GOLF GLS 1.8T vs. GTI GLS 1.8T
sentra20ser
Member Posts: 68
I'm looking at buying VW hatchback with the 1.8T
motor. I'm wondering if you could help tell me
what the difference is with them of them and how
you have liked yours.
motor. I'm wondering if you could help tell me
what the difference is with them of them and how
you have liked yours.
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motor. I'm wondering if you could help tell me
what the difference is with each of them and how
you have liked yours.
GOLF GLS pros:
1 four doors
2 lower insurance insurance rates
3 greater passenger comfort and cargo capacity
4 more of the "sleeper" look, that is, same performance (more or less) as the GTI GLS but in a less obvious package
GTI GLS cons:
1 cannot get nifty GTI paint colors, Futura Yellow, Cosmic Green and Tropic Orange
2 cannot get leather interior
3 cannot get sporty (and inexpensive) cloth interior
4 soft suspension
My guess is that the larger part of the 'Corvette' crowd buys the car for the image thing, and much less for performance. You get much more thrill (and driving experience for that matter) from driving a Golf (or Civic) hard than a Corvette will ever allow you on open roads.
Also, check out how many 'vettes sell with an auto shift. Need I say more?
I love my GTI 1.8t. Really, I do. I take the long way home now, I just get up and go driving around town (when I can find decent roads in this place) and smile all the time.
They're both sleeper cars... but the feel of my steering wheel with my leather package is incredible. Two doors isn't that bad, actually - the front seats slide forward and it's not to hard to get in and out. My insurance is pretty reasonable, too - just at a grand for more than the state minimums for a year(and I live in Harris County, which is pretty expensive).
Does the Golf have that much more cargo capacity than the GTI? Pardon my ignorance if this is the case, but I assumed that if they're built on the same chassis and with the same body, interior cargo space will pretty much be identical with the rear seats folded down, eh?
And yes, it's not a sports car. However, try finding a car that can seat 4 in relative comfort, and that can also carry a full complement of band equipment, has the same interior build quality, and with a chip and some wheel/suspension mods can keep up with and possibly beat anything else in its price range.
Heck, even stock a 1.8t GTI can do that and still has more functionality than most other cars on the road.
I spent more than 2 years shopping around for a car (okay, I didn't have the money to take action, but it forced me to do a great deal of research), and I found nothing in the GTI's class. The closest I found was a Civic Si, but they don't make the hatch anymore.
Oh yeah, did I mention that I love my GTI?
I do agree that the sports-tuned suspension is still to wallowy for enthusiasts, but my understanding is that 2001 or 2002 is coming with 17" wheels and a real suspension as an option.
Cheers!
carlady/host
Except for when my old boss raced his 740 against another friend's M3 on the way to work... I drool, excuse me.
If you are worried about Brazilian made cars, I know from experience that they are well built cars. I used to own an 87 VW Fox. All Foxes from 87-93 were built in Brazil. My Fox was very reliable and durable, even though it was already 12 years old when I bought it for $550. It ran great, always started the first time and never stalled, didn't rattle, and was very solid. Even after 12 years of brutal Florida sun without any tint, the dashboard looked new and had no cracks on it. It was a great car and I wish I had kept it longer. I only got rid of it because the AC didn't work and I was dealing with 100+ degrees. At the time, it needed a new compressor and I couldn't afford to fix it. Anyway, the car is only assembled in Brazil. All the parts are made in either Mexico or Germany. The engines are always built in Germany. So, I wouldn't worry about buying a car made in Brazil. It shouldn't make any difference where the car is assembled. What matters is who designed and made the parts that make up the car.
Funny how some people equate VW with a sensible, economical car from a sensible car company when in fact, Volkswagen is a corporate behemoth that will act just like all the rest in the pursuit of every last Godforsaken dollar.
First, it's a free enterprise economy (thank God) and it's all companies' duty to make money - lest they are government subsidized (now we wouldn't want that would we?)
Second, you're in the wrong forum if your focus is on 'economy cars' only. The GTI is by no means an economy car. It appeals to those of us who are willing to put 20 grand (or more) on the table in order to have a well-assembled, smart looking car that's a blast to drive. As simple as that.
If you want 'economy' - stick to inexpensive Korean, Japanese or American brands who offer just that. There's nothing wrong with 'those' cars, they are just in a different market.
I am the first to admit that many car owners or potential buyers get a bit too 'brand loyal' in these columns and make statements which they really know nothing about. But hey, that's to be expected when you talk about cars: one of the few material possessions which stirs emotions in many people.
If you feel charged with some mysterious mission to hunt down 'small sporty and smart' car enthusiasts you are of course in the right column. But maybe you should use your energy somewhere else (SUV columns?) where it would be more productive.
And by the way, I own a Golf GTI 1.8t (and love it). For the same money, I could get a larger, boring, albeit reliable car. But I don't want one of those. If Alfas were marketed in the US, I'd rather own a 156. Not an economy car either, but truly a car which offers passion for the money. You get what you pay for, and what you get is - at the end of the day - a product of your own free choice.
