2011 Volkswagen GTI: The Not So Jalopnik Review

"RaymondStantz" (RaymondStantz) 12/21/2013 at 13:10 • Filed to: Not So Jalopnik Reviews, Test Drive, VW GTI

21

63

I drive one of these things. With DSG (inb4 GRAH BLARGH Y U NO GET MANUAL??). It's no longer stock, but I do remember a simpler time when it was factory fresh. Here's my review based on those memories.

Exterior:

Interior:

Acceleration:

Engine:

Braking:

Ride:

Handling:

Gearbox:

Value:

This beat is my recital > RaymondStantz 12/21/2013 at 13:34

18

Much like Jenn here, I'd take it in a heartbeat.

tobythesandwich > RaymondStantz 12/21/2013 at 13:42

5

Exterior? Why isn't a .gif of someone sleeping?

Angry Dorito > RaymondStantz 12/21/2013 at 13:48

20

Every car review should be done with .gifs from now on.

RaymondStantz > tobythesandwich 12/21/2013 at 13:53

16

One man's boring is another man's understated.

RaymondStantz > tobythesandwich 12/21/2013 at 13:53

1

One man's boring is another man's understated.

tobythesandwich > RaymondStantz 12/21/2013 at 13:58

4

It's not that it's understated. It's a pretty boring design. It's designed to be inoffensive.

MooseKnuckles > This beat is my recital 12/21/2013 at 13:58

4

I would take one, but if buying, it would never be on my list of candidates

feather-throttle-not-hair > MooseKnuckles 12/21/2013 at 14:11

2

Yup. Perfectly nice car. They executed their concept quite well and deserve a pat on the back for that. But that concept? Not particularly interested in it.

Still I'd take one over 90 percent of the cars on the road.

M54B30 > RaymondStantz 12/21/2013 at 14:41

3

I can appreciate this. I don't own a GTI but people seem to forget what they are: a "hot hatch" version of an economy car. It may/is fun to drive but you never forget it's Golf origin. Fanboys will tell you it's the next Lambo competitor but it's just a tarted up Golf. Great in its class but nowhere near the competition one level up.

I had a 2007 Focus ST before I moved back Stateside. Fun, looked good, but it's still a Focus.

Thank you for your honest assessment.

Echo51 > Angry Dorito 12/21/2013 at 14:44

3

Don't give the residental Jalopnik editor any good ideas now!

LTIROCKS > M54B30 12/21/2013 at 14:50

1

They don't drive like "economy cars," though. I know because I've owned a lot of cars, including a then new '09 Corvette and a then new '08 Acura TL Type S.

You need to drive a new GTI if you agree with me. I'm presently on my second (a fully loaded, '13 Autobahn model, which replaced my mid trim level '10 GTI). I lease them...

Angry Dorito > Echo51 12/21/2013 at 14:50

0

Wouldn't dream of it.

GTS > RaymondStantz 12/21/2013 at 14:55

13

When people ask me to describe why I love my GTI, I explain it thusly: in this day and age it's incredibly easy to make an extremely fast car, an extremely comfortable car, or an extremely utilitarian car. A much more difficult task is to build a well-judged all-arounder that can be fast when you want, comfortable when you want, and utilitarian when you want.

P.S. I've lowered it since this picture was taken to remove that fender gap.

Reigntastic > RaymondStantz 12/21/2013 at 15:16

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Transmission:

112358132134 > GTS 12/21/2013 at 15:16

0

great looking car and you should be championing non bbs-lm wheels on forums because the scene is truly awful right now. Couldnt agree more about the car. I think it says a lot to have a car with almost no downsides at all. Great engine, tunable, aggressive yet subtle looks, comfy, quick, great stereos, nice ride and handling, amazing build quality and materials, and faster than a brz everywhere. love my GTI

Mr-Clutch > M54B30 12/21/2013 at 15:31

0

VW MKIV R32 enough said, it's defiantly not Lambo competitor but that is not what I bought it for. It handles great got a lovely exhaust note, and I have no trouble staying neck and neck with an e46 M3.

Frankenbike666 > RaymondStantz 12/21/2013 at 15:36

0

"Understated" will always be "boring" to a lot more than one man.

Loping Camshaft > Reigntastic 12/21/2013 at 15:44

4

CleverBS > M54B30 12/21/2013 at 16:14

9

I don't understand this mentality, most cars are based on a platform that is used on fairly pedestrian vehicles elsewhere, short of a few sports cars or expensive vehicles (and Porsches). For the money, you'd be hard pressed to find something that mixes practicality and performance better than a hot hatch, while still remaining thousands less than the entry level luxury level it takes to reach a base 3-series with a "dedicated" platform for a "sports" car (which could be argued trends more toward luxury these days, and then becomes sportier when you tack on the sports packages... much like you do when you get a GTI).

So unless you're buying something that was a purpose built sports car, isn't everything "still a (insert base model car here)"? An AMG Mercedes is still a C-Class. A TT-RS is still a TT (which is, amusingly enough, sharing a platform with the Golf). A M3 is still a 3-series. The base car was always designed first, the performance versions followed later, because the base car is the volume version.

