GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: Puzzler on 28 March 2008, 15:46
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Well, today has arrived and at 10am this morning I did the deed and said goodbye to my beloved VXR :cry:
But then I said hello to my new MY08 GTI :grin: :cool:
As I've mentioned before, I just cannot fault the Astra. It has given me two years of trouble free, fun, yet manic driving but it was time for me to change as I've recently falling out of love with the 'in yer face' styling of the VXR.
There was only ever going to be one other hot hatch that I would even consider changing it for and that was the GTI. So about three weeks ago I placed an order for a new Diamond black, 18" monza's, centre armrest and parking sensors, ipod and parrot bluetooth.
I've only driven about 60 miles today (came with 6 miles on the clock :shocked:), so not had much time to do an awful lot of comparing, but I'll give my initial views.
The Astra cabin is very narrow with just enough room between the front seats to fit a handbrake. If someone large is next to you in the passenger seat, it is a very claustrophobic place to be. The view out of the rear is also non existent, real tricky when reversing but in time you get used to it. The drivers seat is also way to high, with a real lack of adjustment.
The GTI seems huge in comparison, the all-round view is much better and it's just a brighter, better place to be. The leather seats are far more comfortable offering much more adjustability, you are able to set the seat up to be in a much better driving position.
So the cabin wins hands down with the only slight hitch being the pedal heights, they are just too high I feel and you cant seem to be able to rest your heal on the floor when your on the clutch. It'll be something I get used to though I'd guess.
Now performance :smug:
In first and second I'd say there's nothing in it. The weather today has been appalling with heavy rain, in the Astra even on a dry day let alone a wet one, you have to be very gentle with the accelerator in both first and second because it wants to just spin the front wheels. This is one of the other things that started to annoy me with VXR, it's not the easiest or most fun car to drive at low speeds because you've forever concentrating on putting the power down gradually.
The GTI was way way easier to drive even in the pouring rain, I just put my foot down and it pulled away so smoothly, a real pleasure.
Once your moving though and say you floored then both in third gear, the VXR is much much quicker or certainly feels a lot quicker.
Overall even though it's been only day one, I'm happy with the change. The GTI has a much nicer interior and although not as quick in some situations, it's a nicer smooth comfortable drive, so im very happy :wink:
There's one problem though, because of the rain today the car is bloody filthy and looks months old!
Martin
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Glad you like the gti Martin your compairing performance with a new car and one thats well run in,i found when my gti was new it just did'nt feel that quick but after a good few thousand miles it was like night and day.Hope you enjoy it. :evil:
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What steve said!! itl feel much quicker once 1000 miles are under ur bonnet :smiley:
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I dont know how many car mags that have compared performance on hot hatches have shown the there is hardly anything in GTI or VXR, In gear, standing start , 0-100 etc Just cant get the power down.
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snap - I picked mine up today too, chassis on the golf is very well sorted....
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snap - I picked mine up today too, chassis on the golf is very well sorted....
When evo benchmarked them both, the manual gti did 60 in 6.7 secs as did the VXR. Think the VXR was about a second quicker to 100mph. So nothing in it really, the golf gives the impression of being slightly slower due to a) getting the power down better b)being a more refined in every sense (engine, ride, road noise etc)
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Interesting what you say about the pedal heights, I found that when I bought mine.
The brake pedal even now I find uncomfortably high.
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Good choice there! i was behind a Vxr today and I have to say that no amount of horse power could get me to drive one of those things.. they just aint right! but that aside i am sure you will love the golf... its an all round class car, and the reason many people are giving up their ultra fast scoobies and evos... not to metion chelsea tractors, and oversized tanks to get the fun factor back into their driving!
ENJOY :grin:
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The VXR is bound to be faster, it has an extra 30hp over the GTI !
Anyway, welcome to the other side :evil:
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Make that 40 bhp mate.. 197 - 237bhp.. :wink: And yes the VXR will be quicker than the standard GTI, in pretty much all situations.. But then again, it should be.. Put it up against a ED30, then it'll be on par..
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Welcome to the forum Puzzler, hope you enjoy your new motor :wink:
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Welcome to the forum Puzzler, hope you enjoy your new motor :wink:
Thanks Chris :wink:
After giving her a wash earlier, I took her out for a bit of a spin again. Keeping the Revs down at the moment and not really pushing it, but must say I'm really pleased with the performance, it seems to hold it's power longer in each gear than the VXR. The Astra's power certainly comes in one great big dollop, whereas the GTI seems to accelerate a lot smoother.
And as i've said before, the difference in interiors and the overall quality is by far the best thing the GTI has over the VXR.
Very pleased I changed :cool:
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Welcome aboard Puzzler... this is a damn fine forum,
I’m also going a little steady at the mo with the ED30 (only 500 miles), can’t wait to release the horses. Even so lights up the esp at 50mph in 3rd when the turbo kicks in... quite a change from my V6 4-Mo.
Cheers... Hotrod