Zerotide

iTrader: (1)

I've seriously been thinking about trading my 8 in lately. While it is great fun in the summer, the winter months here in Nebraska are just too long and harsh. I've been getting as low as 11 mpg lately and while it's not a big deal to be on the snow because I have Blizzaks, I can't have fun in my 8 when the pavement is dry. The Blizzaks do not grip at all... and let's face it, once you can't have fun in your 8 it is not a very good car to live with.

My car is now filled with strange rattles and slapping noises from the poor quality of the interior. (My 8 has less than 20k miles) These have gotten so bad that they are the main reason that now even the horrible gas mileage is starting to annoy me. I'm just struggling to find things that I like about my 8 lately. It doesn't even look good anymore because its always covered in salt and dirt or snow. (I know thats not the cars fault). The winter is making me hate my 8.

I now am thinking about something a little more practical that will have a more solid feel. I've been looking alot at either a 2006-07 VW GTi or GLI... whichever one I can find near me that I like first.

I'm going to test drive a GTI tomorrow, does anyone have any experience with either of these cars? I know that I will miss my 8 hardcore and I will not like the switch to FWD, but I don't know if I can make it to the end of the winter.

Zerotide

iTrader: (1)

If you read my signature I had an 02 A6... with aloottt of problems. I know in the past that VW/Audi has had problems with reliability but it seems like they turned a corner around 05. Their visual designs changed drastically along with, from what I can tell, their reliability. I wouldn't be going back to a VW car if I didn't have good faith that they have fixed their reliability problems.

I was going more for driving experiences... I know neither of those will compare to the 8.

Daemos

My bro has a 2007 GTI which he imported from the US (actually it's for sale for cheap since he's moving for school).

Built in germany, but I still perfer the 8 in the winter months to the GTI =) but he is getting stellar gas millage (25mpg) even at -40C temps.

Zerotide

iTrader: (1)

I found one with 40k miles on it for 11 grand, but it's in Michigan. Kinda sucks. I'm in no hurry I guess to get rid of my 8, but if one that's well priced pops up around here I will probably jump on it.

jones75254

iTrader: (2)

Forget about the VW brand altogether. From how ur talking you would be better off getting a reliable AWD machine, namely a WRX. Blast ur way through that shitty weather with relative ease all the while having a capable platform.

REsuperD

GTI is built in germany, GLI in mexico, altho honestly, that probably doesn't really matter. for a brief while i was into the new GTIs. in 5-door form, it's a very nice and practical pocket rocket. there's a fair amount of room and it's relatively fun to drive. the plaid seats are awesome. it's not as fun and raw as, say, mini cooper s, mazdaspeed3, or civic si, but it's a nice compromise. i do have to say that i'm not at all confident of vw build quality. a LONG time ago my mom had a passat and it was a lemon. sure they're very different (better?) now, but from what i hear reliability is still shoddy. and if you're looking for a winter car, wouldn't you have the same problem w/ a GTI? sure it's fwd, but most of 'em ride on 18" high performance tires. why don't you get a winter beater instead

Daemos

Buy Winter tires. Simple, easy solution. I'd rather get hit in the winter in a nice new car with airbags and safety stuff to protect me than a old winter beater that would crumple like a can around me.

How do you think people with RX8s get around in winter? I have 17" rims and 17" xices for winter.

My brother has a winter tire/steel package from VW. He has 18" Huffs for the summer.

REsuperD

the op has winter tires on his 8, but doesn't like the way it drives on the dry in the winter. i suspect he'd feel the same way w/ a GTI/GLI on winter tires

Daemos

GTI + crappy winter tires >>>> RX8 on good winter tires.

My brother has a GTI 6MT and I have the RX8...

I've driven both extensively, the GTI is much more stable in snow, and icy conditions than the RX8 it is also easier to drive around in deep snow in the GTI than it is in the RX8...however once it's nice and warm out the positions change =)

That and the GTI (at least my bros) has dual zone climate control, and 5 stage heated seats...those are FTW!

Zerotide

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm actually not worried at all about how a car handles in the snow. The 8 handles fine with the blizzaks. I'm saying with the weather the way it is I can't take advantage of the cars handling. The handling on my 8 is what makes me look past all its downfalls. (lack of power, cheap interior, bad gas mileage) I was thinking if I could get something that was still fun yet a little more fuel efficient and comparable in price to my 8 I would be a little more happy with my car.

If I lived in a year round warm state, I wouldn't even be dreaming of getting rid of my 8.

As for the Mazdaspeed3/6, or WRX, I like all those cars but I'm only 20 so I would need some vaseline for when I get my insurance bills with those cars. The 8 is actually pretty nice to my pocket in that respect. A CooperS is even more anemic than an 8 and the interior looks like a child's toy.

risky business

umm. vw is not the way to go. lol however i do like the gti. just get an s2k!

screw practicality, thats for wussies

m477

If the 8 with blizzaks isn't good enough for you than any 2wd car isn't going to be any better at all, espcially some FWD VW that breaks down all the time. Either learn how to drive or get a Subaru.

