I stopped by a VW dealer today to take a GTI with DSG for a spin. They didnt have one available, so I just drove the regular 6 speed. As a whole, I liked it more than I thought I would.

Exterior:

The GTI looks better in person than it does in pics. I actually really like the way it looks. I've obviously seen them on the road a lot, but I've never really paid much attention. I guess it's grown on me because I now think it's a great looking car. The Cooper S, however, still looks cooler in every way. (WINNER: Cooper S)

Interior:

I prefer the design of the Cooper S's interior to the GTI's, which is kinda bland in typical VW fashion. However, the GTI interior feels more upscale, and more comfortable. I also really liked the standard cloth seats with the plaid. The GTI also had a telescoping steering wheel, a big bright LCD display in the instrument cluster, nicer seats, and more room. I'm a small kid, and sometimes the Cooper S still feels a bit too small for comfort. The GTI def felt more open and airy inside, which was a nice change. (WINNER: GTI)

Performance: The GTI is a bit faster, but the Cooper S handles better. I also prefer the slightly stiffer suspension of the Cooper S. The VW 2.0T engine seemed a bit smoother than the Cooper S's 1.6, but it was probably just my imagination. The Cooper S's 6 speed manual feels nicer than the one in the GTI, however. (WINNER: tie)

Overall I still prefer my Cooper S. It's more fun to drive, and it has more character. However, for a daily driver, the GTI is the better of the two. It's got an awesome interior with great ergonomics, its a good value, and it's more comfortable and easier to drive than the Cooper S.

Based on this, I'd have to assume that MINI is going in the right direction with the R56. As a die-hard car enthusiast, even I would be willing to sacrifice SOME driving pleasure for more comfort and class. I think most other people will too.

 

I have never driven the GTI, but I have driven a Jetta with 2.0t +DSG, and that engine is sweet~ Smooth and powerful, almost just like a V6, just a little too quiet.

 

The Jetta 2.0T is basically a GTI with a trunk....so close enough, haha.

 

Read the Kerri thread ...

VW execs getting the boot ...

Expect some changes in the future.

 

Just don't let them touch the Exige. As a die hard driving enthusiast its all about the driving pleasure, eleiminating wha the driver can do without and closeing the gap between the driver and the road as much as possible.

 

they have 5 door GTi's in Japan. why not in the US?

or are they coming? or are they already here? or do i even care?

 

They are here and no one cares

I drove the DSG GTI when it first came out, the sales guy let me go test drive it around. Alone. For like 20 mins. man I beat the hell outta that car...
But oh boy, was I impressed with the acceleration...

 

i better check it out then. lol

 

Lol. Like I said, I dont care for the GTI enough to ever consider buying one, I just drove it to get an idea of what the new TT will be like.

And the 5 door looks a little better than the 3 door.

 

is that a 2008 model then? i dont see it at edmunds...

 

No I'm pretty sure its an '07. I've seen them on the road for quite a bit now. I'll check into it.

 

VW.com has the GTI 5 door listed as a 2007 model. I guess edmunds is slow..

 

huh, i must be looking at the wrong place then. cause i saw the 5 door
rabbit at the VW site with the aero which looked cool, but didnt see the 5 door GTi....

hummm..

 

Are you just trying to give me a hard time Ken?

It's on Edmunds http://www.edmunds.com/new/2007/volk...80/prices.html

..and its in the configurator on VW.com

..and the local VW dealer had 10+ 5 door GTIs.

The 5 door prolly looks a little more balanced, but I still prefer the 3 door.

 

I'm thinking the 5dr GTI would be a worth replacement for my Subaru wagon. We want something sporty, but with more room than either MCS offers. If it's got DSG, it's an option (3rd car must be an auto of some sort).

I need to stop by and look at it and drive. thanks for the review!

 

jep! i saw VW's site today and was following up on the other thread.

 

so when are the R32 4 doors coming to the US?
japan already has those too.

 

i think the standard gti should really be better than the r32. i mean sure the r32 has more power, but it costs more, has more weight and will only be marginally quicker.

plus the gti has less weight on the front end so it should handle better than the r32.

personally ill take a balance of handling and speed over raw speed, hence why if i had the cash i dont think id pull of buying a bigblock classic vette, id need a small block 350


as to the gti (the 3 door atleast), its a nice car, and honestly the VW community is great, but am i glad i have an MCS, though the five door gti has had me looking its way, no cash to afford it right now, but if i could id probably spring for it, the practicality of a fun car with back doors is nice even if i had to loose some of the thrills of the MCS

 

Both the R32 and GTI are fine cars. I tried both before getting my MCS. The MINI handling was better and I got out of the car with a smile on my face. The VW's were just other cars, fast but no sense of occasion and no big grin.

 

if people wanted something 'fast' there were plenty of choices for them to choose from..... its just something different.

 

The R32 will be a waste... other than the 4wd on the R32, theres not many advantages for it. Just put a chip into the GTI and you have 260hp anyway

 

Trading my aging MCS in for a GTI will set me back about $18k, but will give
me much more utility (can even take it to the mall carrying strollers, etc)
and a reset on the warranty count down. its like a semi-commuter/weekend
car.

if i decide to keep the MCS i will need to buy the ext. warranty this summer
and will also need to put a child seat in the MCS if i decide to take my
son along my weekend drives when my wife or sitter can't look after him.
this will set me back a couple of grand for just piece of mind... but still
can't really use it for anything other than weekend motoring.

whichever option i will keep my G35C, Civic, and Legacy. i like the civic
as my ways of transportation, keeping it at the airport, etc, and beater car.
my wife loves the legacy's AWD and utility. im thinking ill get the GTI and
use it as my Fri to Sun utility car and Civic as my Mon to Thurs +winter
beater until the lease is up. then GTI takes over all duties. might not
be a bad plan.

 

doesnt sound bad at all, or you could also wait for the traveller, but even though i think the mini cooper has a great design and even the new r56 is pretty good looking (though IMO r50/r53 look better) the traveller is ugly as sin, plus its going to have the annoyance of a beam in the middle of the windows since it has those ridiculous split doors, but still another option

 

^^ i think im going to try something non-BMW next time. i need to have
some form of reliability and VW lately seems to have that.

 

So is the G35 treated like some rare exotic that you only drive on the nicest of days?

That =