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VW GOLF GTI
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Comments
You can get a preview of the Euro model here:
http://www.vwvortex.com/home.html
If you look at the "Features" you'll see the 4Motion V6 mention. Click to get the goods. 204HP, 199lbs/ft torque through 4 wheel drive...Yikes! If they bring this thing to North America the price probably in the $30,000US range which may be a tad high considering the general image hatch backs carry (cheap econo-boxes) here.
While you're there, take a look at the Audi S3 which is a very sporty, high performace sister to the GTI. Featuring Audi's 1.8l Turbo engine, 17" alloys (!!), 6 speed tranny and very muscular styling this is an Autobahn burner. If only it was available here.
Dave
2000 GTi GLX
Thanks Dave for the information.
Now I have a new car to dream about.
A 4door 4motion Golf.
The car is extremely fast, and most impressively, the torque band is very broad, so there's a lot of umph at low speeds/low revs as well as at higher rpms. This car really pulls. For all I've heard about a numb cable shifter, I find the shifting precise and direct, with the stick clicking nicely into each gear.
Once I got used to the extra power and acceleration capabilities of this car (compared to a '92 Audi 100S that I traded in, which had an engine with similar horsepower but was geared much taller and was significantly heavier, resulting in somewhat sluggish performance but very responsive higher rpm response), I tend to agree with some of the performance jocks that the suspension is a tad on the soft side. But let's keep things in perspective: you can still hammer this thing into turns at much higher speeds than most of what's out there, and the handling feel is top notch, even with the stock all-season tires. I suspect that a tire upgrade alone (something in the Pirelli P6000 quality range or higher) would make a big improvement.
Now comes my pet peeve. Most GTI buyers don't seem to care very much about the sound system. However, one of my pleasures is driving fast with good music playing. The new Monsoon system which is standard in the new GTIs was receiving very good word of mouth as soon as it became available, so my expectations had already been raised when I picked up the car. By the way, I understand that Monsoon is owned by VW. 8 speakers, 200 watt amp, 103 poles of equalization with customized calibration all sounded promising. Well, big disappointment. The sound is gritty and very sharp in the treble, partly, I suspect, because the front tweeters are mounted very near the ears, which is not optimal for imaging purposes either. On some CDs, the sound is listenable, particularly acoustic music with a warm recording balance. But otherwise, this is an ear bleeder!
Finally, comfort, convenience and appearance. Very comfortable, supportive seats, with all the adjustability anyone could want with the customary cumbersome notched wheels to adjust seatback angle and lumbar support. But I kinda like the extra effort it takes to turn those wheels. A VW idiosyncracy. The blue dashboard backlighting for the gauges took some getting used to, but I find them clearly visible and not unattractive. But why don't we get oil temperature and oil pressure gauges and a voltmeter? The driving controls are all easily at hand and well designed. The climate control system is another story: too many small buttons. The driver really does have to take attention away from the road to use the small pushbuttons, and the low position of the controls adds to the difficulty. But I suppose if you just set the thing at the appropriate temperature and leave it alone, it's OK.
Overall, I love the car. Peppy, spirited, attractive and comfortable enough to take your grandmother for a ride (not in the back seat, though, unless your grandmother is an athlete). What's next? A complete audio system upgrade, top to bottom, head unit, amps, equalizers, speakers and speaker positioning. Also probably a tire and suspension upgrade (H&R springs and Bilstein or Koni shocks, Pirelli P6000s). Then we'll see what we have.
Hope this was helpful to someone out there. Feel free to ask if you have any specific concerns I might be able to answer. Happy driving (and listening)!
I'd agree with pipo that the stock (monsoon) stereo needs some work... Does anyone know how much work it would be to modify a pioneer head-unit to have red lighting on the buttons (to match the stock lighting). I want a pioneer head unit so I can get their in-dash 6 disc changer. I'm probably going to try taking the face apart & resoldering red LEDs instead of green ones, if its really that simple...
www.crutchfield.com
The lease on my '98 Subaru Legacy GT is up in 8/00 and I've been test driving many models. I've tried the Saab 9-3, BMW 323i, Audi A4 2.8, Acura 3.2TL and the GTI. While my criteria include 4 doors, 5 speed, certain amount of prestige-I can't get past the FUN I had behind the wheel of the GTI. Other reviews mention driving with a grin, it worked for me too. I may find myself ditching the 4 door requirement, etc. and just go for the FUN.
