The GTI comes with a 180HP turbocharged engine with a 200HP V-6 as an option. Also has available both a 5 & 6 speed manual. Noticed a red one the other day and it looked a lot better than the Focus. Not "cool" like the MINI but smooth and European in it's appearance. Anybody check one out?

 

yeah the gti is a really sweet car

i wil seriously look into it when the R32 comes out

 

I have looked at them. One weird thing if I remember correctly is that it has a solid rear axle?? The mini's handling is far superior.

 

Looked at a 20th Anniversary GTI with the 180 HP turbo on the lot last week. Just looked, but it is a "numbered" edition with 18" wheels, summer tires and painted calipers. No big brake kit, just paint. Interior doesn't look bad, but I am so used to the MINI now. I had a '99 GTI...can't imagine the handling has changed all that much. MINI is glued to the road, GTI dipped it's nose in the corners. Would be interested to drive a new GTI though...

 

 

Well, my MCS is the replacement for my 2001.5 VW GTI 1.8t.

Would not go back for anything! With mods, I had it up to about 225hp and it was certainly faster, but the solid rear axle makes for some uncomfortable situations when you are ripping around a tight turn on 3 wheels! The MINI's handling blows away the GTI and I would bet that on a tight race-track, my stock MINI would have quicker lap times than my modded GTI just because it can hold the speed in the turns.

The best thing going for the GTI though is the 1.8t engine which is a tuners wet dream. You can do so much with it to get massive power with relatively inexpensive mods.

I'll stick with my MINI though and have no regrets about giving up the Rave Green GTI which I considered my training vehicle while I waited for the MINI's to be released.

 

dandp,

Before I saw your MINI I had gone to the Tire Racks website and looked at the 52 different wheels you could put on the MINI of your choice. My favorite by far are the wheels you have...the Prodriver by OZ racing. I noticed they are currently not available at the Tire Rack. My guess is a lot of other MINI owners have noticed how great they look. Wanna sell yours?......or maybe trade for something? Paradyne stereo speakers. Set of perfect white Toyota Supra wheels etc?

 

I got a friend with a gti, hes got a cold air intake, chip, better turbo (not sure what kind?) and a turbo timer. It really fast but I could take him in the corners with my cooper.

 

I've driven a 1.8T GTI, and while the engine is smooth and powerful and massively torquey, the handling is terribly mushy and sloppy. Body roll is downright scary at times.
Here in Mexico we have (in my opinion) a better alternative to the GTI in the SEAT Leon Cupra.
Seat is a VW company and the Leon is basically a GTI clone with more "sporty" aspirations.
In this car the 1.8T engine is available in either 180hp or 210hp for the Cupra model, which also comes standard with recaro seats. The interior is straight out of the Audi A3's parts bin yet the car costs quite a bit less than it's VW/Audi cousins.
Handles better than a GTI, but definitely NOT better than an MCS.
Not a bad car, and one that I would like to see in the States, though I won't be trading my MCS for one any time soon!

SEAT LEON 1.8T:



_________________

 

That's a sweet ride. The only advantage I see is:
1. a nice trip to mexico to get one
2. it's 4 doors.

I'm still keeping my MCS

 

From a purely physical appearance standpoint, the Golf/GTI is turning more Focus-y for the 2005 model year. Downright ugly at first look, gets successively more appealing at each look thereafter, but remains icky compared to the present body style--my opinion, of course.

 

>>From a purely physical appearance standpoint, the Golf/GTI is turning more Focus-y for the 2005 model year. Downright ugly at first look, gets successively more appealing at each look thereafter, but remains icky compared to the present body style--my opinion, of course.


i would say the 2005 models looks more like the civic si than the focus :smile: both ugly

 

<<<i would say the 2005 models looks more like the civic si than the focus both ugly>>>

Yeah, that too. I think the Si and the Focus are essentially the same flava, if you will... Either way, they're killing a good thing.

