"Houston we have a problem"

[master_hayabusa]

Having the Panoramic Sunroof is a much better choice than the 19'' wheels.

Pure White, 5 door with sunroof is the ultimate looking mk 7 GTI   

I think you meant to type the number '3' no? Just two keys to your left mate. Arguably the best Mark 7 GTI is the 3 door white

[mjh_056]

Having the Panoramic Sunroof is a much better choice than the 19'' wheels.

Pure White, 5 door with sunroof is the ultimate looking mk 7 GTI   

I think you meant to type the number '3' no? Just two keys to your left mate. Arguably the best Mark 7 GTI is the 3 door white

My last to A3 have been 3 door and despite the increasing frustration of what a pain it is getting passengers in and out I still went 3 door for one have at present as really disliked the A3 in 5 door guise.

But genuinely think the MK7 and Golf in general carry the 5 door as well as any car out there in not ruining the cars lines and it was an easy selection to make.

As a regular carrier of passengers I am really looking forward to them having their own doors! and not hearing all the huffing puffing and moaning that endure at present and still having a quality looking car

That said I am at this moment assessing the MK5 market for a 3 door manual GTI to replace present Mini town run around when GTD arrives as wife will be driving GTD as much as me in a day and I am not driving that Mini about!! Love the MK5 3 Door GTI

[monkeyhanger]

@mjh: 5 doors does ruin the A3. If I wanted 3 doors and not 5, the A3 would've been a serious contender when they gain access to the GTI and GTD engines, if their spartan equipment levels didn't put me off - the S-line interior is hard to beat - the GTI/GTD seats look pretty ordinary in comparison (apart from the cloth pattern).

[mjh_056]

@mjh: 5 doors does ruin the A3. If I wanted 3 doors and not 5, the A3 would've been a serious contender when they gain access to the GTI and GTD engines, if their spartan equipment levels didn't put me off - the S-line interior is hard to beat - the GTI/GTD seats look pretty ordinary in comparison (apart from the cloth pattern).

It was a 150BHP S Line Sport back S Tronic with just Sat Nav at far more than paying now for this GTD.

As much as the 150BHP is getting good reviews and is even compared to 170BHP performance wise I was hanging on for the 184BHP appearing for A3 but to this day it is not here for UK market.

Having seen a white sport back in flesh last week I am so glad did not go for it as it looked far more an estate than the many Daytona looked at in showrooms.

So when add all the standard options (like the xenon as mine are like candles in comparison) on GTD that are selections on A3 the 184BHP and to me zero personal cost then it was a no contest and given reviews on GTI and particularly the Chris Harris video I feel very comfortable with choice made as think I have upgraded my experience all around.

I love my S Line interior it does ooze quality and do think the GTD is a little below in this aspect though think the seats will surprise me in how hold me in place and add in lumbar and heated aspect then more so.

My only real feeling of unknown is losing the Quattro but I was having to do that in A3 as wife wanted the STronic/DSG as a must have.

But the Quattro is heavy I can feel the weight of my A3 even though she is planted and on rails when I push her. So really not sure on losing Quattro as had it for nearly 6 years now so will just have to see how tangible the difference is? Thinking is lighter more agile but maybe have to be more careful in wet? not sure! we shall see.

Many here switching from previous versions of GTI/GTD so really have a good sense of what getting where till drive mine for a few months would I only really be able to tell against what was my rock solid Audi loyalty to this point.

[Jimble]

11 pages, Have you made your mind up yet Hawaii??

[Gryzor]

Hawaii, I'd change if you feel that way:

I've always wanted a GTI ever since I was a kid (and at long last I'm grateful I can afford one)
This alone is reason enough!

It's iconic
Yup

I may regret it if I don't
Now you said it, you will

It's getting rave reviews as a brilliant all-rounder
It's largely why I'm getting it

Now seems like the right time
No time like the present!

I only do around 10-11k per year (so do I really need a diesel)
Same here, and no you don't

The GTD may not be as fun to drive as the GTI (GTD buyers please do not take offence)
I can say without even driving one that a GTD will not offer the same driving experience

Having driven a petrol Scirocco for 4 yrs, and love it, why go back to a diesel?
I love the smoothness of a petrol, hated any diesel I've had with its rattle and clatter

It only costs a bit more then the GTD
True

It will be a private purchase not company car
So no need to worry about the CO2

Tax and insurance isn't "that" much more year-on-year, and those who work out in detail how much more it actually costs you per year factoring in depreciation, I just say it's all relative.  Fact is, both are expensive cars, and will cost thousands in depreciation.  So, I can't justify that with my head - it has to be my heart, because both are bonkers purchases really!

Hope that helps!

[Jules Winfield]

Sometimes buying a car comes as much from the heart as from the head.  If you aren't convinced in your heart that the GTD isn't the best choice and there's a little nagging doubt ("GTI! GTI!"), then get the GTI.  You don't want to (finally) take delivery of your GTD only for you to be thinking "what could have been?", especially if you start to see GTIs on the road.

I used to have a Mark 5 GT TDI.  One day I went for a test drive in an R56 Mini Cooper and ended up ordering one.  A completely spontaneous decision (I was trying to recapture the days prior to my Golf when I had an R50 Cooper which I loved to bits).  After I took delivery (three weeks later!) and started to drive it, I found myself missing my Golf and having doubts about the Mini.  Sure, it was a nice enough car, but I missed the automatic gear box, the toys, the space, the power and so on.  I was never happy with that car, and a variety of reliability problems and poor dealer service settled its fate.  I went to a VW garage and ordered a GTD within 18 months of buying the Mini.  And now I'm much happier - in heart and head.

[mcmaddy]

The GTD may not be as fun to drive as the GTI (GTD buyers please do not take offence)
I can say without even driving one that a GTD will not offer the same driving experience

Can I have the lottery numbers for saturday then seeing as though you have a crystal ball 

[Gryzor]

The GTD may not be as fun to drive as the GTI (GTD buyers please do not take offence)
I can say without even driving one that a GTD will not offer the same driving experience

Can I have the lottery numbers for saturday then seeing as though you have a crystal ball 

Read the forums and comments from people who have driven both, and then ask youself if a nose-heavy 184HP diesel will accelerate, sound, feel, and drive the same as a lighter engined 220HP petrol.

Note that I simply said, "will not offer the same driving experience".  I didn't say in which way either car would be better or worse, or to what relative capacity.  If by some miracle they do offer the same (as in, identical) driving experience, I guess I'm the fool for spending more money on lesser economy and a few flashy red accents... 

No, this isn't a GTD vs GTI rant either!  Like I've said, both are great cars, but the souls of them are quite different, if not in practicality, at least in other ways.

[mcmaddy]

Has anyone actually driven a mk7 gtd yet. no demos in the country at the minute so can't compare really. I'm not a gti hater and I wouldn't expect them to drive the same as they have different ways of delivering the power/torque. until a gtd is tested properly on British soil then we won't know for definite how it drives or handles. hope it's soon then if reviews are crap I've got time to switch to a gti