G'day everyone

Ok well I know you guys are going to find what I am going to say heretical but please bear with me........ Ok??

I have had my Cooper S 2005 for about 3yrs now and its time for a change,You know boredom out of warranty yaddah yaddah....
Well I have driven a few cars and have decided the 2007 Golf Gti with Dsg is the route to go
The Dsg gives me all the advantages of both Manual and auto and with an APR chip for $599 I can get my car to 250hp and 303 Lb/Ft torque with Nav and all others nicities such as Heated seats good stereo nice wheels cost me $29000 I think thats a great comparison to a 2007 Cooper S
Anyone disagree??

 

I keep my cars a lot longer than 3 years, but I'm prolly more of a collector. I buy a car for good and have tried to keep it so I've got room for them. If that weren't the case, I'd prolly be swapping cars every 3 years too. Life's too short to drive the same car forever. Swap it. If you're only keeping cars for 3 years consider buying 5 to 10 years used. You'll have a whole lot more money for mods, the mod options are always better, and that lack of constant massive depreciation will let you step up to the next class of cars (like Porsche, BMW MZ3 Coupe, Elise) and you'll still be able to afford the out-of-warranty service. Notice I didn't say better class of cars, just next, meaning cars that many folks don't consider reasonable cost for transportation.

Dsg giving all the advantages of both Manual and auto is debatable. Again I buy for keeps and for me it'd be an expensive liability over the years. Dsg or any semi auto doesn't seem like driving to me, especially in a sports car. I'll save that for when I'm old and can't stand moving my left foot.

GTI seems like a great alternative to the MINI and you'll meet some new folks and learn all new tech, mods, etc.

 

You should be able to make a good deal. The GTI is a nice car, but does not hold its value any where near as good as a MINI.

 

Immediately after test driving a R56 MCS I test drove a GTI with the paddle shifters. Yawn! I thought it was not nearly as much fun to drive as the MINI. I felt like I should be wearing a suit and commuting to a 9-5. It handled well on the rough twisty farm roads we drove it on, but didn't feel like a sports car. It felt like the comprimise car that the wife made me settle on instead of a MINI. Those were my subjective impressions -- YMMV.

 

The GTI is a very nice large hatchback. The size and weight were pretty much the big turn-offs for me, which is why I chose the R56. If you dig the Mk5, then you'll love owning it for sure. The 2.0T engine is awesome, and APR makes great stuff for them.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Since it is all about personal preference and that is all that really counts, who am I to disagree with your decision - if you like it go for it. DSG, torque, etc are all good

As for me I'm more inclined to be hankering for rear wheel drive again, or perhaps awd in the right package, for something different.

 

The Mk5 GTI is an excellent car in many ways. You'll certainly have a more comfortable ride than the Mini in just about every way possible. The car is plenty quick, too. I would be just the tiniest bit hesitant to chip the DSG, though. Do your homework by spending some time on the 2.0FSI technical forum at vwvortex.com. There may be some concerns about putting the DSG transmission under all that extra torque. There is no doubt that the 2.0T engien itself responds well to chipping and other mods, but the DSG may be another story. But even without mods, the GTI is still a great performing car.

 

There's a VW dealer 5 minutes from my house I just went to test drive the GTI DSG 'cause of this post (yes I have no life). The price he gave me was just a tad over 26K for package 2 and no nav.

I liked the VW shifters more than than the mini paddle shifters they looked better, were more intuitive and the transmission felt much more responsive. But overall I felt that the car was less fun to drive than even the automatic MCS. However if I had to choose between the MC and the GTI both in auto I would probably pick the GTI but even then it would be a hard decision since the MINI looks so cool.

 

Guess I'll chime in on this from a slightly different perspective for all of you debating the merits of the GTI vs MCS. I own a fully loaded 06 GLI (Jetta version of the GTI = same 2.0T with DSG). I have another Jetta also, and am a huge V-Dub fan. Having said that......

I am ordering an MCS. To me, though the MCS and GTI are in similar mechanical territory, they are in totally different emotional categories. Ever notice who drives GTI's? = 16-30 year old males. Not saying you'all are old (I'm in my twenties) or that I'm getting old , but most MINI drivers around these parts are mostly all slightly older 30+ folks. Why? Every time I tell one of my buddies that I'm getting an MCS, they laugh and call me something along the lines of "girly man." No one ever tells me I have a "cute" GLI, but I hear people calling the MINI "cute." Now to me, the driving dynamics and aesthetic potential of the MCS is astounding. But I think the MINI is a car that must be DRIVEN to be appreciated in the same terms (mechanically) as the GTI, which I consider a "racy" vehicle. You begin to appreciate the aesthetics after knowing the mechanical capabilities of the MCS. Also, I feel as though the quirky-ness of the MCS makes it unique and makes it have an aura of quality to it. Yes, the GTI's are very well appointed and "traditional" compared to MINI's, but are fairly poor in quality and you don't get that " I'm in a special vehicle" feel till you hit the throttle. So in other words, the GTI is bland compared to the MCS.

Dub related issues from my perspective:

1.DSG is supposed to handle APR's software of up to 250HP/300TQ (flyweel)
2.DSG supposedly governs power to acceptable levels.
3.NO factory LSD. Poor traction off the line in my GLI.
4.Poor VW quality and service. (Not just from one dealer in my experience.)
5.GTI is a heavy car and corners like it. Aftermarket suspension is a must.
6.Doesn't corner NEARLY as well as the MCS.
7.DSG SUCKS in daily traffic. Since DSG is computer controlled, there is lag when applying normal throttle. The DSG wants to shift into 6th going 30mph!
8.DSG/2.0T UNSTOPPABLE in open throttle driving. Absolutely BRILLIANT. No lag at all.
9.2.0T with 6SP Manual is that way to go if not going MCS. No tranny/software lag, easier/shorter shiffting than the Getrag, and limitless power upgrade potential.
10. 2.0T has very very little turbo lag. Again, amazing engine.

