"RightFootDown" (rightfootdown)
06/23/2014 at 14:41 • Filed to: None
4
58|
"RightFootDown" (rightfootdown)
06/23/2014 at 14:41 • Filed to: None | 4
| 58 |
Current vehicle is a 2004 BMW M3 SMG. The rear seats are plenty large enough for two adults and easily fits our car seat without squishing the passenger's legs. It's a great car but after almost three years I've grown bored of it. For my next vehicle I want to average closer to 30 MPG than 18 MPG and still enjoy the back roads when they come.
I've all but put down a deposit on a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. It's the 4-door S trim with 6-speed manual, lighting (xenons) and performance (Fancy LSD and bigger brakes) packages. Total comes to $27k. Well, I'm not totally sold on the Performance Package but I think it would be good for resale in 3-4 years. As for color, I'm undecided but leaning toward tornado red or carbon steel metallic.
Currently no GTI's have made it ashore spec'd the way I want. From my two test drives in the SE these are thing I love about the car:
6-speed manual transmission is delightful
Seat design, comfort and outward visibility
Interior cabin materials and quality
More than enough mid-range grunt (250+ torque)
Plenty of back seat space for two people or a semi-local drive with three.
Owners claiming 36+ MPG Highway
Size. Not one for larger vehicles.
What I don't like about the car are the louvers around the fog lights, the stupid GTI logo on the Performance Package brake calipers and the fact that I can't get navigation on the S trim. I can overlook the first one with a darker color paint to decrease the contrast and easily paint over the GTI logo. Not having a navigation option is a shame. Guess the 'ol HTC One will have to do.
Competitors
I looked for a manual transmission 3 series but couldn't find a 2012 or newer in the area for under $30k. Having recently driven the Focus ST, I personally did not like the design of the interior or the seating position but I did enjoy the noises and road manners. The Fiesta interior felt so cheap I'm not even going to look.
Are there other cars out that that I'm overlooking?
JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 14:45 |
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I understand, the FieSTa's interior DOES feel cheap, and it doesn't exactly scream "style!" also, the rear seat is pretty tiny... HOWEVER, do yourself a favour and test drive one. Seriously. Do it.
Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 14:46 |
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Accept no substitute.
/Mark6GTIowner
Nothing
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 14:47 |
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Had my price point slipped higher, I may have gotten into a WRX or GTI instead of the FoST. I haven't driven either of the other vehicles though, as I didn't want to be tempted above where I wanted to be ($20k)
Saracen
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 14:48 |
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In before V6 Mustang..
dinobot666
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 14:48 |
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Wouldn't the WRX compete in this segment and price range? If you're hung up on having a fancy interior, then you're going to want to stick with something German.
themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 14:50 |
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The fiesta ST's rear seats are too small for a family anyways.
Have you considered a slightly used Regal GS? Perhaps a mini of some sort? They're unicorns, but you can get a one or two year old cadillac CTS non-V with a manual too. Oh and the new Fusion can be had with the 1.6L ecoboost and a 6-speed. Same with the mazda 6. Don't know if those would be too big or not.
Other than that.....hmmm......WRX?
K-Roll-PorscheTamer
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 14:52 |
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BRZ or FRS? Mustang? Camaro? Mazda Speed3, albeit a used one.
CRider
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 14:53 |
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https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4533291239…
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dinobot666
> Saracen
06/23/2014 at 14:53 |
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I don't have kids or anything, but I can't imagine that would work very well as a small family car. Can you even get car seats in the back of a Mustang?
Brian Silvestro
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 14:54 |
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If you don't get it in blue I'll be disappointed
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Saracen
> dinobot666
06/23/2014 at 14:56 |
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Don't worry, I was just being sarcastic. V6 Mustang is a very common (and mindless) answer to anything in the $25k enthusiast range.
deekster_caddy
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 14:56 |
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A lot of people don't like it when I suggest this, but do go test drive a Volt if you can. I have a lot of fun driving mine and they are less than $30K if you qualify for the fed. tax credit. Plus I now spend about $25/mo on gas instead of $300. I'm 18 months into this car and still love it every day. Since 75% of my driving is sitting in traffic anyhow, I find it hard to beat. It's a similarly sized hatch. The shifter has "D" and "L" - in L it has a very strong 'downshifted' feel to it, so you can basically completely control your speed with your right foot (unless you need to brake hard). It's a very enjoyable sensation for somebody who would prefer to be driving a manual.
You don't have to buy one, they aren't for everybody, but it's worth a test drive. Especially if you work somewhere that will let you plug in.
