Golf 118 -v- Golf GT SPORT TSI

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Originally Posted by triode12

I'm sure it drives better than those cars you tested because it is a good car - no question about it. It is even technically better than the GT from a refinement standpoint. But that is what is "wrong" with it IMO. It is not as good as the GT in the fun stakes.

So if I were you, I would not test drive the GT because, if you are happy with the car now, there is no point doing so. Ignorance in this case is bliss - be happy with what you have. And I am not being sarcastic when I write this.

I have been testing a lot of cars as a possible replacement for the two cars we own because we believe in not keeping our cars more than 3 years due to the massive depreciation after that. But we haven't been able to find a suitable replacement/s as our main requirement now is that the cars have to be fun to drive and the only suitable replacements are either too expensive without providing much of a difference (Golf R) or too small (Polo 77TSI) and expensive wrt to value - circa $25K.

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I drove a Mk V GTI against a Polo GTI 2010 model and there's no way the Polo sounds refined. The stock exhaust note is way more rewarding than the ABT quad pipes on my Mk V. The car feels more chuckable through corners and roll was noticeably less of a problem on the Polo.

Even the MKVI 77TSi felt like a lot of fun.

I wasn't talking about sounding refined, I was talking about the driving dynamics -e.g. linear vs exponential power and torque delivery, trackability. On the first incline on the F3 (with 3 ppl in the car) - the engine was straining it's guts out maintaining 110km/hr even after dropping a couple of gears. In my GT, it is a different situation altogether - it has done the same incline fully loaded on several occasions w/o a problem nor sounding like it was running out of puff (in drive). Getting to 110km/hr on the straight was also a non-event. It was poised and refined - not GTI like IMO.

I really wanted to like the Polo GTI. It's an attractive car and priced right - a perfect upgrade for the GT - or so I thought. The test drive was a disappointment in more ways than one.

My main point was not that the 118TSI is a rubbish car- more that I was REALLY surprised at how different the 118 is compared to the GT SPORT TSI. essentially the same engine (with tune to suit 7sp) and what I think is a VERY different DSG box in the 7dry v 6wet.

Compared to the GT the 118 is a very refined car and IMO more like a N/A 2.0 than a s/c t/c 1.4

Like I said- when it comes to mass production and general appeal I don't blame VW for what appears to be "taming the beast" but wow.... They are just completely different cars and I would NEVER have thought it until I drove the 118 recently.

ps: the steering wheel on the 118 is sweeeeet! Made me very keen to swap out my GT wheel for a MKV GTI wheel.

FWIW regarding trackability of the car, I found it was more fun at the corners with a less turbo lag than with. With peaky torque curves it's harder to get on the throttle mid corners as it's easier to upset the balance on the car. Sure the peaky torque gave me faster acceleration, more brutal. But for tracking, I prefer the more linear gains. At least that's the way I found driving my Evo 8MR with stock turbo vs HKS GT2835.

I also found similar experiences between an Amuse ECU reflash (lower torque numbers but flatter) vs Cobbs with the same turbo on a GTR R35.

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Originally Posted by MariusGT

They are just completely different cars and I would NEVER have thought it until I drove the 118 recently.

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Sorry... but I have to say a big "well duh" to this comment. I mean, one of them is a "GT Sport" and one is a "Comfortline". They're aimed at different purposes and buyers, even from their name! It seems that the biggest issue here is your expectations based on the fact that they what? Have roughly the same engine?

They're different cars.

yeah ok corey. that's your opinion - not mine.

based on the fundamental underpinnings of both cars i would HAVE THOUGHT (not fact.. just my opinion) the 2 would be more closely related in driving experience.

take your patronising "Sorry... but I have to say a big "well duh" to this comment." elsewhere.
bloody know all.

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Originally Posted by DoggieHowser

FWIW regarding trackability of the car, I found it was more fun at the corners with a less turbo lag than with. With peaky torque curves it's harder to get on the throttle mid corners as it's easier to upset the balance on the car. Sure the peaky torque gave me faster acceleration, more brutal. But for tracking, I prefer the more linear gains. At least that's the way I found driving my Evo 8MR with stock turbo vs HKS GT2835.

I also found similar experiences between an Amuse ECU reflash (lower torque numbers but flatter) vs Cobbs with the same turbo on a GTR R35.

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Yes, I see what you are saying and most Stg 1 tunes tend to smooth out the power curve. In the MKV GTI, even after tuning you still get the sense of speed while accelerating. I haven't tested a tuned MkVI GTI so all my comments are based comparing stock with stock.

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Originally Posted by MariusGT

yeah ok corey. that's your opinion - not mine.

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Well... appears to be Volkswagen's opinion too, since they named them and all.... GT Sport vs Comfortline... not my opinion, just the facts.

Take your insulting "the 118TSI is a rubbish car" elsewhere.

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Originally Posted by Corey_R

Take your insulting "the 118TSI is a rubbish car" elsewhere.

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While you're in that frame of mind, why don't you consider locking the GTI v R thread? It's sad reflection on the forum that the thread has made the top 10.

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Originally Posted by Corey_R

Well... appears to be Volkswagen's opinion too, since they named them and all.... GT Sport vs Comfortline... not my opinion, just the facts.

Take your insulting "the 118TSI is a rubbish car" elsewhere.

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don't misquote me. "My main point was not that the 118TSI is a rubbish car"

that comment was trying to redirect the discussion back to the point that i was surprised at how different the 2 cars are.

feel free to read the original post opening this discussion:

"Now I don't mean this to be a 118 bash in any way- just thought I would post my own (slightly biased!!) observations:"

i thought that made it fairly clear i was giving my own opinion and not based on fact. also that it is not my intention to bash the 118.

none of what i said is fact.. the marketing and naming of cars has nothing to do with my point. isn't this a FORUM where people voice their opinions? if i wanted a factual breakdown i would jump on the VW website and read their technical/marketing jargon.

for a moderator you really need to grow up.