Starting with the Golf GTI, Volkswagen has an extensive history making modern, engaging, front-wheel-drive sports cars. The Jetta GLI takes the spirit of the fun-to-drive go-kart Golf GTI and puts it in a package that can take your friends and family along for the ride. This 1991 model is understated in black with the only modifications being an upgraded suspension system. You can find it here on eBay.

Under the hood is a double-overhead-cam 16 valve 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, driving the front wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. It’s not going to win any drag races, but it’s undoubtedly fun on the twisties. The added practicality of four doors and a usable trunk means you can actually use it, too, unlike many sports cars. I’m curious to know more about that not-stock suspension, but that’s a question for the potential buyer.

Inside you’re bolstered by Recaro seats, and are provided with ample amenities. One of the benefits of German sports cars is they’re over-engineered to deal with life on the Autobahn, and a common review of just about any and every fast German car is that it will feel stable and solid even at full tilt. Worth noting: the seller states that there’s a “total loss” on the Carfax, but doesn’t give any more information on that. If you’re buying a thirty-year-old car, any blemish on its record is worth looking into deeply, especially a “total loss,” though the car itself looks clean and composed.

Having said all of that, everything looks clean and well-taken-care-of. It’s said to have had recent service on the water pump, timing belt, valve cover gasket, and shifting linkage. There is no rust visible, and the seller states that there is none on the car. Everything on this listing looks good…except for that Carfax. As always, do your due diligence and research common problems with Jetta GLIs of this vintage. A cursory Google search says that electrical gremlins might be common, but mechanically, hopefully, you should be fine. That combination of BBS wheels, manual gearbox, and Recaro seats is tempting just for the fun factor.