I don't drive mine for the 'green' factor, it's an amazing hunk of technology and what I see as the future of drivetrains.
FWIW my electric bill didn't go up at all. If you are interested in hearing more I can explain that.
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dinobot666
> Saracen
06/23/2014 at 14:57 |
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Well, I was going to suggest a Miata, since that's the answer to everything. ;)
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BoulderZ
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 14:59 |
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3 person family here (one kid, 20 months). We have my wife's '04 1.8T Jetta that we love. Just got back from a 4 day vacation in the mountains with it, and it was perfect as usual. If we didn't have that, the GTI would be one of the absolute top contenders for me. I might consider an AWD Passat wagon, if I skied, but it might be larger than you'd like. Various of the Subarus get tons of 1-or-2-kids family duty here. I don't personally like Subarus very much, but their numbers/results seem great and tons of people here love them. How about an A4? Another popular choice here on our used market. But, our used market is skewed by altitude and snow, so maybe not relevant to your area. Maybe a Fiat 500L? I don't know much about them. I had a rental 500 that was fun but wouldn't be great for family DD (though do-able), and the Abarth 500s are fun, but I don't know the price/performance on the 4-door. Maybe someone else here does.
71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 15:00 |
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Take a look at a WRX, the 2015's are nice, buy you could probably scoop up a 2013 or 2014 for a decent price: got mine new for almost exactly 3oK. I've driven the Golf R, both the 2.0 and 3.8 Genesis, a Mini JCW, an EVO 10, and a few others, and I liked the WRX the best. It does normal things like carry people and things well, and it goes through the canyons quite nicely. EDIT, I average about 21-24 MPG both in the canyons, on the highway, and on city streets, so factor that in as well. It delivers worse MPG that the GTI, but more smiles/gallon
Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 15:06 |
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I'm still a fan of the Abarth over the VW, but the Fiat 500L four door is butt-ugly, so yeah, I guess it's okay if you need four doors.
William Byrd
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 15:06 |
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E46 M3 :)
mcseanerson
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 15:07 |
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Yes
This.
5k buys the car. 2k on suspension 1k on tires 1k on exhaust. Mazda 3 parts mostly fit. Most Jalop dad ever.
WhiskeyGolf
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 15:08 |
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For combining finish, materials, driving experience and grown-up-ness at that price, the GTI is hard to beat. For the Mk6 there were lots of alternatives but the 7 has stepped up and surpassed many of the others, at least until their mid cycle refreshes. I say do it and don't look back (unless they're in the rearview mirror)!
cazzyodo
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 15:08 |
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I would say WRX like many others. I was a day from buying one but decided against it last minute as it didn't make sense for me on overall value. it was spec'd out at just under $27k in a very similar manner to your GTI described but I went FoST because I loved the racing seats and overall feel. I'm not the biggest fan of the models without the nav screen so the fact that nav came with the seats worked out well. I underestimated how useful that feature would be as I've gone to a lot of places randomly and my phone has been crapping itself.
T5Killer
> dinobot666
06/23/2014 at 15:09 |
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Yep its not easy but can be done. I did it in my '95 Cobra and a few friends have in a '01 and '04 GTs. (All Coupes a convertible would be cake to put a child seat in) I also DD my Cobra for almost the whole 16 years I owned her.
OPPOsaurus WRX
> cazzyodo
06/23/2014 at 15:12 |
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pssshhhh WRX
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cazzyodo
> OPPOsaurus WRX
06/23/2014 at 15:13 |
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I'll admit that the WRX put a stupid grin on my face that the ST still tries to match but I have one word for you...NAVIGATION! Haha :)
Yossarian
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 15:15 |
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If you care about cabin tech I'd wait till the next model year GTI that gets the better 8" screen like the euro GTIs. Also I thought the performance pack wasn't available till later in the year?
Two Drink Minimum
> Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
06/23/2014 at 15:16 |
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Agree, the Abarth is a great car. But the GTI is two classes larger and is really an entirely different experience all around (refined vs. rowdy). I can't see a lot of informed cross-shopping across those two cars.
Klaus Schmoll
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 15:19 |
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I still don't understand how or why VW is selling them this cheap in the US. The price you paid is around the € 21K mark, a similarly equipped car in Germany is around 30K. And don't tell me anything about taxes! This is Germany! We build 'em, our government wants us to buy as many of them as possible. So no special taxation on cars in Germany. That's what our neighbours without auto industries do. All we have to pay is the 19% value added tax that we have to pay on everything except food. How much is VAT in the US, and is that already included in the price you mentioned?
