VW GTi - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

limoncello · 03-17-2006, 02:22 PM

I took a test drive today in one of the new VW GTi's with DSG. Really a nice car. DSG was very, very smooth. Handled well, good brakes, even for the track I think. 200 HP and torque about the same. And a sticker of 21,990 plus shipping. Sales manager said he has chipped his Audi 2.0 (same engine) and picked up 40 (?) hp or so for $600. It's not a bad deal. Selling my Box would get a new car with 4 year warranty.

I started down a logic path that said the GTi was a car I could track, there's no broomstick rule 'cause it's a hardtop, it has more legroom that my 6'4" body needs and plenty of room up top for a helmet. It's cheap compared to Porsche, it has no RMS issues, brake pads are affordable, aftermarket wheels are cheaper, etc. etc. etc.

Then I woke up. Driving the Boxster is a homer with bases loaded. I'm not gonna trade it for a VW, even if the GTi is a competent car that will probably sell well.

Question 1: BruceLee: Do dealers understand car enthusiasts? Do they hate us for taking test drives? I really did want to try the DSG. And if the Boxster blows up tomorrow I might actually consider a GTi. Actually the sales manager (combo VW/Audi dealer) had recently tracked the GTi as part of the pre-release familiarization, and was a very decent sort. Most of the salespersons really don't have a clue, though.

Question 2: Anybody: After owning a Porsche, do you ever go back to normal cars?

KRZTACO · 03-17-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limoncello

Question 1: BruceLee: Do dealers understand car enthusiasts? Do they hate us for taking test drives?

Question 2: Anybody: After owning a Porsche, do you ever go back to normal cars?

1) Since everyone is a "Ricer" at heart (Bruce may tend to disagree to this) dealers understand car enthusiasts for the most part.

I actually test drog a Gti with the DSG tranny to see. Well it just wasn't hard core enough for me. The biggest down fall is that even in "Sport" mode, when you floored the gas pedal it would kick down a gear to bump the RPM's up......I hate that! The BMW SMG doesn't do that, so why should this one.

I love the BMW SMG....so sick.

Jim made an excellent point earlier that at the end of the day what is sitting in your garage, a Porsche or a VW?

KRZ

blinkwatt · 03-17-2006, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRZTACO

1) Jim made an excellent point earlier that at the end of the day what is sitting in your garage, a Porsche or a VW?

For me it is both! Despite what alot of people think,Jettas can be fun cars for everyday use.

TriGem2k · 03-17-2006, 02:46 PM

Hahaha....but Hey Blink, Its Sitting Outside And Look Whats In The Garage In Your Picture....

MNBoxster · 03-17-2006, 04:11 PM

Hi,

I'm glad to see that VW brought back the GTi, and in a little better form than the last incarnation. They're very competent little Econo-Boxes.

For the Young Guy, earning a Median Income, the GTi is the perfect blend of Economy, Reliability, and Performance. The Weekend Auto-Xer/Grocery Getter/Datemobile. It allows it's Target Customer to grow in both ability and pedigree.

The thing that cracks me up about these, and virtually all Hot Hatches, is the way they become Tricycles at an Auto-X. Invariably, the Outbound Rear Wheel is always an inch or two off the Tarmac. A testament to their structural rigidity I guess...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Brucelee · 03-17-2006, 04:56 PM

" BruceLee: Do dealers understand car enthusiasts? Do they hate us for taking test drives?"

Some do, some don't. Understand, most car salesman do not make a lot of money and are not "enthusiasts" in the sense you mean.

You ARE more likely to be understood at a Porsche dealership than say, a VW.

Frankly, I still don't understand the "ricer at heart" argument. But then again, I am over 50 so the whole 4 banger from hell movement leaves me cold.