I drove the new GTI today
02-25-2006, 12:10 PM
#51
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If I had less than 25k to spend on a new car it would be a tough choice between the '06 WRX and the '06 GTI. The WRX would win out, I just love my AWD launches, the '06 is faster and is running high 13s in the 1/4 mile, with new rubber it will handle better, having AWD in winter is great,I trust Subaru reliability before VW, and most of all I don't like FWD. The better interior/exterior looks and more refinement just doesn't make up for those things for me.
Plus, there is no good excuse for this car to weigh over 3200 lbs, the refinement is nice but it also makes the thing heavier than it should be and therefor less fun than it could be.
Plus, there is no good excuse for this car to weigh over 3200 lbs, the refinement is nice but it also makes the thing heavier than it should be and therefor less fun than it could be.
02-25-2006, 12:18 PM
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So you wouldn't include the 8 in your line up? MSRP obviously means nothing since you shouldn't be paying that at the dealer... thus the 8 falls in price-wise...
The WRX looks are O K. The GTI I find to be pretty hot and the RX-8 to be like an exotic...
The WRX looks are O K. The GTI I find to be pretty hot and the RX-8 to be like an exotic...
02-25-2006, 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Japan8
So you wouldn't include the 8 in your line up? MSRP obviously means nothing since you shouldn't be paying that at the dealer... thus the 8 falls in price-wise...
The WRX looks are O K. The GTI I find to be pretty hot and the RX-8 to be like an exotic...
The WRX looks are O K. The GTI I find to be pretty hot and the RX-8 to be like an exotic...
Here's a Top Gear GTI video for those interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zxn_...rch=top%20gear
02-25-2006, 03:11 PM
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VikingDJ...you really prepared to give up AWD for FWD. You get a decent amount of snow in PA, don't you? It seems like a step backwards to me. For not that much more money you could get the MS6 or a Legacy GT.
02-25-2006, 11:11 PM
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Actually you may even be able to get a Legacy GT limited for the same price.
http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28412
http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28712
http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28706
http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26765
http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28412
http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28712
http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28706
http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26765
02-26-2006, 12:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Steiner
VikingDJ...you really prepared to give up AWD for FWD. You get a decent amount of snow in PA, don't you? It seems like a step backwards to me. For not that much more money you could get the MS6 or a Legacy GT.
Steiner: FWD can most certainly get the job done where I live, because winters are touch and go. This winter was mild, with the exception of one big storm. You can say it's a step backwards, but I have to put bad weather on the backburner, because it's more about how you drive in bad weather that determines your safety and getting around, more so then just having AWD. FWD is more then capable of getting me where I need to go. It's really all about the tires. Basically, I'm not gonna keep this subaru just for AWD alone. The GTI is beter looking inside and out to me, and has features more suitable for a daily driver. It doesn't seem like I can win, because there is no car out there that can give me the best of all worlds. What I need is a 300hp AWD GTI. Better yet , an RX8 with the STI power and drivetrain would solve all my problems. Oh well, I better keep on dreaming.
Last edited by VikingDJ; 02-26-2006 at 12:42 AM.
02-28-2006, 01:05 PM
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I don't own the new GTI, but I do own the 2006 GLI, in both manual and DSG form, along with a manual RX-8. I've only driven the manual version GLI once (that's all my son will allow!!).
The DSG is very smooth, very quick and fun to play with. You get a normal automatic mode, as well as a Sport mode that revs higher before shifting (and never goes into 6th gear until you hit over 100 mph). Ths DSG gets about the same gas mileage as the manual, and in most cases, is quicker to 60 and the 1/4 mile. However, if you really love to shift, you'll miss the left foot coordination required of a manual.
I would say that in a 0-60 sprint and 1/4 mile race, the GLI and RX-8 would be very close, but you'll feel like you're going a lot faster in the RX-8 due to engine noise (music!) and the rougher ride. But the GLI is mod friendly, with at least three companies currently offering reprogramming for more power.
If you're thinking about a GTI, take a look at the GLI. Same drive train, about 150 pounds heavier, four doors and a massive trunk (subwoofer depository).
The DSG is very smooth, very quick and fun to play with. You get a normal automatic mode, as well as a Sport mode that revs higher before shifting (and never goes into 6th gear until you hit over 100 mph). Ths DSG gets about the same gas mileage as the manual, and in most cases, is quicker to 60 and the 1/4 mile. However, if you really love to shift, you'll miss the left foot coordination required of a manual.
I would say that in a 0-60 sprint and 1/4 mile race, the GLI and RX-8 would be very close, but you'll feel like you're going a lot faster in the RX-8 due to engine noise (music!) and the rougher ride. But the GLI is mod friendly, with at least three companies currently offering reprogramming for more power.
If you're thinking about a GTI, take a look at the GLI. Same drive train, about 150 pounds heavier, four doors and a massive trunk (subwoofer depository).
Last edited by mitchfried; 02-28-2006 at 02:01 PM.
03-17-2006, 07:11 AM
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Still no reason to go back to FWD...
I drove two GTIs yesterday: a loaded model with DSG, 18" rims + summer tires and a base model with 17" rims + all seasons. I wrote up a quick review as a followup to an old Miata forum post. Just stumbled across this thread... from my Miata post:
It's interesting to now read what some wrote here.
To those of you describing it as a $25k car... you can spend that much, but you don't need to; the base GTI can be had for $22k (I know someone that paid $21.5k). It reminds me of those that call the RX8 a $30-35k car even though it's been easy to get at <$25k for a couple years (and can be had for even less now).