 

agreed omtoast

but check out the blue R32 above

 

I replaced my 2000 GTI VR-6 (174 hp) with my MCS.
Two very different cars.
The VW is bigger with a much larger storage area behind the rear seats.
The GTI is also faster in acceleration and about the same top speed.
It is a more luxurious car than the MINI (both of my cars came with leather).
Its engine is much torquier than the MCS but then again it had a larger engine (2.8 ltrs v. 1.6 ltrs).
Handling - the GTI is a PIG compared to the MCS. Not the same ball park, not even the same game.
The GTI is sensible, the MCS sensual. Design goes to the MCS hands down.
Transmission wise, the GTI is a typical 5-speed FWD (stick in the ole marshmallow), the MCS has one of the sweetest 6-speeds of anything I've ever driven.
Torque steer, acceptable levels in both, but the GTI has more torque and more torque steer.
Clutch. Very progressive in the MCS, a little high in the GTI.
Fun factor: MCS 10 GTI 8

No regrets in trading cars.

_________________
BLUBELLE - 2003 MCS IB /W Premium, Sport, Cold pkgs, Lapis blue interior, Magnecor wires, Alta Pulley, Moss Skid Plate, Chrome Trim Interior

 

Not a GTI but maybe this will help

Make/Model _HP/Torque _¼ mile/ speed _0-60/60-0 _200ft skidpad

Mini Cooper S _163/155 _15.3@ 91.8 _7.1sec/ 123ft. _0.91g

Volkswagon Jetta GLI _200/195 _16.06@ 85.72 _8.44sec/ 136ft. _0.81g

Volkswagon T BeetleS _180/173 _15.20@ 91.60 _7.10sec/ 130ft. _0.87g

Make/Model___LBS. per HP ratio
Mini Cooper S____15.4 lbs.
Volkswagon Jetta GLI___15.7 lbs.
Volkswagon T Beetle S___16.7 lbs.

I'll see if I can find the info on the GTI.

 

<<<but check out the blue R32 above >>>

Oh yeah. Me likey verrrrrrrrrrry much. I'm a Golf/GTI *****.

 

>><<<but check out the blue R32 above >>>
>>
>>Oh yeah. Me likey verrrrrrrrrrry much. I'm a Golf/GTI *****.


i will leave that alone

 

A friend of mine just put down a $500 deposit for his R32 (he drives a 2001 GTI 1.8t). Supposed delivery is beginning of the year. Will advise when he gets it: MCS with pulley v. R 32.

_________________
BLUBELLE - 2003 MCS IB /W Premium, Sport, Cold pkgs, Lapis blue interior, Magnecor wires, Alta Pulley, Moss Skid Plate, Chrome Trim Interior

 

i learned stick on my friends 2002 gti 1.8 t.. its a great car.

 

>>A friend of mine just put down a $500 deposit for his R32 (he drives a 2001 GTI 1.8t). Supposed delivery is beginning of the year. Will advise when he gets it: MCS with pulley v. R 32.
>>


i will put my $$ on the r32, as much as i love my mcs
this is what someone had to say about it

"The fastest and most powerful stock VW ever to be produced. This vehicle is sure to make another legendary mark for VW. The R32 exhibits the same qualities of it's predecessors: small, maneuverable fun to drive, and obsessive to own.

The V6 engine is still a reduced angle 6 cylinder 24V with 3.2L displacement. Horsepower is 241 and torque is 236 - joined with a 6 speed 4MOTION transmission. Redline is a bit higher then the VR6 at 7000. The whole thing weighs in at 3,256 pounds.

The VW R32 runs the quarter in 14.8, quick off the line but it has an approximate 24% power loss on the drive line compared to it's 2 wheel drive VR6 predecessor. Stock 18" wheels.

The VW R32 is not so hot out of the box for a 3.2L. But, rest assured... like the VR6 before it – R32 has enormous potential. When tuners and fanatics get their hands on this machine it will surely brutalize any rice back to the grass from which it was grown."


some more pics

 

I got my $ on the r32 too. Throw in some twisties and its a different story.

 

safe bet ray :smile:

just like betting on me, when i race you

 

My daughter owns a GTI VR6. Talk about a pocket rocket!!!! It goes faster than anything I've ever driven and it handles pretty well. I do believe the twisties are better in a MINI. Still a great car. She beats all of asia off the block and leaves them in the dust! She had the option of buying a MINI or the GTI and chose the GTI because the MINI had an "old" persons image she said.

 

Wanna race for slips ryan?

Wow your daughter can beat a whole continent of people off the block TMGRobyn?...interesting but unlikely...