Topic: I might get a GTI....

[Hammy]

So I am thinking I might get a 5 door VW GTI Autobahn with leather..... there is an awesome midnight blue one at the local dealership, my BMW makes me nervous every day.  I am expecting criticism for considering another FGC but I am really liking the GTI.  It is a good every day car plus with fun factor added in, not quite bmw 335 fun factor but not too far off.  A few months back I was looking at the VWs but the trade value on the bmw scared me off, I am slowly coming to peace with it.

So who would like to try to talk me into or out of it?

I am almost at post #1000, I am hoping this thread will put me over the top..... safe bet.

[Jaeger]

I can't recall anyone every being criticized for picking a GTI.  It is pretty universally gearhead-approved and for good reason.  I test drove one and loved it.  I wish they had injected a bit more visual excitement into the new version.  Or, like, any visual excitement.  But it is a blast to drive and perfectly practical.

[johngenx]

It's easily one of the best FWD cars made.

[OliverD]

I have 40k on mine. '15 Autobahn, manual, leather + tech packages. It's a stellar car. To me, it's the best combination of outright performance and luxury for the price point. Something like a Focus ST or WRX is no doubt more hardcore but I wanted something that's also comfortably and luxurious. My issues have been very minimal. The oil level sensor failed around 10k or so. Also had a CEL and a couple weird electrical issues that went away on their own before I could get it to the dealer.

Midnight blue is new for '16 in Canada. Definitely a cool colour. The '16s also have the updated infotainment with larger display and the Autobahn has standard nav. Other than that I think it's the same as the '15.

If you have any questions about the car or the ownership experience I'm happy to answer them.

[OliverD]

I can't recall anyone every being criticized for picking a GTI.  It is pretty universally gearhead-approved and for good reason.  I test drove one and loved it.  I wish they had injected a bit more visual excitement into the new version.  Or, like, any visual excitement.  But it is a blast to drive and perfectly practical.

The GTI has always been subtle but these days it's not as subtle as the MkIV was. Personally I love the design of the wheels and the red accents in the grille and lights.

[Hammy]

I have 40k on mine. '15 Autobahn, manual, leather + tech packages. It's a stellar car. To me, it's the best combination of outright performance and luxury for the price point. Something like a Focus ST or WRX is no doubt more hardcore but I wanted something that's also comfortably and luxurious. My issues have been very minimal. The oil level sensor failed around 10k or so. Also had a CEL and a couple weird electrical issues that went away on their own before I could get it to the dealer.

Midnight blue is new for '16 in Canada. Definitely a cool colour. The '16s also have the updated infotainment with larger display and the Autobahn has standard nav. Other than that I think it's the same as the '15.

If you have any questions about the car or the ownership experience I'm happy to answer them.

Where do you live, we get fairly harsh winters so that would be a minor concern.  Of course I would fit it out with some Blizzaks, hopefully 16" downsized.

[OliverD]

Where do you live, we get fairly harsh winters so that would be a minor concern.  Of course I would fit it out with some Blizzaks, hopefully 16" downsized.

I live just outside Fredericton, on a rural road that's in poor shape and with a 250' gravel driveway. I have 16" steel wheels for winter with General Arctic Altimax tires. I've never been stuck and the car handles very well in the snow.

My lifetime fuel economy average is 7.9 L/100 km which I think is great. That's probably 80/20 highway/city.

[micha]

Where do you live, we get fairly harsh winters so that would be a minor concern.  Of course I would fit it out with some Blizzaks, hopefully 16" downsized.

I live just outside Fredericton, on a rural road that's in poor shape and with a 250' gravel driveway. I have 16" steel wheels for winter with General Arctic Altimax tires. I've never been stuck and the car handles very well in the snow.

My lifetime fuel economy average is 7.9 L/100 km which I think is great. That's probably 80/20 highway/city.

I didn't expect 16" steelies to fit.. I suppose they wouldn't fit with the performance pack.

And here a motivational picture.. get that GTI! 

[Brig]

I wish they had injected a bit more visual excitement into the new version.  Or, like, any visual excitement.

Sez the guy in a Sonata?   

DO IT, HAMMY!   

[OliverD]

Some more inspiration:

[Ex-airbalancer]

Get a Lexus
http://www.vandermeertoyota.com/Used/2012/Lexus/IS%20250/W3736

[Julie]

It's not a replacement for a 335i (or an S4, etc.), but it's my FAVOURITE car in this class. So YES!

I love, love the GTI.

[ElectricMayhem]

If you tick remarkably few boxes on a GTI build sheet, you will end up quite close to the price of a base Golf R.  If you find yourself doing that, get the base R.

To me, best GTI has the tartan cloth seats and a stick.  But I won't judge anybody who gets the DSG.

[quadzilla]

Do it but I'm bias.

Then get a +1 tune and some very sticky tires.

[EV-Light]

http://jalopnik.com/consumer-reports-just-trashed-the-2015-volkswagen-gti-1607720202


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[revalations]

[micha]

If you tick remarkably few boxes on a GTI build sheet, you will end up quite close to the price of a base Golf R.  If you find yourself doing that, get the base R.

To me, best GTI has the tartan cloth seats and a stick.  But I won't judge anybody who gets the DSG.

This. Base GTI or R.. Loaded GTI makes little sense to me, because the price difference is small and it lacks AWD, driftability and power.

[Dante]

So I am thinking I might get a 5 door VW GTI Autobahn with leather..... there is an awesome midnight blue one at the local dealership, my BMW makes me nervous every day.  I am expecting criticism for considering another FGC but I am really liking the GTI.  It is a good every day car plus with fun factor added in, not quite bmw 335 fun factor but not too far off.  A few months back I was looking at the VWs but the trade value on the bmw scared me off, I am slowly coming to peace with it.

So who would like to try to talk me into or out of it?

Cant scare you off - I'm planning to order the same car/color in a month or so, but with cloth and DSG. If the car has FGC symptoms it's a lease plus I have a VW dealership 5 min from my house and one 5 min away from my office so I'm somewhat covered.

I looked at the GLA, X1, Q3, A3, Golf R as my initial want was a small AWD vehicle but the GTI made a lot more sense to me in the end. The badge and AWD premiums are not worth to me. The Golf R is another story but since I'm not after high performance, it was not worth getting one either this time around, although for a week or two I thought I will.

[Jaeger]

http://jalopnik.com/consumer-reports-just-trashed-the-2015-volkswagen-gti-1607720202


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Ouch.  But having driven the GTI, I simply can't accept the notion that it isn't fun to drive - in either absolute or rationally comparative terms.  Fun to look at?  Nope.  The GTI looks like the shipping crate the Mazda 3 hatch came in. Fun to drive?  Most definitely.

Sez the guy in a Sonata?   

Not following you at all.

[tortoise]

How much money will you lose trading in the BMW?

I would be astonished if it's more than the BMW costs over the next 4 years.

The GTI is awesome but the BMW is more fun and maybe cheaper in the long run.