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At idle (no gas applied) here are the approximate speed it will idle:
1st: 5 mph
2nd: 10 mph
3rd: 15 mph
4th: 20 mph
5th: 25 mph
Just let go of the clutch slowly and it will idle along for you.
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On another note, when will we get the GTI TDI???
Btw, if the GTI is a "chick" car, then it must be a cool car. ;-)
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Station Wagons
Just wondering which branch of engineering?
Psst, it's Mark 3
I stand corrected on the Mark 3 term, oops.
Trained mostly in manufacturing and quality engineering (it includes working for a VW supplier also....)
you're on vortex right?
Though I heard that the tint will actually help speed the regulators to its death. According to a non-VW mechanic...a "automotive repair expert" Pat Goss (who is probably going to see the regular fail in his New Beetle sooner or later)
http://www.trendmotors.com
They do have one in stock, silver with black cloth with Lux, Cold weather, & 17" rims.
They can also add 17" rims for the same price as the factory, as they have done that before
My fiancee and I are planning to buy either an '02 GTI VR6 or an Acura RSX. We both love the speed and power of the GTI, and also prefer its looks and features -- BUT, we are concerned about what we've heard about VW reliability as compared to Honda's/Acura's (so much so that we're leaning strongly towards the RSX, even though no car we've test driven has made us smile like the GTI). We are both entering 5 year doctoral programs, and want the car to last at least 5 years without major repairs, and hopefully more (like 10).
So, I'd love to hear any thoughts on the reliability of GTI VR6s, and late model VWs in general. Neither of us has owned a VW before. Thanks!
Of course that's not as bad as when I bought it and had just 1200 miles on it and a deer blindsided me. It's just not right.
That said, the MKIV's by design aren't as good as the MKII's in my opinion.
Someboy mentioned the climatronic before. I would normally use foul language in describing the thing, but I've already been warned to watch it.
Yes, it is quite impossible to get it to blow the temperature air you want if the sensors decide that it's too cold or warm by comparison. This is a stupid design that there's no question VW just majorly dropped the ball on.
You also can't turn off the auto tinting rear view mirror. I'll have to thank them for that too.
I've been a gti nut since 1988 when I first sat in one, but minus the tree and the deer, VW is not impressing me lately (and forget about dealer service. jack daniels in NJ, or don't bother)
The new vr6's you can get without the leather and climatronic and all that other crap I didn't want, but I was first on the block, and I'm paying for it.
But I've decided to stick with it. So I'm putting on dunlop sp8000's today (although it recently occured to me that I only got 32K out of the original RSA's, not too good either) and I'm going to do the suspension in a few weeks when I have time. Any suggestions? The stock suspension makes me think I'm in a caddy. I want rock solid stiff. I'm a cornering freak.
About synchros. I've had weird very rare and random misses from 2nd to 3rd. I expect resistance from the synchros so I push hard when shifting fast, but every once in a while, there's nothing, and I just grind the gear real bad.
Anybody ever hear of this?
I can't reproduce it consistently, so I'm not sure quite what the symptons are.
I'll stop ranting now...
Many on the vortex are complaining about worn synchros also.....but well, synchros are made to wear. The Celica, RSX, and WRX guys are complaining about their syncros wearing also...and you already know why.
Other comments: great, strong engine but a bit buzzy at high rpm. Great 5th gear acceleration at 70 mph. The only stronger 4 cyl I've driven was the old Chrysler turbo 2.5 with balance shafts fitted to the Dodge Shadow a few years back -- great torquey engine (150 hp/ 180 lb ft) and smooth to the redline. Shame about the rest of the car though..
I like the stock suspension and the 16" Montreal wheels. I've rented cars such as the Toyota Solara (mediocre like the Camry), and the taughtness of the GTI is always a pleasure after these experiences. At the same time it's reasonably peaceful on a long drive. I have no desire to be continually smacked about on poorly maintained NE US roads by an overly stiff suspension.
but I just hate the immense body roll that this has.
They've definetly made it cushier since 1992, Never drove an A3, so I can't speak for them. I've been driving with my new tires, and that makes A LOT of difference, but I know I can squeeze more cornering out of this car with an even slightly better suspension.
In defense of the Passat, it has better cupholders.
I got the luxury package so the leather inside is really comfortable, the sounds system rocks and the car itself has much more room on the inside that it looks from the outside.
This is the first VW I have ever owned (been a BMW guy before) and I'm glad to I bought one now. I can honestly say this is the most fun I have had driving a car and with so many aftermarket options for this car, the fun is just beginning !!
I'm happy to be a part VW family!
Graham.
