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VW GOLF GTI
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Comments
carlady/host
Fast as hell and easy to ride in. I got the Flash Red, only one on the lot. Paid 22800 and got hem to add the CD changer for free. No regrets yet, and the ladies love it !
Hard to find anything with a V6 for under 25000.
Who cares what the writers for car mags say they dont get to drive this car everyday, their probably pissed because their stuck with some Mini van to haul the kids around in.
I just bought a new '99 GTI GLX, Tropic Orange...and love it. I got a great...just $20,000 with ALLOT of haggling!
This is my 14th new car, and my second VW; my last was a '95 GTI-VR6, that I kept for 4 years...longer than any other car.
I am having problems with the dealer, and getting parts. I took delivery with a chipped windshield and hood, and it took 2 months to get the windshield, and still no word on the touch-up paint. I am worried that VW may not be able to keep up with the service...since they are not used to selling sooo many cars.
As far as I am concerned, the car is a great "package"...allot of car for the $, no matter what anyone says. You cannot find a Honda or Toyota, with the level of feel, refinement, sportiness, and accessories that the GTI GLX comes with.
I've been waiting for my silver GTI for about 4 months now. It finally arrived last night, and I'll head over to the dealer tomorrow morning to pick up my little bundle of VR6-joy
HOWEVER, as excited as I am about getting my GTI, it's absurd that I had to wait 4 months for it to arrive. AND, even though the dealer and I agreed on a price for a 1999.5 GTI GLX in April, my car somehow became a model year 2000 somewhere in the last two months. Of course, the dealer wanted me to pay more than our agreed-upon amount, since my car was now a 2000, instead of a 1999.5. I patiently explained to him that asking me to pay more money because VW can't build and deliver the cars that their dealers sell in a reasonable amount of time is insane. He disagreed, so I wrote a long, detailed letter to VW of America, explaining how long I'd been waiting for my GTI, and how difficult they'd made the purchasing process. I was pretty careful not to insult my dealer, because he's not a bad guy, but it really annoyed me to wait 4 months for a car.
Anyhoo, when my car arrived yesterday, the dealer told me that VW of America was picking up the difference between the price we agreed on for a 1999.5 GTI and the 2000 GTI that I've ended up with. So, if any of you are in my situation (and I bet some people are), you might want to try registering a complaint with VW of America, as well as writing a letter to them. I got the number for VW Customer Service off the vw website (www.vw.com) and the address for Customer Service is:
VW of America
ATTN: Customer Relations
3800 Hamlin Road
Auburn Hills, MI
48326
Now, I have no idea if my complaints were the reason that VW is helping to foot the bill, or if my dealer just convinced his regional rep to chip in -- frankly, I didn't want to ask too many questions. Either way, though, I recommend that you tell VW (both over the phone and through the mail) if you're having a problem taking delivery of your car (which seems to be a common problem with new VW's).
Hope this helps,
Paul
I have a question. I heard people saying that for a new car, it'd better to have oil change more frequently. But when I talked to the dealer, that guy said this GTI is made to get the first oil change at 5000 miles. Is that true?
Josh
jwolf@wrightwood.net
As for powertrains, do you plan on tricking the engine out any? If not, the VR6 is the stouter engine. The 1.8T I believe has better gas mileage but with minimum expense, you can really soup the motor up.
Personally, I prefer the style of the GTI. It has more class and I prefer the look of the interior. The Bug is more gimicky. Two little things about the GTI really clinched it for me, the cool headlights and and the sweet three-spoke steering wheel.
Just my thoughts.
I had a 1985 Rabbit GTI, and since I know the engine wasn't ALL THAT, I'm sure it was the gear ratios that made the thing GO so well. I presently drive a Dodge Neon, and I can't seem to go around ANYTHING that I WANT to. Ha-ha, that engine makes a lot more noise than anything. So when people hear me rev it, they seem to block my move. And I remember being able to take the Rabbit into nearly ANY "gap" in the traffic pattern I could see. It was like a point-and-shoot thing, I used to do. With the Neon, it's an OOZE down the road kind of thing. I can see where I want the car to be, but it doesn't seem to be able to MAKE it THERE. (Ha-ha.)
