VW GTI: best bang for the buck out there!?!

[Deschodt]

Just mentioning that in OT... I recently traded in my 996 and got one of these GTIs, 4 doors, commute, baby seat, the works...

The dealer casually mentioned that they could "chip" it, which is actually just a software upload (no physical modifications) and keep the warranty alive. I did that a week after I bought it, and after a measly $500, the little thing which was no slouch stock is now a damn pocket rocket !!!

250 hp and 265 lb/ft of torque, 28 mpg! F$%# me ! It feels practically as fast as the 996 did on the freeway thanks to that torque (not from a standstill, mind you, FWD is still FWD and you can spin the wheels if you are too eager in first)

This has got to be the best kept secret out there (at least it was to me)... $25K buys you a real 4 seater "commuter" that returns up to 30 mpg, has I pod integration, 18" wheels, on board computer and tire pressure sensors, and that little gem of a motor ! If it were rear wheel drive it'd be downright perfect!

My 83SC felt sluggish incomparison when I got it back form the shop with its new clutch, gonna have to lighten her up a bit to keep up... Anyway, just sharing my surprise with OT'ers, it's not like I sell VWs ;-) If you're looking for a commuter, give it a look...

[Tim Walsh]

I've had the same experience here, though mine is a MkIV not a MkV. A spritely little commuter, that gives me a consistent 29-31mpg. No chip here, and "only" 180hp.

[Sunroof]

I bought a new 1986 GTI after they made the body change from the earliest model. Although it was not rich in horsepower the power to weight ratio allowed me to get up over 100+ easily on the interstate. As a commuter/city car, the GTI was a blast to drive. With a sunroof, good rear passenger seating and excellent driver ergonomics, the GTI, I thought was an excellent vehicle for getting around. I sold my 1974 911 to buy it and the kids appreciated the room in the rear!

Your right about the best bang for the buck!. Although the new GTI's look much larger then previous models, they finally beefed up the power to make it more thrilling to drive.

Enjoy the ride.........


Bob
1973.5T Sepia of Course

[NICKG]

new gti is a great car...

[jwhcars]

Yes it is a good value , my son has a 2006 GTI with DSG , chipped and it is still problem free with 28K on it.
We also have a 2007 Rabbit not as plush or as powerful but also a good bang for the dollar.

[David McLaughlin]

But will it last?

My old (and still somewhat missed) 95 GTI VR6 was a blast to drive but in the end started to cost me upwards of $600 every month or two in repairs. While my 96 Passat TDI is still on the road it's needing more and more to keep it there. I like to keep my cars a long time but I hate the high dollar repairs as they get older.

That said, after dropping off my Passat for a $2000 exhaust and intake repair I tool the base model Rabbit out for a drive and was really impressed. For $16000 you get a car with almost 200hp and a real hoot to drive. Screw the Mini I was looking at, I can almost buy two Rabbits for the money.

[Tobra]

have fun with it and get rid of it in a few years when it begins having problems.

Then when you get rid of it you can buy a Japanese car and drive the damn wheels off it before it starts having problems.

[nostatic]

You won't get 28mpg. At least not if you drive it quick.

They are great cars. I got rid of my 4-dr GTI w/DSG because I wanted a clutch. My plan with that car (and the Audi A3 that I have now - essentially the same platform) is to drive the crap out of it until I hit the end of the warranty, then quickly sell it.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by nostatic

You won't get 28mpg. At least not if you drive it quick.

They are great cars. I got rid of my 4-dr GTI w/DSG because I wanted a clutch. My plan with that car (and the Audi A3 that I have now - essentially the same platform) is to drive the crap out of it until I hit the end of the warranty, then quickly sell it.

But the ?? is, are you having fun now? I'm getting ready to hit 86k on my A3 w/ no problems but having to replace timing belt soon. I go through an independent and reputable mechanic who takes good care of me and the car. Out of 5 vehicles, it's the only one I don't work on.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by David McLaughlin

But will it last?

