Personal GTI reviews

[matchboy]

Nice review Gung-Ho!  Dammit, I need to get my hands on one and actually have a drive!

[mjh_056]

Like honest and 'real' reviews and they do spark more thought and debate than official review which never seem to meet things we look for on a day to day basis so a good read and thank you

Think my A3 S Line is of decent quality so was not expecting huge quality differences either way and could have resolved my 5 Door and DSG needs this time around by still staying with an Audi, but if I had just moved onto the 8V Audi I would likely be saying same as those moving from MK6 to MK7 in differences (despite new frame etc) being overall, not overly different. -  So after 5 years it was felt time for a change in makers and so maybe the difference for me will be more marked than those just moving up a model.

Biased maybe but genuinely like the GTD wheels over all others seen and nobody will convince me that White is not best colour for this particular model as accentuate the black features as well as working very well with the silver/chrome GTD features also.

The GTD is offering so many more options & differences to the Audi that can point to when review/compare A3 to MK7 so still eagerly anticipating my personal switchover. 

[Exonian]

Excellent review Gung-Ho.

I've not bothered booking a test drive for two reasons.
1) I've already got a car on order so must have been confident enough in its abilities to take that gamble. Added to which time is money to a sales guy and if there's no chance of a sale coming from the test drive I think it hardly fair on him/her. BUT I may drag along a good friend of mine when he gets back from holiday and the initial test drive rush has quietened down in my very busy local dealer. My friend is a fleet manager so therefore his experience won't be wasting anyone's time as his department put in some pretty big orders.
2) I'm expecting to be a bit underwhelmed to be honest. When I buy a Golf it's far from the finished product and just the start of a project for me.


So I'm just going to sit back a bit and wait...

[monkeyhanger]

I'm expecting to be a bit underwhelmed to be honest. When I buy a Golf it's far from the finished product and just the start of a project for me.

I don't really like aftermarket mods, but OEM stuff I may do. I found my Roc to be lacking in a few areas, namely the cheapo moulded recesses that pass for cup holders, didn't like the gearstick, and lack of stainless pedals were all things I changed for Golf slidey cover cup holder assembly, GTI pedals bought cheaply from Skoda dealership and I put a Golf/Roc R gearstick on. I had the foresight to order the smoking pack and cover the cubby hole, so one less thing to do.

I had a good look over the GTI MK7 at the dealership and there's not a thing I would change, which is good for my wallet. I suppose there are far more adventurous mods to do (dropping suspension, DVs etc) but I refrain from anything that could have real insurance implications.

[Exonian]

I'm expecting to be a bit underwhelmed to be honest. When I buy a Golf it's far from the finished product and just the start of a project for me.

I don't really like aftermarket mods, but OEM stuff I may do. I found my Roc to be lacking in a few areas, namely the cheapo moulded recesses that pass for cup holders, didn't like the gearstick, and lack of stainless pedals were all things I changed for Golf slidey cover cup holder assembly, GTI pedals bought cheaply from Skoda dealership and I put a Golf/Roc R gearstick on. I had the foresight to order the smoking pack and cover the cubby hole, so one less thing to do.

I had a good look over the GTI MK7 at the dealership and there's not a thing I would change, which is good for my wallet. I suppose there are far more adventurous mods to do (dropping suspension, DVs etc) but I refrain from anything that could have real insurance implications.

One of the main attractions of the mk7 to me was the fact it was properly specced from the factory.
BUT that doesn't mean that retro-fits won't be happening and there was quite a lot of that going on with the mk6 so just looking forward to another project with the mk7.

I won't be changing anything that affects the warranty or insurance (although my policy is mod friendly).

I had 7 sets of wheels on my last mk6!! Most of them OEM spec.

[david25]

Gung-ho, was the steering feels MORE or LESS detached, compared to the MK6?

[Gung-Ho]

Mmmmm...definitely less feel than the MK6 (even on the Sport setting), but after about 20mins driving you soon get use to it and adapt. It certainly doesn't spoil the overall driving experience & once I got back from the test drive I found myself warming to the new progressive rack.

