Just Got Back From the VW Dealer

"Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen" (sportwagen)
09/17/2014 at 21:28 • Filed to: GTI, Test Drive

Drove this:

and was slightly disappointed. TBH, it didn't feel all that powerful to me. It supposedly has 210 HP and 258 LB-FT of torque, compared to my JSW's 140HP and 236 LB-FT of torque... IDK, was I doing something wrong?

DISCUSSION (32)

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
09/17/2014 at 21:32

You are supposed to join the hype!

Spaceball-Two > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
09/17/2014 at 21:33

That makes me sad because I am looking at this exact car as my next purchase. What did you think of the interior? I feel like the plastics are hollow and ill fitting.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
09/17/2014 at 21:35

I really wanted to, but it just didn't feel that fast... however the speedo climbed very quickly, it sounded nice, and had a really good shifter. The problem is that my JSW feels faster... I think that a mix of the two would be perfect!

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Spaceball-Two
09/17/2014 at 21:37

I thought it was a little too plastic-y too. What you should do is get a 2014 JSW TDI, swap in a Sigma 6 short throw shifter and bigger wheels, add a GTI front bumper, and BOOM, perfect car!

Spaceball-Two > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
09/17/2014 at 21:42

My buddy has a new TDI Jetta and I still felt like it didn't have that little jump off the line.

GTI MkVII > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
09/17/2014 at 21:43

I noticed my Mk7 really came alive after 1000-1500 miles. Not sure if there's some sort of built in "handicap" during the break in period, or things just settle in after a bit, but at just under 5k miles now, I can't say I'm ever disappointed by the drivetrain. Its a complete Jekyll and Hyde thing too - I get 29-32 MPG on my commute into work if I'm just driving normally, and then can blast home a bit if I want. Tons of fun and a really great blend of practicality, fun, and refinement.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Spaceball-Two
09/17/2014 at 21:43

Is it because the clutch is really... strange? (if that's even the word I'm looking for lol)

Spaceball-Two > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
09/17/2014 at 21:46

No the catch point was fine for me. I liked the steering though.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > GTI MkVII
09/17/2014 at 21:46

My issue is that the $30K 15 GTI didn't feel any different than my $22.5K (new, now worth about $13K) Jetta Sportwagen TDI... which I found very saddening. I really, really wanted to love the GTI, but the fact that it feels exactly the same is a huge roadblock :/

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Spaceball-Two
09/17/2014 at 21:47

Yeah, the steering is great, I just need to get bigger wheels (18x8, anyone?) and tires (245/40r18)... it just feels a bit squishy to me

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
09/17/2014 at 21:50

The whole point of the GTI now is the image. It is supposed to be the sophisticated hot hatch, while the ST and STI are for the boy racer type. They are more fun, but some people don't like the vibe they put off.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
09/17/2014 at 21:52

I saw this one earlier

Kinja'd!!!

It wasn't bro'd out at all! The exhaust looked about stock on it too!

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > GTI MkVII
09/17/2014 at 21:53

GTI, TSI, or TDI?

GTI MkVII > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
09/17/2014 at 22:01

GTI Autobahn DSG

Vicente Esteve > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
09/17/2014 at 22:03

Well thats odd. I have a 1.4 TSI in the same car and I must say that bellow 1,500 RPM it feels just like small engine. When the turbo kicks in, god above, it has TORQUE. It has 184 lb ft. which to me, makes it feel more than sufficient. Thats just me though that haven't experienced TDI.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
09/17/2014 at 22:05

A car feeling fast and a car being fast can be two totally different things. My 2001 civic is for sure faster than my 91, but it doesn't feel faster at all.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
09/17/2014 at 22:06

I've wanted a Subaru since we got rid of our BRAT. That one looks pretty clean.

Spasoje > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
09/17/2014 at 22:10

So it's not just me! I found it kinda underwhelming, while the regular Golf VII impressed me...

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Vicente Esteve
09/17/2014 at 22:10

I don't know, it may have just been the suspension... it was fast, just it didn't feel like it

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
09/17/2014 at 22:10

Finally someone who understands!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
09/17/2014 at 22:13

yup speed has little to do with the sensation of speed.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
09/17/2014 at 22:14

Yeah, the only sticker it had on it was a COBB sticker... so it probably had a Cobb tune, exhaust, and has probably saved a couple of lives. The fact that it didn't have a huge fart cannon, stickers, and a wing (besides the STI box kite wing, I like that one ;) says that the driver has good taste :D

Vicente Esteve > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
09/17/2014 at 22:15

I understand, and get the same with the Golf. I know its going faster but obviously the older car I had, the Cabrio, felt MUCH faster due to the ragtop, worse aerodynamics, and just the satisfaction of pushing the 2. slow to fast speeds.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > GTI MkVII
09/17/2014 at 22:15

That's cool. I'm looking at the TDI 6M

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Spasoje
09/17/2014 at 22:15

Yeah, I really wanted to try a 14 MK6, but they didn't have any! I prefer rounded to sharp! (as do the ladies! *zing!*)

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
09/17/2014 at 22:22

;)

DasWauto > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
09/17/2014 at 22:29

There was no '14 Mk. 6; production ended with the 2013 model as they transferred North American Golf production to the plant in Mexico. They were supposed to have built enough of those to last through to the introduction of the Mk. VII but most dealers ran out a few months before that (or so I'm told by my VW dealer).

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > DasWauto
09/17/2014 at 22:30

??? The guy said they had 2014 GTIs?

DasWauto > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
09/17/2014 at 22:38

That's possible. I believe they were still selling Wolfsburg edition Mk. 6 GTIs this year. I was just referring to the regular Golf.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > DasWauto
09/17/2014 at 22:39

Oh, well I was referring to the GTI, I really like the way they look! Eventually I should do the body panel conversion... GTI body kit to TDI Sportwagen!

Burrito de EJ25 > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
09/17/2014 at 22:53

The Toyota Corolla of hot hatches.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Burrito de EJ25
09/17/2014 at 22:59

LOL sad but true :(