"Houston we have a problem"

[Running Man]

Without wishing to offend anyone, it all comes down to this simple statement:

The GTD is not a GTI - simples 

and never will be, VW should have called it the Golf Sport D..............but then they would not sell very many.  It annoys me quite frankly that they have mimicked the 'often copied, never equalled' GTI 

[Gryzor]

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.

I've just turned 40...buying a GTI.  Why?  It looks nicer, it's faster, petrol drives smoother than diesel, and at less than 10,000 miles a year, the cost savings are insignificant when you take into account depreciation.  I don't hoon around in my current Mk5, and I won't in this Mk7.  As a car it does all I want and need of it - age has nothing to do with it!

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.

Right, but I'm not buying my car for the general public, I'm buying it for me!  If I was interested in driving around in an attention-magnet, I'd get something far more flashy and in a garish colour.  As it stands, I love the understated and under-appreciated looks!

[Hobojim]

I think folks have got wrong end of the stick here with the age comment. I was trying to say that the GTD is a more sensible choice, while the GTI is chosen more often with the heart for the love of the car.

I haven't seen many comments saying 'I LOVE the GTD because its economical'

[monkeyhanger]

I think folks have got wrong end of the stick here with the age comment. I was trying to say that the GTD is a more sensible choice, while the GTI is chosen more often with the heart for the love of the car.

I haven't seen many comments saying 'I LOVE the GTD because its economical'

Well I love the GTD for its power to economy ratio, as well as it's torque, but if I valued economy that much i'd be in a 1.6TDI match looking all miserable (except when I fill up). 

I would've been  more tempted by a GTI when I was 22, but couldn't possibly have afforded one (had an old Saab 900 turbo which was quicker than most but still seemingly sensible).

[Exonian]

Difficult one for me and I'm hardly a spring chicken.

The GTD is the girl who you'd take home to mum, the nice smart girl who isn't going to be want want want, who will hold down a steady sensible job and be nice and polite and not pick fights. But she's still smart and sassy and is going to keep your fires alive.

The GTI PP is her slightly wayward twin. She's the one who will steal your heart with the twinkle in her eye despite the fact you know it's all a bit wrong really.

Now, if you could get the PP on the GTD then it'd be a different story and it'd be her every time. Strap on a tuning box and go off and have cheap dirty fun for the rest of your days together!!

Something like that anyway 

[matchboy]

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.

I agree totally with Gryzor. Sorry, but the GTI is a different animal to the GTD.

[mcmaddy]

So why do the GTi people keep slagging the GTD off? They are different cars for different people. You want a GTi so you buy a GTi. You want the GTD you buy the GTD. They do different things but are essentially the same DNA no matter what you think.

[Bill_the_Bear]

I don't think the GTI boys are slagging the GTD... well, I'm not!

I think the GTD is an awesome car and I've said so a couple of times.  Its like the brother to the GTI.  They're different at what they do and what they are good at, but both of them are great machines.

[Gordor]

Wow, what a great thread you started Hawaii-Five-O 

Cars being so personal it's great to see everyone's passion about their GTI/GTD's (I guess that's why we are all here)

I'm not sure anyone yet has included the additional benefits of when we remap the GTD?

Anyway, for me, it annoyed me that when travelling in traffic my TSI, I knew the person in front in their diesel was probably getting double the mpg but travelling at the same speed.

Also, I find not many people drive their cars (and I love the diesel torque when over taking) so not many will be overtaking my GTD 

It's been a while since I was young enough to enjoy a green light race TBH 

[Gryzor]

I think folks have got wrong end of the stick here with the age comment. I was trying to say that the GTD is a more sensible choice, while the GTI is chosen more often with the heart for the love of the car.

I haven't seen many comments saying 'I LOVE the GTD because its economical'

I agree, the GTI was a heart-over-head decision for me with my Mk5, and again with the Mk7.  But, what is "sensible" about the GTD other than its economy?  Yes it has more torque, but the GTI isn't lacking there, and in a motorway overtaking battle, GTI owners only need to downshift and they have that torque available over a wider rev range.  At the lights, GTI beats GTD every day of the week, but costs a bit more in fuel for the privilege!  Honestly, I think the GTD is a fantastic car for what it represents and offers.  Just baffles my why a private buyer who does average mileage a year would choose it over the GTI given the initial purchase price and resultant relative loss in depreciation.