GTI Aesthetics

[PeterHBne]

Well, it's taken almost four years but I can now say I actually really like the look of my car. I've been unsure for years. Looks are listed down near rear seat leg room and blue tooth connectivity in priorities for me when buying a car but I always wanted to like the look of this one. The rear lights were like oysters - very much an acquired taste. First six months or so, sometimes after a hard day at work, walking towards it, they would make me so angry i wanted very much to swing the briefcase at them. kick them and punch them. Punish them for their stupid face. Now I really like them. The car sort of loses it in the rear mid flanks just before you get to the rear wheels. It just needed a bit of styling there for the rear and front to blend just right - a little too slab sided. But i think it's ageing well, and certainly looks different to the el mcdonalds el blando styling of everything else these days.

For me, pretty much one of the last Hot (mildish?) Hatches of old school basics (big motor/small car/manual box/rear wheel drive/whoops..) with just enough new tech stuff (lecky windows, aircon, airbags....) sprinkled on to make it comfy for an old fart or a young gun before it all went too far (DSG only?? vomit......)

Wheels? If I ever did, I reckon the TT wheels were made for it.

[Spec83]

Dumping it makes it look much better.... Looks a lot less top heavy when they are 30-45mm closer to the ground and makes the slab-sidedness less obvious.

Also, I think the stock 16" wheels look quite good when lowered

[triode12]

Well, it's taken almost four years but I can now say I actually really like the look of my car. I've been unsure for years. Looks are listed down near rear seat leg room and blue tooth connectivity in priorities for me when buying a car but I always wanted to like the look of this one. The rear lights were like oysters - very much an acquired taste. First six months or so, sometimes after a hard day at work, walking towards it, they would make me so angry i wanted very much to swing the briefcase at them. kick them and punch them. Punish them for their stupid face. Now I really like them. The car sort of loses it in the rear mid flanks just before you get to the rear wheels. It just needed a bit of styling there for the rear and front to blend just right - a little too slab sided. But i think it's ageing well, and certainly looks different to the el mcdonalds el blando styling of everything else these days.

For me, pretty much one of the last Hot (mildish?) Hatches of old school basics (big motor/small car/manual box/rear wheel drive/whoops..) with just enough new tech stuff (lecky windows, aircon, airbags....) sprinkled on to make it comfy for an old fart or a young gun before it all went too far (DSG only?? vomit......)

Wheels? If I ever did, I reckon the TT wheels were made for it.

I prefer the 9N3 Pog to the new one. It so much more fun to drive compared to the current model.

The looks aren't that bad esp in black or with a cup body kit.
I rather a car that is fun to drive and looks so-so than one that looks good but is a bore to drive.

[pog]

Each to their own I guess.

Personally the 6R - 'hands down' - is the better looking car. It's styling is more aggressive if compared to the 9N3 GTI. If the 9N3 GTI came with the Cup Kit as standard, then I'd have a dilemma - because I actually think the Cup Kit makes all the difference for this car.

If I can say, the 6R has a better rear and simply because of the lights. I think the round lights of the 9N3 makes it look soft/girly with a GTI rear kit, but once you slap on a Cup Kit, all of a sudden, it's lost in the styling and not as noticable.

Regarding power and fun, I can't compare both in terms of driveability. But I will say I do enjoy driving the 9N3 and I'm definitely sure the 6R would be the same even with the DSG. Probably not as fun paddle shifting, but equally as fun tearing it up!

For those who are commenting on 6R not being a fun car to drive, have you actually driven the 6R? And if you did, was it a test drive at the dealership? And if was, I doubt you even had a chance to open it up properly. And if it wasn't, then alls fair in love and war.

[noone]

I like the front of the new Polo, don't like the back.

I'm sure the new Polo vs Old Polo is quite different in stock form, I guess I can't compare the 2 modded yet.

The new Polo has awesome torque when chipped, looking forward to playing with one of these in traffic.

I'm happy with what I have, just needs a little more tweaking...

[triode12]

Each to their own I guess.

Personally the 6R - 'hands down' - is the better looking car. It's styling is more aggressive if compared to the 9N3 GTI. If the 9N3 GTI came with the Cup Kit as standard, then I'd have a dilemma - because I actually think the Cup Kit makes all the difference for this car.

If I can say, the 6R has a better rear and simply because of the lights. I think the round lights of the 9N3 makes it look soft/girly with a GTI rear kit, but once you slap on a Cup Kit, all of a sudden, it's lost in the styling and not as noticable.

Regarding power and fun, I can't compare both in terms of driveability. But I will say I do enjoy driving the 9N3 and I'm definitely sure the 6R would be the same even with the DSG. Probably not as fun paddle shifting, but equally as fun tearing it up!

For those who are commenting on 6R not being a fun car to drive, have you actually driven the 6R? And if you did, was it a test drive at the dealership? And if was, I doubt you even had a chance to open it up properly. And if it wasn't, then alls fair in love and war.

Have to agree that the 6R is the better looking car - no argument there.

To answer you, yes, you weren't there when I tested and how I tested it so you can't make assumptions that the test wasn't comprehensive.

