Mk7 Golf GTI Discussion Thread

[Golf7]

I think most people would agree with that sentiment, or at least, one of the best in class.



I wouldn't so sure about that, because it depends on what one looks for in a hot hatch, since evaluating the driving experience involves more than just facts and figures. All-round user-friendliness and usability may make a great hot hatch to some, but to others who are more demanding about what the driving experience should entail, that isn't enough - but again, a purist wouldn't really be considering a Golf GTI anyway.

Completely agree, couldn't have put it better!

[Finance_Analyst]

I didn't need to replace the pads in my Mk V GTI at 65,000 when I traded it and I have done 58,000 now in the Mk 6. Probably lots of highway kms BUT I have to say what the hell were you doing to the brakes! It is not a car designed for a racetrack so I think it's a particularly silly thing to say the brakes are rubbish.
Arnold, I wasn't comparing the prices when on drive away specials. I didn't buy my car when it first came out. I'm still totally unconvinced about VW prices and think they will regret what they are doing. They forget that they don't have 4 rings on the bonnet.

I don't think 4 rings mean a lot. When Golf Rs were spec high, they came close to S3 and the Audi still could not sell.... Problem with Audi is that for the money, people prefer BMW or Benz rather than a tarted up VW. On the other hand, GTIs have way more heritage so there is a fan base that Audi can only dream of...

[WhiteJames]

A Manual Trans Golf 7 GTI with PP and passive dampers (with a view to upgrading to DG Sport Springs & Bilstein dampers) was a consideration. Bombed out on the M-Trans gearbox and dampers. With dealer delivery of 1-1.5K the standard Manual Trans GTI weighing in at 1313kgs looks appealing as an everyday proposition ... minus the 35kgs over the front axle compared to the PP - GTI. I imagine the PP GTI's extra 7kW of power is there to make up for the extra weight ... after all .. .the PP would not be slower than the std GTI. Does this mean that the M-Trans Golf 7 'R' will also have Adaptive Dampers as standard?
WJ

[Arnold]

Golf 7, please tell the VW mob that they have priced their cars way too high and that they must offer a manual PP GTI. If it's available in every other country then why not here!

That's right, and on second thought it is not right to ascribe any value to the larger rims just because 18" rims were a $1200 option on the Mark VI . . . it has been usual for rim sizes to increase with successive series across most if not all car manufacturers.

All available safety-related features should be standard! Many brands, such as Subaru, are putting them in at increasingly lower price points. Such systems are probably up their with ABS in terms of the safety impact (no pun intended) and should not lightly be omitted by any safety-conscious brand.

Car makers get not props for adding SatNav (which cost a lot and which I and many others have little need for) but collision avoidance systems are well regarded by journos, safety authorities, insurance companies and consumers but cannot be retro-fitted like a SatNav which is on most smartphones for $25 or on a separate unit for $200.

So, if VWA had thought this through they would have stunned the competition AND their fan base and announced a $39,990 GTI with no SatNav but Driver Assist standard.

I withdraw my earlier remark in which I said "I am certain that VWA has considered all relevant issues [when setting pricing]".

If they had they would have managed the inclusions to sneak in under $40k, which by ditching the exorbitant SatNav and putting in the Driver Assist they probably could have.

A great opportunity to quell its pricing critics and hit a psychologically superior, sub-$40k, price point seemingly lost by VWA. Never mind, I guess the dealers will pay for VWA's mistake and I will have Driver Assist and come to love and hate the SatNav!

[Golf7]

Golf 7, please tell the VW mob that they have priced their cars way too high and that they must offer a manual PP GTI. If it's available in every other country then why not here!

All of us journos already have, Karl just keeps saying that he is confident in the product selling well at that price. Well, what did we expect him to say??? We told them that we want a GTI to really stand up to the ST and the RS265 in the form of a cheaper PP Manual model. Time will tell, but the pricing is very steep indeed!

[Arnold]

All of us journos already have, Karl just keeps saying that he is confident in the product selling well at that price. Well, what did we expect him to say??? We told them that we want a GTI to really stand up to the ST and the RS265 in the form of a cheaper PP Manual model. Time will tell, but the pricing is very steep indeed!

Who is this "Karl"?

[Ryan_R]

Wow, been hard to keep up with this thread today

Initial thoughts: price seems high but then compared to a new Mk6 with all those options it probably isn't. I'm guessing the R will be loaded with more options to justify a higher price but then the S3 suddenly looks like a better deal.. Surprised at no PP+manual combo but maybe they have the data to suggest that they've taken the most cost-effective route there. I'd only have gotten DSG anyway. Not interested in 19" wheels so not happy to see them included with the PP although there's a remote chance the right dealer could order a special one for you (like those handful of Tornado Red Golf R's) or of course swap them afterwards.

New GTI hasn't really been doing much for me to be honest, and for getting close to 50k, I'd honestly rather save up the extra 10 for the S3 right now. Just a shame that I don't have a garage to park it in

[couchmotorist]

price is up on VW website..48670 drive away for DSG..if I add sunroof and leather, it will be around 52-53 driveaway..I remember getting a quote for A250 few months earlier with command pack which came to 56k driveaway...this is very close..I expected a gap bit wider..Merc will get lot of GTI buyers I think!

Where was this on the website? I haven't seen any prices with on roads there....

[Golf7]

Where was this on the website? I haven't seen any prices with on roads there....

Yup the humble People's Car VW badge now mingles with the like of Mercedes et al... Price-wise that is...

[Golf7]

Wow, been hard to keep up with this thread today

Initial thoughts: price seems high but then compared to a new Mk6 with all those options it probably isn't. I'm guessing the R will be loaded with more options to justify a higher price but then the S3 suddenly looks like a better deal.. Surprised at no PP+manual combo but maybe they have the data to suggest that they've taken the most cost-effective route there. I'd only have gotten DSG anyway. Not interested in 19" wheels so not happy to see them included with the PP although there's a remote chance the right dealer could order a special one for you (like those handful of Tornado Red Golf R's) or of course swap them afterwards.

New GTI hasn't really been doing much for me to be honest, and for getting close to 50k, I'd honestly rather save up the extra 10 for the S3 right now. Just a shame that I don't have a garage to park it in

That's how I'd put the GTI a bit unremarkable, deja vu... Oh and Karl Gehling, head of PR.