Drove A GTI Today

"Kailand09" (kailand09)
10/28/2014 at 20:34 • Filed to: None

My god, getting back into my car sucked. I feel way more informed after today, so that is good. I really want to go back and just take it off the lot, not sure if that is the right decision yet.

DISCUSSION (29)

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Kailand09
10/28/2014 at 20:43

I hope you decide to find a GLI instead... It's kinda lonely having the only one here! :D
Joke aside, the MK6 GTI is a VERY well rounded machine, even more so than my GLI if I'm going to be honest... I love them almost as much as the MK2!

whoarder is tellurium > Kailand09
10/28/2014 at 20:45

DSG or 6 speedy gonzales manuel?

Suggest extended warranty if planning on keeping for a while.

Kailand09 > whoarder is tellurium
10/28/2014 at 21:03

6 speed!! Was amazing.

Also why do you suggest the extended warranty? I was thinking of going CPO. Are they not that reliable?

Kailand09 > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/28/2014 at 21:04

Yeah it was such a great car. The 6-speed is very forgiving for a guy who doesn't drive one every day.

I'm in love, I just haven't figured out if I want to jump in just yet to the car payment thing.

whoarder is tellurium > Kailand09
10/28/2014 at 21:17

Not saying they cant be reliable, but just keep in mind that its a German car. Nothing wrong with a CPO car either, you should be good there. Oh and the later/current 2.0T TSI motor should be sorted out. No more pesky timing belt either!

VW and Audi also require euro spec synthetic fluids (like oil) that are a little more expensive for basic maintenance. Otherwise, parts and aftermarket support is huge.

I'm not trying to scare you, I'm just letting you know what to expect.

Kailand09 > whoarder is tellurium
10/28/2014 at 21:18

Yeah, I want to make sure I have a warrantee to back me.

I mean, is it really going to be any less reliable than a Focus ST? I have heard they are pretty good despite the few minor glitches like leaky windshield washer on the back window.

Every car has its horror stories too though.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Kailand09
10/28/2014 at 21:24

I paid for my CPO GLI in one go, and it's a good way to do it, but most people can't. Payments on that thing are worth it though!

whoarder is tellurium > Kailand09
10/28/2014 at 21:27

Cant comment on the FoST or FiST.

Kailand09 > whoarder is tellurium
10/28/2014 at 21:31

Ah alright.

Anything major you've had on the VW? I was planning on the later models with 2.0T TSI.

Kailand09 > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/28/2014 at 21:32

Yeah. I just hate the feeling that I could be without a car at any time.

thedevilinside > Kailand09
10/28/2014 at 21:42

What I did when I was fairly sure I knew what car I wanted, and I recommend if you haven't is go drive it's competitors. That way when you buy it, you'll KNOW you made the right choice.

Manuél Ferrari > whoarder is tellurium
10/28/2014 at 21:50

SPEEDY GONZALES MANUÉL

Perfect!!!

Kailand09 > thedevilinside
10/28/2014 at 21:57

Thanks! I will be testing out a Focus ST tomorrow. Not sure I want to try MS3, too low MPG's.

WRX I don't think quite fits my bill either, same thing lower HP and the head gasket stuff scares me.

Agrajag > Kailand09
10/28/2014 at 22:19

2009 MKV GTI with 2.0TSI owner here. Get an extended warranty if CPO. The 1500-2k it costs could be well worth it. My engine went at 68k miles. 4k after the CPO ended. That $100 deductible was much nicer than the $7300 engine replacement bill. My engine failure seems to be a fluke thing so don't hold it against VW. I certainly don't.

thedevilinside > Kailand09
10/28/2014 at 22:31

I bought a Focus ST. :-). I also drove the MS3. I was not impressed. Also drove the WRX, was impressed and have a family member with one too, among others. Good luck!

Josh Brinzo > Kailand09
10/28/2014 at 22:56

I have an 07 GTI 6 speed, it is a blast to drive, but service has been a bit pricey on a few things. A warranty would be nice to do on it. They are really a blast to drive and I would definitely get the 4-door over the 2-door. Pretty solid room in it and good for some road trips.

Kailand09 > Josh Brinzo
10/28/2014 at 23:01

hm, what kind of repairs? Did your repairs become needed after warranty time was up?

I have seen 7yr 100k mile drivetrain warranty.

