map

This may be an odd car to cross shop with an 8, but i went to the dealer today to check them out when i saw one sitting in the showroom. I've always been a GTI fan, but had moved on in recent years to lusting over other cars. To my surprise the GTI was really nice. LOVE those seats, particularly with the leather. I'm 6'4" and fit inside very comfortably. The interior was highclass. I like the exterior too, just wish the rims for the 18" wheel option weren't so goofy.

Of course, it's fwd, so the 8 definatly has that on it, but according to every review it still handles extremely well. Dynos have started showing up saying it's putting very close to 200hp to the WHEELS, and chipping easily increases that to over 225hp. Torque is abundant throughout the rev range like most VWs, and the dsg transmission is getting raves.

Overall i was very impressed with what i saw, and am adding it to my list along with the 8. I didn't test drive it, but definatly will in the next few months as i shrink the list. Of course, reliability is scary but it *seems* well built. In the end that will probably be the factor that prevents me from going that route regardless of how good the rest is.

Any board members have a chance to try it out yet?

ECHO1

what's your timeline like? perhaps you should wait for the new r32 to debut...it's funny that reliability is a major issue for you. you sure you want a rotary? :D

Japan8

I checked out the new r32 at the Tokyo Motorshow. That car is badass! Inside and out... if the price was right... it'd definitely be on my list.

Ike

I thought the exact same thing, I'm glad you said it...

Also, last I heard there are no official plans to bring the new R32 to the US, if it does happen it won't be til next year.

BTW, The new GTI seems like a great little car, I see no reason to not cross shop it with the RX-8 unless you're totally opposed to FWD.

BlueEyes

I'm really liking the looks of the GTI. If they do bring the R32, it'll be substantially more, and likely not available in Canada, again. The GTI isn't here yet either, but when it gets here, im going to try to get a drive.

Japan8

Let me guess Ike... no FWD for you, huh?

Ike

I seriously considered the new GTI, but in the end that was the deal breaker, in fact I didn't even go test drive it for that reason. The GTI is one of those cars that I would love to see parked next to my car in the garage (RX-8 is another), but not one I'd want as my daily ride.

BlueEyes

Here is a nifty site for the GTI.
http://www.vwfeatures.com/
So everyone knows, I'd be rockin' Candy white with the plaid interior.

Ike

That would be my choice, I also love the new GTI commercials.

yiksing

From a roll starting 80km/h, its straight line acceleration is dead even with the 8. Tried it yesterday.

map

For the US the cloth plaid seats are different than Euro, they're not as bolstered. The leather ones are the same, and they were comfy as hell. I'd get the leather based on the better seats. Didn't much care for the look of the plaid in person either. Other differences from euro spec are a 25mm increase in ride height and slightly softened suspension (not as bad as previous generations though).

map

It's not that i think it's less car, just so different. A rwd sporty coupe vs a small fwd hatchback. They are similiarly priced considering discounts on 8's and lack of discounts currently on the GTI. I feel like i'd be getting more for my money with an 8, but then after seeing the GTI i can't see why i think that.

I just got a new job, haven't even started yet though. I'll be saving up a couple months still before i buy. I can't wait to get out of my 97 Camry.

*edit - sorry about the double post, i thought it'd combine automatically

saturn

Wow, I'm surprised to see the comparisons even being made. Even if the cost, power, and reliability comparisons were exactly the same, the styles are so completely different. It's like night and day to me. Then again, I guess the RX-8 is pretty unique so every comparison is a bit different.

I suppose you're either in the 350Z camp, STi/Evo camp, S2K/Miata camp, or GTI camp when considering cars other than the RX-8. Sound about right?

map

i am in the RX-8 camp, used G35 camp, and the hey that GTI is pretty cool camp

Ike

I'm in the OMG look at all these hot, horny, naked women camp. You guys picked the wrong camp...

BlueEyes

I was in that camp, then I went to the fat chicks give good head camp, then the lights when on, then I came back to that camp, and now I have bad dreams.

Chrisbert

I've always like the Rabbit / Golf GTI look. It was, in my younger days, the hot hatch to have. (1982 and on...)

snizzle

BlueEyes: that was frickin' hilarious!!

I'm in the surrounded my idiots camp....



haha, j/k guys!

snizzle

I'm afraid to purchase VW. Two people here @work (not that i'd be on RX8Club at work or anything) have had their bumpers fall off their cars while sitting in the parking lot. I think it was a flaw w/that particular model but still.... that's sad.

bascho

^ bumpers fell off......that reminds me of the movie Gung Ho with Micheal Keaton.

dwill9578

the commerical with the guy telling his GF to quit the yappin so he can hear is car was classic! He said what millions of guys wish they could.

Vader8

I had an '03 jetta 1.8t and I really liked it until after about a year when the paint started getting all these wierd, light colored spots all over. I took it to the dealer and they said it looked like the clear coat was bad or some crap and that they would have to repaint it. Well after they dicked around for 6 months and kept giving excuses I traded it and now have my VR 8 with no complaints.

Japan8

Why not as your daily ride?

I can understand the FWD being the deal breaker. I hate FWD too. The price of a GTI loaded isn't cheap either... checking it out on VW'S site... you're hitting Mustang GT territory... no question which I'd get then. RWD and A LOT more power... take a guess.

So you'd consider a GTI over an 8 as a daily driver? If so, would this be because of gas mileage? If gas mileage wasn't a factor?

Ike

The reason why I wouldn't want them as my daily ride is because they just lack the umph I want in my daily ride. Ride quality wise they're both better than my current car, but I don't need a cushy ride.

Not sure which I would chose between the GTI and the RX-8, mileage is certainly a factor with the RX-8 but so is the flooding issue. I make a lot of short trips throughout the day and I'd just be setting myself up to flood eventually. I can't have a car that I'd worry about leaving me stranded. The modability of the 2.0T is much greater than the renesis so that would be a big factor for me as well.

What I really meant though is that I wouldn't want to own an RX-8 or a GTI but if my girlfriend did it would be fun to be able to drive them when I wanted to.

Japan8

I see now.

Yeah... the new GTI is sharp (and r32 even more so), but damn... checking it out on VW's site... easily hits $26,000 MSRP. That's a bit much for a car that is a Civic Si/Cobalt SS competitor. As I mentioned in another thread and others have pointed out here... concerns about reliability in the VW too. Those things and FWD make it less than perfect... although AWD and a beefy V6 (read r32) would clear much of that up for me. Maybe I'll still check it out when I'm car shopping.

I worry less about flooding in the RX-8 if you have the newer flashes and starter motor. My bigger concern is power and gas mileage to a lesser degree (I figure I'll be living with my parents for awhile once I move back so I'll have some money to spare).

No perfect car out there... oh well. Guess I'll just have to take them both out for a spirited test drive...