VW Golf GTI

[rh71]

So I hear TopGear rated this car as their favorite for 2004... it beat out a Jag and one other I forget at the moment...

After seeing their review on it, I can't think of a reason not to buy it, if I had no children (which I don't yet). Pros/Cons ? Opinions ?

 

[CraigRT]

I love those cars myself, but I still can't be sure of how it will stand up to the test of time... even for a year (knowing what they've been like in the past)

If it proves to be a great reliable car, I'd buy one.

 

[Doggiedog]

Reliability probably.

 

[Czar]

pro: also the car of the year in fifth gear

 

[JDub02]

it still boils down to an overpriced shoebox.

Europeans are funny in that they seem to like tiny cars.

 

[CChaos]

Word is the 5 door GTI will be sold in the US so even those of us with rugrats, or those with them on the way (like me!) can still enjoy the 2.0T hatch.

Personally, I'm still not sold on the styling, but that's the kind of thing that will grow on me. If the rest of the car is sorted properly, which by all accounts it is, then I'd still consider it. We'll have to see if VW has addressed thier reliability issues and only time will tell on that front.

<--'97 GTI VR6 driver

Originally posted by: JDub02Europeans are funny in that they seem to like tiny cars.

It's really the environment in Europe (population/space issues, fuel prices, mass transit) that fosters the demand for small cars, so it's a question of practicality. We don't see any of the really tiny cars sold in Europe in the US. Most Americans would probably be too fat for them anyway.

 

[StageLeft]

unless VW addresses their reliability issues, the car is a no-buy recommendation from me.

 

[CChaos]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
unless VW addresses their reliability issues, the car is a no-buy recommendation from me.

Yup. That's the bottom line. Thier customer service leaves alot to be desired as well. Hopefully this time around they aren't selling slick marketing and "German engineering" because the Japanese will eat them alive. VW even talked about sane pricing before they started filling dealer lots with $26k Jettas with the base 5 cylinder. It will be a shame if all these reasons keep people away from what's probably a nice little car. Ah, well.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: CChaos

Originally posted by: JDub02Europeans are funny in that they seem to like tiny cars.

It's really the environment in Europe (population/space issues, fuel prices, mass transit) that fosters the demand for small cars, so it's a question of practicality. We don't see any of the really tiny cars sold in Europe in the US. Most Americans would probably be too fat for them anyway.

Fat to one person is a future offensive lineman to another.

 

I owned a 97 GTi and loved it.
It spent more time in the shop than any other car I've owned. I will never buy another VW.

 

[iversonyin]

high maintenance/ repair cost?

better off with acura RSX IMO

 

[KoolAidKid]

I have a 2001 Golf 1.8T 4-door (same engine as the GTI). A lot of fun to drive. I hear the newer ones are even better (30-40 more horsepower).

 

[imported_DocHolliday]

Originally posted by: JDub02

Originally posted by: CChaos

Originally posted by: JDub02Europeans are funny in that they seem to like tiny cars.

It's really the environment in Europe (population/space issues, fuel prices, mass transit) that fosters the demand for small cars, so it's a question of practicality. We don't see any of the really tiny cars sold in Europe in the US. Most Americans would probably be too fat for them anyway.

Fat to one person is a future offensive lineman to another.

still fat though