While going slow, why is GTI better than average Golf?

[blue_reality]

My wife is using my MK5 GTI basically everyday now and I get to use it on the weekend... if she is around. But I drove through some twisties recently giving it about 65% of what it is capable of and she said "I didn't know it could do that".

So assuming that she never revs past 3500rpm and never rips into some twisties, can someone convince me why she is better in the 2007 GTI, with higher insurance etc, than in just a normal second hand MK5 Golf that you can buy for around $18,000?

For your general automotive experience driving to work, once your driving 60km/h on a straight road, is the GTI much better than the stock standard cheaper Golf?

Because I've started thinking that if all she does is putts to work in it, then I could put the extra cash off the home loan and get her something that she may not even notice is that different.

[benough]

I had a TDI comfortline for about 3 weeks (written off) before I got my TDI GT.

I was on holidays with my comfortline and drove a twisty section and i was surprised how well it held on. A year later I drove my GT there to compare and the comfortline (at the limit) could do about 80% of what the GT could.

So it would be more comfortable, cheaper to run and you can save ya benjamins.

[brad]

For your general automotive experience driving to work, once your driving 60km/h on a straight road, is the GTI much better than the stock standard cheaper Golf?

Because I've started thinking that if all she does is putts to work in it, then I could put the extra cash off the home loan and get her something that she may not even notice is that different.

For one thing, you already have the GTI and it's rarely a money making exercise changing cars.
Maybe you should have considered all these points before puting her into a high performance hatch?

From my experience, most women don't really take advantage of what their car will do. My wife drives an imitation 4WD supplied by her employer. She hasn't a clue what half the buttons do (won't RTOM) and recently when driving along a muddy dirt trail, didn't even realise there was a button that would take it out of 2WD and put it in 4WD.

In a similar way, my father & my sister both have a V-Tec engined Hondas and I doubt either have ever experienced V-Tec YO! (like so many Hondas).

Personally, I'd just leave her in the GTI. It's safe & you get to drive it occasionally. Maybe next time, let her choose her own car?

[tdi guy]

tricky...

For one thing, you already have the GTI and it's rarely a money making exercise changing cars.

Sadly, I have to agree...

From my experience, most women don't really take advantage of what their car will do.

Brave comment, Brad. It is probably fair to say that most men don't either. For most drivers, the additional performance (handling, acceleration, brakes) is used only in an emergency, at which point you'll be glad you chose the better car.

Personally, I'd just leave her in the GTI. It's safe & you get to drive it occasionally. Maybe next time, let her choose her own car?

I agree about keeping the GTI. Not sure about letting her choose her own car... if you have no input, who can she blame when she doesn't like it anymore?

TG

[blue_reality]

Maybe next time, let her choose her own car?

HAHA!! She did choose her own car - a BMW 316i. Then we drove MY car, the MK5 GTI, she said she wanted it. Next thing I knew the key rings were changed and that was that.

There is a thread going around called 'My Wife Stole My Car'. Well thats my wife, and my car.

But she has no idea it is a 'GTI' - as far as she is concerned she drives a GOLF. She thinks it looks cute and is 'nicer inside' than her old car.

[Tim]

grow some balls!

[KWICKS]

My wife likes her GTI over other cars we tried becasue it has very supportive and comfortable ("they hug me") seats (only the XR5 Recaro's were better). She likes the handling a lot, she likes being able to plant it to overtake or make a move with confidence in traffic, and she likes the standard kit it comes with. She's discovered the FKNWHOOSH and I don't think she will ever go back. (Although she does like the AM Vantage...)

I think she'd have been fine with the GT Sport we originally ordered but VW couldn't get quickly enough for us.

As an aside she HATED the 1.6 auto Golf Edition loaner we had ("gutless and rolly"), and actually preferred the cheaper 5 door Polo loaner we were also in need of.

[greygolf8]

Im always surprised at the 50% of gti drivers in Sydney who drive like nana's, usually in the right hand lane. Perhaps its just me with a torquey oil burner ... !

Anyone else in Sydney think, the right hand lane is for Priuss slugs & tradies, the middle for SUV's, & the left hand lane is for overtaking (!)...

edit - grammaz

[bazzle]

Im always surprised at the 50% of gti drivers in Sydney who drive like nana's, usually in the right hand lane. Perhaps its just me with a torquey oil burner ... !

Anyone else in Sydney think, the right hand lane is for Priuss slugs & tradies, the middle for SUV's, & the left hand lane is for overtaking (!)...

edit - grammaz

No its because they dont know their speedos read fast.
So they think they are going ok and those behind are speeding.

To OP I would leave her in a car she is comfortable with.
I also dont understand how you wimps let your wife take your car either??
Take off the exh so she complains re noise

Bazzle

[tdi guy]

No its because they dont know their speedos read fast. So they think they are going ok and those behind are speeding.

Where did we end up on that? Are the speedos 10% over?

To OP I would leave her in a car she is comfortable with. I also dont understand how you wimps let your wife take your car either??
Take off the exh so she complains re noise
Bazzle

My wife refuses to drive any new car until I've 'dinged' it (luckily, I haven't had a prang since 2001). I had to sell her jellybean 121 out from under her before she would drive our now-6yo (but safer - ABS) Corolla...

TG

[NickZ]

My wife doesn't like VWs, she likes mazdas. So I won't have any problems about her stealing my car , but I can't convince her to get a golf GTI either

[giveway]

Wifey was happy with the 2.0 but we got our GTI because it was the only golf that came in red back in 2006 and if i had to drive an auto i wanted the DSG.

So it was a comprimises that cost $10K but wifey has since come to like the fknwhooosh like Kwick's missus and likes knowing that it is there if need be. The GTI is also a car that feels rock solid at 110kph or 200kph (track only) so i'm happy knowing that if anything happens at the speeds she drives it will go where she points it.

[KWICKS]

I also dont understand how you wimps let your wife take your car either??

Bazzle

Haha, mate, its her car, although prior to buying it my 3.0R-B Liberty was somehow "our" car...

Needless to say my car will be the next upgraded if it all goes to plan.

[POLARBEAR666]

My dad tried to buy my mum an jaguar in black with a v8.

She wanted a toyota kluger instead.

The jaguar salesman was like "ok so she doesn't want the black one..what is she getting instead?.....I'm sorry, she turned it down for what????

[GTom]

Anyone else in Sydney think, the right hand lane is for Priuss slugs & tradies, the middle for SUV's, & the left hand lane is for overtaking (!)...

edit - grammaz

Yes, People need to learn how to drive on multi lane roads!