Thinking of swapping my GTI for Nissan S15...

[blue_reality]

Well I had have my 2000GTI for almost 3 years now and think it's an awesome car - I sold my 180SX to buy it.

But recently I have been having naughty thoughts about going back to an import because I feel that for the money conscious there is less I can do now with the GTI in get a bit more excitement out of it and I don't know enough VW's to continue making interesting vids for Mighty Mods with it.

I am considering getting a very clean example of a Jap Spec Silvia (GT with leather and sunroof etc) and will get it imported to my specs through a shop we're working with.

Currently on my GTI I have a full exhaust, intake, REVO stage 1, RS4 Rims (pic in Sig) and to take things to the next level for power and performance looks like it's going to be a reasonable slog of cash.

I'm at a bit of a loss but here because I really love the GTI and particularly like the surprise that it gives people when they ride in it.

This my regular argument that I run through my head regularly:

FOR GTI:

A modified GTI is MUCH less common than an S15
A GTI is MUCH more conspicuous than an S15
A GTI will draw less police attention than S15
Parked on the street the GTI will be less tempting for theives/vandals
Four doors are handy for the very rare occurrence that I have extra passengers

FOR S15

A Jap Spec S15 stock standard is around 190KW
S15 is CHEAPER and EASIER to modify
S15 has a HUGE variety of aftermarket support and products
I am very familier with the SR engines after previously owning a Silvia and 180SX
It will go fast

Both need Premium. Both for my age have same insurance costs.

Any thoughts?

[dubbed]

I think it's simple: how fast do you want to go? If the answer is really fast - get the S15.

I tossed up over a GTI and S15 (also considered WRXs) but stuck with the Dub because I liked the class and quality behind it. It was never going to be blazingly quick, but it's fast enough as it's a daily commuter and people don't expect it to have the power it does.

There's a lot of other subjective opinions I have between the two, and the Dub suits me because of those.

[AusScare]

What do you want a car for? Daily commuting, track work, continuous modifying, carrying kids(??).

I reckon a change is always good, gives you a nice fresh range of ideas, and the s15 is a great looking car, so might as well give it a shot.

[mikinoz]

I would add in there are you going to have a family. But I am just a downtrodden killjoy father.

You will also have to change the program title from 'mighty car mods' to 'car mods' as only VAG cars are mighty.

[STV4SYT]

If u want to goo really fast the cheapest option by far is a bike. $9 will buy you a 4 year old 1000cc superbike that stock will do 0-100 in under 3 seconds.

[Manaz]

$9

It'd be hard to beat that price! ~

[gavs]

S15.

It won Motor Magazine's Performance Car of The Year in 2001, has typical japanese build quality (ie. It's very tough to destroy!) is cheaper and easier to modify, the chassis won't twist under hard cornering, many more upgrades availiable here for it and when customised by someone with a keen eye, look nice too.

I think the GTi is a great little car but after a friend having an S15 (Australian spec 200sx), we miss it after a truck decided to run a red light. Luckily the brakes were up to the task of keeping him alive! Sure, it has a japanese quirkyness to the interior and it's not as "classy" as a VW, though i'm sure the interior plastics of the Silvia won't peel, your door trims won't rattle, seats won't squeek, the electrics won't grow gremlins.... On top of that, the sr20 is a brilliant piece of 4 cylinder engineering, especially in it's last iteration before the emmissions regulations killed it off.

[DIDZ]

I tossed up over a GTI and S15 (also considered WRXs) but stuck with the Dub because I liked the class and quality behind it.

Tick

It was never going to be blazingly quick, but it's fast enough as it's a daily commuter and people don't expect it to have the power it does.

Tick

the Dub suits me because of those.

Tick


I love the SR20 motors having one before... but the theft factor and worrying about the car when you get back thing swayed me to the VW part of town. Although at times I do peer over at the Renault Clios and the Audi S3..

[Manaz]

OK, so what upgrades could you still do to the GTI?

* Turbo upgrade (and flash to match)?
* LSD (Quaife/Peloquin/etc)?
* Suspension (a variety of things to do to help set a FWD chassis up as you like it - rear strut brace GB going on at present...)?
* Brake upgrade (V6 4Motion Bora or R32 fronts, R32 rear covnersion, various BBKs that are available)?

