What’s the modern-day spiritual successor to the MkI Golf (Rabbit) GTI?
We think it’s the Ford Fiesta ST. Adjusted for inflation, the GTI’s $8,350 in 1984 is roughly $18,800 today. The Ford Fiesta ST lists at $21,400.
If we were in the market for a brand new small, affordable hot hatch (note: we aren’t), the Fiesta ST would probably be the one to buy, as in many ways the latest GTI has matured its way out of the segment.
What a great new car purchase this would make.
Motoring Con Brio 
Luckily, I was in the market for a hot hatch and selected the Abarth. Because noise. =) Though I admit the Fiesta beats the Abarth in every empirical way.
Rod S said this on February 11, 2014 at 6:28 pm
Noise matters, and the Abarth’s is sublime. Neither car is a bad choice, so I’d say you bought well!
motoringconbrio said this on February 11, 2014 at 9:32 pm
Agree wholeheartedly. I’ve been waiting anxiously for the ST to appear in Canadian showrooms, though hoping for it as a complement to and not a replacement of my (admittedly slower) E30.
The Abarth is the other top contender- mostly, as in Rod’s case, for the incredible noise factor.
RJN said this on February 11, 2014 at 9:44 pm
motoringconbrio said this on February 11, 2014 at 9:48 pm
The Renault Clio is the closest thing today to the Rabbit GTI. Too bad it’s not available in the USA.
TGM said this on March 31, 2014 at 3:13 pm