Any Mk5 GTI Owners Out There?

"Jay Lauer" (thefaultinourcars)
09/15/2014 at 22:53 • Filed to: None

I've been really interested in these as of late. Could you guys tell me about your experiences with them?

Fuel economy, reliability, general fun, any annoyances, neat things, etc. I'm curious about all of it.

DISCUSSION (13)

thebigbossyboss > Jay Lauer
09/15/2014 at 23:01

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/so-this-just-h…

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Jay Lauer
09/15/2014 at 23:10

Make sure you get one of the later models with the TSI engine. The TFSI was nothing but issues. But the TSI is phenomenal. Everything else is really good. In a lot of ways, I prefer them to the MkVI.

Kanaric > Jay Lauer
09/15/2014 at 23:18

I don't get the appeal of GTIs. Meh power, no lsd, overrated by VW fans interior, unreliable, etc. Pick up a Mazdaspeed 3 or something.

On other sites GTI fans like using "interior" as their excuse for buying their car. Like you will list how one car is better in every aspect than the GTI and they will say "but the interior" as if they care about that, they don't they are tuner kids, and as if it's on BMW or Merc levels.

It's a quick grocery getter with decent styling. If you want to pretend it's more than that, go ahead, it's not. It gets sales only because Honda and Toyota haven't had any innovation in 10+ years in the class. It's behind it's, supposed, hot hatch rivals in every category. I say supposed because cars like MS3, previous hatch WRX, Focus ST, and it's overseas rivals from Renault and Opel are all a class above it. Everyone who ever raves about them does so for history only, then driving their superior rivals immediately dismisses it.

The 1st person to tailgate you with 10k hids blinding your night vision, has airbags on the car, and an annoying system blasting club euro music in the hatch is likely a GTI driver. They and lifted truck bros are the worst kind of people on the road.

That is my GTI rant.

Agrajag > Jay Lauer
09/15/2014 at 23:21

I've got one. A 2009. Besides random inexplicable engine failure at 68k miles it's been fantastic. I've got the DSG and if I stay within the posted highway limits it can do 35mpg. Back roads and around town anywhere from 28-32mpg. I live in a hilly region and sometimes it's all uphill. Premium fuel required.

The engine thing really does seem like it was a fluke. If it were a common issue(failed crank bearing) there'd be bitching galore on forums. On that note I recommend getting the TSI vs the early(pre 2009) FSI. I know those engines have their share of issues which were mostly rectified on the TSI.

Definitely would recommend one. It's a blast to drive, the stereo is great, plaid seats are plaid, and.... Just buy one.

Jay Lauer > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
09/15/2014 at 23:39

Would an 07 have the TSI?

Jay Lauer > Kanaric
09/15/2014 at 23:43

I probably would buy a Mazdaspeed 3 if I could, but the prices are surprisingly inflated. Also, I've already had a WRX anyway. I'm just curious between that and the Mini Cooper S.

I've never driven a GTI so I don't really have much of an opinion. I've seen some and was amazed how much trunk there was.

Anyway, I think the appeal of a GTI is supposed to be it's all-rounder-ness. It's not really class leading in any one area, but refined in all of them. Once again, I haven't driven one, so I can't attest to any of it personally.

Jay Lauer > thebigbossyboss
09/15/2014 at 23:45

You've totally got to explain more.

You can't just leave that there. I've got so many questions.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Jay Lauer
09/15/2014 at 23:47

It would not. The TSI started in late 2008, as a 2008.5 model.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Kanaric
09/15/2014 at 23:50

This assessment is pretty far off-base. Or maybe you've only been exposed to the Euro-snobbers. The GTI is a refined, composed, ADULT, alternative to cars like the Si and MS3. I've driven the Speed 3, and I owned an Si. I now have a Beetle R-Line. I did so because the fast VWs have a refinement and DD-ability that the others can't even hold a candle to it.

Jay Lauer > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
09/15/2014 at 23:51

So they only ran it in the Mk5 for 1.5 years. Why not just get a Mk6?

How bad was the TFSI?

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Jay Lauer
09/15/2014 at 23:55

The answer to your first question is price and aesthetics.

And the TFSI is one of those engines that made people hate VW...

thebigbossyboss > Jay Lauer
09/16/2014 at 07:17

Ha! I don't really have much to add. Whiskeygolf parked his car. 10 minutes later it burned down.

benchslap > Jay Lauer
09/16/2014 at 21:06

It is a nice, comfortable, competent handling, fun to drive daily driver. That's as much as I can say about it. I wouldn't call it exciting in any respect except for torque steer.

On nice days I drive a different car.