Should be an interesting drive. I've only been behind the wheel of 1.8T Passats and A4s and they don't quite cut it on the performance side of things. I'm guessing the Turbo Beetle would be closer in weight and performance but haven't driven one. The European press has rated the GTI 1.8T highly but found it a little "too civilised" in general--of course the cars that they prefer to the GTI aren't available in the states anyway.
Can't wait to decide for myself!
The real question is, can I wait this long?
For those with experience, how does this car handle in snow? Just moved to Ohio and unfortunately this is a very real consideration in purchase of next vehicle. Thanks for advice
I live in Ottawa,Canada where snow is an unfortunate reality for 3-4 months a year. While I haven't driven my 2000 GTI GLX in winter yet (and hopefully not for a while) I'll pass on the following observations:
1. The car is front heavy with a 70/30 front rear weight split. While this does comprimise the overall balance of the car and causes the nose to dig in on hard corners, starting on slippery sufraces will be easier because of the extra weight over the driving wheels.
2. The Traction control system should help to alleviate some wheel slippage on icy roads. Of course you can disable this feature if you are trying to dig your way out of a snowbank.
3. The car will probably understeer like a pig if you push it through a slippery corner. While I haven't experienced any winter driving yet, this car, like any FWD vehicle, exhibits understeer in loose gravel and wet conditions, snow and ice will only make it worse. Not that you can't adapt your driving style to accomodate this in the winter, just be aware.
Overall, I don't expect this car to be any better or worse during the winter months. Get a good set of winter tires and, as always, drive carefully when the white stuff is on the road.
Weight distribution is NOT 70/30! It's more like 62/38, still a nose-heavy pig but a far cry from 70/30, which would be pretty damn ugly to drive!
-kc-
'99 GTI GLX
'86.5 Scirocco 16V 2.0
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Factory/1780
carlady/host
ejs
2000 GTI GLX VR6 PIG
I like the looks and interior of the GTI's and the yellow color is my favorite. I usualy don't like yellow.
But to address the prestige factor, if you buy a car that everyone and their grandmother (to bring back an old theme) already owns, like the Jetta, how much prestige is there in that? On the other hand, to drive a car that very few others have been wise enough to choose, now there's REAL exclusivity! Especially if you select an unusual color. I've always been a contrarian, but it seems that my contrarian choices often signal new trends, so watch out.
I bought a 1992 Audi 100S when Audi's popularity had bottomed out in the U.S. The model was redesignated A6 shortly thereafter, and sales have increased ever since. Do I predict that Golf sales are going to improve in the U.S.? Hard to say, but for now I'm pleased as a nose-heavy pig in s*** that I have the only Futura Yellow 2000 GTI GLX in town.
And it figures that Monsoon is owned by a GM unit. No wonder it sounds like it does (for the benefit of those who haven't read previous long-winded submissions, that ain't a compliment).
I was on the fence for a while myself. I didn't think of the sedan style as more upmarket per se, but more mature (which I guess means the same thing, really). I also liked the front end more, saw the advantages to four doors, and thought an enclosed trunk might be handy.
Then it occurred to me that I'll have plenty of time to drive sedans in the future, I'll almost never have people in the back seat, and I'll probably need to carry around stuff that can't fit in the trunk. Besides, the fun factor of the GTI seems significantly higher than the Jetta GLX.
In the intervening time, I've seen a ton of Jettas in my town, so I definitely feel that what I'm driving is more rare. However, anyone who doesn't see the badging on the back or recognize the alloys probably thinks I'm driving a pokey economy car... until I peel away from the light. Heh heh.
My GTI GLX is Silver/Black, and I've seen two more just like it. (Darn.) I've also seen a Silver GTI GLS, a Black/Beige GTI GLX, and a GLX in Futura Yellow. Was that you, pipo?