AJ bought another motorcycle > M54B30 12/21/2013 at 16:42

0

This Ive got a speed3, great car but you'd think it was just a regular 3 until you mash the gas, the turbo spins up and gas mileage suddenly falls from "pretty decent" to "wow I really cant afford to do this very often"

GeorgeyBoy > RaymondStantz 12/21/2013 at 17:00

3

Herman Cain 2016!!!

Brumos59-2 > GTS 12/21/2013 at 17:12

2

I have a 2012 4 door GTI with a tune on it and I can't think of another car that can do 0-60 in under 6 sec., carry 4 people and luggage comfortably, while returning nearly 35 MPG highway. Fold the seats down and it swallows a massive amount of stuff. Bolt some snow tires on and it's great in the winter. Bolt some stickies on and it's a fun autocrosser. All for under 30 grand brand new. Like GTS said, it may be a jack of all trades, master of none, but there are really no downsides when you can only have one car to do everything.

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > RaymondStantz 12/21/2013 at 17:15

15

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crushlovepanic > tobythesandwich 12/21/2013 at 17:28

0

In the right color with the right rims I think it looks pretty sharp. Mean and cute at the same time, if that's possible.

crushlovepanic > GTS 12/21/2013 at 17:34

0

Love it in blue! You don't see it in that color as much and it looks really sharp.

I've been a proud owner of a '13 DE manual and I still grin like an idiot every time I get behind the wheel (in West Hollywood traffic no less).

Mikeyseuro > RaymondStantz 12/21/2013 at 17:46

1

I drive the same car. Stage 2 Revo. I approve of this review. Love the dub!

Wunderchoc > Somethingwittyer likes noisy 12/21/2013 at 17:47

0

So true.

GTI MkVII > GTS 12/21/2013 at 18:29

1

Exactly. Its the perfect car for quite a few different types of situations. And on top of it, it doesn't have the boy-racer/immature stigma that many competitors have (Mazdaspeed 3, Focus ST, etc.). As Jeremy Clarkson stated (and I'm paraphrasing here), you can have fun with it on a twisty bit of road in the morning and then take your girlfriend out on the town in it and not be embarrassed at the valet.

leobrioschi > GTS 12/21/2013 at 19:18

0

comfortable when you want? i didn't get it, really.

stevegravelle > RaymondStantz 12/21/2013 at 19:58

1

Hey, I'm looking to buy next spring/summer and this is top of my list now (only with a stick). It must be my only car/daily driver, with enough room to haul camping & fishing gear 4-5 times a year. Talk me out of this, or tell me what to look out for...

crushlovepanic > CleverBS 12/21/2013 at 20:32

0

Can't rec this hard enough.

FireSpittingV12 > RaymondStantz 12/21/2013 at 20:48

1

My GTI is a DSG. Drove the manual too and felt the DSG was far superior. Flywheel felt too damn heavy.

Victorious Secret > Somethingwittyer likes noisy 12/21/2013 at 20:55

1

Don't give Matt any ideas...

Franz86 > Mikeyseuro 12/21/2013 at 21:25

0

How do you like the revo tune? I went with apr stage one on mine and am very pleased with the extra torque. It's not as smooth as stock for normal acceleration but it's easy enough to drive smoothly and still averages about 25mpg.

Desu-San-Desu > RaymondStantz 12/21/2013 at 21:29

4

All this did was just remind me how much I wish Emma Stone was my wife, lol.

Aja1732 > Desu-San-Desu 12/21/2013 at 22:33

0

Yes. Yes. Totally.

feather-throttle-not-hair > CleverBS 12/22/2013 at 01:11

1

I think he's just saying that as good as these cars are they're blown out of the water by cars costing 10k more, in terms of driving experience.

to which I'd reply "ok but maybe I don't have an extra ten grand lying around"

JimAtKSF > tobythesandwich 12/22/2013 at 02:03

1

I must like boring because I love the way the GTI looks. It's simple, elegant, clean and sporty. IMHO it has one o the killer stances.

CleverBS > feather-throttle-not-hair 12/22/2013 at 02:19

0

Actually, the response should be: "For ten grand more, the driving experience better blow it out of the water AND blow me in the process."

ComradeSlow > GTS 12/22/2013 at 02:48

0

wut fender gap? ; )

Daniel Fleck > GeorgeyBoy 12/22/2013 at 10:01

0

Get you a 9-9-9 payment plan on your GTI.

AnotherHobby > RaymondStantz 12/22/2013 at 10:02

1

Sometimes I wish I hadn't have bought my GTI, because it'll be hard to replace it with something else. I backpack, go on canoe trips (I have a canoe), go mountain biking, and do lots of activities where I pack my car full of crap, and it just swallows it all up. I also own a house and not a truck, so I end up hauling water softeners, mulch, rock, piles of wood and other stuff in the hatch with the seats down. On top of that, I commute 70 miles round trip per day, so the > 30 mpg makes a big difference, and the 275hp keeps a huge grin on my face (chip, down pipe, intake, intercooler). The spiffy Autobahn package interior makes it feel more upscale than it is, so it's a nice place to spend over an hour a day.

