Test Drove the GTI

[aeon]

Test drove a base model DSG GTI today - drove pretty awesomely, though I couldn't quite get the right driving position, everything is adjustable, but I guess I'm used to the driving position in my old slow car.

I did find the seat to be both comfortable and a bit odd at the same time - nicely bolstered, but I didn't feel like my back could relax into it very well.

Other than that though, drove nicely, seemed to have relatively low road noise level in the cabin, and the DSG worked quite nicely (didn't like the twin clutch on the ralliart lancer, nor the DSG on the 118TSI). Definitely has a lot of fun poke - I only managed one corner at decent speed/angle, but that felt awesome and I wanted to keep driving a bit crazily after that!

[cme2c]

What actually happens at the "Launch"? And will this be at all VW outlets?

Nothing. They had 3, white, red and black, all 5 door DSG the black with leather and a SOLD sign on it. The red one was next to a 103TDI and frankly did not look "special" enough IMHO,not like the MKV where the GTI looked so much different to the base models. Drove the white one. Love the wheel and the paddles. Prefer the T-Bar in my wife's 118TSI to the knobby gear selector thing. Glad I paid the extra for Dynaudio with the RNS 510 (the GTI didn't have it)

The GTI is a much sharper tool than the Comfortline. Better exhaust noise too. Turn in is much sharper, without much deterioration in ride. Definitely on my shopping list for next year.

[Flipper Dog]

Nothing. They had 3, white, red and black, all 5 door DSG the black with leather and a SOLD sign on it. The red one was next to a 103TDI and frankly did not look "special" enough IMHO,not like the MKV where the GTI looked so much different to the base models. Drove the white one. Love the wheel and the paddles. Prefer the T-Bar in my wife's 118TSI to the knobby gear selector thing. Glad I paid the extra for Dynaudio with the RNS 510 (the GTI didn't have it)

The GTI is a much sharper tool than the Comfortline. Better exhaust noise too. Turn in is much sharper, without much deterioration in ride. Definitely on my shopping list for next year.

cme2c,
how much difference was the GTI over your 118TSI? Yeah handling etc but (apart from the seats) what did the GTI have to offer over the 118TSI sitting in it as a daily driver.
We are in the market for an update now for a daily driver and value for money the 118 TSI Comfortline is just under 10 grand better off.

[Cam]

The GTI launches will attract excessively anal IT geek types! I think id prefer to hang out with bogans

Lol...IT geeks aren't all bad.


I'm still on Green P's so I can't test drive the new GTI. I'd like to though.
Although I'd have to say I think I'm more excited about the GTD. I wasn't too keen on the look at first but I was watching a few youtube videos this morning of it driving and its grown on me.


And yes I work in IT btw lol.

[MovieDude]

Sorry to be slightly off topic, I'm not looking forward to the NG Prado one at the Toyota dealership I work for. Think lots of 4WD bogans and wannabes.

And overweight mums who think a 4WD are a necessity because they have 2 children.

[Splashalot]

I did find the seat to be both comfortable and a bit odd at the same time - nicely bolstered, but I didn't feel like my back could relax into it very well.

!

I had the same issue today in the Mk6 GTI. For me it was those stupid forward angled headrests which prevent me from settling back into the seat properly. If I do, the headrest pushes my chin onto my chest! The Mk5 seats are better for me.

I wish the headrests were adjustable fore and aft as well as up and down.

[Rocket]

Test drove today at barloworld. They have a registered black 5dr Dsg standard and an unregistered 5dr black manual. Drove both, back to back, Dsg first. Goes quite nice, very quiet inside. The dsg I did find a bit jerky to be honest. Tried in D, S and tiptronic. The delay in changing gear in tiptronic is slightly longer than expected. The general shifts were not as smooth as I had hoped. I haven't driven a dsg before either. I wanted to drive the manual to compare. The manual was absolutely beautiful. Silky smooth, low clutch point for very quick pick up, and the torque in the engine made for very smooth shifts. When I order, unfortunately it will be in the manual.

In regards to other points, stock 17's don't look to small in the flesh. Factory fitted privacy glass is dark. Rcd 510 is usable, not beautiful. Driving position was good, rear vision is obstructed by the headrests, no biggy but it's there. Throw on the manual box is a bit long... No actually it's probably just the stick that feels quite long. Not a fan of the manual gear knob... Looks like a toy.

But all in all a nice drive. Go's where it's pointed, quickly and smoothly. Want to see a three door next

[cme2c]

cme2c,
how much difference was the GTI over your 118TSI? Yeah handling etc but (apart from the seats) what did the GTI have to offer over the 118TSI sitting in it as a daily driver.
We are in the market for an update now for a daily driver and value for money the 118 TSI Comfortline is just under 10 grand better off.

Not ten grand in my opinion. Day to day performance is not that much different, the GTI wouldn't be as economical, cost more to insure and I find the comfortline seats, well, comfortable. The 118TSI is an 8 second 0-100km/hr car as it is (faster than the GTD for example) and more than capable in Sydney traffic and on the expressway.

My 118TSI also has the standard wheel/ tyre package and no ACC as it is my wife's car and we bought it for comfort. If the handling in the 118TSI isn't sharp enough for you, you have sports pack and ACC on the options list.

I am a bit biased as my daily driver is a Peugeot 206GTI. This has much sharper turn in than the 118TSI, but at the cost of ride quality. Compared to just about any car of its type, the 118TSI is miles ahead.

In a nutshell? save the money.

[cme2c]

I had the same issue today in the Mk6 GTI. For me it was those stupid forward angled headrests which prevent me from settling back into the seat properly. If I do, the headrest pushes my chin onto my chest! The Mk5 seats are better for me.

I wish the headrests were adjustable fore and aft as well as up and down.

I's part of the whiplash protection. The shape of the headrest is such that if you adjust them higher, your head can move further back. Similar idea in the Comfortline, took a little while to adjust the headrests correctly.

[Lima]

I had a bit of a go in the Mk6 GTI yesterday, too.

[Kwoka]

Was planning to test drive it this weekend but didn't have the time. Was wondering if anyone who went for a test drive how long the wait the delivery of the car will be if i order one?

[Lima]

Should be around the usual four months, give or take a week or two. Although, the longer you leave it the quicker the build spots are likely to fill.

[Kwoka]

Thanks for the fast reply. 4 months isn't as bad as i would've thought. But yeah i guess i better get in there quick..

[aeon]

I had the same issue today in the Mk6 GTI. For me it was those stupid forward angled headrests which prevent me from settling back into the seat properly. If I do, the headrest pushes my chin onto my chest! The Mk5 seats are better for me.

I wish the headrests were adjustable fore and aft as well as up and down.

Did anyone else experience this - this is almost a deal breaker for me - might have to go down and test drive/sit in the car again...

[Splashalot]

Did anyone else experience this - this is almost a deal breaker for me - might have to go down and test drive/sit in the car again...

Ditto for me - it's definitely a deal breaker. If I can't find an acceptible position for the headrests (as per Cme2c's instructions) I won't be buying the Mk6.