Follow-Up Test: 2003 Volkswagen GTI 20th Anniversary

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

fyleow

Platinum Member
Jan 18, 2002
2,915
0
0
Originally posted by: Xiety
Originally posted by: rbloedow
Originally posted by: Xiety
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: Xiety
Originally posted by: JBAR
Let's not forget the legendary VW reliability. :cough:

My Matrix XRS could take it, especially when I hit lift.

Edit: whoah, didn't see all those other posts re: reliability.

Toyota Matrix XRS 0-60 Time (in seconds): 8.9
VW Golf GTI 1.8 T 0-60 Time (in seconds): 7.1

you are misinformed my friend
rolleye.gif

Whatever smokey;)
By adding a muffler that approximates an exhaust note more often produced by aftermarket systems, the Matrix XRS's 1.8L/180-hp TLEV-spec engine sounds more aggressive than the other two. With an eyebrow-raising 9000-rpm redline, it's a car ready for the pages of Super Street magazine. Driving it around town, we find ourselves looking less at the tach for shift points and more to the momentum we feel in our seats and the tone reaching our ears. Occasional glances reveal we've been driving it comfortably in the 3000-6000-rpm range, which comes as a bit of a surprise. Sure, it sounds a little buzzy, but that's where it likes to perform. If we want to awaken the angry nest of wasps under the XRS' hood, we simply keep the pedal matted past the magical 6000-rpm VVTL-i changeover to its high-lift long-duration cam timing. There's plenty of wheelspin on tap if you want it, and moderating this tendency with a sensitive foot on the accelerator nets an SVT Focus-beating 7.26-sec 0-60-mph time
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/wagon/112_0205_wag/index3.html


well still, 7.1 seconds is shorter than 7.26 seconds :) Or am i wrong about GTI's 7.1 seconds?

a few tenths of a second mean nothing - at that point, it all depends on the skill of the driver. Most "normal" people will not be able to achieve these 0-60 scores, so you're argument holds no water.

neither does his then ;)

Right but everyone knows that VW babies the 1.8T too much by only giving it such a low boost. A simple chip upgrade tunes it up to over 200+ hp and the torque numbers skyrocket. I want to see you do $300 worth of mods to your XRS that would have the same effect.
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: Xiety
looks nice... although people like to bash on VW, i like all of their vehicles including the Golf GTI.... just not that green.

People bash on VW's because of this:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-11-03-reliablechart.htm

One American car is on the most reliable list. That's sad.

Why is it sad? American cars have never been reliable, and until thy shape up, the Japanese will still p0wn3 them.
 

fyleow

Platinum Member
Jan 18, 2002
2,915
0
0

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
Originally posted by: fyleow
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: Xiety
looks nice... although people like to bash on VW, i like all of their vehicles including the Golf GTI.... just not that green.

People bash on VW's because of this:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-11-03-reliablechart.htm

Which is why the BMW 7 series, Benz E class, C class, SLK, M class, and Mini Coopers are hated by everyone. Oh and don't forget the Corvette.

rolleye.gif

Honestly, I do look down of these vehicles. It's one of my biggest pet peeves with German/American cars. Yea, they're great machines, but if amanufacturer can't make their vehicle stand the test of time, I'd still rahter drive a Honda, Toyota, or Nissan.
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
48
91
Originally posted by: fyleow
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: Xiety
looks nice... although people like to bash on VW, i like all of their vehicles including the Golf GTI.... just not that green.

People bash on VW's because of this:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-11-03-reliablechart.htm

Which is why the BMW 7 series, Benz E class, C class, SLK, M class, and Mini Coopers are hated by everyone. Oh and don't forget the Corvette.

rolleye.gif

Hated by reviewers who probably drive the cars for a day or two at the most? Probably not. Hated by their owners whose car has to spend an inordinate amount of time in the service shop?? Highly likely. It's no secret that the new 7-Series and the new E-Class have been electronic NIGHTMARES. The Mini Cooper has all kinds of quality glitches and the ML-Class has always been crap.
 

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
35,322
2,456
126
Originally posted by: rbloedow

Why is it sad? American cars have never been reliable, and until thy shape up, the Japanese will still p0wn3 them.

For one, American designers can do better. I refuse to believe that they can't even be competitive in the quality of their models. Secondly, the more jobs that stay and are created in America, the better.
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Originally posted by: rbloedow

Why is it sad? American cars have never been reliable, and until thy shape up, the Japanese will still p0wn3 them.

For one, American designers can do better. I refuse to believe that they can't even be competitive in the quality of their models. Secondly, the more jobs that stay and are created in America, the better.

I don't doubt that they can do better, but until then, the Japanese will get my money. Secondly, I'd rather purchase from an import manufacturer who treats their American employees great and builds in the US, rather than a company who's employees are all part of a crappy union that tends to promote worker laziness while decreasing productivity - forcing the company to build out of the US due to exorbitant labor costs.
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
48
91
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Originally posted by: rbloedow

Why is it sad? American cars have never been reliable, and until thy shape up, the Japanese will still p0wn3 them.

For one, American designers can do better. I refuse to believe that they can't even be competitive in the quality of their models. Secondly, the more jobs that stay and are created in America, the better.

Hell, the Japanese are probably creating more new jobs here than the domestics. Nissan and Toyota are both opening up new plants in the US to build trucks and truck engines. Toyota has a new plant in the heart of Texas. And 80% of all Toyota/Lexus models sold are made in the United States
 

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
35,322
2,456
126
Originally posted by: NFS4
Hell, the Japanese are probably creating more new jobs here than the domestics. Nissan and Toyota are both opening up new plants in the US to build trucks and truck engines. Toyota has a new plant in the heart of Texas. And 80% of all Toyota/Lexus models sold are made in the United States

Well, if it's creating jobs in America, then I wouldn't mind buying it, excluding Mitsubishi. I just figure that since I have so many choices, I might as well pick the one that helps out a few working stiffs.
 

fyleow

Platinum Member
Jan 18, 2002
2,915
0
0
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: fyleow
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: Xiety
looks nice... although people like to bash on VW, i like all of their vehicles including the Golf GTI.... just not that green.

People bash on VW's because of this:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-11-03-reliablechart.htm

Which is why the BMW 7 series, Benz E class, C class, SLK, M class, and Mini Coopers are hated by everyone. Oh and don't forget the Corvette.

rolleye.gif

Hated by reviewers who probably drive the cars for a day or two at the most? Probably not. Hated by their owners whose car has to spend an inordinate amount of time in the service shop?? Highly likely. It's no secret that the new 7-Series and the new E-Class have been electronic NIGHTMARES. The Mini Cooper has all kinds of quality glitches and the ML-Class has always been crap.

I think with German cars it's just more of a gamble, you either get a gem or a piece of crap. My family and relatives have owned several VWs and have had no problem. 2000 Passat with nothing but a CD player failure. 1998 Passat (supposedly one of the worst years) with no issues. Oh and a 1990 Rabbit that did 100k miles with no problem :)
 

Nutdotnet

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2000
7,721
3
81
I love my VW. I loved my VW prior to this one. And I will most likely by another VW or Audi when I buy another vehicle.

I know there are complaints with VWs. But there are also complaints with nearly all car-makers.
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
48
91
Originally posted by: Nutdotnet
I love my VW. I loved my VW prior to this one. And I will most likely by another VW or Audi when I buy another vehicle.

I know there are complaints with VWs. But there are also complaints with nearly all car-makers.

Not nearly as many as with VW's though. Don't get me wrong, VAG makes the best interiors in the world, but that doesn't make up for the quality gremlins.