Turbo-Brick > Brumos59-2 12/22/2013 at 10:48

0

And here I was about to say "My STI can do all of those things......" until I got to the fuel economy and price bit. Nope.

My logic when people ask me why I bought a STI is as follows, and it's similar to yours:

No other car can handle as well in the dry, is as composed in the wet, is as capable in the snow, can carry as many people or as much stuff, as reliably, safely, and for as little money as this Subaru.

RaymondStantz > AnotherHobby 12/22/2013 at 11:21

1

The only car I really like outside of the GTI in the same class is the Focus ST. Got a ride around a track in one... Just brilliant. You can tune them for great power too. Then again, a Stage 2 GTI isn't too bad as a daily. I've got downpipe, intake, and assorted suspension goodies. Revo did my tune and it's lovely.

RaymondStantz > Turbo-Brick 12/22/2013 at 11:24

0

I have great respect for all cars in this class. The WRX and MS3 are a little plastic for me, but damn are they capable machines.

Then again, on the street, you can only go so far. Unfortunately.

RaymondStantz > Mikeyseuro 12/22/2013 at 11:25

0

Stage 2 Revo is what I've got and boy does it kick these things into high gear.

RaymondStantz > stevegravelle 12/22/2013 at 11:26

0

This or the Focus ST is brilliant. Or just get a Golf TDI, slap a tune on it, and have a 300ft/lbs little torque monster.

theseeker411 > stevegravelle 12/22/2013 at 16:45

0

If you wait till later next year, the Mk7 will be in the States. The Mk6 is still a good value, or if you want to go the cheap route, get a used Mk5.

4X > GTS 12/22/2013 at 16:55

0

Well, there are some other cars which can do all that, but not in the US of A.

Brumos59-2 > Turbo-Brick 12/23/2013 at 08:11

2

The greatest thing about the world we live in is choice. I bought the GTI after cross shopping a WRX, Speed 3, Focus ST and Mini Countryman of all things. The WRX would be better in the snow but gets worse mileage. The Speed 3 was just too ugly in my wife's opinion and the Focus ST wasn't out yet to drive one. The GTI got me 90% of the performance of those cars with a better ride and MPG and a nicer interior. $600 for a tune, $150 for a rear sway bar and $1,000 for a set of high performance summer tires got me the other 10%.

Dale Kana > AnotherHobby 12/23/2013 at 08:28

0

Do you guys really get 30+ mpg? Dang, my Golf R maxes out at 23...

AnotherHobby > Dale Kana 12/23/2013 at 09:07

0

If I drive nicely on my 35 mile commute (which is all highway other than 1 mile), I will get over 30 every time. If I beat on it a bunch on the same commute I'll get 26 or so.

Mr-PLP > RaymondStantz 12/23/2013 at 09:55

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'nuff said!

VW Fan Boy > Dale Kana 12/23/2013 at 10:08

0

I get between 25-28mpg on the highway in my R. Remember, our gearing is different than the GTI's...especially the DSG's. Since the R's engine has different cams and a power band that is better suited for high revs the gearing is much different. At 80MPH, my R is @ 3300RPM approx. My GLI 6spd would do 80MPH @ 3000RPM approx.

PhiLOL (slowcarSLOW-MPGlol) > Angry Dorito 12/23/2013 at 13:25

0

Jalopuzzfeed.com

RaymondStantz > Dale Kana 12/23/2013 at 16:18

0

I've gotten as high as 38 mpg on very good days with a light foot. This is all on a Stage II car too.

iin10ded > Dale Kana 12/23/2013 at 17:34

0

my sti maxes out at 17.. =)

deadpedal > Desu-San-Desu 12/23/2013 at 17:40

0

and what comedy gold Herman Cain was/is...

stevegravelle > theseeker411 12/25/2013 at 10:44

0

Yeah, I know. I'm more of a used-car guy, though. I'm about 250 mi from Chicago, St Louis, and the Twin Cities, and the online sales sites give me the option of dozens of late-model, decent-mileage GTIs on the market at any one time.

Angry Dorito > This beat is my recital 12/25/2013 at 15:39

0

She wants the D.

theseeker411 > stevegravelle 12/29/2013 at 20:27

0

Well, I just traded in my Mk5 2 door GTI for a used Mk6 4 door Golf TDI with a DSG transmission with 58k on the clock. I love it, and 600 miles per tank is awesome.

As a former GTI owner, I'd say avoid the early Mk5s with the FSI 2.0T motor. They're a lot more of a maintenance whore than the later TSI motors. Make sure you stay consistent with oil changes, and use good synthetic.

Mikeyseuro > Franz86 01/04/2014 at 00:48

0

Its great, no problems whatsoever. Wouldnt justify switching over from APR though for the extra fee. Stage 2 is free for APR anyways

Franz86 > Mikeyseuro 01/04/2014 at 07:30

1

I really don't see many complaints on the gti forums about any of the tunes available for our cars. It's seems like as long as you get a good shop to pull the ecu without damaging it you're good to go. I love how much bang for your buck you can get with just a new tune on the TSI engines.