[domrees]

Excellent review Gung-Ho.

I've not bothered booking a test drive for two reasons.
1) I've already got a car on order so must have been confident enough in its abilities to take that gamble. Added to which time is money to a sales guy and if there's no chance of a sale coming from the test drive I think it hardly fair on him/her. BUT I may drag along a good friend of mine when he gets back from holiday and the initial test drive rush has quietened down in my very busy local dealer. My friend is a fleet manager so therefore his experience won't be wasting anyone's time as his department put in some pretty big orders.
2) I'm expecting to be a bit underwhelmed to be honest. When I buy a Golf it's far from the finished product and just the start of a project for me.


So I'm just going to sit back a bit and wait...

Just so you know it is still unlikely to be unfair the sales guy if you bring a fleet manager in.

They only get paid on retail deals, so anything fleet related, although good for vw/dealer group level, won't benefit him or his sales manager in any way!!

Having said that it is really refreshing to hear people appreciate the salesmanship time.
When I was selling for them, you avoided company car drivers like the plague. Well meaning and lovely, but a massive waste of time!

[Blades72]

Had my test drive today in 3 door Tornado Red GTI. Even though I've ordered a 5dr I must admit the 3dr looked great. Interior looks great and the seats are nice and snug and the tarten looks better than I thought it would.
Now I've never owned or driven a performance car before but coming from my Mk6 1.4 I was blown away!! Found the acceleration and torque great (for me it was like being in rocket). Found the steering was a huge step up from mine (felt like I was in a tractor once back in mine.) Had it in normal to start with and the ride was really good even on poor surfaces, once in sport I didn't really notice too much difference in the ride, but the steering and exceleration was more responsive and the exhaust noise sounds far more exgressive also the brakes were also good.
My main concern before getting in it was the e brake and auto hold, but after a few trial stops on hills I found it really easy to use, and to be honest I really liked it (gonna make you lazy though). Stop Start worked fine and found it fairly subtle and idle engine noise is really quite (with the radio on you hardly hear it switching off and on).
Even though I only had 30 minutes I loved everything about this car, from the exterior look, the interior, and the performance and drive. As I said for me this car is going to be a huge step up from my current one. But to be honest I can't wait for it to arrive. I don't think that anybody who has ordered one will be disappointed with this latest GTI and if like myself you are making a huge step in upgrade I think you will be blown away and love it!!!

[mjh_056]

Had my test drive today in 3 door Tornado Red GTI. Even though I've ordered a 5dr I must admit the 3dr looked great. Interior looks great and the seats are nice and snug and the tarten looks better than I thought it would.
Now I've never owned or driven a performance car before but coming from my Mk6 1.4 I was blown away!! Found the acceleration and torque great (for me it was like being in rocket). Found the steering was a huge step up from mine (felt like I was in a tractor once back in mine.) Had it in normal to start with and the ride was really good even on poor surfaces, once in sport I didn't really notice too much difference in the ride, but the steering and exceleration was more responsive and the exhaust noise sounds far more exgressive also the brakes were also good.
My main concern before getting in it was the e brake and auto hold, but after a few trial stops on hills I found it really easy to use, and to be honest I really liked it (gonna make you lazy though). Stop Start worked fine and found it fairly subtle and idle engine noise is really quite (with the radio on you hardly hear it switching off and on).
Even though I only had 30 minutes I loved everything about this car, from the exterior look, the interior, and the performance and drive. As I said for me this car is going to be a huge step up from my current one. But to be honest I can't wait for it to arrive. I don't think that anybody who has ordered one will be disappointed with this latest GTI and if like myself you are making a huge step in upgrade I think you will be blown away and love it!!!

Those who are used to having performance cars or marque tend to look more critically at the finer details and take much for granted as forget the time when they too made the jump from a pretty standard car and the excitement it brings with the multitude of enhancements.

So from the many that read here you likely one most pleased and excited for as where some will be a little underwhelmed at their own personal difference, as been used to great performance and handling, you will be wow!!! and have a cat that got the cream smile for weeks