RE: Driven: Golf GTI Edition 35

[Dan7357]

Too much money.. I would have a Megane 275 trophy for that money.

Nice all the same though.

[bga]

St John Smythe said:

It's funny you should say that. The MK4 is considered by all a pretty poor attempt at a GTI by VW. The MK6 had to have cost savings put in place as the MK5 was costing too much to manufacture. So your opinion is completely the wrong way round!

MK4 was a poor GTI but the build quality on them was excellent.

[anonymous-user]

bga said:

MK4 was a poor GTI but the build quality on them was excellent.

Still think it did a lot of damage to the GTI brand. Should never of had that badge on the back imo.

[LuS1fer]

St John Smythe said:

bga said:

MK4 was a poor GTI but the build quality on them was excellent.

Still think it did a lot of damage to the GTI brand. Should never of had that badge on the back imo.

This is exactly the sort of "hallowed badge" tosh that we need to get shot of. My Mk III is an 8v GTI with a whole 115hp. It probably isn't a "GTI" either but it's a marketing tool not a hallmark.

[anonymous-user]

LuS1fer said:

St John Smythe said:

bga said:

MK4 was a poor GTI but the build quality on them was excellent.

Still think it did a lot of damage to the GTI brand. Should never of had that badge on the back imo.

This is exactly the sort of "hallowed badge" tosh that we need to get shot of. My Mk III is an 8v GTI with a whole 115hp. It probably isn't a "GTI" either but it's a marketing tool not a hallmark.

Incorrect. The MK4 was not considered a good GTI. I didn't mention anything about the MK3 so god knows what you're on about?

[Ved]

LuS1fer said:

This is exactly the sort of "hallowed badge" tosh that we need to get shot of. My Mk III is an 8v GTI with a whole 115hp. It probably isn't a "GTI" either but it's a marketing tool not a hallmark.

It's a trim level from the MK3 and MK4. They aren't sporty but to be fair neither was the MK1 or 2, it's just that they had almost no competition in that sector until the mid 80s. The MK4 really wasn't that bad and having had a GTI, 4motion and a GTI anniversary (as well as a MK2 16v and MKV R32) I have a pretty good idea about them. The only issue was the suspension and general wobble when cornering. That took a lot out of the driving experience but there is a reason they sold so many of them and that can be considered a success for the GTI brand.

Our Anniversary has some fully adjustable coilovers with a lot of bracing and it's exactly how VW should have made a hot GTI. Power is ideal for the car at only 180bhp and there is enough torque to eat up miles too. Plus, IMO, it looks a lot better than any of the other hatchbacks of the same era, well at least mine does



The MK6 is a lovely looker too but I hated it on the test drive but the 35th seems to be a bit better and the styling changes seem to work nicely and a little more power never hurts

It won't get me out of my MKV R32 though

Edited by Ved on Friday 4th November 09:12

[anonymous-user]

Ved said:

LuS1fer said:

This is exactly the sort of "hallowed badge" tosh that we need to get shot of. My Mk III is an 8v GTI with a whole 115hp. It probably isn't a "GTI" either but it's a marketing tool not a hallmark.

It's a trim level from the MK3 and MK4. They aren't sporty but to be fair neither was the MK1 or 2, it's just that they had almost no competition in that sector until the mid 80s. The MK4 really wasn't that bad and having had a GTI, 4motion and a GTI anniversary (as well as a MK2 16v and MKV R32) I have a pretty good idea about them. The only issue was the suspension and general wobble when cornering. That took a lot out of the driving experience but there is a reason they sold so many of them and that can be considered a success for the GTI brand.

Our Anniversary has some fully adjustable coilovers with a lot of bracing and it's exactly how VW should have made a hot GTI. Power is ideal for the car at only 180bhp and there is enough torque to eat up miles too. Plus, IMO, it looks a lot better than any of the other hatchbacks of the same era, well at least mine does



The MK6 is a lovely looker too but I hated it on the test drive but the 35th seems to be a bit better and the styling changes seem to work nicely and a little more power never hurts

It won't get me out of my MKV R32 though

Edited by Ved on Friday 4th November 09:12

How do you find the R32? I've always wondered how it compares to the normal MK5 GTI?

[LuS1fer]

St John Smythe said:

Incorrect. The MK4 was not considered a good GTI. I didn't mention anything about the MK3 so god knows what you're on about?

I'm on about the fact that the Mk III wasn't a good GTI either but it's "just a badge" in terms of marketing. I don't "expect" anything from a GTI badge because this isn't 1977 - it just says "this is our sporty model for the time being" and while it may have been great back in the day, the market for a type of car will change.

The 207 GTi wasn't a good GTi either but in that case, there were less people who still bought into the heritage betrayal thing. A GTI badge is the bit of status that buyers often crave who would not otherwise buy a Golf.

