for a sporty feel..

and obviously people wo keep their foot on the clutch depressing it slightly while they drive. usually (old) women.

500K Km clutch is not out of the ordinary in Europe. I know several cars that ran that..
You can drive the car hard, just be smooth and the clutch will last.
no jerking it, no 1st gear launch dumps and it obviously helps to have plenty of non T jam highway driving.

What Stijn said... I've never had a clutch wear out on any of my cars.

Get a 16V!

Had an 84 GTI for a couple of years and totally enjoyed it. Quite the little hot rod and a fine DD that allowed me to keep my 81 Scirocco in the garage, waiting for nice days.
Thoroughly enjoyed the thing and still remember the golf ball dimpled shift knob. Replaced it with the wife's Jetta GLI when she got a new Jetta.

Enjoyed both cars a lot.

So many great memories of the 83/84 GTI. My friend had one and we drove that thing to death. Many road-trips with 4 people in it.
I remember first test driving a new one. It felt so quick at the time.
I almost bought one, but for the same money bought a 914-6 :)

I'm currently rebuilding my brother's 1990 Mark 2 Golf GTI 16v bit by bit.

Last weekend I pulled out the entire shifter mechanism to change every bush and pivot point. What amazes me is just how cheap the parts are for these cars. Linkage parts are mere dollars, not even tens of dollars. I own Audi's and a Cayman and parts for those seem astronomical by comparison.

Earlier this year I rebuilt the Golf's entire suspension - front and rear. Ball joints were like $10 and whole control arms about $30, sway bar links about $5, sway bar bushes $2 or $3.

And everything is so simple...you can almost get your arms around the engine and hug it there is that much room. Compared to my Audi S4 it's a dream to work on

I did that back in the 80s, it was a very fun ride. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1656390438.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1656390438.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1656390438.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1656390438.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1656390438.jpg
I have owned several. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1656390579.jpg
Someone say Jetta.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1656390688.jpg
As to the original question, I would go with a 83 or 84 GRI, there are so fricking cool.
Saw this at a car show not long ago
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1656391047.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1656391047.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1656391047.jpg

924 is nut that different really; mostly VW parts :D

I bought the first year model of the Jetta...two door black..5 speed 1980
I think it was the only year that they made it as a two door. (I could be wrong.)

It was a great car...I sold it after 3 years for a Camaro...what a stupid decision.

Mk II Jetta also was available in North America as a two door, at least until our production was moved to Mexico.

Best
Les

I also had a 1st Gen 2 door and as pictured above I had a 2nd Gen 2 door (actually a couple of them)I still have this.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1656652517.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1656652517.jpg

My first car was an 82 rabbit 4 door. Mint green with a sunroof and 4spd. That car was a hoot to drive.

ffs somebody fix those uggo headlights value will go up instantly

Always wanted one of those. But by the time I could afford a $4000 car, 944s were $4000

I think my '84 with AC, sunroof, and vent windows was $9,800 after negotiations. It was the first car I ever leased. $180/mo including tax from Hibernia Bank. Got an '86.5 Supra non-turbo non-Targa for $286/mo after that. 0-60 in a pavement-scalding 7.7 seconds.

A MKI GTI looks like a blast, I’d definitely be interested in hearing how the search goes to find one.

I had a Windsor Blue MKIII Golf which was incredibly fun to drive after some suspension mods but what a POS as far as build quality and reliability. It was the first car I bought with my own money. I miss it but never again.

I also had a diesel MK1 rabbit which was a go kart, I have to think a GTI version of that would be an absolute hoot to drive.