Topic: CD Article: 2007 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

[froggy]

Thanks BB, really interesting...
A pretty tough choice! One thing I don't get is that the writer says the TSX gearbox is tricky whereas I found it to be one of the best I have ever touched (along with my dad's E30 M3 back then) 
Competition is good, they'll have to make the TSX even better!
I think (road testing withstanding) I'd still go for the TSX as:
 - Probably easier to get deals on than the not yet introduced Jetta
 - From pictures, nicer interior
 - Better realibilty history.

But the Gli looks good! 

[kavatski]

sorry, I meant I was fortunate because even though it was mexican built I had decent quality.

My Mexican-built 2000 Jetta was top notch. Solidly built iand nothing ever went wrong. I was very impressed with its build quality. At the time, more people seemed to be having difficulties with German-built Golfs and GTIs.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Cool TSX vs GLI article - was only a matter of time. I'm surprised at what a balanced and complete car the TSX is. Such a nicely finished interior (very Euro), smooth motor and transmission, level handling, simple but satisfying looks. And loaded with equipment at a fair price. Even the fuel economy is good. To me it is a bit like a feline in it's responses like the TV commercial.

Anywho, the GLI does have more character. I'd have to drive both to see for myself. Hard to dismiss the goodness and reliability of the TSX.

The Mexican facility is supposed to be super clean and have very high quality levels. The Wolfsburg plant is a thousand years old in comparison, but I'd still prefer a German-built Volkswagen.

As for the 3.6L in the Phaeton... no thanks. That thing is a land barge! The Phaeton V8 (5,194lbs) is about 1,000lbs more than the S-Class (S 500 4,170lbs), and substantially more than 7-Series (745Li 4,872lbs) and the A8L (4,399lbs). A Phaeton W12 at 5,399lbs is darned close to a Rolls Royce Phantom at 5,578lbs! A V6 TDI maybe, and probably the 3.6L would motivate it fine, but for what I'm sure would still be a $85G car, needs more than that to satisfy people I would think.

[JSCC]

Well, since the S320, 730i and A8 3.0 were all fine.
A 3.6L VR6 with 280HP should be "OK" for the Phaeton.
Between 80-100Gs is easier to accept than between 100-140Gs. 

Is the S500 that light?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Specs say it's that light.

I just think people were willing to put up with smaller engines in the Benz's because they wanted that Benz.

As opposed to having to have a compelling reason to select the Volkswagen Phaeton. When you're spending that much, less value oriented and $15Gs is money well spent for an S-Class wrapped around a larger engine.

That's just my opinion. I think VW would have been wise to bring the V6 TDI of all engines, for both Phaeton and Touareg. But that's been said by many. Even in Europe that's the combo that sells, and would be unique for having the diesel.

[a4_tom]

S320 was just a dog. It wasn't until Mercedes introduced W220 S350 with 3.7L V6 before it got the power it needed.

[JSCC]

And now they are switching to a 3.5L V6 with more power?

[a4_tom]

And now they are switching to a 3.5L V6 with more power?

Yes. 3.5L with 7-Gronic drives better than 3.7L with 5-speed auto.