Not cheap, not really DIY (could do some of the suspension perhaps), but potentially a learning exercise none-the-less, and you end up with a classy car that goes, stops and turns extremely well...

[fuzion]

OK, so what upgrades could you still do to the GTI?

* Turbo upgrade (and flash to match)?
* LSD (Quaife/Peloquin/etc)?
* Suspension (a variety of things to do to help set a FWD chassis up as you like it - rear strut brace GB going on at present...)?
* Brake upgrade (V6 4Motion Bora or R32 fronts, R32 rear covnersion, various BBKs that are available)?

Not cheap, not really DIY (could do some of the suspension perhaps), but potentially a learning exercise none-the-less, and you end up with a classy car that goes, stops and turns extremely well...

brakes upgrade - tt or r32
turbo inlet pipe
n75j valve
dump pipe + exhaust (exhaust not really necessary)
boost hose upgrade
intercooler (not REALLy needed)
k03s, or k04 upgrade
and yes definitely suspension as mentioned.

and no offense, the revo map on the mk4s isnt that strong IMO.

if you want to compare the difference drop me a pm im around tomorrow and this evening if you want to pop by dude..

yes jap cars are cheap
but with every car and modifying, things still do break. quicker on a jap car then a euro car thats for sure!

i wouldnt sell my mk4 for a jap car, i know that much.. maybe for another euro car but that'd be it lol

[Mr Messy]

A GTI is MUCH more conspicuous than an S15...
Any thoughts?

First thought is that the GTI is quite inconspicuous, or not easily noticed [/english lesson]

Second thought is that there are two types of people on here: People who love cars, and people who love VWs (and only VWs...)

Yes, the MK4 GTI is a great unit but it's also a compromise. It's a 'sensible' semi-luxury car, with moderate performance, great tunability and four doors with a hatch.

A 200sx is far less practical, plus insurance companies will murder you, prats will want to race you and thieves will stare at it longingly.

But it is a much purer platform from a driver's perspective (RWD, IRS, LSD, 6-speed) and is arguably better suited to trackdays, tarmac rallies, autosalon, drifting or whatever other form of organised mayhem you are into.

Personally I'm not a fan of imported S15s, mainly because of the type of wankers that buy them. They seem to either be kids who can't afford to insure and run them properly, or very image-conscious people who just wanna be seen in an ess-fifteen. This, and huge insurance costs, are why I avoided the WRX. Its a crowd I'm not really keen on, particularly around the Rockdale/Arncliffe/Tempe area where I had been living when I bought the Golf.

If it were me I'd want to keep driving something that flies under the radar. Ideally an S4 or something like that, but you could have a lot of mighty mods fun putting together a 90s Accord with a screaming B18C or K20A VTEC donk, or a turbo, caged, semi-slick MX-5.

Even a Taxi-spec Commodore with an forced induction LS1 package would be fun for both you and your audience. I'd love to roll a blown, debadged, VY SV8 (or FG G6E-T) purely because of the stealth factor.

I'd rather do that than just up-and-buy a car of known capability purely on its reputation. Your call though.

*Oxford Dictionary: Conspicuous = 1. Clearly visible; striking to the eye (a conspicuous hole in his shirt). 2. remarkable; noteworthy (a conspicuous success). 3. (of expenditure etc.) lavish, with a view to enhancing one's prestige

[Mr Messy]

Although at times I do peer over at the Renault Clios and the Audi S3..

I get that every time I see one of these:



I know, I know.
Admitting Honda affection here is like saying I munch down on penis for breakfast every day, but still, what a magnificent car.

[blue_reality]

From NissanSilvia.com when asked the same question:

"vw gtis are sik do not sell it. id take one over a s15 anyday."

"I love the mk4 gti's, id keep it myself"

WOW! Even the owners of S15's prefer VW's

[madglf3]

You'd still have an S3 though wouldn't you? If I were in your shoes I'd get the S15 for the RWD action and something different, but I would only get it because I'd still have some VAG action in the form of the S3 when I get home.

[MY90SH]

Sorry to say guys but i just recenlty sold my GTI.. my plans now are either S15 or STI WRX...

reason: started piling up costs on parts/repairs.. after 1 chunk out of my wallet for 1 repair could not afford anymore..

jap cars tend to be a hell lot cheaper on parts..