Mk7 Golf GTI Discussion Thread

[Dutch77]

+1.. it's a start up routine; ignition on, air on, stop/start off, park brake release..

[Ralfi]

Good to know you can disable the feature. Thanks.

Gees they're selling the Focus ST for $34k in their '14 runout sales.

The new model due in May should compete with the Golf GTI with many features bettering that of the VW (8" screen etc).

Should be an interesting sales battle.

[Dutch77]

Can be disabled each start-up (it defaults to on) or you can disable it permanently if desired.

The Focus is good value, and I am sure some buyers will cross shop and pick it, but I still think if you're after a premium feel you won't go past the GTI (notwithstanding that in Mk7 guise it has a lot a little of that feeling). I hate the VW screen, but that wouldn't swing me to the Focus, and I still prefer the clean understated styling of the Golf over the Focus.

Choice is great though - it's a hot section of the market now so there is sales for everyone.

[Moonee]

... ignoring the simple fact that a GTI is not a sports car.

Wow

Well if you really believe that then I strongly advise you against clicking any of the links below


Best Sports Car under $50,000


RACV RoyalAuto - Australia's Best Cars: Sports car under $50,000


Sports car comparison : Subaru WRX v Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance v Renault Megane RS265 | CarAdvice


Australia's Best Cars 2014 - Best Sports Car Under $50,000 - Volkswagen Golf GTI - YouTube

etc etc etc ...

Another thing with the manual - they've implemented an engine cut-out feature

It's also in the DSG version.

I must say, first couple of months of ownership I was disabling the stop/start but I no longer do (except in bumper to bumper traffic).

Actually the stop/start works better in the manual than in the DSG.

Whereas in the latter you can get heart flutters if the car stops while waiting to turn right across traffic, the manual won't because stop/start doesn't kick in while the clutch is pressed in.

[Ralfi]

It's also in the DSG version.

I must say, first couple of months of ownership I was disabling the stop/start but I no longer do (except in bumper to bumper traffic).

Actually the stop/start works better in the manual than in the DSG.

Whereas in the latter you can get heart flutters if the car stops while waiting to turn right across traffic, the manual won't because stop/start doesn't kick in while the clutch is pressed in.

Yeah the DSG cuts out when it detects no movement & no foot on the brake for a certain period of time, so if you were on flat ground, waiting to turn right at a major intersection, it could get dicey.

Or maybe I've got that wrong - I'm pretty sure handbrake has to also be on?

----

Any views on the sunroof by long time owners? Regret it/still love it? I've noticed a few comments around by people saying if they had an option they wished they didn't purchase, it's be the sunroof.

The DSG I test drove the other day had one, & I found it useful, especially the shade cloth, in controlling the light in the cabin. & if I were to get tinted windows, that control of light adjustment, along with negating the need to often wind down windows would be beneficial I think?

Despite that, I was also thinking of getting wind shields for those times I do wind down the windows. Anyone find these serve their purpose?

[Moonee]

We love the sunroof on our standard Mk7 GTI.

Would never own a car without one now.

[Dutch77]

Wow

Well if you really believe that then I strongly advise you against clicking any of the links below

Wow

My point was that it's a hot hatch, it's designed to cover multiple bases - I still consider a sportscar more in the guise of a Porsche 911.

Even then I'd take the 911 in PDK.

[Jimi]

I agree Dutch, each to their own. The 911 GT3, which some say is the purest sports car of all, is now only available with PDK - they've just dropped the manual entirely.

[Matt P]

Despite that, I was also thinking of getting wind shields for those times I do wind down the windows. Anyone find these serve their purpose?

I have them as i love to drive around with the windows down and not get blown out of the car. They do add a bit of wind noise. If i had a roof i wouldn't bother with them though.

My previous Mk5 GTI had a sunroof and it was pretty useless due to the size. The Mk7 one is worth the money i think due to the fact that its about 3 times the size!

Wow

My point was that it's a hot hatch, it's designed to cover multiple bases - I still consider a sportscar more in the guise of a Porsche 911.

Even then I'd take the 911 in PDK.

I'd be inclined to say that anything with more than 2 doors isnt a sports car. IMO a sports car doesn't have to be fast, it just has to have a "sports car" seating position and 2 doors. i.e. a Golf GTI destroys a Toyota 86 in most aspects, but imo the 86 is a sports car and the GTI is a hot hatch.

[Dutch77]

I agree Dutch, each to their own. The 911 GT3, which some say is the purest sports car of all, is now only available with PDK - they've just dropped the manual entirely.

And to some it would not be a sports car at all.

Although I am a little surprised they chose not to engineer that car with a manual option.

My previous Mk5 GTI had a sunroof and it was pretty useless due to the size. The Mk7 one is worth the money i think due to the fact that its about 3 times the size!

..

I'd be inclined to say that anything with more than 2 doors isnt a sports car. IMO a sports car doesn't have to be fast, it just has to have a "sports car" seating position and 2 doors. i.e. a Golf GTI destroys a Toyota 86 in most aspects, but imo the 86 is a sports car and the GTI is a hot hatch.

Sunroof: I never bothered to look as I wasn't going to fork out for it, but I assume the Mk7 still has a plastic blind in addition to the shade blind? I know the Tiguan didn't and that ruled it out right away for me (when we were shopping another car).

Sports car: again hitting the nail on the head.. a true sports car is one that was designed that way to begin with, not a go-fast version of an existing sedan/hatch.

Ultimately everyone can have their own opinion on what constitutes a sports car, as they can choose what gearbox suits. Seems logical, and saves a constant sore head.