Re: Audi 1.8Ts. One of my colleagues has a chipped 1.8T with quattro etc. Sadly, it leaves my 98 GTi VR6 in the dust -- the torque peak is so low that it more than makes up for the frictional problems of all wheel drive. Torque peak on 98 GTi happens at too high a level of rpm to compete.
Re: Subaru 2.5 RS. My decision was between the 98 GTi VR6 and one of these. Laugh if you want, but out of the box the Subaru is one of the best handling mass market cars in the world, period. That boxer engine and all wheel drive create a low center of gravity. However, my general driving needs don't require rally handling, and I couldn't get over the disappointment of no stock turbo in the US, so I decided to soak up the VR6 torque and get on with my life
Re: VW stock stereos: I doubt that it matters what generation you have, they aren't much good. My wife had 2 stock stereos in her 95 Jetta (from the Clarion days), and they both died... my GTi has the Clarion stereo also, and it sounds pretty ho-hum. Boosted midrange, bass easily drowned out, etc. Hoping it will die so I have an excuse to replace it.
Here's the new thought for the day: what in the name of all that is good and decent is VW doing, putting wood in a GTi of any kind? That crosses the line from "taking a hot hatch upmarket" to "trying to kid yourself your car is premium because people think dead tree is sophisticated." It's laughable.
i think you can get an "aluminum-look" shift knob on the vw site.
something else that might be cool is metal that has been painted to match the exterior.
btw, the Jetta GLX also has bits of wood surrounding the vents. grody to the max.
****
i found the perfect size container for the cupholders-- 10 ounce soda bottles. the only thing that doesn't make me feel like it's going to fly out on my lap. however, it also cost $3.50 out of a hotel minibar. (i don't ever drink in my gti, but i had to drive home late and i needed the caffeine infusion)
The Aluminum trim kit is available (or soon will be) from The Parts Department. It's a Euro option and I believe is a direct replacement for all the wood bits in the American cars. Here's their website, http://www.ashby-mann.freeserve.co.uk/index.htm , it's the part's department of a dealership in UK. They know there is a market for Euro badging and accessories in the US and they've taken it upon themselves to help fill that gap. At the Vortex, they fall all over themselves praising Sara Carter, the person most of the business goes through. If you want to weird out other drivers, get the badges for the European Jetta, where its called the Bora. Sneaky.
dhk-
I don't know how much larger the current A4 Golfs are in comparison to your son's '91 but your best bet is probably the Passat. If you need real space, the Passat Variant (wagen) is great. Euro sedan handling and fun with gobs of space.
The 1.8T motor in the Audi is a different matter. The engine computer controls the boost pressure of the turbo. The performance chips can easily turn up the boost pressure, thus increasing performance.
The 1.8T motor from the Audi A4 will be available on the VW GTI GLS sometime in the spring of 2000.
As regards chipping the VR6, lots of people talk about the Garrett chip being a good one (giacusa.com). It is available for the 2000 GTI, and reportedly results in significant horsepower and torque increases (although not as significant as for the 1.8T). On the other hand, I think the VR6 is the more flexible real world engine, with lots of low RPM grunt (due to its broad torque band starting at about 2000 RPM). The chipped 1.8T may be the better track car, but you'll need to rev it higher to get the responsive power that you get out of the VR6 at just about any RPM level.
Go for the GTI. You may end up being very happy with the Maxima, but most GTI owners have long term love affairs with their cars. And the aftermarket mods that are available for the VWs are astounding.
Has anyone here leased a 2000 gti vr6? If so, could you tell me what the monthly payments would work out to be (approximately). I am pretty much set on getting the gti vr6, but would prefer to lease instead of purchasing it. Also, what would my insurance rates be given that I live in North Florida? I'm male, 31 yrs with a clean record. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
-my 2 cents -
Anyways, I'm holding out for the Golf GTI 1.8T - it's lighter (not so much front heavy) and with tuning can become a beast!
-E59-
The Maxima and GTI VR6 represent two different 'classes' of car. Although I don't like the new Maxima's shape and taillight configuration, it's a tremendous sled. It's very much a sedan and offers decent leg room, etc. The Maxima comes close to being a 'sports sedan' even though that term has become an overused oxymoron.