[anonymous-user]

LuS1fer said:

St John Smythe said:

Incorrect. The MK4 was not considered a good GTI. I didn't mention anything about the MK3 so god knows what you're on about?

I'm on about the fact that the Mk III wasn't a good GTI either but it's "just a badge" in terms of marketing. I don't "expect" anything from a GTI badge because this isn't 1977 - it just says "this is our sporty model for the time being" and while it may have been great back in the day, the market for a type of car will change.

The 207 GTi wasn't a good GTi either but in that case, there were less people who still bought into the heritage betrayal thing. A GTI badge is the bit of status that buyers often crave who would not otherwise buy a Golf.

Fair point. I did have a 1.9 205 GTI years ago and that really was a night and day difference when compared to a normal model (although it was made from Kit Kat wrappers)

[LuS1fer]

St John Smythe said:

Fair point. I did have a 1.9 205 GTI years ago and that really was a night and day difference when compared to a normal model (although it was made from Kit Kat wrappers)

Very true. I had an R5 GT Turbo as I wasn't keen on the 205 1.6 GTi before the 1.9 came along and that made Kit Kat wrappers look like Volvo body panels. The Renault was more bespoke than most as it had a different rear axle to the cooking ones with torque arm suspension. However, I don't particularly lament the passing of its build quality. I think that and the 205 moved the hot hatch game on from VW who had already lapsed into resting on their laurels.

[rtz62]

Er,

its probably been said before somewhere in here, but is that REALLY a Mk1 Campaign (wheres the Pirelli P-slot alloys, grill with driving lights inset etc?
And weren't they all Y or A reg IIRC (as I used to own a Lhasa green one, I know I'm right)
AND; a mint Mk1 will cost you a lot more than the paltry sum suggested (get along to the Classic Car Show at the NEC from the 11th and see if you can find one there for that price!!!

[soxboy]

rtz62 said:

Er,

its probably been said before somewhere in here, but is that REALLY a Mk1 Campaign (wheres the Pirelli P-slot alloys, grill with driving lights inset etc?
And weren't they all Y or A reg IIRC (as I used to own a Lhasa green one, I know I'm right)
AND; a mint Mk1 will cost you a lot more than the paltry sum suggested (get along to the Classic Car Show at the NEC from the 11th and see if you can find one there for that price!!!

The Mk1 Campaign is in the advert link referred to in the article, not the one in the pictures - that's a standard GTi run by one of the staffers on Classic and Sportscar magazine.

[Ved]

St John Smythe said:

How do you find the R32? I've always wondered how it compares to the normal MK5 GTI?

It's probably about the same speed from one end of the road to the other but the R is much more linear where as the GTI feels more like it plays catch up but they're pretty much the same. The R is heavier and the nose loves to understeer whereas the GTI felt a bit more nimble. Both comfortable but on the motorway or high speed the R is superb and from 60 onwards overtaking is a breeze in any gear. Obviously it has the advantage in the noise stakes too. It's a more refined GTI with 4WD basically, just with a bit more standard kit and a more grown up atmosphere.

MPG is 28 for the R and probably around 33 in the GTI for the type of driving I do.

Edited by Ved on Friday 4th November 10:17

[Paul Dishman]

J4CKO said:

Always think people who buy new VW "Sporty" models are non petrolheads after something "a bit sporty" with a premium-ish badge, lets face it no self respecting petrolhead would lash the best part of 30 grand on a Golf with 230 bhp, sure its great "as a package" but it just says to me its a non petrolhead wanting to be one but missing the point to a certain extent, I dont think most real petrolheads buy new mid range stuff, if they are blessed with 30 grand they will scuttle off to the classifieds and buy a Noble or 996 turbo. All the VW performance stuff has a similar image to me, Scirrocco, even the Golf R it just looks like you tuck your jumper in your jeans and have immaculate nails.

I will take my "Dubs" pre aged, with the wrong engine in, i.e. a MK2 with a TT engine.

I feel rather insulted by the above. I've got an Ed 30 which is a quick discreet practical car and a Porsche 964 RS which is vey quick and not so discreet. I've been a petrolhead since the age of 2. So there.

[Tomatogti]

I love my MkV gti for the simple reason is it does the many things I want from it very well. It's been chipped to 240bhp so has the extra power some reviewers felt was lacking, it is fun to drive (for a FWD hatch), it's decent quality inside, it's got good residuals and running costs so overall costs are probably comparable to the ST and fast Meganes. It's practical and I don't think it screams look at me (like as RS) or has a badge problem (you can always get an Audi if you must have the badge). I can't afford separate cars for separate things and for my budget and requirements this is the best do it all car out there.