I bought made a deal on the VR6 for the following reasons (in this order):
1. To have FUN!!
2. To have even MORE FUN!
3. To torment all my pals with Hondas.
4. To have some driving FUN.
5. To enjoy that VW driving experience once again.
6. To get rid of my ageing, soon to be ailing Neon.
7. To have the kind of performance I haven't had since the Dodge with the 340 in it (back during the FAKE gas crisis.
Later.
I owned a 1983 Rabbit GTI. And it had the same insurance rates as a regular Rabbit (imagine THAT). Of course, that ALL changed for me, after I wrecked it 3 times. (LOL)
Later.
After few months searching and analyzing which used car is fun to drive,good looking and most of all classy I ended up with choosing VW VR6. Therefore, I have bought a black VR6 95, the car have 55k miles on it. The previous owner told me he have changed the clutch,front and rear breaks and some minor maintenance. I wonder what would be the next repair or change in schedule. Another thing that I am concerned with is the power in 1&2 gears. The maximum speed that I can get from changing this two gears with rpm of 5000 is about 45 miles is this usual in other GTI's. My last question would be for those who have changed their springs and struts and put sporty one. Does it really help in handling and cornering or doesn't worth the money. Thank you guys in advance and happy, safe driving.
im new here i bought a gti vr6 back at the end of
april , i simply love this car but i had problems
with my passenger windows sticking down and not
rolling up, my poor baby spent 2 weeks in the dealer wating for the part has any one had a similar experience?
Is it possible that frequent oil change will damage or have negative effect on the engine?
I bought my 98 at the end of last summer and it has made some nasty grinding noises when I make low speed/clutch slipping starts (what should I expect I suppose). A friend that had owned a Corrado thought that this was not unusual... In my more paranoid moments, I wonder if some idiot fried the clutch before I bought it -- the car had 130 miles on it, which I didn't find out until after signing on the dotted line (the car had been on the dealer floor and I didn't make them sub in a new battery to check the mileage before agreeing to buy it -- why would one think to?)
Any experiences (good/bad/horrendous) appreciated.
2ND - Oil Change, The 1st oil change should definitely wait until 5000 miles. It is correct that there are additives for the break-in miles.
3RD - I had a 1998 Black GTi VR6 (black leather) and the window used to go up and then back down repeatedly. This was due to the car getting so hot and the rubber seal around the window expanding. This caused the window to go into child safety mode (was a pain to get the window to stay up once down). Dealer used powder (talcum powder) to help fix this (It worked, but you have to doing this because the car will keep getting hot from the sun, day after day!
Michael@compartment.com
I talked to a nearby mobile stereo store. The guy could not find the compatible CD change for my '00 Golf GLX. Then he talked to some experts. He found out that VW has switched from clarion to panasonic couple years ago. The compatible one will be panasonic CX-DP801. Suggested manufacturer price is around 300 dollars. But I went to the Internet and I found good deal of something like $190. however, if we want to put this in the new Golf, we need an interface (obviously panasonic has done something to the Monsoon stereo for VW so that it is not easy for us to add things). The manufacturer for those interface said the interface for '00 car won't be able in at least a month. So, i guess we have to wait.
By the way, the panasonic CX-DP 801 holds 8 CDs since there is not built-in interface like the dealer's does.
Spec: VW GTI VR6 GLX Year 99
This might seem a stupid question, but I am having serious trouble taking
off the stock gearshift knob. I bought a Razo knob and all I want to do is
to change it. I tried twisting it real hard but it didn't turn at all. Am I
doing the wrong thing? Or am I supposed to use MORE FORCE?? I shouldn't have to take the whole gearshift box out
in order to change the knob only right?
Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Kevin
Speed wise?
Handling wise?
