GTi test drive

[VWNOS]

Had a test drive in a Mk7 GTi DSG (non PP) yesterday, with a view to replacing my 12-plate Mk6 GTi DSG later in the year.

Overall, I enjoyed it. Steering felt sharper, nicely weighted too, brakes felt sharper, engine seemed more willing to rev too.

What was interesting was the options. I went in thinking I wanted Performance Pack, cloth seats (mine are leather), Dynaudio, pro nav and no sunroof. I came away thinking no PP, leather, normal nav and a sunroof!

Test drive was only 20 mins but the performance and brakes were good enough for me to think I don't need the PP. I doubt I'd ever notice the trick diff too. But do you need the PP for resale?

I think I'd miss the leather after having it in mine, but £1700 is steep. Half leather would be perfect (my wife's new A3 has it as standard). Or at least have a leather arm rest / door rests.

The pro nav reminded me of an iPhone app running at x2 zoom on an iPad! Perhaps it's better using the other functions?

My current GTi has a sunroof but I figured I could live with out it. But the new one is even bigger and really let's the light in. So sunroof is back on the list!!

I haven't decided on colour yet either. Quite fancy white now. Decisions, decisions....!

[CraigW]

One of the reasons I chose to add PP is that I do believe that GTI's with PP will be more sought after in the second hand market. Perhaps not so much if you are trading in but for private sales I think it will be more popular.

I can imagine coming from a car with a leather interior that it would be difficult to return to cloth seats as leather does have that quality feel. I was worried about the cloth seats particularly because of the tartan pattern but I have to say they are fantastic and I don't regret not adding leather.

I have the nav pro and for me it just completes the dashboard. In saying that I very rarely use the nav function and I could easily live without it. It's a very good and capable system but it's certainly not worth£1700.

The sunroof to me looks a little strange in that it only covers half of the roof. IMO if you choose to go with the sunroof then you should pick white as your colour choice as the effect is lost on darker colours.


This is my first white car and I love it. It's so easy to maintain and the sharp lines of the car especially at the front are accentuated and really stand out.

Whatever you choose to go for its a fantastic car.

[GTI7me]

All but one of my previous cars have had leather, this time round i didn't spec it. I think the tartan cloth is more than comfortable enough, feels really good quality and most of all it gives it that GTI character.

I have the standard nav, for me it is perfect. It has never let me down and always works really well.

J