GT vs GTI

[m0nk3y]

ok, looking to buy a 2nd hand golf, either the gt or gti

right now i cant find anything that ticks all the boxes that i want (DSG, leather, sunroof)...getting close though.

Do any GT drivers here regret getting the GT and not the GTI? I know they are similar cars but one day (and now i'll take a Top Gear reference), you'll pull up to some lights with a GTI next to you and you think "why didnt i just get that?"

[tay113]

It really depends on pricing for me though I had the gti sold 6 months ago.personally,the brand embedded on my mind has to be gti.if it's gt,try the polo gti dsg great improvement of the mark 5 gt ,value for $$.unfortunately long wait as I am experiencing.

[triode12]

I bought and still own both! So I think I am qualified to answer the question.
Both cars (being MkVs) are fun to drive (unlike the MKVIs which have been refined too much). The GT has better fuel economy, so you can fang it all the time and it won't hurt the hip pocket as much as the GTI will. On interstate trips, you'll get 800-880kms per tank and 550-650kms with urban driving.

The GTI has the better steering wheel which alone (IMO) is worth the price difference between the cars. And of course, the GTI has more torque and power, stronger rear brakes, stiffer suspension, nicer seats and alarm.

The difference in price between the two cars is still about $5K (same condition and kms). If you can afford the difference, I'd say go for it.

I test drove the new Polo GTI a month ago and have to disagree that it is an improvement. IME It felt gutless in comparison to the GT when going up that first long incline at the start of the F3. The GT would sprint up that incline effortlessly but the Polo GTI was straining to get up it (even after down shifting to 4th gear). Must be something to do with the new 7spd DSG's gearing. Anyway, you'll have to wait 2 years if you want to order one in - that is what Russell of Denlo told us last Sat - dealers are not keen to take orders as they don't get paid for 2 years. I wouldn't trade my GT for one that is for sure - the new Polo GTI isn't as fun to drive as the previous Polo GTI.

As a matter of fact, if you can drive a manual transmission and can live with less features . The previous gen Polo GTI is one fun car to drive. It doesn't have the best performance out there but it should leave you with a smile on your face everytime you drive it (very edgy and raw).

[benough]

But the GT TDI is a different beast all together.

[tay113]

I bought and still own both! So I think I am qualified to answer the question.
Both cars (being MkVs) are fun to drive (unlike the MKVIs which have been refined too much). The GT has better fuel economy, so you can fang it all the time and it won't hurt the hip pocket as much as the GTI will. On interstate trips, you'll get 800-880kms per tank and 550-650kms with urban driving.

The GTI has the better steering wheel which alone (IMO) is worth the price difference between the cars. And of course, the GTI has more torque and power, stronger rear brakes, stiffer suspension, nicer seats and alarm.

The difference in price between the two cars is still about $5K (same condition and kms). If you can afford the difference, I'd say go for it.

I test drove the new Polo GTI a month ago and have to disagree that it is an improvement. IME It felt gutless in comparison to the GT when going up that first long incline at the start of the F3. The GT would sprint up that incline effortlessly but the Polo GTI was straining to get up it (even after down shifting to 4th gear). Must be something to do with the new 7spd DSG's gearing. Anyway, you'll have to wait 2 years if you want to order one in - that is what Russell of Denlo told us last Sat - dealers are not keen to take orders as they don't get paid for 2 years. I wouldn't trade my GT for one that is for sure - the new Polo GTI isn't as fun to drive as the previous Polo GTI.

As a matter of fact, if you can drive a manual transmission and can live with less features . The previous gen Polo GTI is one fun car to drive. It doesn't have the best performance out there but it should leave you with a smile on your face everytime you drive it (very edgy and raw).

I love this forum as there are so many diverse opinion from the so many characters and their personal experience.
As for the new polo gti DSG when i got it tested.Love the quick respond,nimbly in city driving,lighter and most of all the cheapest money spend .The down side as its voted car of year did not help the waiting time.i guess i would be jumping queue, the rate its mention most buyers would drop out having to wait two years.10 months would sound reasonable.Sadly,i have to be contented driving my old honda s2000 while waiting.
A note of advice for buyers on the mark 5 DSG,kindly make sure you have the warranty as it helps in big ways especially the fragile DSG Mechatronics nightmare.

[triode12]

I love this forum as there are so many diverse opinion from the so many characters and their personal experience.
As for the new polo gti DSG when i got it tested.Love the quick respond,nimbly in city driving,lighter and most of all the cheapest money spend .The down side as its voted car of year did not help the waiting time.i guess i would be jumping queue, the rate its mention most buyers would drop out having to wait two years.10 months would sound reasonable.Sadly,i have to be contented driving my old honda s2000 while waiting.
A note of advice for buyers on the mark 5 DSG,kindly make sure you have the warranty as it helps in big ways especially the fragile DSG Mechatronics nightmare.

Tay,

Actually, the new 7spd DSG's reliability is worse. There have been numerous complaints of failure (on the asian forums) of the the dry clutch 7spd dsg (they get their cars earlier than we do). The reports make the MkV DSG issues rather minor in comparison.

[tay113]

Tay,

Actually, the new 7spd DSG's reliability is worse. There have been numerous complaints of failure (on the asian forums) of the the dry clutch 7spd dsg (they get their cars earlier than we do). The reports make the MkV DSG issues rather minor in comparison.

Thanks for the input as i guess what ever their issues are always related to their weak gearbox from the superseded polo gti,mark 5 dsg etc and the best thing is to secure long warranties.Sadly we just end up paying heaps more $$$.Again its most unfortunate we dont have enough voice unlike the US getting the 10years warranty on the VW DSG gear box.

[jessv3]

That extra 5k for the GTI gets you a lot:

*Extra power
*MUCH nicer steering wheel
*MUCH nicer seats (cloth vs cloth)
*Lower and stiffer

Despite what some people think, they do have the same brakes (albeit the gti's callipers are painted red).

When I was looking I found the GTI's to be cheaper then the TSI GT's mostly because the GTI's were released earlier so there are 05/06 models floating around for very reasonable prices. If you're worried about the durability of a DSG then you can always opt for a 6spd manual.

[m0nk3y]

doing a bit of research i've found the price of the GT and GTI isnt much different in the2nd hand market right now...hmmm

[99_FGT]

The difference to the GT SPORT is negligible, km for km, but a GT is more likely to be under warranty than a similar priced GTi as they are (MY?)08 onwards. GTI's in that range tend to be 30k+ easy.
Al..

[benough]

The difference to the GT SPORT is negligible, km for km, but a GT is more likely to be under warranty than a similar priced GTi as they are (MY?)08 onwards. GTI's in that range tend to be 30k+ easy.
Al..

The difference between the GT and the Petrol GT Sport is the badges and the fabric on the seats. All GTs will be well out of original factory warranty.

M0nk3y is the prcies between the 2 are negligible then all it will be is performance vs economy. Take your pick. The GTI is less mechanically complicated as well.

[m0nk3y]

guys, i've decided to just wait till the right GTI comes on private sales.

I know that if i got a GT, i'd regret it everytime i saw its big brother (GTI) on the road.

Same thing happened to me with my last car...bought a Honda Integra Luxury, should have just bought a Type R...

[jessv3]

Same thing happened to me with my last car...bought a Honda Integra Luxury, should have just bought a Type R...

My partner has a Teggie Luxury (05 model) 5spd auto. Its a great little car, she loves it. It has factory full bucket leather seats, it does everything very adequately. The electric steering feels a bit weird but that's probably because i don't drive it everyday also you really need to rev it hard if you want to go fast, especially up hills. I do always look forward to getting back into the GTI after driving the Honda all day, it just has so much more character then the teggie.

[poyta]

You haven't indicated if you're comparing a petrol GT or a diesel. I've got a Diesel GT and I don't for a second regret getting it over a GTi. Back then it was quite a bit cheaper when new so for the cost difference I was able to get the Leather and Sunroof on my GT. I do think the GTi looks better with all the skirts, better steering wheel and wheels but over the years I have added a number of these GTi parts to my GT so visually they are on par now. I prefer the engine in mine though - love the massive torque from this beast and enjoy the fuel economy over a GTi. Resale value is big bonus too.

[idaho]

The difference between the GT and the Petrol GT Sport is the badges and the fabric on the seats. All GTs will be well out of original factory warranty.

M0nk3y is the prcies between the 2 are negligible then all it will be is performance vs economy. Take your pick. The GTI is less mechanically complicated as well.

I think as the GT Sports are MY08+ they have the full height MFD (with functions that were previously only dealer configurable) and upgraded CANbus (for people wanting to fit later audio systems). I originally had reservations about the mechanical complexity but now think it actually works quite well. The off-idle torque with the supercharger is very impressive and makes the car very easy to drive at low to medium speeds. However, it won't beat a GTi for power.

guys, i've decided to just wait till the right GTI comes on private sales.

I know that if i got a GT, i'd regret it everytime i saw its big brother (GTI) on the road....

In that case you should probably be looking for an R32.