2019 Volkswagen GTI 6-Speed Manual And DSG Review
The Volkswagen GTI is the best front wheel drive car there is, period. You should buy it. Aside from the boss chewing me out for an epic lack of effort, that statement, er, road test, is completely accurate. The undisputed reigning King of the Hot Hatches. Thing is, as great as the Focus and Subie are they aren鈥檛 as adept at real life as the GTI. If you live on a rally stage or enjoy a glut of high speed, oversteer inducing curves during your commute the WRX and ST are ideal choices. If you have to traverse pock marked streets while carrying the occasional cargo hold full of stuff, you can look but you will not find a finer steed than the GTI. No, but imperfections are very minor, starting with a stability control system that isn鈥檛 fully defeatable- halfway off simply doesn鈥檛 cut it. I might also wish slightly for pedals spaced ever so slightly closer together for perfectly executed heel-and-toe downshifts. Other than that, there isn鈥檛 much left to be desired with this car.
The styling is the best GTI expression to date- I happily owned a Mark 5, and this version is much tauter and sharply creased than the slightly bulbous proportions on my car. Similarly, the interior has seen its share of upgrades over the years, to the point where I鈥檇 describe the cabin as one of the best in the automotive kingdom. You may never need to consult your owner鈥檚 manual- everything works as expected, and easily located too. The GTI specific touches do it for me as well- the plaid 鈥淐lark鈥?seats, the teed up golf ball gear lever and the wonderful flat bottomed steering wheel. Next to a Volvo, there aren鈥檛 many thrones that place you so perfectly, so comfortably in a car for the task of driving. Driving the GTI is where the most satisfying rewards are doled out. Want to play it cool and just commute? No problem. The GTI鈥檚 suspension is supple enough to smooth out any scabrous pavement, the controls all respond with a pleasing willingness and the whole affair is bolstered by an overall feeling of solidity and cohesiveness.
It鈥檚 even whisper quiet, playing the luxury card surprisingly well. When you feel like playing, the GTI is equally adept. The stoic steering which helps with resolute path control becomes lively and talkative. The brakes respond with a feel that is light years better than even the Mark 6 version, and summon impressive stopping power. The chassis鈥?stern civility becomes playful and the nose of the car is like a terrier, hunting for apexes, finding them, and then eagerly looking for the next corner. At the limit, the GTI is always planted and in control; no uncertain sashaying and devoid of ugly, plowing understeer. It鈥檚 all great fun. The 2.0 turbocharged four has matured over time as well, and it now makes enough power to keep even the most dogged enthusiast happy. If 210 horsepower isn鈥檛 enough, a Performance Package turns up the wick another 10 horsepower, but you also get beefier brakes and an honest mechanical limited slip differential to help manage the extra grunt. More important is the husky 258 pounds of twist the engine summons to the front wheels. By now, any reservations on putting one of these gems in your driveway has been addressed. The question now becomes, 鈥渨hich gearbox should I get? 鈥?I was asked this at length during my time with the two flavours of GTI. Should you go blink-of-an-eye shifting DSG or the old fashioned manual?
Which VW Golf should I buy as an everyday car? I'm looking to buy a golf because I like them but I don't know whether to buy a.. GTI, V6 4Motion, R32. I have cash to buy any, as long as it's a few years old but I don't particularly want extortionate running costs and neither do I want a boring, slow car so what should I do? But what you mentioned is all the same car, haha. I would go with the 1.8T GTI or the R32. Considering that you said everyday driving. Go with the 1.8T. cheaper parts, better gas mileage. Or you could go old school and get a mk2 GTI. The new GTI 2.0T get nice gas mileage (around 32 on the highway) and have awesome torque. Look at the specs and decide. If ur looking 4 a Diesel 4 cheaper running costs, get the TDI SE which is also both 3 and 5 door. 6 4motion next month, so id say that, but running costs will be high for both the v6 and the r32. 2.8l and 3.2 l. 32 is barely faster than the 4motion and not worth the extra 拢3000 an r32 demands. 1.8 turbo (4motion returns 25-30mpg) although the r32 and 4motion are top of the range. 1.4 has 75bhp to a 1.5 ton car! None of them, they're over-priced, over-rated expensive to maintain and dull as dishwater. Get a Focus ST or Astra VXR instead. Any of the golfs are good. I have a 1987 Golf GL with 250000 miles so any should last you for quite a while.
