Which Golf GT Sport?

[BarneyBoy]

Forget everything people tell you about how you have to keep the diesel for 10 or 132 years to get your extra $3000 back. It's absolute bulls**t.

The diesel has the same depreciation amount as the TSI. That is about 62%. That means that while the TDI costs $3000 more, it will retain 62% of that $3000 as well. Therefore after 3 years, you'd expect to get back about $2000 of that $3000. Therefore the 3 years has cost you $1000, not $3000. Geddit?

Whatever the additional outlay, you get a proportion of it back at selling time. Once you realise this, do you maths on fuel & servicing and it will make your choice even harder.

[Mischa]

Forget everything people tell you about how you have to keep the diesel for 10 or 132 years to get your extra $3000 back. It's absolute bulls**t.

The diesel has the same depreciation amount as the TSI. That is about 62%. That means that while the TDI costs $3000 more, it will retain 62% of that $3000 as well. Therefore after 3 years, you'd expect to get back about $2000 of that $3000. Therefore the 3 years has cost you $1000, not $3000. Geddit?

Whatever the additional outlay, you get a proportion of it back at selling time. Once you realise this, do you maths on fuel & servicing and it will make your choice even harder.

lol i realise your point but when i said it would be silly to get the tdi if you're only gonna keep it for 3 years, i meant it more from the point of view that the tsi is a much nicer drive with much more linear power and longer 1st and 2nd gears.

if i didnt know better i would guess that you have the tdi and i have the tsi

ah yes, one more thing, if you drive like i do (always hard acceleration) then the fuel consumption difference between the tsi and the tdi is going to be exponentially more than if you drive like grandma

[BarneyBoy]

lol i realise your point but when i said it would be silly to get the tdi if you're only gonna keep it for 3 years, i meant it more from the point of view that the tsi is a much nicer drive with much more linear power and longer 1st and 2nd gears.

if i didnt know better i would guess that you have the tdi and i have the tsi

ah yes, one more thing, if you drive like i do (always hard acceleration) then the fuel consumption difference between the tsi and the tdi is going to be exponentially more than if you drive like grandma

LOL Defending each others ride?
I wasn't really referring to you, but to every article written where the extra cost at purchase is factored into cost of ownership, but resale never is.
It's a skewed opinion of diesels that I find annoying...

[warhead]

I think i got mine TSI at Burwin VW for $38000 inc dealer delivery,rego etc. with DSG, reverse sensor, 3 sets of Keys, protective floor mats, boot protector, iPod Connector.

Bit off topic but that's an excellent deal, I paid around 38.5k for the original GT TSI manual and got nothing but dealer delivery, rego, metallic paint + extra window tinting

Kind of annoyed that I missed out on the MY08 GT's with mp3 compatible cd players.

Back on topic though, I didn't test drive the then 2.0 TDI as I wasn't interested in a diesel car; yes good consumption but strict maintenance (which usually means expensive). So my opinions are strictly from the TSI - it's great!

Consumption is around 7-9L/km depending on traffic in urban areas, highway driving (Melbourne to Sydney) was 6.5-6.7L/100km (cruise control @ ~110km/h). Contrary to some others who might say the transition between super to turbo chargers is seemless, you really can feel it if you're accelerating a little more "urgently". As others have said, engine has a very unique tone to it and I quite like it.

Engine complexity did strike me as a concern when I went to buy the car, but the dealer showed me this TSI booklet and pointed out the bit that said VW has tested the engine to 300,000km with no faults.

[Greg Roles]

Hello all,

I've been lurking on this forum for a few weeks, and the time has come to join in. I have decided to purchase a golf in the next several weeks, and I face the problem a lot of you have or are having....


Which friggen one???


I have read all the threads and reviews on here with much interest, so thankyou for all your input. It really helps to get owners opinions, and the real world views. The motor journalists reviews are great, but we all know how one sided they can be at times. So a big thankyou for you all!

The choice was initally between the hot rod GTi and the more practical "sleeper" GT. I think the GT TSI would be the perfect vehicle for me, but the sheer number of TDI owners has me thinking. Add to that the great article about the chip tuning results on a turbo VW in Autospeed, and boy, yet more choices! I also like the idea of the local servo guy forgetting my name...

