Mk7 Golf GTI Discussion Thread

[mfl]

I think the extra power of the PP - GTI is so that it is not slower than the std GTI as the std GTI is lighter............. Don't even get me started on the weight of the Golf 7 'R'.
WJ

So WJ, are you suggesting that if we want the better handling/performing sport model we would be better off getting the std GTI , than either the GTI PP or R models..... will keep my options open then.

[Arnold]

You can deny it all you want but the majority of VW's sports oriented sales are to regular joe's who drive it in peak hour traffic and raely utilise any of the vehicle's potential.

What a croc, not to mention arrogant. "deny it all you want" for God's sake! How self-serving.

It is a status symbol to them

Props to you team_v for writing that with no more condescension than absolutely necessary. Most people other than your ilk of petrol heads, in your opinion, acquire a GTI to boost their status.

A Volkswagen. The "people's car". A status symbol.

Another croc showing an inflated sense of superiority to those of us who choose a GTI for its practicality as a family car combined with its fantastic driver engagement and linear acceleration. The love child of an M3 and a Mazda3.

You seem to have your knickers in a knot because VWAus have not created a car that meets your specific requirements at a price point you are happy to pay however they will still sell like hotcakes to average joe daily driver.

While I cannot comment on the state of anyone's knickers, someone here is expressing reasonable and entirely defensible views about how they would have rather seen the new GTI configured and priced and someone else is making baseless assumptions about the motivations of the vast majority of people who buy a GTI which, in my case, is to safely transport my family in a car that my wife and I love to drive for its dynamics and fantastic performance on road.

And, it's a manual. And most definitely not "flashy". More one of the more competent "Q" cars.

End of story.

PS - perhaps one should be thankful that moderators are as circumspect as team_v about dissing forum members who make this forum what it is and attract the advertisers that make it viable.

[readerr0r]

So WJ, are you suggesting that if we want the better handling/performing sport model we would be better off getting the std GTI , than either the GTI PP or R models..... will keep my options open then.

Not really, he's just saying the PP has more power to counteract the weight of the LSD so it still performs better in straight line. Obviously if you really push it, the PP should be better on the track.

[Finance_Analyst]

You can deny it all you want but the majority of VW's sports oriented sales are to regular joe's who drive it in peak hour traffic and raely utilise any of the vehicle's potential.
It is a status symbol to them as it is flashy and has sporty seats etc, the majority would not know what any of the additional options do or are used for.


Also, when i picked up the Tiguan it came with the GTI engine across all models.
I wanted it for the performance benefits of AWD and a tunable engine and i actually use these as an enthusiast on our monthly outings.
This is the rare times that we actually see any of the sports variants being utilised for what they are made to do by a bunch of enthusiasts.

You seem to have your knickers in a knot because VWAus have not created a car that meets your specific requirements at a price point you are happy to pay however they will still sell like hotcakes to average joe daily driver.

A true status symbol is a Bentley, Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Range Rover. Not so much BMW or Merc as they are common as a-holes. Audis and Lexus aren't much better either.

VW are a nice car in the way a Tissot is a nice watch, but is no Rolex, a Omega or IWC. Therefore, to suggest that a VW even ranks in the aforementioned league??!! I thought I heard it all.....

[Sharkie]

Actually, only 2 VWs are really seen as "status" symbols, and a Golf, any Golf, is not 1 of those 2.

Have a chat to some average joes and the only VWs they aspire to in reality are Touaregs and lately Amaroks. Everything else is nice, if they even know what it is, but not aspirational.

[WhiteJames]

GTI - PP: 1. The mechanical haldex e-diff will definitely be better than the XDL electronic only pseudo diff. XDL brakes the inside wheel, in effect slowing that side of the vehicle down at slower speeds imo. E-Diff would speed things up. 2. E-diff as a stand alone option for 980GBP / $1500 AUD is a no brainer. Issues are:

