MK4 GTi or MK5 2.0 FSI??

[ezz]

Hey All!

I know it's a bit of a strange question! But was originally looking at a Polo GTi - but the minister of finance has said 'new' car MUST be 4 doors or she'll withdraw all funding

I've been searching around the usual sites and realized that there's not much of a price difference between a MK4 GTi and say a MK5 2.0Comfortline/Sportline. Basically looking at a 03/04 Mk4 and the 04/05 Mk5.

From what i could find - both seem to have similar 0-100 times and power and torque and pretty much the same too!

So what would you get and why? Which one would be more 'fun' to drive?

thanks!

ezz

[fuzion]

mk4 gti, much more fun to drive.. fsi, made cheaply in comparison to a german made mk4 ..

buy mine if you like, $28k and its yours lol

[mikepologti]

mk4 gti,....lot more fun to drive.

[jayjay]

the mk4 gti and the 6sp manual mk5 fsi are both around 8.5 seconds 0-100.. they both have 110kw stock.

i think the mk5'd probably be better comfort wise.. the mk4 still has a torsion beam...!!

if you want to spend more money making it go faster definately buy a mk4 gti, but a cheap mk5 fsi would be a nice runabout too.

[Mr Messy]

So what would you get and why? Which one would be more 'fun' to drive?

Hmm I was shopping in the same bracket last year. Polo GTI appeals on a theoretical front, but there are a few drawbacks (three letter word, rhymes with 'hey') that kept me away from them.

I looked at MkV comfortline and avoided it because it's too plain. The GTI has luuuurvely recaros and lots of other premium bits. Plus it has a bit of turbo character as well. Very tunable too - there are many many things you can do to it to build a bit of a monster... or leave it stock and have a nice cruisey euro car.
I got it with 70,000kms on the clock and have enjoyed it as a refined long-distance cruiser with a bit of fire in the belly.

The interior etc puts many later cars to shame - whenever I drive brand new focuses at work I leave with hands smelling like frangers. It's like the plastic rubs off or something. Nasty.

Just drive a couple and see what works for you.

[imprompt]

What about a GT Sport 1.4?

there are a couple on the market, could be bargained down to the price of a new Polo gti perhaps?

here

and here

[ezz]

Hmm I was shopping in the same bracket last year. Polo GTI appeals on a theoretical front, but there are a few drawbacks (three letter word, rhymes with 'hey') that kept me away from them.

I looked at MkV comfortline and avoided it because it's too plain. The GTI has luuuurvely recaros and lots of other premium bits. Plus it has a bit of turbo character as well. Very tunable too - there are many many things you can do to it to build a bit of a monster... or leave it stock and have a nice cruisey euro car.
I got it with 70,000kms on the clock and have enjoyed it as a refined long-distance cruiser with a bit of fire in the belly.

The interior etc puts many later cars to shame - whenever I drive brand new focuses at work I leave with hands smelling like frangers. It's like the plastic rubs off or something. Nasty.

Just drive a couple and see what works for you.

Thanks mate - finally managed to take a MK4 for a drive last week. Definitely found it a lot more fun to drive than the FSI. Feels a bit smaller - but I found the interior to be nicer than the FSI?!

Going to check out some more this weekend - so fingers crossed i'll find one!

[ezz]

What about a GT Sport 1.4?

there are a couple on the market, could be bargained down to the price of a new Polo gti perhaps?

here

and here

as much as i'd looove one of these - budget is pretty strict - around the 20k mark! thanks all the same!

[Mr Messy]

Thanks mate - finally managed to take a MK4 for a drive last week. Definitely found it a lot more fun to drive than the FSI. Feels a bit smaller - but I found the interior to be nicer than the FSI?!

Going to check out some more this weekend - so fingers crossed i'll find one!

Glad to year you enjoyed it.

A couple of things to know...

The timing belt MUST be changed every 4 years or 60,000 kms. The engine has 20 valves that will smash into pistons if the belt goes. You don't want to know how much that repair would be... A metal water pump is good too (do this once) Together they cost about $1000 at a specialist mechanic. VW charge more.

Early cars like mine have verrrry nice Recaro branded bucket seats (more bolstered then the 2002+ cars, which have plain seats).

(GTI recaros)


There are also different alloys between the two (Montreals / Montreal II's as below)



Sunroofs (sunrooves? lol) are standard on early cars but not later ones.

Whoring pic of mine:


Good luck with the shopping. It's a lot of fun but don't rush yourself eh. I drove several GTIs (as well as libertys and other things I was interested in) before settling on a one-owner, low KM model with recaros and Montreal IIs.

I love it!

[ezz]

hey Mr Messy - thanks for the reply and the info. we're hoping to find the 'newest' one we can get our hands on!

[li21]

What about 2.0 FSI Sportline (with sports suspension) vs mk4 GTi?

Which is the better handler?

How much bigger interior wise is the Mk5 over Mk4?

Do both have flat folding seats?

[noone]

But was originally looking at a Polo GTi - but the minister of finance has said 'new' car MUST be 4 doors or she'll withdraw all funding

Shame but I think you will have plenty of fun with one of your other options.
Mk 4 if you plan on doing some work to it or get one thats been tweaked, Mk5 if you just want a comfortable drive and reliable car.

Polo GTI appeals on a theoretical front, but there are a few drawbacks (three letter word, rhymes with 'hey') that kept me away from them.

If you chose not to get a Polo because of your insecurities, I think you may have some issues you need to address
I don't tend to talk and differently or start winking at boys when I drive mine (that I'm aware of).

[li21]

Anyone comment on what the suspension/ handling set up in the MKV Sportline is like
compared to
: mk5 gt/gti
: mk4 Gti ?

Would 2.0TDI Sportline with a remap be a very good GT TDI alternative?