"Houston we have a problem"

[mike.]

It just depends what you enjoy in a car.

I drove the MK6 GTD/GTI back to back and i was happy enough to leave the GTD keys back but I wanted to take the GTI home.

If it cost more after three years I couldn't care less, it was the car I wanted.   

[monkeyhanger]

If GTI is less popular than GTD in sales (as it would appear to be from reasoning previously stated), it makes sense to press harder for a discount if they can't get them sold as easily - Hawaii could really capitalise on it if he's made him mind up about a GTI.

Just hoping to help save Hawaii some cash if he does switch. Always bodes well to go into negotiation prepared.

[AAddict]

If GTI is less popular than GTD

Sounds to me like you have spent a hell of a lot of time and effort in this thread convincing yourself of this. Buyer remorse? Secret GTI fancier? I think so.

[monkeyhanger]

If GTI is less popular than GTD

Sounds to me like you have spent a hell of a lot of time and effort in this thread convincing yourself of this. Buyer remorse? Secret GTI fancier? I think so.

Nope, just helping someone consider all of the pros and cons - singularly they are nowt, but accumulatively they are significant. It's easy to be looking at the GTI right now after ordering the GTD as there are only GTIs to look at in the showroom right now and I can take a look knowing that it looks the part and I can visualise my GTD looking the same except for the red embellishments that I really don't care for.

I will get as much enjoyment from a GTD as I would a GTI, the everyday driving experience on UK roads will be largely the same as I don't partake in traffic light drag races but do like the overtaking ability that both cars have.

I currently enjoy my 170TDI Scirocco (I had a test drive in a 2.0TSI before I bought it and was not fussed for the extra performance vs running costs, and the GTD is closer to the GTI than the 170TDI was to the 2.0TSI Scirocco) and an extra 14PS can only add to that enjoyment.

I like visiting the pumps twice a month rather than once a week - it'll pay for an extra week's holiday somewhere nice.

If VW wanted the GTI to really stand out, they wouldn't have made the GTD to the same spec.

[Bill_the_Bear]

I neither feel like the GTD is 'as good as the GTI, only cheaper', nor that the GTD should be 'looked down on by the GTI'.  They are different, but both are awesome cars.

I guess I think there is more to it than the mathematics of the economy or the idea that of how much fun the car is or isn't.  I'm not managing to fill this post with much substance though...

[monkeyhanger]

I'm really getting into this avoiding a sh!tty task at work!   

[Gryzor]

If VW wanted the GTI to really stand out, they wouldn't have made the GTD to the same spec.

Here's the thing...  For me, GTI does stand out.  It's a GTI.  The GTD isn't.  It might look very similar, but with a chunky diesel engine, and a focus on economy, it's clearly aimed at company car owners, motorway cruisers, and those who value saving a few hundred a year.

[Hobojim]

I'm really getting into this avoiding a sh!tty task at work!   

Ditto.

I'm going to wade on in and agree with the bear. I really don't look at these as the same sort of car.

The GTD is for those that want a powerful company car, hence the advantage of the lower emission diesel, or, they have a high millage and so the efficiency makes sense, or, you drive 'sensibly' most the time but want the grunt available to have fun but don't want to pay the higher running costs of the GTI, while being sensible.

You buy the GTI if you like to drive into the red line and generally hoon around, or you are in your 20's. If you hoon it everywhere I suspect the GTD isn't economical at all and so you might as well have the extra fizz of the GTi as the running cost difference would be marginal.

GTDs are for those who are just a bit more sensible (old). I bet no 'young laddy' buys a GTD with their own cash.

[CraigW]

I'm really getting into this avoiding a sh!tty task at work!   

Ditto.

I'm going to wade on in and agree with the bear. I really don't look at these as the same sort of car.

The GTD is for those that want a powerful company car, hence the advantage of the lower emission diesel, or, they have a high millage and so the efficiency makes sense, or, you drive 'sensibly' most the time but want the grunt available to have fun but don't want to pay the higher running costs of the GTI, while being sensible.

You buy the GTI if you like to drive into the red line and generally hoon around, or you are in your 20's. If you hoon it everywhere I suspect the GTD isn't economical at all and so you might as well have the extra fizz of the GTi as the running cost difference would be marginal.

GTDs are for those who are just a bit more sensible (old). I bet no 'young laddy' buys a GTD with their own cash.

Not necessarily Jim. I'm in my late 30's and to be honest never entered my mind to go for a GTD. I like to put my foot down now and again but on the whole I think that i drive fairly sensibly. I just like knowing that I have thay extra BHP available. Other subtle things I like are the split exhaust tail pipes at the back and im one of the few who actually like the red line at the front.

Other than that I bought the GTI because basically I love cars and that's what I like to spend my money on. 

[monkeyhanger]

If VW wanted the GTI to really stand out, they wouldn't have made the GTD to the same spec.

Here's the thing...  For me, GTI does stand out.  It's a GTI.  The GTD isn't.  It might look very similar, but with a chunky diesel engine, and a focus on economy, it's clearly aimed at company car owners, motorway cruisers, and those who value saving a few hundred a year.

It stands out to us, we know exactly what to be looking out for, but for the general public if they saw the side of one as it whizzed past? MK5 was the last proper stand out GTI, MK6 and MK7 have been far less stand out. Most of the general public probably wouldn't know that the Austins are the MK7 GTI wheel if they saw them.

VW have never been that brash in appearances, but they are far more subtle about it these days than they were and to the untrained eye, they probably wouldn't know a MK7 GTI from a GTD.

I was far more excited about my Scirocco when I got my first in 2009 - the number of people who would crane their necks for a look at it was unbelievable - never had a car with that much visual impact before. It's just a pity it has fallen behind in engine tech and equipment (which looks very meagre next to the MK7 GTI/GTD). Given the disappointing waiting time, i've never fely less enthusiastic about an impending new car. Hopefully seeing my dad's shiny new GTD at the weekend (ships willing) will restore my enthusiasm. Maybe it's because I already know what to expect with VAG cars sharing so much under the skin.