Had the GTI for a little while now...the good, the bad...

[supersly_jones]

Originally Posted by skittleslegend

I can't quite remember what mag did the test, but I believe it may've been SCC or someone. They had 6 drivers, 2 each with the same skill set. 2 pros, 2 amateurs and 2 hobbyists I believe and the variances between the Si's time vs. the GTI's time was something like 1-3 seconds depending on which drivers were in the cars.

The GTI's suspension is no big deal and being that I autoX and like to take it on our backroads here, is totally fixable. But I think moreso than the suspension, the heavy-weight really set me off. Again, not that it's a big deal because it has the power to move it around, but I suppose I'm just biased to my 97 HX. That car was pretty light and tossable and fun to drive. The GTI is fun to drive too, though, I just found it not as tossable I suppose. Or maybe the power came on two easy? I'm so used to high revving Hondas, it's a little unorthodox for me getting into another vehicle. I remember driving my uncles 300Z. 600hp twin turbo. Crazy. It was fun, but again, very unsual for me.

I think I need to test drive the GTI again and try to seperate it from my torque-less bias. hehe.....

they're was that one and someone had one with a test on same race tires and the si still one

[supersly_jones]

Originally Posted by skittleslegend

I can't quite remember what mag did the test, but I believe it may've been SCC or someone. They had 6 drivers, 2 each with the same skill set. 2 pros, 2 amateurs and 2 hobbyists I believe and the variances between the Si's time vs. the GTI's time was something like 1-3 seconds depending on which drivers were in the cars.

The GTI's suspension is no big deal and being that I autoX and like to take it on our backroads here, is totally fixable. But I think moreso than the suspension, the heavy-weight really set me off. Again, not that it's a big deal because it has the power to move it around, but I suppose I'm just biased to my 97 HX. That car was pretty light and tossable and fun to drive. The GTI is fun to drive too, though, I just found it not as tossable I suppose. Or maybe the power came on two easy? I'm so used to high revving Hondas, it's a little unorthodox for me getting into another vehicle. I remember driving my uncles 300Z. 600hp twin turbo. Crazy. It was fun, but again, very unsual for me.

I think I need to test drive the GTI again and try to seperate it from my torque-less bias. hehe.....

they're was that one and someone had one with a test on same race tires and the si still one

[aphex301]

Ive actually had the chance to test drive the new GTI too. I was going to buy it the day I drove it because I liked it soo much. My two sway points that help me back were:

1.) The insurance was more than I expected for that car. A 2.0L turbo VW, is more to insure than a 2.0L Honda.

2.) Options on those GTI's are very very pricey, Like NoRegrets said, the leather option was 3k. Price out the GTI with a XM radio package, dual climate control, 18in Wheels...your now in the ballpark of 28k, not even close to the base MSRP that was close to 22-23k.

The GTI was a bad-ass car, its definitely a toss up between the SI in coolness factor. But the 28k market(added options on GTI) and 22k market are totally different.

I wish i had a GTI just so I can be like "Vee-Dub in da haus ya'll." Those commercials are the greatest. I cant get enough of them. The euro commercials are just great too. VW has marketing down.

Check out this awesome VW commercial.
Singing in the rain..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwkKvO73d94

and this one, not for beginners. Made me laugh really hard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0nl8kB2SuY

Watch those.

-Matt

[NoRegrets78]

Best VW Commercials Ever...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wThExaW14...ch=vw%20unpimp

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_m9DOjot3...ch=vw%20unpimp

http://youtube.com/watch?v=omniix7MQ...ch=vw%20unpimp

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5gE1z770JAY&search=vw%20fast

My GTI was 24K plus tax. With the 18's and package 1 which has sunroof and satellite radio. With all you get in the car, its worth every penny.

[Slowride]

Yes, this is an old, old old thread, but I was wondering how the GTI is holding up.

and...

That marketing was horrible in my opinion.

I zap the channel the second I see one coming. Most VW drivers are viewed as arrogant yuppie types who put Apple stickers on their windows, so I'm sure the "holier than thou" message those commercials send didn't help.

[NoRegrets78]

Dead thread...but its time for a revival and an update.

Let me be absolutely clear...I have no regrets getting the GTI as it was a lot of fun, very interesting and above all, a learning experience.

DO NOT BUY A BPY ENGINE GTI! The fuel system is teh suck, the cam follower they use for the HPFP is a joke, and overall, the engine is completely unreliable. My fault for going with VW over Honda.

I'm happy to report I'm the proud owner of a new 2008 Element EX AWD as my daily, and am looking forward to leasing the toy I wanted from the start, a 2009(8) Civic Si :)

[ryker]

I love a VW and love the GTI. But I passed on a new engine design from VW. Now in about three years the 2.0T engine will have the bugs worked out. Till then I'll put around in my Ex.

[NoRegrets78]

It's already happened. The 2.0T that was in my car was BPY, the new one is CCTA and WORLDS better in almost every way.

Some of the other issues with the GTI:

Wheel bearings
Diverter valve failures
PCV valve failures
Airbag faults
Wastegates
HPFP Cam and follower failures
Seat squeeks
RATTLES RATTLES RATTLES!!! My new element is made of complete plastic and has less rattles than my GTI ever did!

None of these are minor systems. I counted on this car being a reliable daily and it seemed I was in the shop more for crap than I was for maintenance (did every service at the dealer to ensure no warranty problems.)

I probably should have stuck with honda but I needed to venture out (came from a long line of hondas), glad that I did but I am SOOO happy to be home :)

[ryker]

The issue with VW is like most German cars. When you add in extra features you add in chances for things to break and/or rattle.

