My dad has a 2006 JustaCooper and had it at the shop having some paintless dent removal done. He told me he was getting the new car itch and was looking at the new Mini's in the showroom, but he really didn't like the new HUGE speedometers. He also was given a loaner MCS turbo w/automatic and he didn't like the hesitation on the throttle. So while we waited on his car, I suggested he try the new GTI. So we went down and test drove a 2012 GTI 6 speed manual. Here are my thoughts; the interior is nice and well built and it rides nice and has a bit more room than the Mini. Great seats! BUT, I found that the car felt VERY sterile. The clutch and shifter were so light as to be void of any feeling at all. The steering did not feel particularly sporty, though I did like the wheel. The engine, despite being a turbo and having a low peak torque, didn't feel that strong to me. The most telling thing of all was when I asked my dad after he got home "how did your Mini feel after driving the GTI?" and replied that he liked his 2006 Justa better than the new GTI!

 

I test drove a GTI with the paddle shifters...and I thought it was wonderful....the transmissions and nanosecond shifts for sure

I will agree...it is vanilla by design....stay Mini!

 

I just think the new Jetta & Golf in the looks alone are a major downgrade from the previous generation. The new Golf R is so boring looking compared to the R32.

 

I'm still a huge fan of the GTI. I actually miss some things about it. If I went back to GTI though I'd miss some things I love about the MINI. I wish I could own both at the same time, but then I'd never know which one to drive each day. ;-)

As for the shifting be "feeling-less" in the GTI it's actually such a quick, smooth shift, that fast shifting in it is AMAZING (I miss that). I do not get the same shifting experience in the MINI. The gears are farther apart and are more stiff. And yup, I agree about the seats, I miss the seats. And the steering wheel (which I am fixing in my MINI this coming weekend - just got the JCW leather wheel!). I do not agree that the GTI engine/turbo wasn't strong. It was quite quick! It just doesn't have that lawnmower engine feel/sound to it that the MINI does. It's pretty much an Audi, which is a more luxury ride than a go-cart ride. It's all what you are used to, really. I knew I'd have to adjust to going MINI, and it's the same the other way around too.

The MINI is wayyyyyyy more eye-appealing, agreed! And it's loads of fun to drive!! I am enjoying the go-cart ride a lot. And I am SO excited to put in the new steering wheel. Can. Not. Wait! :-)

Where VW lost me was when they changed the grill. I liked mine with the more Audi-looking grill. Now it's thin and straight across. Yawn. Sigh...