Used Volkswagen hatchbacks for sale near Lockhart, FL

The engineering and design are outstanding . The driving experience is very special for this price range. It’s real fun to drive. It’s an icon. Let down by quality issues unknown to Japanese vehicles and ridiculous service and repair costs. I love the car but dread any encounter with the dealer in North Tampa.. I think their service charges are equal to BMW and Mercedes.

GTI's do almost everything well. Economy, performance, flexibility, holds value, road car, back roads car, safety, comfort, feature-laden and now almost $10K less than the price of the average new vehicle. Two minor flaws IMO. All GTI's should have Golf R climate controls. Standard controls too confusing and fussy. Rather set it and forgot it. DSG is "still funky after all these years." Don't get me wrong, the lightning quick shifts and in-traffic ease are compelling, but DSGs can be clunky and feel strange at low speed and can't yet read all of your intentions correctly, thus some odd decisions/shifts on occasion. Not a fault, just a thing. Otherwise brilliant. GTI is among the contenders for "best" mass-produced combustion engine car of all time. Yes, that good. If shopping the used market, I would strongly suggest one try to get a Performance Package car. Much better brakes that won't need brake service as often and stop better. Also, the electronically controlled differential aids both traction and handling.

This is an after the fact review. In fact the last vehicle I night was a year ago. Anyway, I have bought at least 6 vehicles at this dealer. Fantastic place to buy and great detail from start to finish. The only problem is that we moved away and just bought a vehicle in the Tampa area. Not the same experience! I really miss VW Orlando. Probably will be back to buy as an out of towner we next time.

The Golf R is really a very unique and individualistic car - 'hot hatch' does not really fit as a descriptor as the 'R' is a much more mature and capable car. The car's ultra-high performance is complimented by excellent road handling thanks to AWD and the torque vectoring rear axle (A system only available in the much more expensive Audi RS3). Some commentators have griped at the price approx. 45K (Without Dealer 'Premiums') - however, as stated, this is a much more mature package that contains almost every option know to man! Head Up Display, Napa leather heated and cooled front seats/heated rear seats, Harman Kardon sound system, Automatically operating IQ lights, etc. etc. The true beauty of the R is that it can be driven as an extremely civilized everyday commuter, or you can unleash its inner demons with fantastically satisfying results! Some critics have commented negatively about the infotainment system and the lack of knobs - I am 66 and have found the system incredibly intuitive and intelligent to use - a little patience never goes amiss! Ultimately, this is a superb performance car that delivers in so many ways - it is mature, precise and measured - an amazing car! No, its not a hot hatch in the traditional sense - it is a car that is far more than that!