I am stepping out of a Ford FPV GT. It is a lot of fun, and I'm glad to have owned it, having never had a V8 before. Thing is it's time to have something a bit less "sledgehammer" and a bit more refined. To be able to corner would also be a plus.

Things I am over in the "bigger" GT:

Living at petrol stations.
Endless people wanting a burn and tailgating, egging you on.
The fact as I approach 40 it looks like I am having a crisis!
Running costs, rubber, brake pads etc is huge.
Cops ALWAYS pull you over for any reason.
Catching a cab is just too familiar...

SO.....

I'd buy a GTi in a heartbeat, looks the part, sounds big fun, and has the image without the fuel consumption. Thing that I'd like to know is are you forever harassed by the wannabe's / hoons / cops in a car like this? I am personally over that in my current car.

I think the GT TSI is the goods, but again a TDI DSG sounds like it would be a torque monster. I'd prefer a manual, but understand the rowing involved in a manual diesel. Is the DSG a good thing with the TDI motor? I'd go manual in the TSI. Be very interested in any feedback, and yeah, figure any of the above would be great.

Looking forward to dropping my CO2 footprint about 97%.

Greg.
Brisbane.

[Mischa]

if i were in your position id go the gti. its only 1000 more than the gt tdi (37500 for gt tdi manual vs 38500 for gti 3dr manual) and has long gears, more power and tonnes more tuning potential, plus its a 3dr! if you get the dsg tdi i wouldnt suggest modding it for the fact it has a diesel particulate filter (super restrictive exhaust) see here: http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=11209 and also that the dsg is only rated to 350nm (a chipped tdi will have well over 400nm). the only thing about a gti i think is a bit boy racer is the wheels; im not a fan. i much prefer my gt's wheels. but you could sell them and buy a set of the gt wheels off ebay if you prefer them. GL!

[poyta]

Hello all,



Which friggen one???

The choice was initally between the hot rod GTi and the more practical "sleeper" GT.

I am stepping out of a Ford FPV GT. It is a lot of fun, and I'm glad to have owned it, having never had a V8 before. Thing is it's time to have something a bit less "sledgehammer" and a bit more refined. To be able to corner would also be a plus.

Things I am over in the "bigger" GT:

Living at petrol stations.
Endless people wanting a burn and tailgating, egging you on.
The fact as I approach 40 it looks like I am having a crisis!
Running costs, rubber, brake pads etc is huge.
Cops ALWAYS pull you over for any reason.
Catching a cab is just too familiar...

SO.....

I'd buy a GTi in a heartbeat, looks the part, sounds big fun, and has the image without the fuel consumption. Thing that I'd like to know is are you forever harassed by the wannabe's / hoons / cops in a car like this? I am personally over that in my current car.

I think the GT TSI is the goods, but again a TDI DSG sounds like it would be a torque monster. I'd prefer a manual, but understand the rowing involved in a manual diesel. Is the DSG a good thing with the TDI motor? I'd go manual in the TSI. Be very interested in any feedback, and yeah, figure any of the above would be great.

Looking forward to dropping my CO2 footprint about 97%.

Greg.
Brisbane.

Greg,

I was in the same position as you and I chose the GT TDI over the GTI and the GT TSI for a number of reasons - the GT was that little bit cheaper so for the same money as a bog standard trim GTi I was able to option in leather and sunroof.
The biggest deciding factor for me was how the TDI drove - Me and this friend with who has a GTi often go driving and although he beats me at a set of traffic light drags ( not by much though ) he can't keep up with me up in the hills or in regular driving situations simply cause I have a big torque advantage. I guess its like comparing a high reving 4 to a V8 or a Inline4 on a motorcycle to a V-twin. The TDI will feel more like your V8. Whereas I feel I need to really work the engine in the GTi to have some fun the TDI just feels so effortless. Sometimes that can get you in a lot of trouble cause you dont realise how fast you are going... you will thank the speed alert.
You can drive that car hard all day and still get fantastic fuel economy. The friend who has a GTi averages about 9 - 10 litres per 100kms sometimes even more while I average around 6 litres per 100kms regardless of how hard I go.
Then there's the knowledge that the Diesel engine which runs low revs and is built like a tank will last much longer than the high reving high stressed GTi's engine. I not going to suddenly get worried if the car hits 200,000kms where as I may with the GTi if it hits that sort of mileage. I'm pretty sure re-sale will be affected by this.
The TDI might be the car for you if you want to be inconspicuous cause its not as ostentatious as the GTi so you certainly wont get noticed by anyone whether its cops or hoons.
Yes a manual TDI has you constantly rowing but to me driving a manual is just so automatic that I dont even think about it - its just happens so its not really a burden.
I recommend you just go drive all of them and see which you prefer. Also take a DSG and a manual for a drive cause personally I hated the DSG - yes it was faster in its changes and is probably a smart choice for resale or everyday driving in traffic but I prefer to actually drive a car rather than just being a passenger and steering it.