Zerotide

iTrader: (1)

Holy **** nobody is getting what I'm saying. My 8 drives fine in the snow. What gives you the right to tell me to learn how to drive? I will be keeping the blizzaks from my 8 if I ever trade it in and buy a cheap set of rims that fits the new car and the blizzaks. I also have a set of blizzaks sitting in my garage from my old Audi that we didn't sell with the car. I need something that gets better gas mileage yet is still comparable in price to my 8 and still somewhat fun at the same time.

alfy28

hmmm zero have you looked into a WRX? i tihnk you would have fun in the AWD. my bro had a 06 GTI which gave him alot of trouble. he now owns a evo..

jones75254

iTrader: (2)

If the insurance premium is your deciding factor in getting a GTI vs. something like the MS3 or WRX, then you may not be in a position to even be thinking about getting a new(er) car partner, no offense. I mean really, at most ur lookin at what, an additional $75-$100/month more than ur paying now?? If you cant swing that then ur prob not in position to be thinking about trading (or selling) ur 8 in because u are sure to lose $ one way or the other. Please dont take offense, just something to think about is all.

kvndoom

I'm a hatchback lover, so I'd take the GTI over the GLI any day. It really just comes to if you want an sedan or a hatch, because there's not much difference between the two.

If I were in the market for new right now, I'd be seriously considering the Volvo C30. Turbo 5, 28MPG highway, and runs on 87. But that's a totally new vehicle, so it'll be way above what you want to pay right now.

By the way, I'm with you on the noisy cheap plastic. It's a crying shame what someone pays for a car and gets a ton of cheap flimsy *** plastic. First thing I'm gonna do after I pay off the 6 is Dynamat the whole ******* car. If that doesn't get rid of the freaking noises, I may well sell the damn thing.

killerfish

I'm looking into a C30 as well, but like the RX-8, Premium Unleaded is recommended/preferred. It's not meant for regular.

EDIT: Actually just found a post of the user manual page in the C30 forums where it says it would do fine on regular, but you get the most out of premium

jones75254

iTrader: (2)

^^That C30 is a damn cool looking car IMO. Not sure how it drives but it sure looks good, inside and out, i checked one out the other day when my girl was getting her car serviced. Was a Volvo lot next door. Very neat.

Zerotide

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the suggestions guys... so Alfy your saying that even the newer body style VW's have reliability issues? I don't want to go through what I went through with my A6 again... blegh.

I don't think insurance for me will be much different with a GTI or GLI, I've already checked out a WRX before I got my 8 and insurance is indeed astronomical, I don't know how people my age have them, let alone an STi.

And actually I worked at a Volvo dealer last summer so I got to know my way around the C30s. Fun little cars but I don't think the used ones will have come down enough in price for me. Keep in mind I'm still in college. (I'm not paying for school but I don't have time for a full time job). I really fell in love with the S60R while I was there. Great car. Felt like an underachieving M5

I won't be getting rid of the 8 for awhile... I was ******* backed into today in a parking garage. Luckily I happened to be sitting in my car when it happened, but its gonna take probably a month to get everything sorted out with their insurance and the car in and out of the body shop. Absolutely ridiculous. What is with people not looking behind them anymore? Second time my car has been backed into.

hughtwg

While looking for a car to replace my MX-5 I also test drove a C30 and Rabbit. The C30 is a great looking car but the clutch and shifter are truly awful. No feel at all to the clutch and stick has long sloppy throws. The OP might look into getting a Rabbit instead of a GTI. They're definitely very practical cars at a decent price and they drive much nicer than the C30.

dos

I've got a 06 GTI. The MK5's(made in Germany) are much better than the MK4's(Made in Mexico). I have 40k miles on mine and no problems. Car is chipped and turboback exhaust, BSH DV, and Neuspeed intake since 5k miles and dynoed at 254 HP and 303 tq(APR software), still gets 33 mpg on the highway cruising at 60 to 70 mph. Love the car and is great DD. Good luck with your decision(I would look at the MS3 and updated WRX too).

BigRed

get a fahrenheit gti...my brother has one...awesome

New Yorker

I had an '02 GTI (337 Edition). I really liked it. Ultimately, I missed RWD but, that said, I loved the VW interior and build quality. If you had an Audi, you know. Sitting in the GTI, you felt like you were in a much more expensive car. No squeaks or rattles, even in the dead of winter (and yes, the RX-8, like many cars, tends to get those when it's real cold).

But here's one crazy suggestion before you do the deal. Drop $100 and get your car professionally detailed. When you see your 8 gleaming like it did on the showroom floor, who knows—you might just fall in love all over again. (If not, hell—you'll prob get the money back when you sell it.)

Zerotide

iTrader: (1)

You sir, seem like you get me. My 8 could do with a nice detail and I promised myself that after the shitty weather is over I would drop the bucks for a professional detail once I get my nice rims back on. A detail right now would be a waste of money. The roads are all slushy and it can snow any day... plus I have my ugly *** winter rims on.

The detail is a good idea... just wished the weather was over.