Someone here called the GTI nimble, but it didn't feel nimble at all to me. It wouldn't go so far as to call it a pig, but it wasn't especially responsive to direction changes (I wish they'd base the GTI on the Polo instead of the far-too-heavy Golf). If we're only considering currently-in-production FWD cars, the MCS is still the one to beat as far as being neutral and tossable.
As far as acceleration goes, it was awesome at low RPM (completely crushing the RX8 here) but it did not quite have the RX8's top end. The RX8 felt a little faster overall, but only if when both vehicles were flogged. The GTI definitely won't need as much shifting. In any case, both cars have ample power for daily driving and enough oomph to have some fun.
As far as practicality goes, the GTI has more room in the back though the RX8 also has reasonably spacious rear seats. The sliding front seats make getting into the GTI's back seats fairly trouble-free, but the RX8's back seats are still easier to access (I have a couple small kids; it'd be rough on my back loading them into the GTI). I've been able to carry some large items in the RX8 thanks to its suicide doors, but the GTI's hatch with fold-down-able rear seats offers more utility.
One thing I forgot to mention in the Miata posting was that the seats in the GTI were excellent... very supportive. Ike mentioned that the GTI seats were a little snugger than the STI seats... that's an understatement (compared to the 2005 STI anyway, in which my 160-pound frame slid all over the place).
Anyway, I wasn't blown away by the GTI... especially given that the RWD RX8 and Miata are plenty comfortable to be daily drivers and are reasonably priced.
I took the manual one up to over 100 MPH. I also disabled the ESP for part of the drive to see how it dealt with uneven and sandy surfaces. Overall, I was in the GTIs for over an hour with half that time behind the wheel. My impressions were pretty much what I expected:
The Bad:
Both cars felt heavy. They understeered. Steering feedback was good, but not amazing. The manual shifter didn't compare to Mazdas' and Hondas'. The chassis wasn't especially inspiring.
The Good:
The engine was excellent. No lag and was very responsive at all RPMs. ESP wasn't that intrusive, though when I turned it off I was surprised at how easily I could burn rubber. The steering wheel was very comfortable. The ride was stiffer than the last couple generation GTIs, but it didn't beat us up.
The DSG was the best automatic transmission I've ever driven. It shifted insanely quickly and allowed for very aggressive driving (I think it actually upshifted slightly *above* redline when I floored it). The paddle shifters were quite cool (though I think they should be mounted on the steering column instead of the wheel). However, as good as the DSG was, I would still choose the manual over it (even though I think it shifted faster than I could with the manual). I just didn't feel as connected to the vehicle when driving with the DSG. Not as much fun. But if I had to get a car with an auto, I'd want VW's implementation, no question.
Conclusion:
A fun car, but it doesn't compare to the Miata or RX8. If I had to go back to FWD, I'd choose either the Mini Cooper S or the Civic Si over the GTI. If I had to go with a FWD automatic, the GTI would be it.
The Bad:
Both cars felt heavy. They understeered. Steering feedback was good, but not amazing. The manual shifter didn't compare to Mazdas' and Hondas'. The chassis wasn't especially inspiring.
The Good:
The engine was excellent. No lag and was very responsive at all RPMs. ESP wasn't that intrusive, though when I turned it off I was surprised at how easily I could burn rubber. The steering wheel was very comfortable. The ride was stiffer than the last couple generation GTIs, but it didn't beat us up.
The DSG was the best automatic transmission I've ever driven. It shifted insanely quickly and allowed for very aggressive driving (I think it actually upshifted slightly *above* redline when I floored it). The paddle shifters were quite cool (though I think they should be mounted on the steering column instead of the wheel). However, as good as the DSG was, I would still choose the manual over it (even though I think it shifted faster than I could with the manual). I just didn't feel as connected to the vehicle when driving with the DSG. Not as much fun. But if I had to get a car with an auto, I'd want VW's implementation, no question.
Conclusion:
A fun car, but it doesn't compare to the Miata or RX8. If I had to go back to FWD, I'd choose either the Mini Cooper S or the Civic Si over the GTI. If I had to go with a FWD automatic, the GTI would be it.
To those of you describing it as a $25k car... you can spend that much, but you don't need to; the base GTI can be had for $22k (I know someone that paid $21.5k). It reminds me of those that call the RX8 a $30-35k car even though it's been easy to get at <$25k for a couple years (and can be had for even less now).
Someone here called the GTI nimble, but it didn't feel nimble at all to me. It wouldn't go so far as to call it a pig, but it wasn't especially responsive to direction changes (I wish they'd base the GTI on the Polo instead of the far-too-heavy Golf). If we're only considering currently-in-production FWD cars, the MCS is still the one to beat as far as being neutral and tossable.
As far as acceleration goes, it was awesome at low RPM (completely crushing the RX8 here) but it did not quite have the RX8's top end. The RX8 felt a little faster overall, but only if when both vehicles were flogged. The GTI definitely won't need as much shifting. In any case, both cars have ample power for daily driving and enough oomph to have some fun.
As far as practicality goes, the GTI has more room in the back though the RX8 also has reasonably spacious rear seats. The sliding front seats make getting into the GTI's back seats fairly trouble-free, but the RX8's back seats are still easier to access (I have a couple small kids; it'd be rough on my back loading them into the GTI). I've been able to carry some large items in the RX8 thanks to its suicide doors, but the GTI's hatch with fold-down-able rear seats offers more utility.
One thing I forgot to mention in the Miata posting was that the seats in the GTI were excellent... very supportive. Ike mentioned that the GTI seats were a little snugger than the STI seats... that's an understatement (compared to the 2005 STI anyway, in which my 160-pound frame slid all over the place).
Anyway, I wasn't blown away by the GTI... especially given that the RWD RX8 and Miata are plenty comfortable to be daily drivers and are reasonably priced.
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