Just Test Drove A '15 GTI...

"Tom McParland" (tommcparland)
08/11/2014 at 18:08 • Filed to: vw gti

10/10 would buy....but waiting on performance pack. My main concern was the pedal placement for heel-toe-shifting, some reviews said it was too far apart but others said it was ok. I can report that heel-toe was no prob for me in my size 10 shoes.

DISCUSSION (33)

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Tom McParland
08/11/2014 at 18:10

I looked at one at the dealership last weekend, still had the transport plastic on it. Awesome looking car, almost exact same price as the 2015 FoST next door though.

heliochrome85 > Tom McParland
08/11/2014 at 18:11

I like them a lot. I hate that VW prevents you from getting cloth on a loaded one.

Tom McParland > heliochrome85
08/11/2014 at 18:17

That's ok with me...I don't car about a sunroof, or Fender audio or a backup cam...or Nav. I'll take a base model with PP and 6MT!

Saracen > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
08/11/2014 at 18:18

Yep...same price as the FoST. Better to drive than the FoST.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Tom McParland
08/11/2014 at 18:18

Kinja'd!!!

I wonder what this is for, is it a towhook?

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Saracen
08/11/2014 at 18:19

Guess it's personal preference, though I have no idea what its like to drive either.

Devilishprune > Tom McParland
08/11/2014 at 18:23

This is a damn good looking car. Saw one in person (I think) yesterday as I was driving around.

felixpotvin > Tom McParland
08/11/2014 at 18:23

I have the plaid cloth on my 06 GTI and I wouldn't trade it for all the leather in uh... some place that has a bunch of leather.

Anyhow I like the cloth seats.

jariten1781 > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
08/11/2014 at 18:23

Tow hook is the round thing on the right side in the bumper. I have no clue what that square thing in the center is. Radar cruise? Laser beam?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Saracen
08/11/2014 at 20:11

This might be a personal preference thing, but exactly how is it better?

Saracen > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/11/2014 at 20:39

Better seating position, smoother power, smoother suspension, better steering. I guess you could say the FoST is more 'exciting', but the GTI just feels screwed together so much better, and more refined. I'd pick it every time. If I didn't have the MK6 R and was looking for a new car, I'd get the GTI.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Saracen
08/11/2014 at 20:43

I wanted a new GTI, but there was no more 2-door I was told.

Wurrwulf > Tom McParland
08/11/2014 at 22:41

There's been a lot of talk about the interior quality of recent VWs, especially the Mexican made cars. Comments? How does it compare to the older, German made GTI?

Tom McParland > Wurrwulf
08/11/2014 at 22:44

My friend has a German made MK6 and that he traded his MK5 for...the MK7 is much nicer on the inside than both of those.

Wurrwulf > Tom McParland
08/11/2014 at 23:25

That's good to hear. I was worried that VW was regressing to the competition in terms of material quality and fit and finish.

Catonawallonfire > Tom McParland
08/12/2014 at 03:36

Once you get a sunroof in your car, you will always want a sunroof in your car.

Bob > Tom McParland
08/12/2014 at 07:20

But at least the friend's car is almost paid for :)

wrblue11 > heliochrome85
08/12/2014 at 07:56

i couldn't agree more. I want plaid seats and nice things dammit!!!

quarterlifecrisis > Tom McParland
08/12/2014 at 08:13

I've missed out on a chance to a couple dealer trades on these in the last few weeks - but I'm looking forward to getting some seat time.

Bob > Bob
08/12/2014 at 08:38

Relatively speaking...

Tom McParland > Bob
08/12/2014 at 09:54

And both the MKV and MKVI look much nicer on the inside than my Mazda3...zeGermans know how to make interiors.

n54 & s38 > Tom McParland
08/12/2014 at 14:54

Yeah, I noticed the same thing when I sat in one. Steering wheel wasn't quite as fat as my 335 but overall, nice interior. I felt like the visibility wasn't great though and that the brake was too far from the accelerator. Does anyone actually use their heel

4play > Tom McParland
08/13/2014 at 15:47

Great car, isn't it?

Performance pack + APR Stage 1 tune = wow.

4play > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
08/13/2014 at 15:48

Headlight washer jet.

Tom McParland > 4play
08/13/2014 at 15:50

I hear the APR numbers are insane...but if I get one I'll keep it stock 258 torque is more than enough thrust to make me happy...especially since my Mazda3 only has 167 or so.

4play > Tom McParland
08/13/2014 at 16:13

Yeah, the PP is more for the diff and brakes than the power bump I think.

APR is claiming 291 WHP and 367 (!) WTQ. Those are just silly numbers from a 2.0L 4cyl. Quarter mile in 13.1 @ 110. That's the same trap speed as a 6MT E9X M3 and only a few tenths off in terms of time (M3 launches better)! Truly unbelievable - just imagine how fast the new Golf R with a DSG will be.

dekone > Wurrwulf
08/13/2014 at 16:17

I looked at both through the glass and the MK7 looked much nicer. Sat in both and felt around some and the MK6 felt much more "solid" is the best way to describe it. The surface materials are just as nice (if not better) in the MK7 but it just felt like less robust.

dekone > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
08/13/2014 at 16:19

Adaptive cruise control and crash avoidance but I belive those features are reserved for the Euro market. (VW strips a lot of the goodies out of the NA market cars)

WhiskeyGolf > Tom McParland
08/13/2014 at 16:21

This is a bit of a stretch question based on your drive but do you (or anyone else!) know what the minimum wheel size for the PP is? I bought 16" winter steelies for my Golf with the intention of using them on a GTI when I get it, but I'd prefer not to have to buy all new wheels/tires if they don't fit.

Tom McParland > WhiskeyGolf
08/13/2014 at 16:23

That is a good question...when the PP comes out the folks at TireRack might know, they are pretty good about that. I plan on running a second set of wheels as well if/when I get the car, but will most likely go with 17''

His Stigness > Tom McParland
08/13/2014 at 20:47

I drove it and wasn't super impressed. I much prefer the MKVI. But then, my test drive wasn't super long, and I've driven the MKVI GTI (and TDI) a lot more, so I'm more familiar with them.

And the pedal placement was an issue, it was the top hinged pedal that ruined it for me, I can't stand those!

S60 Sasha > heliochrome85
08/15/2014 at 13:31

omg yes. I want CLOTH with Sunroof and Sound. Ugh!

GeneralBacara > Tom McParland
08/16/2014 at 12:33

Test drove it at SoWo '14. It's nice. But just bought an ST because more power, cheaper to insure, and just plain cheaper to own. Couldn't be happier. Glad I bought 'Merican too.