My 1.8t puts out about 240 HP and 235 Lb Ft of torque. Engine mods were simple and cost only about $1k to get this type of performance:
K&N air filter in the factory air box - replaces stock filter - this filter is cleanable and lasts the life of the car.
APR ECU upgrade - (www.goapr.com) by far the best chip tuner on the planet. All the attributes of a stock GTI - minimal turbo lag, etc - with a LOT more power.
Neuspeed: (www.Neuspeed.com) (www.greedspeed.com) Turbo air intake - increases airflow into the turbo by 70%, Downpipe - ditto for after the turbo, TurboXS diverter valve. Eurosport exhaust - reduced back pressure, nice mellow deep tone, not loud at all, noticable power increase.
You get a lot of benefit from allowing the turbo to breath better, increased flow in and out of the turbo has significant gains plus it really enhances the reprogrammed ECU.
Suspension: Neuspeed racing springs, upper front stress bar and 25mm rear sway bar, Bilstein shocks - handles like a go cart, no sway, very, very tight. I have the factory 17" wheels with Michelin Pilot Sports.
It's amazing what you can do with the GTI in the aftermarket.
As far as suspension goes you really don't have anything to worry about. My aftermarket suspension parts are warrantied for the life of the car - much better than factory warranty. Same goes for my exhaust system - lifetime warranty. My suspension mods cost a little over $1,000.
Silverstone is the tightest color - I would have gotten that color if it was available in 2002 - I have Reflex Silver (along with 1,000,000 other GTI's).
For Neuspeed products go to www.greedspeed.com - excellent prices and service.
My dealer really doesn't care if my car is chipped. If something went wrong they would have to prove that the chip caused it which is hard to do (according to them). Some dealers are totally anal about chipping. The 1.8t is overengineered in typical German fashion. It can take up to 300 HP without any internal modifications. I know a lot of people with 1.8t's with various mods and no one I know has had an engine failure of any kind.
The APR ECU upgrade is undetectable to the VW dealers diagnostic tool and it can't be overwritten. The only way a service tech would know it's chipped would be to drive it - very, very noticable. To put my GTI back to stock mode all I have to do is turn the ignition to the on position, turn on the cruise control, (with the ignition in on position the engine light is on)push and hold the cruise set button until the engine light starts flashing, one flash is stock mode, two flashes is chipped mode. There are more modes available - valet mode (disables the turbo completely) and racing gas mode for 104 octane racing gas. One other mode will reset the check engine light if it ever trips.
Silverstone is a great color on the GTI I bet it will be really popular on the 2003's. There are other 2003 GTI enhancements I really like - 3 spoke wheel on non-leather cars and the exhaust going through the rear valence - nice.
As long as you have a mechanic on call to replace the occasional blown head gasket.
It wouldn't keep me from buying an '03, but I wish VW hadn't made that change. The old way made sense...give the leather wheel/shifter/handbrake to the people who order leather seating. The people who like the thought of leather in their car would buy the leather-package cars anyway, right?
About the turbulence, I had the same concern, but a testdrive of a sunroof car left me being thoroughly impressed with German engineering. When you twist the sunroof dial to where it stops, the sunroof opens to a certain point which is pretty much the farthest it will open without turbulence. If you really want to open it all the way, you can twist and hold the dial even further, and it will do just that. Upon doing that, turbulence reared its ugly head (at 70-ish on the freeway) but twisting it back to where it was solved the problem. No need for rear windows to crack.
Mike
I don't have the 104 octane program or the valet mode on my APR chip - all the different modes are options. I can upgrade my ECU with additional programs at any time. I have 93 octane (since I live in Florida) chipped and stock modes. Apparently 104 octane gives the stock GTI the same performance of an Audi S4. My chipped GTI with all the additonal stuff I've done keeps up with S4's.
VW made a 1.8t 4 door Golf as late as 2001 - too bad they don't still make it. About the only way to get 4 doors in a 1.8t Golf is a Jetta which is essentially a 4 door Golf with a trunk. I would have considered a 4 door Golf 1.8t if it would have been available. The back seat in a 2 door Golf is amazingly roomy. Plus if you need to haul stuff you can easily remove the rear seat bottoms and fold the backs flat. Or the bottoms
I know a couple of people that have upgraded their 1.8t to 300 HP by installing a slightly larger turbo among other things. No problems with head gaskets or anything else internal to the engine. About the only area that needs internal work is the transaxle/ transmission when you get to the 300 HP level. Most people install a limited slip differential like a Quafe or Peliquin for better traction. If you miss a gear when shifting with that much HP it can wreak havoc with the transmission - other than that VW has made that 1.8t GTI almost bullet proof up to 300 HP.
If I was in the market for a 03 GTI I'd get Silverstone with 17" wheels with or without the luxury package.