Subarus are good cars, but the sheet metal is too thin. German cars have a much stronger body. I know you don't intend on crashing, but if you did crash the sub would be totalled while the VW would only need a new bumper.
I went to Japan this summer and test drove an impreza WRX. I pushed it a little and it was amazing. Cornering is peachy on subarus. However, although the test drive was only about ten minutes, when i opened the hood after, it was steaming hot. The turbo charged engine heats up fast.
THis is my point: any four cylinder will have to be pushed harder to perform as well as a 6. The 4 cyl will suffer more than a 6. also, on the resale, you can get more for a 6 than a 4.
The only thing about the VW i ordered it on august 4th, and the dealer still has no clue when it's gonna come in... I am SICK of waiting.
If you don't mind waiting, go for VW.
Thanks in advance!
I tried to act knowledgable about Dealer Holdbacks and walked away when they would'nt budge. I got only one callback from a dealer - and he was willing to come down only $500 from his initial offer of $4500 over MSRP!
I got on the phone and called still more dealers. They all gave me the same story - that these cars were in demand and going for thousands over MSRP.
I also called the guy at Bob Lewis who handles internet sales. He too wanted $4000 over MSRP.
I was amazed at how little some of these VW dealers knew about VWs. One dealer had never heard of the 1995.5 models. Another claimed the 2000 VR6's were all made in Mexico. One guy got confused when I mentioned that I wanted an A4 not an A3. Nobody was prepared to answer my questions about the traction control system.
I tried carorder.com, and was impressed (and skeptical) when they offered a 1999 GTI GLX at exactly invoice. But I wanted a 2000 and their customer service rep said they were only doing 1999 models. Furthermore it cost $500 to place an order *with no delivery date* - only a promise to give you your money back if they fail to get you the car in some unspecified period.
So I followed a friend's advice and tried a professional buyer: Dave at Hammerauto.com in Palo Alto. He immediatly found two Black&Black models for exactly MSRP. Then the next day he found one in Tropical Orange. But I wanted Black&Beige and I wanted to pay under MSRP so I would'nt feel too chumpish.
Two days later he found just what I wanted - at $545 *under* MSRP. It took another 3 days to get the car shipped up from LA. The entire process took about 8 days. I'm on my third tankfull and this car is terrific. Its a zillion times zippier than my 88 Jetta GLI 16v.
I'm still impressed by those who manged to get their GTI VR6 for a few hundred over invoice. But I failed miserably when I tried to make such a deal. I am very very happy with the service I got from Hammerauto.com. It was fast and painless, I did not have to deal with sleazy salesmen, and I got the car I wanted very quickly.
Then I looked at the GTI GLX. Funny, thought it was ugly when I first saw it, but every time I looked at it, I liked it better.
Very fun to drive! May not out-handle an Audi, but it'll certainly blow by one, (probably even a chipped one).
The kicker was the hatch. I have a test called the 'lawmower test'. See, my wife and I, suburban yuppies, no kids, have to take the lawnmower in for a yearly maintenance. BARELY fits into the Camry trunk (hers), BARELY fits into the Talon hatch (mine), and is a pain to put in both. Now the GTI? PIECE O' CAKE!
I know, I know, nobody buys a $20K car, just to carry a lawnmower, but how 'bout a 35" TV? How about anything that's bulky (monitors, small furniture, etc.) that just won't fit into the spacious but small-opening trunk of a Jetta or Passat?
VW was serious when they called it "quite possibly the world's most functional sports car".
[Rant Mode on]
Besides, leather, V6, sunroof, etc. for $20K? Can't believe the Edmund's STOOOOOPID review. They criticize the Si's lack of ABS. They don't mention the GTI's ABS or a wealth of other important stuff, but complain about ergonomics on a car with a phenominal list of safety and standard features. Did you know the moonroof slide cover on the Si is a dealer installed option?
[Rant Mode off]
Finally, I *did* order mine through CarOrder. The above criticisms are perfectly valid, there is a $500 down, and the wait is longer than with other services. I ordered a '99 Black/beige at $0 over invoice. If they can't find a '99 so configured, (I don't think they can), they'll order me a '00, (yes may take a bit longer).
