My son drives a 2004 GTI and has a 63cm bike on order.
I do not think the bike will fit in the trunk area of his GTI.
I have a 2006 GTI which is quite a bit larger, by small car standards, than his 2004. I can easily put my 52cm WSD bike in my trunk but there is not much wiggle room. I have doubts that his 63cm will fit in his.

Any opinions on roof rack over hatch rack?
He wants to go the roof rack route. For the coolness factor of course.

The GTIs in the family both have garage privileges. The GMC PU and Acura have to sit in the boiling sun and freezing weather. How sad, but the GTIs are much cuter and deserve the special attention. Especially mine since it has a mischievous little smile.

We have a shorter set of Thule bars that we have used with past vehicles. When we sell the cars we have sold the feet as they were specific to the make. Kept the bars since they are universal. So, Thule would most likely be our roof rack choice.

Anyone have experience with the VW factory accessory rack on a GTI/Golf of his generation? How does it work with the fixed rear windows?
His door is radically different from mine and I know our rack feet would be different too.

Anyone love their hatch rack so much they want to try to sell us on that route? What brands and style work best on hot hatches? We are open to suggestions.

Thanks