Besides all that, congrats on getting a new, fast, and even reasonably priced car!
alexotics
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 15:19 |
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Well done, drove a six-speed Mk5 for 3 years and it never skipped a beat. Tons of fun, practical and very reliable. Enjoy!
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RightFootDown
> WhiskeyGolf
06/23/2014 at 15:25 |
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Volkswagen left a sour taste in after I broke interior bits off of the first two I drove in 2003-2005.
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RightFootDown
> deekster_caddy
06/23/2014 at 15:27 |
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I first read this as Volvo. Interesting suggestion. I hear Matt Farah has a Volt.
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RightFootDown
> 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
06/23/2014 at 15:28 |
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Had a GR STI. No thanks.
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RightFootDown
> mcseanerson
06/23/2014 at 15:29 |
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Can't believe I clicked the link.
LTIROCKS
> 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
06/23/2014 at 15:32 |
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Looks like a circus wagon...
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RightFootDown
> JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
06/23/2014 at 15:33 |
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But, I might like it! And as much as I might smile, I've gotta think about the grown up frowns in the back seat.
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RightFootDown
> themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/23/2014 at 15:34 |
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Mmmmmm, Regal GS. Wish it was offered in a 6-speed manual.
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RightFootDown
> Nothing
06/23/2014 at 15:35 |
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You're a wise man.
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RightFootDown
> Yossarian
06/23/2014 at 15:36 |
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My understanding is that the Performance Packaged GTI's will arrive in the winter. Holding off altogether for the 8" display is definitely in the back of my mind.
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RightFootDown
> Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger
06/23/2014 at 15:38 |
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I searched for a 2005-06 non-S 911 for a while with no luck. That was the only car I was considering as an M3 replacement for a while.
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RightFootDown
> Brian Silvestro
06/23/2014 at 15:39 |
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I want to seeeeee night blue metallic in person.
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Brian Silvestro
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 15:41 |
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Well it's the best color in pictures by far, so....
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themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 15:43 |
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It is.
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71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
> LTIROCKS
06/23/2014 at 15:44 |
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I call it the TurboPumpkin
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Yossarian
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 15:45 |
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Since navigation isn't available with the trim you want you can always buy the 8" head unit separate. On Vortex I've seen them retrofitted. Seems to be pretty plug n play.
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WhiskeyGolf
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 15:56 |
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That's all it took? My Golf burned down and I bought another one.
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RightFootDown
> Yossarian
06/23/2014 at 15:57 |
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And then I go with the Lighting package without Performance package to get it earlier than winter. I keep going back to the Performance Package even though I know I don't need it and the car will likely never see competition. DAMN YOU JEREMY!
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Yossarian
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 16:03 |
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If it was just a software bump I'd skip it. But the new LSD seems to be pretty amazing.
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mcseanerson
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 16:06 |
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Really? You'd be the most Jalop dad ever. 10k would get you a Mazda 3 with 3 rows setup for autocross. Another 5k would probably put a MS3 motor in it.
Cé hé sin
> Klaus Schmoll
06/23/2014 at 16:14 |
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They don't have VAT as such, they have sales taxes which vary from state to state. They quote the price of almost everything ex taxes which leads to all kinds of confusion when the visiting foreigner walks into a shop and expects to pay the displayed price like in any normal country.
E92M3
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 16:36 |
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I'd drive a GTI. Don't worry about the nav. Google maps is better than any manufacturers nav, and is always up to date! My M3 has nav but I always use my phone because it factors in current traffic conditions, and its quicker to input the destination.
chuck07
> Klaus Schmoll
06/23/2014 at 16:40 |
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In general the US consumer will only see estate sales tax and potentially gas guzzler tax. Other taxes are hidden in the purchase price. Then you have registration fees.
Edit: sales Tax ranges from 0 to 9%, depending on the state. If I buy a car in Delaware(0%) and register it in Maryland (6%) then I pay 6% when I register. If I buy in Virginia (3%) then I register in Maryland, I pay the difference between what Virginia charged and what Maryland wants. So there isn't a benefit to buying a car out of state.
