GULAMAN

Until 31 days ago I had the Mk.V GTI #1 on my shopping list. I had already experienced and enjoyed the 2.0T FSI coupled with the DSG gearbox, whilst testing out the Audi A3 and Jetta GLI. Let me tell ya, this is a sweet drivetrain combo; with the DSG yes, you miss the row-your-own feeling a litttle, but it does its thing so well and the semi-auto shifts are so smooth and fun in their own right. then of course you can put it in full-auto for those heavy rush hour traffic commutes.

But then I saw the preview shots and releases for the US-spec MkV online: 4x4 height, no LSD option. I knew somehow this would leave me wanting, especially as I AutoX and track regularly. So my #2 choice shot up a spot and I went for the '8. No regrets so far!
On a hypothetical long highway trip however, if the GTI seats are anything like the Jetta GLI's, they'll be quite good. along with better mpg and hatchback hauling utility, I'd probably pick the GTI for this one scenario.
now if someone could mate the VAG DSG gearbox to the Renesis, that would be something else!

Ike

4 years, Street starts are almost always slower than from a standing start, it's a dynamic every car has.

Japan8, while the reliabilty thing is a good argument, the Germans certainly haven't been great in the area as of late. However the GTI issues were almost all coilpack related in the 1.8T, that was addressed. Though it's tough to tell for sure since it has a new powerplant, I'm willing to be the new GTI will turn out being pretty reliable. The poor ratings for VW as a whole has had a lot to do with the Touareg, which has been awful from a reliabilty standpoint.

Also, I'm not trying to say the RX-8 is a bad choice for long trips, I don't think RG is either. It's just not the best choice of the 3 IMO and depending on your view of things there are certainly other picks that stand out such as a Civic that can get nearly 40mpg. There are some awful picks as well, my Evo probably being one of them, I don't even have cruise control... The first couple hours could be fun, but the last 3 would mostly involve me bitching about how sore my right leg is getting.

If I had 35k or less to spend and was making this trip regularly, my choice would probably be the GTO assuming the trip doesn't involve snowy roads. It has plenty of low and midrange grunt, good handling and highway manners, high 20s MPG highway with all that power, and a pretty spacious interior. The biggest detractors would be the small trunk and the possibility that I might look at the car in my mirrors and instantly fall asleep due to the blandness and die in a firey crash.

Ike

Everyone seems to like the DSG, I'll have to drive one with that option for kicks. Since you autox you made the right choice, if I was looking for a new car and wanted something to run regularly in a stock class I'd most likely be driving an RX-8 right now. Though it'll be interesting to see how the '06 WRX does in DS if a nationally competitive driver decides to campaign one, will also be ineteresting to see how the Solstice does considering the recent article in GRM.

Rupes

Page 69 of Car and driver March 2006. Whats it say in the box for top speed on the GTI? Opps 128...and whats the 450 mile trip fuel average...again...16MPG. I decided to use the same magazine as you for that very reason. I guess you can read whatever sections you'd like to get the results you'd like.

rotarygod

I'm definitely not saying that you can't take an RX-8 on a road trip. I've done it. It's a nice comfortable car and perfect for a couple of people. I liked driving it on a roadtrip. That's what I spent the weekend driving around Texas in during the whole hurricane Rita mess down here and I had alot of fun in it. I used to drive an RX-7 with intermittent a/c (and it was crap when it did work!), a stiff suspension, and a deafening exhaust on long roadtrips so I'm definitely not complaining. Back then it was the only thing I had and I saw no problem with it. I liked it. That's really all that counts. I only stated I'd rather take a different car because I have a different car to take that works just fine that is far nicer on the wallet when it comes to buying gas. That's the only issue. I certainly wouldn't base a buying decision solely on it's road trip ability especially when it's not something that you probably do very much. Buy a car for what it is as an overall package. By no means am I insulting the RX-8. I'm a rotary nut. I'm not going to do that.

AQA101

RX-8 is a perfect travel car, unless you care about such unimportant things as mileage.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

I just did 32 hours (with only a 2 hour break bringing the total transit time up to 34 hours) and 2400 miles and had no aches, pains or boredom in my 8.
Parts of that trip were way over 120 MPH.
The average speed works out to something like 75 MPH, but I went through many of the major cities on the route in the middle of their rush-hour, so we made up for it on the long, flat stretches.
That is 32 hours of every kind of terrain.

I did 22 hours across Europe (Prague to Amsterdam) in a GTI and I wanted to pull my teeth out with a spoon.

Given a choice, I'd probably go with a bigger Mercedes for that kind of driving, but I'd want to hide it in shame when I got where I was going. I'd rather not be cought driving a Taxi if I can help it...

rotarygod

My math adds 32+2 to equal 34. How did only a 2 hour break added onto 32 hours equal 43?

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

Because I can't type and I am philosophically opposed to proofreading.

