OT - Volkswagen GTI

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 1 - 20 of total 25 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
martygarrison

Trad climber
Washington DC
Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 11, 2016 - 10:40am PT
Looking at getting my wife a car (we haven't had one for six years). Anyone have a GTI? They seem like good value, esp as Volkswagen is doing deep discounts at the moment. Thoughs?

Thanks,

Marty
perswig

climber
Feb 11, 2016 - 10:57am PT
I'll let others chime in on objective 'value', but I've had two Golfs and driven a GTI a bit and I love how they all handle, fit (5'7", 140#), torque up, no work to maintain cruising speeds. Don't know current options for the GTI but had both a manual and currently an auto Golf and they both have been wicked fun to drive, required little maintenance.

Curious to hear GTI owners' impressions because I'd consider one next.
Dale

edit: ekat just reminded me, I've had my share of warnings and fines for speeding in them, so there's that...
Risk

Mountain climber
Olympia, WA
Feb 11, 2016 - 10:59am PT
I bought a 2015 Golf TSI S, 2 door. It is great and it was cheap. 40 mpg on the HWY. The GTI would be a lot of fun, but more than an ordinary driver would need in terms of power, I think. I drove all the other small hatches, and the Golf was hands-down the best: lowest road noise, best handling, nicest interior, huge back seat, and best acceleration.
SC seagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
Feb 11, 2016 - 11:13am PT
I had a 1983 Rabbit GTI. Oh. My. God. Did I love that car.
I have no idea what they are like now but it handled like a sports car andt did incredibly well in the snow too with its front wheel drive. I actually didn't know they made them anymore.

I've had several friends go with the Passat and recently a friend bought a Tiguan. They are all very pleased with their purchases. In spite of the recent problems with dishonesty about their MPG; VW still seems to be an uber reliable car.

good luck with your decision!

Susan
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Feb 11, 2016 - 11:20am PT
A lot of super bargains available on low mileage VW diesels - it's definitely a buyer's market.
guyman

Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
Feb 11, 2016 - 11:21am PT
I have had a 1984 GTI and a 1991 GTI.....1991 went to 250,000... Fast and Fabulous, both... IMHO one of the best handling vehicles you could ever drive..... but over the years they have gained a ton of weight, the wheelbase has increased... so they are pretty FAT now and you can't toss em like before.

All that being said.... If you have the $$$$$$$$$ for very expensive fixxes and like paying out $$$$$$ all the time.

Go For it....

Me- I don't waist my time with German Cars, Made in Mexico anymore.

I like Honda's and so does my wallet.

Good luck

Coach37

Social climber
Philly
Feb 11, 2016 - 11:24am PT
My co-worker has one, a 2015 model. He traded his Passat TDI for it after the diesel emissions fraud came to light. The GTI is nice car, it's quick, sporty suspension that is stiff, decent range on a tank, good MPG, too small for my liking. The Passat was much larger and got the same MPG with a more compliant and comfortable ride.

I would not own one because VW is consistently among the worst for reliability in Consumer Reports. German cars in general are nice if you are wealthy and don't keep them long enough for things to go wrong. I am not. We stick to Japanese makes, and have owned many Toyotas and Hondas with no problems.

Some VWs sold in the US are made in Germany, some in Mexico, it depends on the model. In either case, they are too expensive and unreliable for me.
perswig

climber
Feb 11, 2016 - 11:52am PT
The ^ snow comment - winter studs on all 4 and I've *never* gotten stuck during the last 10+ NE winters, if that's an issue.
Might high-center if you're not careful, they sit pretty low.

I've heard other owners have enough mechanical issues to abandon the brand, so my experiences may be an outlier, but generally problem-free. Kept the first 'til around 150K (maybe more, need to check the VW thread) before moving on to the current Golf.
Dale
Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
Feb 11, 2016 - 12:56pm PT
The 1991 which Guy mentions was mine first. Brilliant car to drive, it was the two liter 16V from Germany. Great handling once you get a handle on the torque steer under fierce acceleration from low speed in a corner. Once yer going fast it was predictable.

I remember right after I got it I was "test driving" up on Angeles Crest. Every so often coming out of a fast curve I'd see a puff of smoke in the side view. Turns out I was hitting it hard enough to lift the inside rear tire off the pavement, when it touched down there was the smoke.

The new one's might be better, so check around, but mine was maintenance intensive after about 50K. But if you're looking for a pocket rocket go for it. Maintenance is the price of performance...
FTOR

Sport climber
CA
Feb 11, 2016 - 01:32pm PT
still have my 04 gti 24v vr6, the the last year they offered that motor. another + is they track really well in snow. my mechanic tells me the latest offerings are very dialed in, i think that's mk7.
couchmaster

climber
Feb 11, 2016 - 01:38pm PT
In answer to your question, my wife was going to get one Marty, but she decided on a regular Rabbit or whatever they are called instead. She didn't need to pay extra for the GTI and cornering power and the regular Rabbit was more comfortable. Those GTI seats are harder to get in and out of, but for hitting a corner at mach 2 or whatever, of course they will hold you in better.
Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
Feb 11, 2016 - 02:01pm PT
still have my 04 gti 24v vr6...

Now there's your pocket rocket. I came up next to one on the freeway once. I gave mine the beans and so did he. He was a speck in the distance really fast.

Ever get to drive a Corrado? More streamlined than a gti, supercharged VR6. Mother of God!

The feds put a stop to importing those in about two years. They did the same to the old 914-S, a superlight car-no AC, manual windows and so forth. With the 911-S motor (six Webers and Carrera cams.) Plus everything else upgraded. The only car I've driven that felt motorcycle fast.

But I digress.
Sula

Trad climber
Pennsylvania
Feb 11, 2016 - 02:57pm PT
SC seagoat posted:
... it handled like a sports car andt did incredibly well in the snow too ...
With a half-decent set of snow tires, possibly the best 2WD snow car ever made. Made a sound case that 4WD is a waste of time & money.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Feb 11, 2016 - 03:01pm PT
If you want a 'sporty' car that handles like a monster in snow get a
freaking V60 Polestar and be done with it!
FTOR

Sport climber
CA
Feb 11, 2016 - 03:09pm PT
wasn't ever crazy about the styling of the corrados. the true pocket rocket was the r32. i run a set of winter snow tires and yes no need for chains if you can get them to wave you through, which i have.
anita514

Gym climber
Great White North
Feb 11, 2016 - 05:34pm PT
I had a GTI VR6 for a few years. It was a lot of fun. That was about 15 years ago so I can't comment on what they are like now, though they still look sharp.
It was a solid little car.
I am with VW again now, but a Jetta wagon. Meh.
rottingjohnny

Sport climber
Shetville , North of Los Angeles
Feb 11, 2016 - 05:46pm PT
I know 2 people with GTI diesel wagons..They have had many repair issues...I rode in one and loved the heated seats..
Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
Feb 11, 2016 - 08:48pm PT
Cruising at an undisclosed location in Nevada.

FTOR

Sport climber
CA
Feb 12, 2016 - 09:21am PT
redlines you at 130... not that i would know...
martygarrison

Trad climber
Washington DC
Topic Author's Reply - Feb 12, 2016 - 08:41pm PT
Thanks everyone. After much technical research and regional pricing I decided on a GTI SE with the optional performance and lighting packages. I just could not find a car in the same price point that provided such value for money. My wife also thinks it's cute.

Thanks again for the input,

Marty
Messages 1 - 20 of total 25 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta