GT Sport vs GTI

[Greg Roles]

The GTI has 3 way fronts, and has mid bass drivers whereas the GT has 2 way and plastic bungs in the mid bass holes.

[Maverick]

And the GTI has a factory fitted 250watt amplifier (unless sat nav was factory fitted).

[Greg Roles]

Same size wheels (different design) and tyres (same brand & size). Same brakes (calipers aren't red, though). Same suspension, although the dampers are from the Sportline and are slightly softer than the GTI. Same level of trim (although the GT seats are marginally smaller in the side bolsters). Same equipment (6 air bags, Dual zone climate control, ABS, ASR, BrakeAssist &c), although it misses out on the 6 stacker and the full alarm.

Misses out on the GTI/R32 wheel and gear knob, although the standard wheel isn't foul. The speedo on the GTI goes up to 300kph instead of 260kph (a moot point, I guess). The GT has a boost gauge but looses the temp gauge in the process.
GTI has alloy pedal covers and Tyre Pressure monitor, GT doesn't - but has W (Winter) button ().

With DSG, the GT also has the paddle change of the GTI and R32. GTI has a larger rear spoiler and extra Tupperware down the sides. Both get fog lights, and the 08 GTI now matches the GTs high line MFD. GTI gets a luggage net and silver interior trim, while the GT has piano black trim bits (although it gets brushed silver trim here and there inside). Both have the multi function wheel controls, and the same options - roof, leather, DSG, Bi-Xenons, Sat Nav, and metallic paint.

Speaking of paint, you get the choice of a 6th colour in the GT - United Grey, and Graphite Blue instead of Shadow Blue in the GTI. Oh, and the GTI has a jet black roof lining vs off white in the GT, along with differently patterned cloth trim. The instrument pod is different to the GTs - same gauges, just a different design - you'll need a good memory to notice this during a test drive.

And I guess, there's a _choice_ of engine in the GT (you knew that). Well I think that's all I can remember - I went through the same exercise 6 months ago (even had a spreadsheet with all the differences/similarities - how nerdy is that?!! ) Both are really nice cars - whatever you choose won't be wrong - good luck and let us know what you've decided on. I thought you'd already settled on a GT TDI? (June this year?) What happened?

PS Go hard on the price - the Aussie dollar means their margin is huge. Find a dealer with the colour you want in stock, but NEVER let them know you give a toss about what colour it is - they'll use it as emotional leverage. Tell them you don't care if it's black, white, or red. That tells them you may buy from another dealer (bad for them). They play hardball when they know they have what you want. I used Private Fleet to shop for me once the dealer in Adelaide kept talking RRP . They found me the car I wanted in Melbourne at a considerable saving. They did a great job.

Virtually perfect but must add the GTI sits lower and has harder springs. GTI's also came in United Grey later in their life, I test drove a grey GTI and the grey GT TDI I bought. GTI has the darker roof lining and lots of interior niceties, the dash looks way groovier. Only the GT TSI misses out on the temp gauge for a boost guage, the GT TDI has the temp gauge, but no factory boost.

[Maverick]

GT also has 7" wheels, GTI has 7.5" wheels.

The new blue was available on both models from MY08 and the old blue was dropped.