Kailand09 > thedevilinside
10/28/2014 at 23:01

I'm very interested to see how I like it.

Kailand09 > Agrajag
10/28/2014 at 23:02

Yikes. You claim that on insurance then? Ugly either way.

Josh Brinzo > Kailand09
10/28/2014 at 23:25

My warranty was up. I had a misfire that was caused by a few things, that cost about $1,900. A bit before that happened though I had the entire A/C system decide to go out. That happened immediately after I left from Waco to drive to Dallas on a 105 degree day. That cost $1,700.

I really do love the car, but some of the costs have been pricey. I actually really like the Focus ST and I have heard from a few people it is cheaper. I like both cars a lot though. I would go with whatever one interests you the most!

Agrajag > Kailand09
10/28/2014 at 23:58

No, the extended warranties have a deductible.

MK6-love > Kailand09
10/29/2014 at 10:55

I was in a very similar situation last year, wanted to spend about $20K on a car, I am in my 40's with 2 little ones (I started late) and needed a reliable daily that got half way decent mileage for my commute and could handle the kids every so often, had to be a manual and fun. In the recent past I have owned a 06 Saabaru and a 07 MS3. I loved my MS3, but now my commute is longer and I wanted better mileage. I drove the ST twins back to back and really liked them, I figured I would start negotiating on a base Focus ST, really just because it was a little bigger than the Fiesta. But I left the Ford lot and ran down the street to look at a 12 GTI Autobahn CPO with 15 K miles. I loved it, so much smoother than my MS3, probably a little slower, but so nice and totally loaded except for the DSG which I did not want anyway. Went back and drove the Ford again and decided I really liked the GTI better, even though I felt it was a touch slower and was used as opposed to new, but it was so much smoother and more refined. 10K miles later and the only problem I have was caused by me. I decided to close the power gap by tuning the ECU (18lbs of boost up from 12!) and now my clutch is slipping a little at WOT especially in 5th and 6th. No way my clutch will be covered under warranty and I probably screwed myself by voiding the CPO by cracking open the ECU, but such is life, will get a new clutch with the X-mas bonus and will hopefully have many years of driving bliss ahead.

Good luck with your decision.

Kailand09 > MK6-love
10/29/2014 at 19:35

Thanks! This is a perfect response!

I actually drove the FoST today... a bit more harsh, definitely feels a bit faster, but the seats also may be too much for me as many have said before me. I drive a lot of miles and see my fiance and myself being uncomfortable after a while.

I'm confuzzed. But your response helps, I love the GTI.

MK6-love > Kailand09
10/30/2014 at 08:03

Yes the seats, I could not afford the better seats on the Focus, but I also thought they were a little stiff (although to be fair, I have read that they "break in" and get softer), I think the GTI was a good compromise of comfort and bolster, you don't slide around when taking a hot corner, but I recently drove 5 hours to Chicago from St. Louis in mine in comfort. Both cars would be great, I would be gushing on my Focus if I had not driven the GTI. I think reliability with either is hit or miss, I have heard horror stories about both cars, VAG has been making that 2.0T for a while now, so I think that is sorted out, but I have heard that window regulators and water pumps are pretty common issues.

Keep us posted.

Kailand09 > MK6-love
10/30/2014 at 23:10

Will do. Honestly, the more I think about it the more I lean towards the GTI. The 2.0T being sorted is something a friend brought up as well, whereas this is the first gen of the new focus ST on that platform and power train.

I haven't completely decided yet exactly what I'll do. I really would like more reliable transportation than my car, with better gas mileage. I could save probably up to $80 a month on gas alone...

James McRee > Kailand09
10/31/2014 at 10:01

I really want one too with the manual. What trim are you looking at? I'm trying to decide if the SE is worth the extra $3K.

Kailand09 > James McRee
10/31/2014 at 18:21

honestly I don't like leather or bells and whistles. I'm probably just going for a base model.

James McRee > Kailand09
10/31/2014 at 19:55

I mainly want the sunroof and rearview camera. I don't care too much about the rest of the stuff on the SE. I wish VW would've offered the sunroof as a standalone option, or do the Sunroof and Nav package like they did on the MK6.

Kailand09 > James McRee
11/01/2014 at 00:52

Yeah that would be nice. I do like having a sun roof, but can be ok without for the simplicity and weight savings on that.

Hm.