Is it still possible to have a fun, trackable daily driver without paying the average new car price of $48,000?
We're running our 2017 VW GTI project car this weekend with our local Porsche Club of America in Tavares, Florida.
A big issue with direct injection cars like our 2017 VW GTI? Gunk can build up on the intake valves, which can affect performance. Luckily, walnut blasting can be used …
We installed a Lamin-x Clear Bra kit on our Mk7 VW GTI project car to help protect its paint from chipping–both on and off the track.
If your turbocharged track car is losing speed because of heat soak–just like our own Mk7 VW GTI–it may be time to upgrade the intercooler.
Every time we drive our GTI–whether for street, competition, or both on the same day–we fall deeper in love.
Here are a few tips on how to prepare a new-to-you car for a track day.
Guess the weight of our Mk7 GTI correctly, and you'll win the satisfaction of making the correct guess.
Normally, we'd fit the widest Super 200tw tires possible–but since our GTI is still a daily driver, we'd need to pick a wheel-and-tire combo that balances track prowess and street …
Would upgrading our Mk7 GTI from Pagid's Street+ pads to its more endurance racing-orientated RSL 29 pads be worth the gamble?
Seeing how well our Mk7 GTI's factory Performance Pack brakes handled back-to-back hot laps, we first decided to just upgrade the pads and rotors.
Can installing stiffer sway bars give us faster laps without hurting street manners?
How to get more out of your brake setup? How about a 3D-printed set of brake deflectors to help keep things cool.
In an attempt to stop our GTI's tendency to wheel hop, we installed billet aluminum dogbone mount inserts from 034Motorsport.
After multiple hot laps on track, our Mk7 GTI would lose power. Thankfully, the solution is one bigger intercooler away.
Checking off “local autocross” from the list of achievements for our Mk7 GTI.
If it's an analytic approach to making the MQB platform faster, Datadrivenmqb.com is a good place to start.
The latest surprise in our Mk7 GTI ownership? A leaking water pump/thermostat.
In an effort to maximize the on-track performance of our 2017 Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI project car, we fit a larger rear sway bar from 034Motorsport.
As it turns out, tweaking the software in modern cars can often yield some interesting results–like faster lap times.
After we completed One Lap, we steered our GTI towards Virginia for Hyperfest.
How did our Mk7 GTI fare during the 2023 One Lap of America? How does a podium finish sound?
Nothing like ending off the $2000 Challenge with a track day at the Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park.
Here's how we added horsepower to our Mk7 GTI without touching or upgrading any hard parts.
In order to get faster laps out of our Mk7 GTI, we needed to find an aftermarket solution for lowering and adding camber.
We built this VW GTI to be competitive on the track while still being usable as a daily driver on the street, but now it was time to put that …
Sure, a trailer hitch is useful for towing, but fitting one to our Mk7 GTI also lets us enjoy our other hobbies, too.
We find out what it's really like to buy a car from Carvana.
We bought this Golf GTI to find out if it still possible to have a fun, trackable daily driver without paying the average new car price of $48,000?
