GTI, Mini Cooper or.. Something else?

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ibex333

ibex333

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2005
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After I got my '07 Honda Fit, I instantly fell in love with small hatchbacks. Although larger cars feel very different, and a lot more comfortable, like a Nissan Altima for example, I have a strong feeling I will get a small car AGAIN for my next car.

Even though I cannot even come close to being able to afford either of the cars mentioned in the title, I will be striving to get what I want toward the end of 2012, and I am trying to collect opinions and info right now.

My requirements are basically:

1)Small size, but still big enough to sit 4 people
2)Good, to very good breaking and cornering capability
3)Not as important as the above but still important is the engine power. I am mainly driving in the city, so handling is a lot more important than speed, but I still want to feel a little extra kick, if I can for the money, when I press on the gas.

I got inside a GTI during the Autoshow that was currently going on in NYC, and I absolutely loved the interior and especially the exterior. Those rims are really cool too!
Sadly there was too many people crowding around the Mini Cooper. So many in fact, that I decided not to wait and just moved on. I looked at some reviews and some people say the Mini Cooper S handles better than the GTI.. But I can get the GTI with 4 doors, and Minis only come with 2 doors from what I seen.. Oh, and off course auto is the only option for me. Because I drive in the city and because I cant drive stick. (planning to learn someday though)

Are there any better options within the same price range than the GTI? anyone owns the cars mentioned in this thread?
 
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PhoKingGuy

PhoKingGuy

Diamond Member
Nov 15, 2007
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Former GTI owner here.

I debated between the Cooper S, GTI and MS3.

I hated the Cooper's interior and it was a touch too small for me.

The MS3 is quicker (GTI is just as fast with the stage 1 chip), but its louder, has torque steer, ugly on the outside and inside (cheap plastics on the inside and weird printed fabrics) and the stupid mazda grin on the outside. Not to mention the GTI felt more composed and an all round better DD.

If speed and handling are your top priorities then the MS3 is for you, if you want an all round better car then the GTI is more suited for you, it really depends on what you want.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
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Out of the two I would go GTI, I simply cannot get past the Cooper's goofy looks and goofy gauges. Perhaps if it were RWD I would give it another chance, but no way.

Sounds like you're an urban dweller, so either should be more than great. I might even advise skipping the GTI model and just getting a Golf. It's the same car minus the turbo, still plenty of power for the city with the 2.5L, same interior options for the most part perhaps other than gauges/seats that are special for the GTI (regular seats will be even more comfortable). Better fuel economy, lower insurance, fewer moving parts.

The 2.5L 170HP Golf will have a monumentally better performance feel coming from a ~115hp Fit. As you drive autos, you will especially be affected because you can't bypass the bog of a low power car by simply spooling the power before letting the clutch out.

Go test one, nao! Or Jetta if you want 4D.

This is assuming that NYC will be your playground, where significant power has virtually zero meaning.

There are other options like Mazda3 that should be considered, but if you're into the interior quality/etc, I think you'd notice a huge leap down from the VWs. And I say that as someone who personally would never buy a VW.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
ViviTheMage said:
price point?
Click to expand...

OP doesn't give much info, but says he cannot afford now, and will be striving to afford something or other.

Given that + NYC I think he should skip the turbo models entirely. A lot more $$, higher insurance, lower fuel economy, etc.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
ViviTheMage said:
price point?

GTI >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2.5L anything in VW's lineup.
Click to expand...

As a notorious proponent of 'maor power!', this hurts almost physically to say, but I really think NYC proper is a terrible place to waste that kind of money. Have you ever lived there? It's hard to find a place to exceed 40mph most of the time, and more typically you're going 15-30.
 
R

RavenSEAL

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2010
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I can't believe you just listed a Mini Cooper alongside the GTI. You should be permabanned from these forums :colbert:
 
C

Childs

Lifer
Jul 9, 2000
11,313
7
81
What about a Ford Focus? I currently have a gas guzzler so I'm not current on the hatches, but I'm looking at all of them and the Focus/C-Max is on my list of cars to check out. Out of whats been discussed so far, the Cooper S is what I would lean towards, but its a combo of price/legroom/looks/power.
 
ibex333

ibex333

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2005
4,094
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Hm... I was thinking about stepping down to a Golf too, but that GTI is just so badass. ; )

I guess I'd decide between the two when I will actually be buying/leasing.
 
C

chin311

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2003
4,306
3
81
I had a Cooper S for a rental car once, was a blasttt. Probably wouldn't be able to spend that kind of money for that car though.

GTI would be my choice out of those options, reliability always has been iffy though.
 
C

Childs

Lifer
Jul 9, 2000
11,313
7
81
RavenSEAL said:
I've driven the base model, nothing too special. (It is the base model). However, the exterior design has always turned me off.
Click to expand...

I always like the looks of the Mini, especially the more recent ones with the bigger headlights. Reminds me of a VW bug, but without the awful VW heritage. I was thinking about the S version has the hood vent, with dual stripes down the middle. Whimsical, yet gets good gas mileage and has decent pep.
 
M

Monster_Munch

Senior member
Oct 19, 2010
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Can you get a BMW 130i in the US? They're supposed to be great to drive, and one of the few hatchbacks available with a 6 cylinder engine. It's smaller inside than a GTI though.
 
Don Vito Corleone

Don Vito Corleone

Elite
Feb 10, 2000
30,029
67
91
Monster_Munch said:
Can you get a BMW 130i in the US? They're supposed to be great to drive, and one of the few hatchbacks available with a 6 cylinder engine. It's smaller inside than a GTI though.
Click to expand...

No, the 1 series hatches are not sold here. Even if they were they would be unappealing IMO given the large price increment over a Mini or GTI (and I say that as a person who owns two BMWs).
 
J

JCH13

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2010
4,981
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Having lived in NYC for 4 years I liked driving a base-model Mazda3 in the city, my old Crown Vic, and really did not enjoy driving my Speed3 or a TT 300zx. It is the epitome of 'more fun to drive a slow car fast.' I also preferred having a less-visible car in the city, i.e. never had to worry about parking it on the street and the like.

Just my $0.02
 
ultimatebob

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,449
126
RavenSEAL said:
It had charm to begin with?
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Sure! The Mini is a cute car! After awhile, the charm starts to wear off, though.

For one, I wish that they would have got rid of that stupidly large center speedometer and put some logically thought out radio controls and an extra storage console there instead. It's just a huge waste of space in a car that's small to begin with.
 
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