Fixed.

captain mercury

i hadnt really thought about what bothered me about the trunk until i read this. its true, the opening is too small! in the end i usually am able to load it up with plenty of stuff, but i always have to spend extra time rotating boxes etc to get them in their.

captain mercury

the GTO is so comfortable. but boring, yes

rotarygod

lol

BlueEyes

You are nuts.

carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

If you dont like him, you have use of your Ignore button. Otherwise get used to it. I dont want whiners like you controling whose posts I read.

Sorry if that was a little harsh.

Tirminyl

Then what are you going to do about the ******** that DO own the car? Tell them to find another model specific board because they do not meet your standards?

Maybe I should just leave. I don't own an 8. Oooooh, maybe we should send inspecters out to the homes of each person that is registered so that if they do not own the car we can ban them. Who cares if they like the car, researching the car or plan on getting the car in a year. Tuff **** right?

The people on this forum as of late are the ones making me want to leave and not even come back when I do get an 8. If you as so much say something bad about the 8 you get flamed. People like you are the reason there are so many flame posts against Ike and anyone else that does not own the car, despite their reasoning. You all should take your head out of your ***.

Ike, I agree with you.

Elara

How in the world do you even survive on the internet? Every forum, of every kind (currently I'm on this one, some other automotive forums, a fish forum, a baby forum, and several gaming forums) have this personality type. If you don't like what he's saying just ignore him. Ike used to **** me off, but now I just chalk it up to Ike doing what he does best and having to get a word in edgewise wherever he can, and let it just roll off. It's not worth getting pissed over some goof on the internet you'll probably never meet

And with that said, I'd rather drive my 8 on long trips than our stationwagon. I haven't driven many of the other cars in question, so I can't testify to their long-distance fun, but boy do I love taking mine cross-country.

Raptor2k

Later, we won't miss you.

BunnyGirl

Boy, the maturity level here is astounding. I feel like I stepped back in time to junior high! You don't give the right answer and suddenly you should be banned? Agree with someone or act civil to someone that someone else has an issue or disagreement with you get attacked and should also be banned? I'm sorry but some people on here really need to grow up and act like adults. Comes in handy in the real world.

Life is not about everyone agreeing with you and giving all the answers you want to hear. If people can't accept that fact and stop attacking others, then maybe they shouldn't be posting here.



Now, on the subject of which car I would pick, I pick the RX-8. That is the only vehicle I have driven on that list, so I can't pick one of the others without knowing how they drive and handle. I'll just stick with what I know on this one.

Rupes

I could care less what car Ike likes. In fact I think his viewpoint is refreshing most of the time. I just was keeping him in check with his "facts". If you like a car more, thats great, I just don't think (as Bush said) "fuzzy numbers" should be used in your comparison.

carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

^^^Wow.

mysql101

I love my RX-8, but I don't think I'd care to go on long trips in it. Fuel economy is only one part of the reason. Kids wouldn't have space to play around in the rear seats, is another. I can come up with others, but those are the two primary ones off the top of my head.

I like to think of my 8 as a toy, it's fun to play with, and I don't sweat the economics of it.

BlueEyes

Oh the irony.

Japan8

If one doesn't mind FWD and VW has really addressed the issues, then I could agree with you. I'd need to actually test drive one first though. The only thing that could still be said is that ANYTHING German costs a lot to fix... ditch it before the warranty is up. As far as the NEW R32... like I said... sat in it at the Tokyo Motorshow... it looks pretty hot, I love the steering wheel/dash and the seats definitely hold you in, but seemed maybe a little snug for my big ***. Maybe it's because I'm used to the seats in my S-Wagon (Protege5)...

Oh, I agree with you. Comfort, luggage space, decent gas mileage and highway passing power are important things to have in this kind of situation. My car doesn't have cruise control (actually most JDM cars don't except the luxo cars and vans).. it's a pain the *** the few times I have taken it on long drives. OTOH... it makes you take more breaks, which is a good thing. People often misjudge how tired they are when they're driving and go for too long.

LMAO!

Funny though... the way many people talk about the GTO, you'd think it handled like a pig. The best impartial opinions I've heard sound like yours. Too bad the styling is so damn dull. Under $35k... GTO, G35c, Legacy GT, Mazdaspeed6 would be my top choices.

New Yorker

Not to hijack my own thread but, FWIW, I find Ike's comments generally well thought out, objective and helpful. And, as a prospective owner, I like the fact that someone intelligently presents the less popular, opposing point of view. Heck, if I were President, I'd want someone like Ike close by so that I could be exposed to the "other" way of looking at an issue before making my decision. Also don't forget that when one has fallen in love, as many here understandably have, one tends to overlook shortcomings. The shortcomings are good to know, but the fact that so many have fallen in love is good to know, too. (As it stands now, I have a feeling it'll be an 8 I'll have the pleasure of driving this spring.)

BlueEyes

The 8 is Jesus' favourite car.