It's interesting to see how many times it's the everyday car for the final page of Evo titled "Me and my car". I seem to remember a land speed record holder having one as well as a couple of other featured drivers. This month's Evo (which landed on my door mat an hour ago) has racing driver Marino Franchitti saying what a wonderful car his Mk V GTI Ed 30 is.

[Cassius81]

Tomatogti said:

I love my MkV gti for the simple reason is it does the many things I want from it very well. It's been chipped to 240bhp so has the extra power some reviewers felt was lacking, it is fun to drive (for a FWD hatch), it's decent quality inside, it's got good residuals and running costs so overall costs are probably comparable to the ST and fast Meganes. It's practical and I don't think it screams look at me (like as RS) or has a badge problem (you can always get an Audi if you must have the badge). I can't afford separate cars for separate things and for my budget and requirements this is the best do it all car out there.

It's interesting to see how many times it's the everyday car for the final page of Evo titled "Me and my car". I seem to remember a land speed record holder having one as well as a couple of other featured drivers. This month's Evo (which landed on my door mat an hour ago) has racing driver Marino Franchitti saying what a wonderful car his Mk V GTI Ed 30 is.

Well put. Am interested to hear more about the re-map you mention. Cost, effect on MPG etc? My car is now out of warranty so considering a bit of a performance upgrade...

[TobesH]

Diamond blue said:

TobesH said:

Image and perception of class are a distraction from what makes a good car. My learned friends own cars including an F355 Ferrari, AM Vantage V8, E92 M3s, RS4, RS5... many of whom cannot understand why I am planning to buy another Focus RS (unless I stretch to a GTR, similar image they reckon!). This time in blue, not white mind. I think they are bl**dy brilliant cars. In leafy Sussex / Surrey it's a refreshing change to a Golf GTI, S3 etc, kind of an inversion of snobbery and rebellion against the norm?

Was Diana a big petrolhead then?

I had a GTR (And many years ago an R32 GTR) and am amazed at the prejudice it is subject to form owners of certain marques. All sorts of snobbery about race heritage etc from Porsche fans that is faintly ridiculous
I know it contradicts everything I have said re Golf/Fords but I quite agree. Perceived "image" is a misleading, mystifying factor when considering a cars merits.
BUT Its important from a resale/depreciation point of view and thats crucial.
. RS Fords are great and I've owned a couple but you have to put up with quite a lot of compromises on the environment you sit in. Cheap hard plastics and little green starter buttons acres of silver painted plastic,are hardly the end of the world but , and its a big but, recent mainly German competition are as good to drive whilst being far nicer places to be in.
The Fords have also come on a lot in terms of build quality (As have Vauxhalls and Skodas, Seats etc) but they are no longer better to drive, just "as good" and that being equal why wouldn't you buy the slow depreciating, high quality car that your mum/wife/girlfriend likes too.

I realise this is completely off subject for everyone else on here , but how did you get on with the GTR? I've noticed quite a number have already had 2-3 owners.

[Kazlet]

28k 'Golfs surprisingly expensive cars'

[andrewparker]

Paul Dishman said:

J4CKO said:

Always think people who buy new VW "Sporty" models are non petrolheads after something "a bit sporty" with a premium-ish badge, lets face it no self respecting petrolhead would lash the best part of 30 grand on a Golf with 230 bhp, sure its great "as a package" but it just says to me its a non petrolhead wanting to be one but missing the point to a certain extent, I dont think most real petrolheads buy new mid range stuff, if they are blessed with 30 grand they will scuttle off to the classifieds and buy a Noble or 996 turbo. All the VW performance stuff has a similar image to me, Scirrocco, even the Golf R it just looks like you tuck your jumper in your jeans and have immaculate nails.

I will take my "Dubs" pre aged, with the wrong engine in, i.e. a MK2 with a TT engine.

I feel rather insulted by the above. I've got an Ed 30 which is a quick discreet practical car and a Porsche 964 RS which is vey quick and not so discreet. I've been a petrolhead since the age of 2. So there.

Load of rubbish that's why.

Anyone seen the back page of this month's EVO?

[Mouse1903]

When I was 19 me and my Dad out of interest went to test drive the "new" Mk5 Golf GTI back in early 2005. Within 5 minutes I thought what a brilliant car, yet thought due to my inexperience as a driver that I was perhaps getting carried away. My Dad was looking to replace his bug eyed Impreza WRX and jumped in the drivers seat. I expected him to find it a bit meh but a month later he had a brand new Mk5 GTI on order (1st new car in 54 years!). Kept the GTI for over 4 years before moving onto a 335d (not mapped :-P).

I think the Mk6 looks even better in and out (the Mk5 was a bit cheap inside) though I'd still have the Mk1 ;-)