Again, these are just my OPINIONS on this matter so don't get your panties in a twist.

BTW, I'd still be your friend if you bought the GTI though..

 

4 year warranty-you might be out of the maintenance period but warranty?

You could always keep the MINI as a spare vehicle so you don't have to buy another when you get bored with the new one. You'd have some "freshness" every time you swapped. (only half kidding!)

 

BTW, the Nav system freezes on me constantly and doesn't seem to have many points of interest. Stock, my GLI gets around 28 mpg average on premo gas. And no matter what they say, you still can't beat the ole shiffter. You either decide between the manual or the auto, not say that you can "do" both with a DSG because it is still "automatic" in function. What I love about shiffting is the process involved. Paddle shifting is brilliant, but the novelty wears off and shifting around turns is difficult since the paddles move with the steering wheel. The stereo is very underpowered that comes with the Nav system. But please, don't let me discourage you!

For some encouragement, the Sport mode on the DSG does provide some lag relief in daily driving, but you'll end up with around 23-25mpg.

 

The GTI was a very close second choice for me. In fact, for a while, it was my first choice. I just felt the MINI was more fun. Bottom line, if I wasn't gonna get a MINI, the new GTI is the only alternative.

BTW, the 2007 GTI is a very different animal than the 2006's, so at least some of DV8MINI's comments don't apply.

 

According to my VW dealer: Slightly shorter springs for reduced body height and Launch Control for the DSG. But still no LSD. I must have missed the "very different animal" when I drove the GTI last week.

Now what is a very different animal "kind of" is the manual vs manumatic DSG.

 

The DSG is entirely new. The handling and weight have been drastically improved. Check out Edmunds, C&D, MT reviews.

 

I drove both last week and the 07 DSG drivability seems nearly identical to my 06 DSG. But I would like to know for my sake if the DSG has been "improved." Launch control is the only differing item I know of, and heaven knows what the DSG will be like after 50K launches.

Also, in what ways have the handling and weight been drastically improved? Please link me to an article stating this...I may want to upgrade my GLI.

 

I don't have the links, as I read the hard copy versions, except for Edmonds. In all, they describe the DSG as being a totally new design that is, in effect, 2 separate manual transmissions with automatic clutching, which operates much faster than can be done manually. I personally haven't compared the 2006 and 2007 GTI's, so I am just going by what they said and my test drive of the GTI, which I found very impressive.

 

I'm a big Audi / VW fan and the A3 2.0 and GTI 2.0 (both DSG) were top runners-up in my decision to get a MINI.

The DSG is just lovely and there's a whole host of aftermarket fun available for both of these VAG cars. Unfortunately, I figured that I'd need to put a good chunk of money into either to get them to perform well and feel like they had a personality. With springs, a chip, and wheels, they can be fun to drive and to look at.

Unfortunately, for me, the GTI in particular is only amazing on paper. In reality, it's a bore to drive up to 6/10ths (i.e., 80% of the time), feels dopey and cheap in stock form, and looks only so-so. The MINI, on the other hand, has gobs of personality, is a riot to drive at any level, and will hold resale MUCH better than anything from VW.

I'm a big supporter of buying whatever you want, but I fail to see how the stock GTI stacks up next to a similarly equipped MINI.

 

I think you are thinking that the 2006 is the MK4 when actually the MK5 started in 2006. The 2006 GTI/GLI that I am referring to is the same platform/model (5th Gen) as the 2007 GTI/GLI. VW didn't even have the DSG tranny nor the 2.0T in the MK4 models. Yes, the MK5 GTI/GLI's are totally different animals than the MK4s, but the 06 model was the first production year (for the USA) for the MK5s. Hence, 06=07, besides the lower springs and Launch Control.

And though I seem to be bashing it, the GLI still brings a smile to my face 28,000 miles into it!

 

Was it that long ago I read about it?

 

lol...look at my first post under this topic. Something I said about "older 30+ folks driving MINIs". Just proves my point....


J/K. I'm not even 30 and without my Palm Treo, I'd be lost in the woods.

 

I think you're right about the age differences between these cars' buyers. The GTI will get way more tech hungry Car & Driver junkies who read about the track runs/numbers in the chipped/modded cars than Mini buyers. But you should get the manual transmission in either car. After the thrill wears off, the paddle shifters and stuff like that doesn't get used much unless you're showing someone in the car how cool it is.

 

Hey People
Thx so very much for all your inputs! I will miss the Mini Forum,but I have just been to Global Imports and priced a 2007 spec'd similar to the Golf Gti and its over 36K!! No way will I pay that for a Cooper Sorry
So now I will be selling my car So on that subjct are people getting Edmunds/Kbb values for their Resales???

 

Hey Good luck with your GTI. It is an excellent vehicle no matter what I said! You must be in ATL? Make sure you check out APR in Auburn, AL when you purchase your GTI. And also, though it is a different crowd, check out vwvortex if you haven't already. Bunch of young guns there....lol

 

Hey Dv8...........
Thanks I will
The Apr sounds like it makes this car a lotta fun??

 

Edmunds resale prices are a lot lower than KBB for the exact same car/condition. I've found the difference to be about 15% for a 6-8K car. The sellers and dealers always quote KBB, and the buyers quote Edmunds of course. You meet somewhere in the middle depending on how bad they need to sell it and how bad you wanna buy it.
I didn't think you could spend 36K on a Mini no matter what you put on it without the JCW kits. Oh well, enjoy the GTI.