What a disappointment GTI

[Renegade]

"My ipionion is that GTI is way overpriced"

 

I think that's the only complain I can currently throw at it, too....

 

I honestly feel the DSG's an engineering marvel

[Rm2s]

ok, if I have misquoted you, I apologise.

 

I read your review, you mentioned that you do not feel the turbo, to me, that is a good thing isn't it? I mean, for years, I am longing for Audi/VW to design something similar to what I feel in Saab, linear power delivery, and that they have done very well in the GTI. My previous 1.8T gave me that punch, but for complete enjoyment, I think I like the GTI more. May be is has got to do with the transmission, perhaps not, but I can feel the full 200bhp when driving it around LK and Portsdown.

 

I am at the risk of sounding like a VW salesman here .. hehe, I am not.

 

I believe in April issue of VW Performance magazine, the reviewer did mention that to fully enjoy the GTi, you need to remap the ECU, and there are already new program available in the market ... link posted by someone here to local vagsg forum has the detail. To buy a GTi and to remap ECU is almost a sure thing, since the power is there, might as well unleash it ..

 

Have a good day !!

[Falc]

No worries.

 

No turbo lag is good. But somehow the mid punch does not seem as strong as I anticipated. Maybe something really wrong with my butt lah ... But i tried with 2 passengers behind, and they were not impressed either.

 

Yeah, I tried saab troll b4, yes it's very linear, quite nice to drive around.

 

U tested the GTI in UK? I think perhaps the test route counts too. The one at Leng Kee sucks, just go straight, make U-turn and that's it. Should allow us to go up AYE.

 

U r spot on wrt the chipping. It makes a day and light difference to my 1.8T, i'm sure i will make wonder to the 2TFSI also. Perhaps someone who has done that can comment ....

 

But personally i dont like DSG or selespeed for the matter, still prefer manual.

[Patro]

Looks like a Skoda, too...I thought Skodas were supposed to look like VWs. Not the other way around.

[Tron]

My ipionion is that GTI is way overpriced.

 

hmm... i agree wit u in tat the GTI body is basically the same as the standard golf (read: Economies of scale) - i.e: the GTI doesnt have flared wheel arches & differing body panels to the standard car. Only the front bumper is the main visual difference and tat wont cost VW much.

 

IMO wher MOST of the "money" has gone into is likely the strengthened engine components to withstand the turbo & of cos the turbo itself - PLUS the iffy bucket seats & othr interior bits.

 

so frm this viewpoint, i still dare say tat at 124K+, the GTI is indeed pricey in SIngapore terms...

[Tron]

Care to share what are the other alternatives? I would be interested to know.

 

since u asked... well the sequential shift in an alfa is a blast to drive (even considering its "older" technology)... and tis i mean in reference to the 3G selespeed. when i get to drive a 2l SS, it still bring smiles to me face.

 

i havnt tried the "newer versions" in the JTS or GT coupe tho i did hear tat its much smoother & faster than the 3G selespeed.

 

for tat matter, i have tried the selespeed in the GTA (which is mechanically different frm the standard SS) and was mightily impressed wit it.

 

Shifts were quick & instant - One feature tat i loved is tat if u were to brake suddenly on 6th gear at say 110kmh on the highway, the selespeed will immediately drop to the appropriate gear (comfortably at 3rd gear on 80-90kmh) in anticipation tat u require the power for "manuevering". - try the same in a DSG or a 3G SS - it doesnt happen, simply losing engine RPM until u physically switch gears urself.. (again i dunno if it is available or not in the JTS/GT coupe SS)

 

(sidetracking here... )

in any case, i often read comments by supposed car reviewers saying tat the SS is jerky on the shifts - for me its simply tat they do not know how to use the SS... case in point, i watched a recent 5th gear review episode on the new M5 wit a SMG gearbox - if u set the shift timings (yes u can!! ) to the FASTEST... the reviewer implied: prepare to get WHIPLASH when u upshift....

 

jerkiness in a migthy BMW M5?? u'd think tat they spent millions developing this mother of all uber cars they wld have PREVENTED the "jerkiness" on shifts no? ...

 

well, all is not lost, apparently the reviewer "found" a way to prevent/minimise this whiplash effect by slightly lifting off throttle & shifting wit the paddle shift....

 

so much for the ALFA SS being JERKY - so performance or comfort?? i find it similar to ppl who want RACE car like handling BUT expect to also have COMFORT to boot in the suspension they choose. ridiculous if u ask me... IMO, there is little compromise between performane & comfort - its one or the other if u ask me.

 

jus my 2 cents gripe!!

Edited June 28, 2005 by Tron

[Foursprings]

My colleague collected his GTI last week and

I have been having a go at it every lunch time.

 

The first thing that caught my eye, the speedometer

ends at 300km/h.

 

This car is a blast to drive. The handling is great,

the muscle is there and more. For those who said

can't feel or its so so, I don't think they know how

to drive. This car is powerful and it is quiet.

 

Only thing I don't really like is the plasticky dull interior

or the seat belt which looks they recycled from the 70s.

My other gripe is that at 'Sports' mode, you can't use the

stick to shift gears and which means you have remain in gear

or awkwardly reach for + paddle which could be at 12 or 10

o'clock position.

 

Gear changes, at high revs, of course you'll feel some 'jerk'.

 

Just like the selespeed, if you know how to change gears

at low revs, you won't feel a thing.

[Tron]

the build quality is wat i love abt the GTi - i attribute its "quietness" to its rigid body... as for the interior, i agree tat they cld do much better...

 

as for shifting gears while exiting or in a corner... its true tat using the paddle shift to do so is sometx impossible and even dangerous... maybe tis explains why the Alfas come wit a lock to lock of 2.2 turns oni? and 1.75 turns for the GTA (at the expense of turning radius )...not sure abt the GTi tho. Even so, the gear schtick can be used to shift on the Alfas - so corners aint an issue for them.

[Rm2s]

Funny how you say it so sure that DSG does not downshift when brake is applied at 110km/h .. I tried, it happened .. and my friend tried, and it happened as well.

 

When you shift to S mode in DSG, it does that all the time so that you are always on the edge and ready to GO.

 

Alfa makes great cars .. i can see you are a fan. Thanks for sharing.

[Tron]

i tried on the GTi... didnt happen leh... did it do it automatically? or u shifted urself? i thot it would in S mode but it simply went limp until i downshifted myself... the SE still asked wat i was trying to do...

 

Im not an alfa fan specifically... im jus someone who cannot afford any equivalent or any better in terms or $$$ for power/style/performance etc WITHIN the range of Conti marques....

Edited June 30, 2005 by Tron

[Renegade]

Buggy software, perhaps ? Maybe, like certain operating systems, it just needs a service pack or two....

[Rm2s]

Your experience on the GTI is totally different from mine ..

 

Oh well, that is why there are so many car makes/models out there; for different needs

Edited June 30, 2005 by Rm2s

[Bambino]

i test drove the gti and personnally i feel its a great ride. i have sat in a WRX before and i feel the the gti has more pull..

btw i intend to get a car soon...any recomendations? preferably conti car.

thanks.

[Shui75]

how could u say tat GTI is a junk..... i suppose u dunno how 2 test drive the gti.

[Sini85salo]

hi,

care to share the price for the S40T5?

[Ohshit]

hi,

 

 

can anyone tell me the place of manufacture for VW GTI?

 

thanks

[Silver_blade]

Should be germany.

[Ohshit]

Hi,

 

Confirm germany?

 

wan to ask, does it come with leather seats n sun roof too?

 

thanks