Even though it's gone upscale and purists might not agree, the GTI VR6 morphs into a sports car more agreeably than the Maxima. Let's not kid ourselves that the GTI VR6 is a pure sports car like a Lotus or Porsche, but the golf platform lends itself very well to the types of modification found in the GTI VR6. I haven't driven the new Maxima, but I think you'll find the GTI VR6 sportier and a bit more fun. But still, the real decision here is between sedan and hatch.
No one here can tell you what your insurance might cost. That is very dependent upon location, the coverage you choose, your age, marital status, driving record, etc. Call up several insurance agents in you area. They will be glad to give you quotes for free.
I live in a suburb of Boston, I'm nearing 40, married, with a clean record. My insurance costs ~$1000 per year with very high limits. If I lived in Boston itself, or if I was 22, my rates would probably be twice as high.
Most likely the source of squeaks and creaks are locks – hatch lock and/or door locks. The locks are perhaps weakest parts of VW. I owned ’90 Corrado, 98 GTI and now have New Beetle and locks are always loosened. I think all VW fans just don’t pay attention to these noises considering them as characteristic of “car for enthusiasts”.
On my new beetle both locks on the doors and hatch lock rattle and squeak as a hell after 8000 miles.
So, go see your dealer, and if you have good one they may be fix this. Mine just ignore this saying this is okay.
Trust me, my 89 VW Cabriolet does the same thing. The first time I drove it off the lot and parked it at home I though I was going crazy. When I took the key out it just kept humming and vibrating.
Well of course this is true with any car, the radiator fan comes on automatically to cool the engine down after a hot drive. However, I've owned a lot of cars and the fan seems most noticeable on vee-dubs, so new buyers tend to be surprised by it.
Also ins23 is right, although VW's are very well made cars and quite rigid compared to Japanese and American vehicles in the same price range (and sometimes those in higher brackets) they are not "quiet cars" so to speak. It seems sort of against the grain to make a car that is not designed to be as close to an anechoic chamber as possible nowadays, but that's the way VW are and that's the way VW enthusiasts like it. You feel the road and you feel your vehicle, you're not insulated from these things because they're what make driving fun.
carlady/host
My initial thoughts are evocative of my first GTi (a 1986) which was a treasured member of my family for 11 years. Everything seemed vaugely familiar.
The '00 however is way more refined than my earlier GTi. More power, more solid feel, better materials...even a dash of (dare I say it) luxury.
I've read in the car mags that this GTi is "too softly sprung" - it may be for autocrosser's or street racers , but it's a welcome relief for this aging boomer. In comparison, I recall my "lowered and stiffer springs" '79 Scirocco and will happily leave the kidney jarring ride to younger. enthusiasts.
The VR6 however lives up to it's billing. It's smooth and tractable. Much more "real world" responsive then my old Accura GS-R.
After driving a bunch of VW's over the last 26 years, The GLX hits the mark for me - performance, quality, practicality, panache at a resonable price. I can't think of an alternative. More after I put miles on it...
If only VWOA would import them into the US...
I can buy a new golf/GTI, or for about the same price (or even less) buy a two year old BMW 318ti or Saab 900. Obvious similarities are the hatchback and European engineering. Has anyone driven all three of these and therefore have real-world driving experience? Thanks.
While I can appretiate the amazing characteristics that the 4Motion offers, I wonder how much of a market there is for a $26,000US AWD V6 compact hatchback. While there are definitely some GTI enthusiasts in this group and over at Vortex who would be willing to pony up the cash, I think the sales volume would not be high enough to justify the expense of bringing another VW model to US shores.
On the other hand, the 1.8T would be a great addtion to the GTi Series, and would definitely justify itself in increased sales.
Dave
2000 GTI GLX
GR
I do not want to fall into the herd of "mini-van" family guys out there.
Thanks.
Dave
2000 GTI GLX
j/k, dhicks
No. I see your point. But what about the mini-van situation? There has to be a better alternative than those bland Accords and Camry's and those box-on-wheels Caravans!
I was thinking about the Jetta GLX, but doesn't the back seat space seem smaller than the GTI's?
Just trying to rationalize going for the GTI...
Thanks for any and all advice!
dtrinh