I agree all the way, of course VW is a corporate behemouth. But if it wasnt for companies of that nature you would be walking your happy butt around town. You could never afford a hand built car that is not massed produced. But if your in the market of negativity then you get what you pay for. You MR FETALPUNK must have alot of anger built up inside and should drive a car suggested here where you took the liberty to come to, to smile and be happy and forget YOUR propagada whoas. There is nothing to fear of VW you dont have to like them if you dont want to, your but a voice amoung many. And I say good day to you.
To everyone else. Lets leave where we left off. This was starting to get good, Before the interuption.
As far as brand loyalty, I will be the first to admit that I love VW and plan to continue buying their products. However, I am far from blindly loyal to them. I currently own an 84 Rabbit GTI, an 84 Mazda RX7, and a 2000 Hyundai Accent. I just recently sold a 93 Mitsubishi Diamante. I think you will all agree that I don't blindly limit myself to my love for VW, based on the wide spectrum of car brands I currently own.
Yeah, I know the Fox was never the most popular of the VW's, and to date it's known as the least appealing in terms of looks. However, they were just as reliable and useful as Jettas, Rabbits and Cabriolets of the time so I can't for the life of me understand WHY they would all be in the junkyard? Is there some unwritten automotive law that states that unpopular, low-production cars automatically turn to junk? That's some logic for ya.
At any rate, I'd just like to say that my '89 Cabriolet is running strong and looking good. Some people can't understand why those of us who drive and love VW's at times are even more enthusiastic about them than VW salespeople. We come in many different forms, some of us love air-cooled, some of us water, some are obsessed with A1's, some are just becoming VW fans since their American rebirth in '98. However no matter what we like we are in no way spouters of propaganda, nor "cultist" conformists trying to win our way in the wide world of automotive free thought. We leave that up to the Rice-Boys...lol, j/k I'm not trying to flame.
We had both owned several VW Beetles in the past and loved them, even tho they required a lot of maintenance. They were easy to work on and parts were plentiful and cheap.
After the Rabbit fiasco I began buying Hondas and he went with Toyota and Nissan. We have both been much happier and spent a lot less on repairs in the last 15 years.
Annnnyway, Hondas from the late 70's/early 80's weren't great either, I have my share of horror stories between a '79 Accord my brother owned and an '88 Civic I owned. It just goes to show that blanket statements mean absolutely nothing.
By and large those were very reliable little cars. I knew a coworker that ran one to 250k miles before he had any major problems. Regular valve adjustments and oil changes were VERY important with all the Honda engines until the early 90's. Also, replacement of the timing belt at 60k mile intervals...
As far as reliable Hondas go, the late 70s-late 80s had major problems with headgaskets and overheating. My roommate had a 79 Accord that would overheat constantly, even though he replaced the head and gasket three times over 2 years! We owned an 85 Civic wagon and the same problems occured. It blew its head gasket, smoked horribly, and overheated everyday if you stopped at a stoplight. It was reliable in that it always started, but it did not run good and it only had 130K. Hondas in general tend to be reliable, but they run into headgasket failures and overheating quite often (the older ones at least). These are rare problems in the watercooled VWs.
I do have a relative that ran a 1984 Accord to 240k miles with no serious problems, until he crashed it last September (total loss). Yes, the older Honda's required strict maintenance, which many people ignored. Then they complained when valves burned or timing belts broke.
Each to his own.
Sheesh....
Yeah so Gti GLS 1.8T vs Golf GLS 1.8T...I would go for the GTi if for the only reason that with the Golf you're stuck with velour seats and I DETEST Velour. I think Velour is to cars what velevt is to paintings. Cheap, common and gaudy. I'll take the inexpensive, easy to maintain, sporty-grip quality of cloth over velour any day. Or, I'll take the shiny, classy look of leather. Both are options in the GTi, neither are on the Golf...
Also, I heard 3500 workers walked out on strike at the Mexico VW plant, were Jettas and New Beetles are assembled. A friend of mine was thinking about a Jetta but she might not have much of a selection now. Has anyone heard an update on that strike?
Drive safe.
I can't guarantee that's what it is... but read your owners' manual and you will see a paragraph which mentions a protective sealant that VW uses and on new cars, it may 'bubble' or in your case leak. Completely harmless, and really just proof that VW takes corrosion seriously.
But if you feel nervous about it, I'd still check with your dealership. It may be something else... (I hope not)
I paid a little over 20K for my Y2K GLS GTI
It has Monsoon, factory disc changer and a window tint. Im sure you could get one for less though if you shop around.
Thx...the stupid Englishman
I really want a 4 door but I love those cloth seats. I Hate the soft couch like seats they put in the 4 door and in all American cars. Why can't we just get the same seats as they do in Europe?
Factory Warranty covers the Turbocharger...
What do you mean by "nevermind the warranty"?
Reading that site makes me really paranoid, it seems that the phenomenon is happening like a epidemic. As described, if the DV fails, it is supposed to give a "honking" noise (some refers it to be similar to blowing over a coke bottle), and particularly audible in 2nd and 3rd gear.
Now, call me deaf or otherwise, how can I distinguish a "turbo sound" from a "honking" sound?? Can anyone maybe give me a better explanation since those guys in vwvortex seem to speak in tongues.
I am just so worried that my baby might have got the DV syndrome that I am too deaf to know. Help anyone?