As we know, the values of used vehicles are rising wildly, and classics are getting even more ridiculous. But even so, it may come as a surprise to learn that this 1992 Volkswagen Golf GTI has just sold for $87,000 on Bring a Trailer.
Even among the enthusiasts at noted Volkswagen forum, VW Vortex, the price came as a shock. “I just, wow,” wrote a forum member in reaction to the final sale price of the classic Volkswagen.
Admittedly, the car, sold in the last year that the Mk2 GTI was available in the U.S., is in very good condition and the 16-valve engine is the preferred one. The 2.0-liter mill made 137 hp (102 kW/129 PS) when new, and this example certainly presents well.
Read: Ride Like It’s 2001 With This Low-Mileage VW Golf Mk4 GTI
Sold new in Texas, the car actually spent most of its life in the Netherlands, before being brought back to the U.S. in 2022. It comes equipped with Recaro front seats, air conditioning, a European market Philips cassette stereo, and 15-inch BBS wheels.
Despite being a lovely example of the breed, nothing about it seems particularly exceptional. With 53,000 miles (85,295 km), it’s certainly a low mileage example, but the odometer reading is by no means noteworthy. The Tornado Red Paint also presents well, but the ad states that there are some visible scratches around the rear license plate. There are also apparently curb marks visible on the rear left wheel.
While those are pretty much the textbook definition of minor flaws, they are the kind of minor concerns that would normally limit a vehicle to simply selling for top dollar, and prevent it from bringing in crazy money. And yet, here we are.
In 2021, Hagerty reported that no Mk2 GTI had ever sold for more than $20,000 on Bring a Trailer (except for a modified one with a VR6 under the hood). But what do you think? Were GTIs priced too low before, or is this a case of bidders losing their minds? Let us know in the comments.