My old (and still somewhat missed) 95 GTI VR6 was a blast to drive but in the end started to cost me upwards of $600 every month or two in repairs. While my 96 Passat TDI is still on the road it's needing more and more to keep it there. I like to keep my cars a long time but I hate the high dollar repairs as they get older.

That said, after dropping off my Passat for a $2000 exhaust and intake repair I tool the base model Rabbit out for a drive and was really impressed. For $16000 you get a car with almost 200hp and a real hoot to drive. Screw the Mini I was looking at, I can almost buy two Rabbits for the money.

+1

I looked seriously at the GTI when my 99 turbo beetle started giving me problems. But my beetle had less than 50k on it, and it was falling appart. The cars designs is nice, but the plastic crap parts start falling apart after a couple years. Made it pretty tough to select another volkswagon.

[nostatic]

I am very happy with my A3. I am covered by the CPO warranty to 100K miles (I'm about about 26K now) or 2012, whichever comes first. Once I hit 95K miles I'm selling it. I've seen what older Audis cost to maintain. Maybe the A3 will be an anomoly, but my ex's A8 has been soaking her...

[cairns]

I owned a 1980 GTI. It was a hoot. Up until about 50K miles. Then it cost more than a Porsche to fix and broke three times as often. The bloody dashboard even caught on fire (short circuit).

I think the new ones look great and appear to offer outstanding performance and value for the $ but my experience soured me. Now I'd probably say I can buy a nice Honda/Toyota or used 3 series and and a vacation/Porsche parts for those $.

[onewhippedpuppy]

GTi is a very nice car, but I'd prefer a Mazdaspeed 3. 250 HP, great to drive, and won't fall apart after 50k.

[Dave L]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

GTi is a very nice car, but I'd prefer a Mazdaspeed 3. 250 HP, great to drive, and won't fall apart after 50k.

LOL, yup had the GTI VR6 for 27 months (warranty was 24 months back in 2000) traded it in with multiple problems at 50,000km for a Protege5. I have had the mazda for 6 years and 212,000km. Guess which one had been in the shop the most, by a mater of weeks!.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I should ammend my post, it's actually 263 HP and 280 ft*lb of torque, starting at $22,XXX. I love German cars, but hate to maintain them.

[Chilling in VT]

My wife and I are finalizing the details on replacing her A4 with a new R32. We took one out for a spin last Saturday and were pretty impressed. We were on the fence with the DSG transmisson (we have never owned an automatic) but it seems to work well (we'll see if the novelty wears thin). We don't have any aspirations of getting more than the mid 20's for mileage but they will be fun miles!
Joe

[the]

Originally Posted by cairns

I owned a 1980 GTI.

The GTI didn't come out (at least in the US), until 1983. Not sure about Europe or wherever else. I think they came out earlier in Euro, is that what you had, I'd be curious to hear the specs on it (how it compared with the US).

I think the new GTI is a really cool looking car. I like the little detail touches that are lifted from the original '83/'84 GTI.

[Ronbo]

They don't all fall apart at 50K miles. Wife's '01 Passat is still going strong at over 100K with the only problem being a defective coil pack that was replaced under warranty. It's been a great car.

[Wickd89]

Parents bought me a brand new '84 GTI back when I was in college. Great Fun!!
Chicks that it was "rad!"

-Tinted windows, updated rims, zender side skirts.... Soooo cooool.

[dd74]

The GTi has been out in Europe since 1976, IIRC. It had a 110-hp 1.6, that was just tremendous for high-rev Autobahn storming. My favorite part(s) of the car were the two big round seven-inch headlights and those ATS wheels. That car still defines hot hatchback for me.

The new GTi is also very nice, especially in four-door. The interesting thing is the R32 which is supposed to be "the bomb" for the Volkswagen lineup, is said by the trade magazines as only a marginally better car than the standard GTi.

Here's one of the first, sans the ATS rims. Still, it's a fine looking car.