Modern classics are a funny thing. What determines whether a car should be considered an investment-grade specimen when it’s less than 20 years old? There are certain cars, like the various Mustang Cobras and Camaro SSs that are seemingly instant classics, but the mainstream imports are harder to assess. This is a 25th Anniversary Edition Volkswagen Golf GTI with just eight – yes, eight – miles on the clock, listed for sale here on the Silverstone Auctions website where it’s set to go live on July 31.
The MKIV generation GTI was a gamechanger for Volkswagen, as it finally introduced a “second” performance engine option. The VR6 was the go-to for years, and it continued to be offered after the changeover to the fourth generation models, but turbocharged 1.8T four-cylinder debuted and tuners quickly found out you could extract very meaningful performance from the buzzy little engine. The VR6 may have sounded better, but it was hard to deny just how quickly the 1.8T could catch up going straight out.
The MKIV chassis also seemed to bring about an increase in the special edition models Volkswagen offered. The Mark III’s had the Driver’s Edition GTIs, which was a kit featuring purely cosmetic upgrades, but the next generation saw limited production models like this anniversary edition come out of the woodwork. Aero enhancements, firmer suspensions, Recaro seats, three-spoke steering wheel, and larger wheels and tires were all part of the standard kit – and with just eight miles, all of those features are in mint condition on this example.
The 25th Anniversary models were only sold in Europe, which is why it’s of little surprise to see one in a right hand drive steering configuration. The U.S. didn’t get this exact model but did receive essentially the same thing in the form of the 337 Edition, which incorporated all of the upgrades seen here, even the wheels. The 25th Anniversary model was also given a six-speed manual to harness the 180 b.h.p. on tap, and while this one would be a hoot to rip around in, the mileage on display is simply too low to risk driving and losing the appeal of a time-warp survivor of a special edition model that celebrates the original hot hatch.
I agree, fun to play with, but then the investment is gone. Funny how the dreaded “I” word ruins the hobby so much. Would seem an odd car to buy and hold, but in a number of years, a different generation will be lusting for cars of their youth. This might be a good bet, but the money men have already taken much of the joy out of that scenario already.
It’s just a 19yr old normal VW…don’t get it
The tastes of the European car market are so much different than ours it’s hard for someone on this side of the ocean to figure out what might be popular over there. Add into the equation an ultra low mileage right hand drive version of a limited production performance model and all guesses are uneducated, at best. Markets share one thing in common, they desire the best in order to break through the clutter, unfortunately for those that bought cars designed to be “collectible” from the very beginning, it’s often a failed investment. Only someone truly knowledgeable about the European market will know where on the spectrum this car falls. That’s not likely going to be anyone on this site.
Steve R
Wow….
GTI’s are great, fun cars. Nothing spectacular, but fun. I know it’s an anniversary edition, but I’m pretty sure no one will ever really get to enjoy this car. It’s always going to be nothing but a money flip. What a shame!
Just getting this on and off a trailer will deduct the value by $1,000.00.
nice
These super low milage cars are completely useless for anything other than a place to store investment dollars. These cars routinely change owners without adding mileage, which has created a new “class” of collector cars. It might as well be bitcoins or gold bars.
Way too many miles for me, i am looking for something in the 3-4 mile range.
Made me laugh, great comment.
Pfft…amatuer. My collection consists of only sub-zero mileage cars. Once it’s been driven, it’s just a used car. I look for cars that as soon as they have been assemble, they are pushed backwards onto the car hauler.
The 4th generation Golfs, GTIs and Jettas were really a step above the competition in terms of fit and finish, but they had typically poor VW reliability. For as popular as they were when new (especially the Jetta), you see surprisingly few on the road today. I’d imagine they’re stacked up like cordwood in junkyards around the country.
Sold for: £38,250