Worse possible case is I end up with a '99 and save a few grand. Oh darn
now. This is really unfortunate, my '86 Scirocco shifts MUCH better than my '99.5 GTI - no excuse for this.. Honda, Mazda, etc., have figured out how to put good shifters into FWD cars, VW should be able to too.
Other than that - the car is awesome. The suspension is too mushy, but that's easily cured, my car goes under the wrench next week and will be upgraded with H&R springs and Bilstein shox/struts. I've already upgraded the stock all-season Michelin tires to 17" Dunlop SP9000's -
- a DRASTIC improvement..
There are few pics up at my page if anybody wants to see.. URL below.
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Factory/1780
I am very interested in purchasing a new 2000 vw gti vr6 and need a little bit more time to wait and save for a better down-payment. My question is when is the Golf vr6 4 Motion will be coming to the US, how much more power will be available, and what might be the cost?
Thanks in Advance for your answers...
I'm currently torn between the GTI and the 2.5RS so I called my State Farm insurance guy to ask if there was a difference in the rates. He told me that the company is shifting more to using crash test data to determine insurance rates. According to him, the Subaru and the VW both do quite well in crashes and thus both have the same insurance rate.
Yes, the GTI is faster and better equipped than the 2.5RS, but the 2.5RS is still pretty quick and I think 120 vs 143 is pretty academic on American roads. The Subaru is also about $4000k cheaper. It has all the basics covered, like power everything and a sunroof, but none of the GTI's nifty extras like the Monsoon stereo. The Subaru does have AWD though that gives the front and rear axles a 50/50 split on the power.
I'm pretty torn between the two cars. Each provide something different. Very difficult stuff. As for styling, I consider both to be pretty wild.
The Subaru is probably the closest competitor to the GTI available at the moment. I say that because they are both economy cars sporting bigger engines and sporty suspensions and both deliver lots of torque down low.
As for the 4Motion GTI, there was a recent blurb about the car in CAR magazine. It makes 201bhp from a 24v VR6 and has 6-speed manual. The 0-60 time they quoted was 7.1 seconds, about the same as the current GTI. Who knows how much much they will cost here. They aren't, as far as I know, confirmed as coming to the US yet and if they do, it will probably be during the 2001 calender year. Personally, I don't think it's worth waiting for. The current GTI GLX is already heavy and the 4Motion will most likely be heavier. I would assume it will be heavier as well.
$700 for the fuel pump here in the Boston area. Should I get it fixed and wait on the GLS/GTI??
Any advice would be appreciated. Right now have in mind a bottomline of $20K for a new car.
You might consider joining our mailing list, about 400 'roc owners worldwide. Great for tech info and general Scirocco chitchat. Instructions on how to join the list are at the bottom of the scirocco.org page.
-kc-
next week at a dealership in Atlanta. Can't wait
to drive one of these rockets.
Thanks!
on it. The local mechanic, whom I trusted?, has done a number of things on the car. His labor costs are quite high, I think. $56 per hr. but what do I know? Truthfully, I wasn't even thinking of the VR6 but now might have to consider it, since I need a car with power and pickup. We live right off an infamous highway (Rt.128) or as you guys in California call them freeways. Speed here is generally in the 70 to 80 range, tough getting on and up to speed with the traffic. Thanks again for the info. I'll take a look at your site. My baby is red, when I saw it in the showroom I knew this was mine,I bought it on the spot. Had Kharman Ghia previously. Thanks. Anne
Regarding prices, I was able to get mine for about $22240, which is about $1000 below MSRP. If a fruitcake dealer is asking above MSRP, give him your phone number and tell him to call you if he wants to sell a car. Then walk away.
The car is great. The acceleration is phenomenal... I have noticed that
sometimes in the 4th gear, the stick shift vibrates a little bit in my hand.
I talked to the dealer about it but he said that it's normal behavior.
Has any one of you noticed something like that?