Honda is econo box and simply has less. Less to break and less to rattle. Doesn't excuse VW though- becuase my 2001 Golf had airbag issues repaired three times by first owner.

Turbo issues with divertor or wastegates is also un-excusable. VW has had decades of turbo building to get this down correctly.

It's a shame that the VW car is soo nice yet poor quality. Thats what swayed me away.

[icewildabeast]

Welcome to honda reliability intead of V-dub liability

:)

[ryker]

Not my first Honda. Loved my first Honda - the little Insight. However it lacked cruise control and many other features. Then went to VW Golf for about three years. Wife had an Audi TT and a Jetta TDI. Only problem was the turbo in the diesel got dirty and the airbag issue. Now I'm with the Civic and starting to miss the features the VW's had. Simple things like the seats that return to the same position when using the back seat. Cheap Honda seats simple does nothing and when its raining or your in a hurry its a pain.

Acura will be high up on my list when comparing cars in about 2 years. I'd love to have a r20 RSX type S.

[reivaj]

The 06 civic si is my first honda. I have driven the GTI first before the SI. I enjoyed the torque of the GTI which made it overall a little more fun to drive to me but the insurance plus lack of stick shift models in the area(they mostly had DSG and I dont like DSG but it is nice), plus reliability horror stories and more threw that option out. I did however enjoy the civic si interior more and the exterior was also visually appealing to me.

I considered an acura but I didnt like the styling of the rsx and the car I liked was the TL. Which would have been fine but I was looking for low miles low cost and thats not happening with a current gen TL. At least not this early(even first the first batch )

I got the si a little over a week ago and have had the time of my life so far. However, I did come off of another fun daily driver(mazda3) but this car just is more fun especially since it has a wider power band.

[NoRegrets78]

I miss my 02 RSX Type-S a lot, but I LOVE that they give you an LSD out of the box on the new Si's. I guess I could always get a used type-s out of warranty and throw a LSD in it...but why? The new Si is sexier IMO.

[mhx]

im in the same boat.. i have a 2008 GTI with 12k miles.. I am about to trade it in and get a new 08 SI.. Ive owned an 99si, and 02si.. and i should of stuck with honda.. but i too learned the hard way i think... I miss my manual trannny.. DSG Is nice, but its not worth it. Its still an AUTO slushbox

[pnguyen1028]

Only thing I'd like members to understand is that all the problems that noregrets is having, are due to his modifications to his vehicle. Since he was full stage 2+ with bolt-ons, upgraded fuel pump, and intercooler... he was probably making around 250~ WHP and 300~ ft lb of torque to the wheels.

His car is running with 100 ft lb more torque to the wheels than a stock GTI. His turbo is now spiking at 23 PSI instead of the stock 11 PSI. Things break when you run the car that much harder than stock. Fueling problems are inevitable and parts of it have been addressed through a TSB.

Wheel bearings - I havn't heard of this or experienced it myself on my vehicle.

Diverter valve failures - I have yet to hear of a 2008 BPY motor blowing a diverter valve. I do admit that the placement of the divertor valve was horrible on VW's part and is a definite issue for the 2006-2007 GTI's. I have already upgraded mine regardless of it being a 2008 because of the fear of it blowing.

PCV valve failures - Another common issue I agree with the BPY motors, but again, when you're running 100 ft lb more torque and double the PSI of the turbo, things start to break. Cheap fix anyhow.

Airbag faults - This is an electrical problem, doesn't really have to do with the motors. I myself have never had this problem though.

Wastegates - I havn't heard of this one either. Havn't experienced it myself.

HPFP Cam and follower failures - There is a TSB on this one for the 2006 - early 2007 models.

Seat squeeks
RATTLES RATTLES RATTLES!!! My new element is made of complete plastic and has less rattles than my GTI ever did! - I have a few rattles I admit. It's a volkswagen, not a BMW. All cars developrattles, they don't start off with it, some just take a little longer than others.

[aleks]

I have an 08 GTI thats chipped and I haven't had any problems yet. It's a DSG too and the car is so much fun to drive. Where I live (3500 ft) turbo cars are way faster and even stock my GTI was way faster than a Stock SI. That being said I still bought an Integra type R so the way I figure it I have the best of both worlds

[ryker]

What kind of MPG do you GTI get (normal driving not using the go-pedal that much)?

I'm moving to a big city and sure could use the torque to merge into traffic but need MPGs on the commute.

[mhx]

On my 2008 GTI I got (stock)
4dr DSG tranny

22mpg 50/50 city/hwy.
27mpg hwy
18mpg city and hard driving

[Phalanx]

edit... wow. I looked @ the date and saw August 2nd... but didnt realize it said 2006 and not 2008. I thought this thread was 2 days old
_____________________________

My fiancee got a GTI last week... I got to take it for a short 'spirited' spin over the weekend and I agree with your original post 100%. That is the exact way I feel about the GTI vs Si. Both GREAT cars... but aimed at 2 different crowds. The Si is way more fun to me... but the GTI is a MUCH better DD car. Im glad my fiancee made the choice she did and went with the GTI.

Sucks youve had the wheel problems, though

Have you taken it on a road trip yet? (400+ miles round trip) ... Im curious how the GTI seats are after +3hrs in them (non-autobahn package)

[ryker]

Originally Posted by mhx

On my 2008 GTI I got (stock)
4dr DSG tranny

22mpg 50/50 city/hwy.
27mpg hwy
18mpg city and hard driving

I guess I'll stick with my weak little Ex at never less than 33mpg. Last two tanks even in hot weather was at 35mpg.