Gabe Grider
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 19:20 |
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Last summer at this time, we (my wife and I), faced a similar dilemma. She was tired of driving underpowered Outbacks and didn't really need a wagon any more. She wanted fun and better fuel mileage. However we are the primary care-takers for her mother so we needed something we could get her mother in and out of easily. We ended up looking at the GTI, Focus ST, Countryman S, Accord Coupe and Volvo C30 R-Design. The GTI was great but we felt the seating position and side bolsters on the seats would ultimately prove to be to difficult for transporting her mother. We had essentially the same conclusion on the Focus ST as you, the interior is crap and feels really cramped. We both liked the Countryman S a lot, albeit the interior in quirky and un-intuitive, but we just felt like it was about $3K-$4k overpriced. The Accord was perfectly acceptable except I didn't care for the instrument panel (the steering wheel always blocked my view of it no matter where I placed it) and the rear visibility was terrible. So we ended up getting the C30 R-Design. My wife loved it immediately. I think the interior is fantastic. It has the solid feel that is similar to the GTI. It doesn't corner or handle like the GTI but it seems to be every bit as quick if not quicker that the GTI and the ST. We've averaged 31 mpg over the first 10K miles. I've ridden in the back several times and I find that it is fine but there is only two seats. Cargo room isn't great in the hatch but it gets the job done. The dealer gave us a great a deal on it, it was one of three C30's remaining in their inventory. I would go with the GTI but you may be able to find a great deal on a lightly used C30 R-Design. Also maybe give the new Mini a look. I really like them but I still feel like they are slightly overpriced.
michael bleggi
> RightFootDown
06/23/2014 at 21:11 |
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Looks a lot more flamboyant but the mazdaspeed3
PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
> RightFootDown
06/24/2014 at 00:22 |
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I saw my first MKVII today. It is beautiful in white. I say get the GTI and love it. Competitors wise, as a family car, look at the Jetta GLI. more rear seat space and a bigger trunk
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deekster_caddy
> RightFootDown
06/24/2014 at 09:13 |
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Matt Farah - is that the Hooniverse guy? He mentions it from time to time on that podcast but never goes into much detail. It's a similar size to the GTI. Only 4 seats, but we only have two kids and they absolutely love it. The cornering is surprisingly good. Ditch the OEM 'Fuel Max' tires if you want to drastically improve the cornering.
My wife has a Passat Wagon for when we need the 'big car'. I downsized from a Yukon XL 2500 to the Volt, so from a daily driving perspective the change is quite drastic.
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LTIROCKS
> RightFootDown
06/25/2014 at 20:43 |
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Regarding the GTI:
Owner's make lots of MPG claims. How the car's driven is a major factor. I've averaged exactly 26 MPG (on 93 octane Shell V power) in the two MK 6 GTI's I've had (including my '13 GTI Autobahn). I expect to see 28 average in the '15/'16 I order.
The new GTI will undoubtedly deliver 36 MPG - at sustained highway speeds below 65 MPH. Most people don't drive their GTIs that way.
At sustained speeds above 80 MPH, my '99 LS1 Z28 was more fuel efficient than either of my two GTIs.
Torque doesn't equal "mid range grunt" for those who know how to downshift to the most favorable gear. The MK7 GTi's are a little quicker because their weight to horsepower ratio is a little more favorable.
I test drove a '15 Mk 7 two weeks ago. The car felt slower than my (bone stock) '13, though the dealer admitted to using 87 octane in all of their cars.
According to that dealer, performance package cars start appearing on dealer's lots in mid Sept. The (real) limited slip diff and larger brakes alone make it worth the additional price, with the extra 10 HP and larger anti-roll bars merely sweetening the deal...
It should be noted that VW is still using a single scroll turbo for the GTI; a twin scroll would improve both engine output and fuel economy.
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RightFootDown
> LTIROCKS
06/27/2014 at 09:49 |
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Thanks for all of that. My Corvette also achieved uncanny highway MPG for the time so no doubt your F-Body did the same above 80. I called my dealer the other day and had them add the Performance package. No way I can let that deal slip.
abrahamd
> RightFootDown
07/15/2014 at 20:15 |
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Mazdaspeed3? Just picked up an '08 with 40k miles for a little over $15k. I think you have a bigger budget than me, you could easily get a brand new one. They are stupid fun for the money, and options like LSD come standard. Sounds like you are looking for a bit of refinement though, and the MS3 is definitely not on par with the GTI when it comes to bells and whistles.
Garrett Davis
> deekster_caddy
07/15/2014 at 20:47 |
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He's the Smoking Tire guy, actually.
Amirul Firdaus Azhari
> Klaus Schmoll
07/16/2014 at 08:55 |
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In my country, Malaysia, my wife purchased a brand new Volkswagen Polo 1.6 A/T in CKD form. Eventhough it was assembled here locally (this is the first batch of CKD Polo), she ended paying RM83k for the car (roughly equivalent of 30k USD). You guys got it lucky I suppose