I tested on a circuit I am well familiar with and with lots of other models apart from my Pirelli and GT (which also has a 1.4TSI engine). So I am well aware of the capabilities of the 1.4TSI engine. In the Polo GTI - it was crap - I can only point the finger at the 7 Spd DSG and improved refinement of the 6R.

I have also tested the 6R TDI and 1.2TSI models. And I found the 1.2TSI to be the most entertaining of the 3 Polo models I tested. If I had the money - I would plonk it on the 1.2TSI instead of the GTI - where fun for your dollar is concerned. * (perhaps in tuned form, the GTI might improve. But I haven't tested a tuned sample and cannot comment and will not speculate).

[kaanage]

I like the front of the new Polo, don't like the back.

Me too - the rear doesn't integrate very well IMO.
Despite being a bit dowdy/frumpy/podgy, the 9N(3) shape is much more coherent which makes me prefer it even though the front and sides of the 6R look much more sleek.
Also, the 9N(3) has its own identity - the 6R looks like a mini-Golf wannabe.

[triode12]

The 9N3 GTI is such a bargain now. So tempted to buy one and chuck the cup body kit onto it + tune and suspension upgrades.
Still cannot forget the fun I had test driving one. The 6R test drive was forgettable in comparison.

[DeanB]

Interesting point about the 1.2tsi, in what way was it more entertaining ? Just curious as I've never driven one and quite probably have wrongly assumed it is too small a motor to be "fun".

Having had a test drive in the new 6R Polo GTI, I'm still not convinced. I still don't like the DSG, it just lacks something, it's a feel thing, maybe I'd get used to it eventually, but don't think the idea is to have to get used to something like that. Like noone, I'm not a fan of the rear of the 6R, just reminds me of a Yaris or a lot of other bland asian rear designs, whilst I prefer aspects of the front of the 6R, I think they could have placed the GTI red grill stripes a little better, they look a lot better on the Mk6 Golf GTI

[Corey_R]

Yeah, the 9N3 GTI was one of the most surprisingly great cars I've never owned or driven. I mean, this car was only $26,990 brand new. When it came out, the Suzuki Swift Sport was that price!

The new one.... well, it is more refined than the old one, and that certainly makes it feel slower, despite it not being. I think that the new one has a LOT of potential though, given the mods that APR have already come up with for it. I hope that other tuner companies also take the time to develop some hardware for this one. I do think that a big limiting factor is that 7sp dry-clutch DSG though. Hopefully we can get some hardware mods for that too...

[Corey_R]

In relation to the new 1.2TSI vs GTI comments, what I've noticed is that the 1.2TSI has no low end torque and then when the power starts coming in, you get a moderate kick in your back.

The GTI with its combination of Supercharged and Turbo charged is just so torque and powerful all over, that it's just so linear. There is no "kick" because it's completely smooth.

The GTI is undeniably quicker (stop watches etc), but just doesn't feel like it!

[triode12]

Interesting point about the 1.2tsi, in what way was it more entertaining ? Just curious as I've never driven one and quite probably have wrongly assumed it is too small a motor to be "fun".

Having had a test drive in the new 6R Polo GTI, I'm still not convinced. I still don't like the DSG, it just lacks something, it's a feel thing, maybe I'd get used to it eventually, but don't think the idea is to have to get used to something like that. Like noone, I'm not a fan of the rear of the 6R, just reminds me of a Yaris or a lot of other bland asian rear designs, whilst I prefer aspects of the front of the 6R, I think they could have placed the GTI red grill stripes a little better, they look a lot better on the Mk6 Golf GTI

I don't know why - perhaps the engine is lighter and doesn't carry as much weight in the front as the 1.4TSI does. Perhaps the single turbo provides a less linear acceleration curve compared to the more linear and refined GTI. Your guess is as good as mine.

The 1.2TSI felt more lively to drive. Zippy, lively, edgy and puppydog like are terms I would use. The GTI in comparison was like a frigid woman. Brrrr.

[Bflat]

Back to aesthetics....

I've found the 9N3 looks a whole lot more planted with the cupra lip (as much as one can without suspension mods) and it's such a cheap and easy thing to do it's any wonder you don't see it more often.

I've gone a little larish with my wing mirros (chromed) and i've had mixed reviews from people regarding this, but I'm more than happy with them

I've recently changed the stock rims to black Lenso Type M's and am starting to miss the 'elegant' look of the denvers as opposed to the 'dirty' look of the black rims.

The comments regarding the brake lights are spot on though, they are pretty girly. Whenever I catch a MKVI R I just drool over how sinister those LED's look.

[DeanB]

Back to aesthetics....

I've found the 9N3 looks a whole lot more planted with the cupra lip (as much as one can without suspension mods) and it's such a cheap and easy thing to do it's any wonder you don't see it more often.

....

The comments regarding the brake lights are spot on though, they are pretty girly. Whenever I catch a MKVI R I just drool over how sinister those LED's look.

Agree about the Cupra lip, it's a nice look on the front of the 9N3.

If only the 6R Polo GTI had the MkVI Golf R brake lights, it is just lacking something ... happy to stick with the 9N3 rear, prefer it over the new look.

[seangti]

~$200 for Cupra lip delivered...

SEAT CUPRA R LIP SPOILER (OEM) | eBay