[Mischa]

yes it was faster in its changes and is probably a smart choice for resale or everyday driving in traffic but I prefer to actually drive a car rather than just being a passenger and steering it.

+1 on that

[Logzy]

See below for what I'm getting.
Im going from a VXII Clubsport. I was a little worried about this at first but now i just want my GT.

There was another guy on here that went from a VZ SS to a GT Sport, TDI i think, and he said he hasnt looked back.

[Greg Roles]

Wow,

Thanks for the prompt replies. GREAT info already.

Poyta, thanks for taking the time with a lengthy reply, appreciate it. It is indeed a tough decision but I will investigate your ideas on the DSG. All the rest of my family have turbo diesel 4x4's in manual, and I feel like I've really had to work hard driving them, really rowing the gears all the time. Still they are old and the useable torque band is stupidly narrow, I'm sure the newer ones in the Golf are way better. Driving them all will be the key as you suggest.

Mischa thanks for the tips, especially on the issues with the particle filter. I know diesel particle pollution is the biggest environmental issue, and the idea of a filter is great, but not if it causes the everyday issues you describe. See things like this don't show up in regular car tests, and are Gold for newbies like me. Interesting about the DSG Nm rating, what a bummer. Kinda limits the fun options with that box doesn't it.... Also I'm a part time Dad, so a 5 door is a must my friend!

Logsy you make a great point in that you chose the car with the most torque going from a V8. I tend not to rev the Ford, as you'd be aware there's usually no need, and you're way over the speed limit if you do. Nice option, but how often do you really do it in daily traffic? OK I do it a bit too, and it's a hoot, but it must be like 5-10% of the time really...

I know I will miss the sound though!

Again thanks for the info already,

[Greg Roles]

See below for what I'm getting.
Im going from a VXII Clubsport. I was a little worried about this at first but now i just want my GT.

There was another guy on here that went from a VZ SS to a GT Sport, TDI i think, and he said he hasnt looked back.

Was your clubbie auto, and how did the DSG driving experience compare if so??

Sorry to ask all these questions, but it helps me narrow down things to look for when I finally frequent a dealer. Test driving the three versions with both manual and DSG could be difficult..

[BarneyBoy]

To cogdot (Greg) A tip:
Drive both the manual and DSG - you'll know straight away what you'll like.
And drive all three engines - GTI, TSI and TDI. Although I haven't driven the new TSI GT, I've driven a bog standard oiler, and it's amazing how different the personality of each engine is. I can't say which is best - hell, all 3 are a great buy.
Personally, I went for the TSI. For ME it was the right balance of power, torque, economy, comfort and handling. But everyone has different priorities. Hell, I went in to buy a manual GTI and ended up with a DSG TSI! All I'm saying is - drive EVERY combination. Go to another dealer if one doesn't have what you want to try. You'll be surprised by how different they feel. Good luck.

[Logzy]

Was your clubbie auto, and how did the DSG driving experience compare if so??

Sorry to ask all these questions, but it helps me narrow down things to look for when I finally frequent a dealer. Test driving the three versions with both manual and DSG could be difficult..

No problem regarding the questions, ask away.
Yes the clubby is auto. For me I had decided 2 things previous to a test drive.
1. I want a turbo diesel. - Torque & Economy
2. I want an auto. - Do a few kms in traffic.

After test driving the TDI DSG i was happy with its performance overall so that was it for me.
If you are unsure though, like others have said, drive all options then decide.
I drive about 85 kms a day so couldnt be bothered with a manual and traffic.

Good luck and keep us posted.