2006+ Volkswagen GTI

[2002 Maxima SE]

Anyone have one?

I test drove a Jetta TDI last weekend (liked it) and had my eye on the GTI as well, so I took it out for a spin. Nice car! It handles great and doesn't punish you with the suspension...very compliant.

Ever since, I've been thinking about getting one. It gets about the same mileage as my Maxima...only a few mpg better. It's mainly about the fun to drive factor.

I'm still holding out until I've driven a manual TDI SportWagen to be sure.

Anyone here own one? I'd like to hear about reliability.

 

[parimento1]

my friend has a 2006 with the dual clutch gearbox and is very happy with it. He has has no problems with the car at all, which is contrary to what most people say about VWs. I have driven the car numerous times and it is really nice; agile, fast and the suspension is pretty compliant in the theme of a sporty car. The car also feels much more solid than similar offerings from the Japanese, such as the Civic Si. Not to mention the premium sound system sounds superb. I would buy one in a heartbeat if I had the cash. If it proves to be reliable for ya I think its an excellent purchase.

 

[Johnny]

I've owned more VW's than any other brand since 1969 and I never had a problem with any of them. I will try to remember what they all were, and a ** after means I wish I still had it.

1968 Beetle
1969 Karman Ghia **
1970 Beetle **
1982 Rabbit Diesel **
1998 Passat Wagon
2000 Vanagon **

I like VW's and will probably own another someday.

 

[saaber1]

Just bought one today (08' 4 door dsg) after trying the r32, Eos, Passat 3.6l DSG, and rabbit over the last year or so. Also tried other brands. This car is really nimble and always seems to keep pushing you to go! go! Even just running around town it wants to take off and run. It is so much more willing than the r32 and even a lot of sportscars and performance cars I have owned.

The DSG gearbox is just incredible how smooth it is and the way it blips the throttle when down shifting. I am worried I may forget how to heel-toe shift now! I love manuals and my wife prefers an automatic. This transmission gives us both. I was thinking about the TDI wagon also but the "fun" factor was more important for me and also the wait for the TDI wagons.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: saaber1
Just bought one today (08' 4 door dsg)

Congrats! If you don't mind me asking, how much did it end up costing you?

 

[saaber1]

26k. I just used Edmunds.com to get: (1) the dealer MSRP (27,150), (2) the dealer invoice cost (25,300), and (3) "what others are paying" 26,014. In other words the 700 markup is standard and you can get better or worse deals from various dealers. They have 0% financing now for 60 months on 08's to clear them out but of course you take a bigger depreciation hit than waiting for an 09, so it is a tradeoff. Don't know if 09's are cheaper or more expensive but I know that some of the option packages have changed.

Edmunds has regional and color adjustments built in and is a good objective source. Can get dealer invoice cost from lots of other sources also.

 

[firemachine69]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
I've owned more VW's than any other brand since 1969 and I never had a problem with any of them. I will try to remember what they all were, and a ** after means I wish I still had it.

1968 Beetle
1969 Karman Ghia **
1970 Beetle **
1982 Rabbit Diesel **
1998 Passat Wagon
2000 Vanagon **

I like VW's and will probably own another someday.



That's some really good luck.

VW's are odd - it's either they run like a top, or they are you worse nightmate. Never any middle ground.

Unfortunately, the family '89 diesel Jetta was the only reliable VW. One out of three is unnacceptable.

 

[JHZR2]

We have had a 4dr rabbit, which has been excellent so far. Not exactly the same car, but close.

Couldnt be happier...

JMH

 

[crinkles]

I have a soft spot for volkswagens but I don't like that I need premium gas in it, and there is a significant price premium on them to start off with - takes away from the value. Good cars IMHO though.

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: firemachine69
One out of three is unnacceptable.


my experience goes the other way: '86 8Vgti, '85 golf auto, '87 8Vgti. both gti's were great, 40+mpg hwy, easy to work on ('cept for the oil filter!)
the '85 golf KILLED me. brakes s u cked, driveshafts always going, bad altenators, starters, AND horrible mpg (like 27hwy!) and S L O W .

 

[saaber1]

I wonder if the differences of good ones to bad ones goes with point of manufacture. Are the mexican made ones more prone to failure?

Certainly maintenance is crucial really for any European car but that doesn't explain the reliability differences alone.