Talk me out of getting a Golf GTI 2 door

[Yuriman]

I made my statement based on the fact that it would be parked often for repairs. No drive, no fuel used.

Hah. That's great.

 

[Childs]

A Challenger RT to a GTI?

Keep the Challenger.

The Challenger is starting to feel long in the tooth. If I had a garage or an extra parking space I'd keep it and get the GTI. I was also thinking about just replacing it with the Challenger RT Shaker, Mustang GT or BMW M435 coupe, but then I run into the problem of having too much car for my usage patterns.

I dont particularly care about paying for fuel, but it just seems wasteful having a V8 to drive 10 miles a day on the HWY.

 

[996GT2]

I have an itch to get a new car, and I think I will go back to a hatchback. I'm looking at the 2 Door GTI SE w/Performance Package. Any dealbreakers and feedback from owners? I will probably trade in my 12 Challenger RT.

A GTI will make your Challenger look like a Honda from a reliability point of view.

Get the GTI if you plan to dump it before the warranty runs out. Otherwise, you better start working on that GTI repair fund now.

 

[Childs]

A GTI will make your Challenger look like a Honda from a reliability point of view.

Aside from the batteries running out in my fobs, I havent had any problems with the Challenger, and I'm at 3 years 32K miles. I usually go 50K miles at most in a car before I get a new one, so I'm not too worried about long time reliability. Although you never know, my situation could change and I might not be able to change cars willy nilly. So I guess reliability is somewhat important, but if the problems start to show up in the 70-100K range thats fine.

 

[cbrsurfr]

This is the wrong forum to ask about VW. There's an abnormally large amount of people on here that hate VW with a passion. Most of which never actually owned one or if they did it was 20 years ago. 2 members I know of had major issues, one vw and one audi and they both still own german cars.

I had a MKV GTI for 6 years and 80K. Had a couple issues under warranty. Had 2 issues outside of warranty - door lock actuator and valve cover gasket. Valve cover gasket developed a leak while on a racetrack. I beat the crap out of that car including a few 1000 miles on various racetracks and it never left me stranded. I also had probably the least reliable version of the 2.0T - with the timing belt that was prone to DV issues, bad coilpacks, HPFP, cam follower, etc. I would not hesitate to buy VW again.

Only reason I don't drive one now is I wanted a 2012 R w/DSG and they didn't make that in the states. I found a great deal on a practically new Evo which was my attainable dream car.

Since you are looking to get rid of a 2012 it seems like you probably buy new often and will not be driving this into the ground. I say go for it.

 

[NutBucket]

Do VW fanboys really think their vehicles are reliable?

 

[996GT2]

Do VW fanboys really think their vehicles are reliable?

They are...compared to an Alfa Romeo

 

[NutBucket]

I'd rather push an Alfa than a VW

 

[nerp]

Go for it. But ask the dealer to give you a set of window motors and regulators for all four windows as part of the deal. You will need them before 50,000 miles.

 

[Phanuel]

Go for it. But ask the dealer to give you a set of window motors and regulators for all four windows as part of the deal. You will need them before 50,000 miles.

Even for my Audi. Hoping to trade mine in before I need another regulator replaced (I think the front passenger is going). However I am dumb enough to get another Audi, so what do I know? Car has been perfect otherwise, even with a ECU tune 3 weeks in at 400 miles.

 

[Spicedaddy]

Go for it. But ask the dealer to give you a set of window motors and regulators for all four windows as part of the deal. You will need them before 50,000 miles.

Those were a problem in the MK4 days. (2000-2006)

They're selling MK7's these days...

 

[z1ggy]

Friend has new GTI. Loves it. Can't speak on any issues yet, but obviously people by and large seem to talk about VW reliability being an issue.

 

[skyking]

they make a gtdi too, if you want a diesel.

 

[Yuriman]

they make a gtdi too, if you want a diesel.

Historically their diesel powertrains have had fewer issues, on average. Plus, despite diesel being more expensive, it's nice to get 40-50mpg highway.

 

[slag]

This is the wrong forum to ask about VW. There's an abnormally large amount of people on here that hate VW with a passion. Most of which never actually owned one or if they did it was 20 years ago. 2 members I know of had major issues, one vw and one audi and they both still own german cars.