GTI - PP is one to get if you drive tight twisties like Macquarie Pass South of Sydney very often and perhaps give greater traction from stationary take off. Most owners that want the ultimate in grip from stationary position usually go for the Golf R, which is better again in that regard for probably not a lot more than the GTI - PP. The GTI - PP is bound to have a lower CoG at the front end with the motor sitting lower -v- Golf R AWD. The Man-Trans std GTI wins out in respect to weight being the antithesis of sports car handling. 45kgs removed from the front end, where you don't want it in a FWD, will make the MT Std GTI a more flowing vehicle to drive from corner to corner in the medium to faster flowing b-grade routes (not super tight & twisting canyons/mountain roads), as long as your driving up to 8/10ths. Any more than that and the XDL at lower speeds can be disruptive and annoying at times, as it FWD. Higher speeds where XDL just lightly taps the brakes for improved turn-in works for both std and PP GTI's, but with the std GTI having 45kgs less to point into the corner. Neither does the Audi S3 nor Golf 7 R have the PP's e-diff, but do have XDL. Personally ... I would've gone for the GTI - PP as a stand alone option for $1500 with Man Trans. For about 6K premium with all the other bells and whistles is not something I would have added to the GTI - PP. Irony of the matter is that the GTI - PP would give better traction and motion from 8/10ths - 10/10ths ... but the GTI always has been and always will be an 8-9/10ths vehicle. For that final tenth to 10/10ths ... better look elsewhere like RS265 or BRZ/FT86 or BMW 1 series.
WJ

[nat225]

+1

I don't see why I cannot be an enthusiast and elect not to race my car around a track to preserve the long term running gear/tyres etc on my car.... I would if I had piles of $$$

As an enthusiast who doesn't take their car onto a race track, I disagree with that comment.

Dunno how it is in Sydney as the track options are not as accessible as in Brisbane. Marulan and Wakefield are 2.5 hrs drive. Eastern Creek is close but not cheap for $330 / half day.

I believe Team_V comment came from his observation and the facts from our VWWatercooled Happy Laps session that has been going on monthly basis for almost 2 years now.

Also, taking a car to a race track does not necessary mean you trash it unless you are not experienced or have not been trained to drive the right way (with finese / smoothness) on a race track.

Or you have too much 'excitement' to go all out (most corners at the wrong lines) and does not understand the importance of warming up and cooling down lap. I was reminded of this when I took a friend and be his passenger for his first time on track, but hey most of us do it for the first time on a loop of bitumen with no speed limits

Yes you do get more rubber and brake wear but other than that, it depends on how you do it.

On public road, you will never experience the limits on the mk5/6/7 GTI unless you break the law. That's why, taking it to a track helps you to find out in a safe and controlled environment without loosing your licence

I know someone who bought a Porsche GT3 for a track toy car (plus his many other toys) and not for driving around town. I am sure he did not buy for a 'status'. He looks at it as a hobby and he got the 'status' already for being where he is professionaly.

en·thu·si·ast
noun \-ˌast, -əst\

: a person who feels enthusiasm for something : a person who enjoys something very much

That 'something' can be how a car handles on a track, can be how it sounds, can be how it goes from 0-60 off a traffic lights (borderline hoon), can be anything

[Marcotto]

^ like ^

[Arnold]

Further to the sensitive issue of status, surely the issue arises where people feel tempted by the 3-pointed star because an A250 is "only" a few grand more than the much more capacious, more powerful and more practical GTI.

Were it not for the A250's unsuitability as a family chariot, compared with the GTI, and, to a lesser extent, its automated gearbox, I too would be seriously considering an A250 instead of a GTI.

Amongst those reasons would be the aspirational part of me that has always wanted to own a Merc*, most of which relates to it being a ****ing excellent make of car, an SL500 or the like being one of my dream cars because it really does say "**** off" better than just about any other car on the road. It is just so bullet-proof, competent, safe and understated. Twin turbo V8 with more torque than Rob Oakeshott - oh yeah!

Anyway, back to reality, if status truly was a major consideration for those "average Joe's" who use their GTIs to only a fraction of their potential by driving from A to B and back again, and never going on a track, wouldn't they be taking their $45k and buying a second hand BMW or Merc?

Or like me, do they just love the overall package which, with Thule roof racks and a roof pod makes the GTI incredibly versatile for a four-person family and with a manual gearbox the perfect compromise for sports / family car motoring.

*These days I think I would more likely choose the comparable BMW product, except for the 'SL' and 'S' classes. The 6-series Gran Coupe is a stunning looking car, inside and out.

[readerr0r]

Theres appeal in not having a prestige brand car too. My sister is (long story) selling her '05 BMW 320i for a '09 Skoda Octavia and she's quite relieved that she doesn't have to go and park the BMW on the street away from the house any more to avoid tradies marking up their quotes. Tailgaters were also problematic in that car.

Though I think an A Class would have less negative issues compared to a 3 series perception wise...