I had a MKV GTI for 6 years and 80K. Had a couple issues under warranty. Had 2 issues outside of warranty - door lock actuator and valve cover gasket. Valve cover gasket developed a leak while on a racetrack. I beat the crap out of that car including a few 1000 miles on various racetracks and it never left me stranded. I also had probably the least reliable version of the 2.0T - with the timing belt that was prone to DV issues, bad coilpacks, HPFP, cam follower, etc. I would not hesitate to buy VW again.

Only reason I don't drive one now is I wanted a 2012 R w/DSG and they didn't make that in the states. I found a great deal on a practically new Evo which was my attainable dream car.

Since you are looking to get rid of a 2012 it seems like you probably buy new often and will not be driving this into the ground. I say go for it.

2000 VW jetta VR6 owner here. The interior was shit. It was this soft rubbery plastic crap sprayed on top of plastic that came off and looked like ass.

Air vents cracked and broke. Common problem. Headliner started coming down at the edges as well.

Upper and lower timing chains needed changing out. CHAINS needed changed. VW has has problems with the tensioners and to do this, you have to separate the transmission from the engine and do the work. Absolutely crazy that timing chains would need any work done to them within 200k miles. I bought the car cheap enough knowing this, but still....Normal cars don't need timing chains or tensioners replaced.

Transmission was solid. Notchy, but solid.

I replaced the front and rear struts and pressed in new bushings all around. They ones in there were shot. This isn't normally a problem on most cars, but on the jetta, yeah, the bushings all around were shot. Sway bar, lower a frame, everywhere, you name it.

Mileage was not great, but I was driving a V6. It was peppy enough. AC worked so it had that going for it.

After I sold it, the O2 sensor came on Im told. It came on twice for me when I owned it, but only if I filled up at kwik shop. If I used ethanol free fuel at HYVEE, I never had a problem with it.

In short, this car had issues that normal fords and chevys toyotas, nissans, and most major other vehicles shouldn't have, and I was told that my issues were actually fairly minor in nature considering what others deal with.

I might get another, but only if its a 1.8 liter turbo and it was sub 1k.

 

[JulesMaximus]

2000 VW jetta VR6 owner here. The interior was shit. It was this soft rubbery plastic crap sprayed on top of plastic that came off and looked like ass.

Air vents cracked and broke. Common problem. Headliner started coming down at the edges as well.

Upper and lower timing chains needed changing out. CHAINS needed changed. VW has has problems with the tensioners and to do this, you have to separate the transmission from the engine and do the work. Absolutely crazy that timing chains would need any work done to them within 200k miles. I bought the car cheap enough knowing this, but still....Normal cars don't need timing chains or tensioners replaced.

Transmission was solid. Notchy, but solid.

I replaced the front and rear struts and pressed in new bushings all around. They ones in there were shot. This isn't normally a problem on most cars, but on the jetta, yeah, the bushings all around were shot. Sway bar, lower a frame, everywhere, you name it.

Mileage was not great, but I was driving a V6. It was peppy enough. AC worked so it had that going for it.

After I sold it, the O2 sensor came on Im told. It came on twice for me when I owned it, but only if I filled up at kwik shop. If I used ethanol free fuel at HYVEE, I never had a problem with it.

In short, this car had issues that normal fords and chevys toyotas, nissans, and most major other vehicles shouldn't have, and I was told that my issues were actually fairly minor in nature considering what others deal with.

I might get another, but only if its a 1.8 liter turbo and it was sub 1k.

You can't get ethanol free gas in California. And before someone posts that url to show where you can buy ethanol free gas, I've looked at it. There is one station in all of San Diego county which makes it so impractical that I'd just call you an idiot for suggesting it.

 

[BUTCH1]

It's a VW.

/Thread.

 

[slag]

You can't get ethanol free gas in California. And before someone posts that url to show where you can buy ethanol free gas, I've looked at it. There is one station in all of San Diego county which makes it so impractical that I'd just call you an idiot for suggesting it.

I don't live in California so it wasn't an issue for me.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I don't live in California so it wasn't an issue for me.

But the OP does...