Golf GTI courtesy Car - I just don't get it....
Discussion
I booked my car in to the bodyshop for some repairs after a lady drove into it whilst it was parked up. Her insurance arranged for a courtesy car - and it turns out to be a 750 mile ‘61 plate Golf GTi 5dr.
I’ve often wondered what the newer GTIs are like as I’ve never driven once since my old MK3 16V, and I’ve read in numerous places that they could be the best ‘pound for pound’ real-world car on sale today, doing everything very well – a veritable 'Jack of all Trades' no less.
However, having driven it for a few journeys now, I have to say though, I’ve no idea where they get that from. I am in fact, of the quite opposite opinion, in that it does absolutely nothing very well at all. Indeed, I would go as far to say it’s probably the most disappointing car I’ve driven this year – dull as ditchwater and mediocrity personified. Why anyone would ever consider spending £25K+ on one of these is beyond me.
The looks, whilst subjective, are to my eyes very dull. It’s a VW, it’s silver. The interior is of a good quality, but it’s equally dull. Despite numerous levers and dials, the seats have very limited adjustment, and it’s impossible to get the seat low enough to feel like you’re sitting IN the car rather than ON it. They are also very uncomfortable. The tartan fabric, despite being a reference to the old Mk1, is really naff.
Handling and grip are OK, nothing more – too much wallow, too much understeer. The engine is horrid, making an unpleasant wheezy/raspy noise, and whilst it has got decent low-end pull, it quickly runs out of steam further up the rev range. ‘Progress’ can therefore be made at a mediocre pace and nothing more. Additionally, the gearbox and clutch have even less feel/weight than the woeful steering (zero feedback from the wheels – feels like what I imagine a Micra or some such would feel like). I cannot think of one thing that I am impressed with on this car.
So there we have it – I obviously don’t get on with this car, but many others clearly do – what am I missing?
I’ve often wondered what the newer GTIs are like as I’ve never driven once since my old MK3 16V, and I’ve read in numerous places that they could be the best ‘pound for pound’ real-world car on sale today, doing everything very well – a veritable 'Jack of all Trades' no less.
However, having driven it for a few journeys now, I have to say though, I’ve no idea where they get that from. I am in fact, of the quite opposite opinion, in that it does absolutely nothing very well at all. Indeed, I would go as far to say it’s probably the most disappointing car I’ve driven this year – dull as ditchwater and mediocrity personified. Why anyone would ever consider spending £25K+ on one of these is beyond me.
The looks, whilst subjective, are to my eyes very dull. It’s a VW, it’s silver. The interior is of a good quality, but it’s equally dull. Despite numerous levers and dials, the seats have very limited adjustment, and it’s impossible to get the seat low enough to feel like you’re sitting IN the car rather than ON it. They are also very uncomfortable. The tartan fabric, despite being a reference to the old Mk1, is really naff.
Handling and grip are OK, nothing more – too much wallow, too much understeer. The engine is horrid, making an unpleasant wheezy/raspy noise, and whilst it has got decent low-end pull, it quickly runs out of steam further up the rev range. ‘Progress’ can therefore be made at a mediocre pace and nothing more. Additionally, the gearbox and clutch have even less feel/weight than the woeful steering (zero feedback from the wheels – feels like what I imagine a Micra or some such would feel like). I cannot think of one thing that I am impressed with on this car.
So there we have it – I obviously don’t get on with this car, but many others clearly do – what am I missing?
Which bits of that didn't you expect? It's a hot hatch - pretty much the definition of "jack of all trades, master of none". The "master of none" bit is just as important in that saying as the "jack of all".
The issues you describe with the engine don't sound right, though - it should rev reasonably freely and peak power is quite high up the rev range. I don't like the engine much, but the way you describe it doesn't match my experiences.
The issues you describe with the engine don't sound right, though - it should rev reasonably freely and peak power is quite high up the rev range. I don't like the engine much, but the way you describe it doesn't match my experiences.
Edited by kambites on Friday 7th September 09:56
kambites said:
Which bits of that didn't you expect? It's a hot hatch - pretty much the definition of "jack of all trades, master of none". The "master of none" bit is just as important in that saying as the "jack of all".
The issues you describe with the engine don't sound right, though - it should rev reasonably freely and peak power is quite high up the rev range. I don't like the engine much, but the way you describe it doesn't match my experiences.
Could the engine issues be down to only having 750 miles on the clock?The issues you describe with the engine don't sound right, though - it should rev reasonably freely and peak power is quite high up the rev range. I don't like the engine much, but the way you describe it doesn't match my experiences.
Edited by kambites on Friday 7th September 09:56
kambites said:
Which bits of that didn't you expect? It's a hot hatch - pretty much the definition of "jack of all trades, master of none". The "master of none" bit is just as important in that saying as the "jack of all".
The issues you describe with the engine don't sound right, though - it should rev reasonably freely and peak power is quite high up the rev range. I don't like the engine much, but the way you describe it doesn't match my experiences.
Good point about 'Jack of all Trades...' but I had expected it to be so much better than it actually is - based on what I read, I had very much expected a hot hatch. This car is not a 'hot' hatch in a million years - 'warm' at best. This thing is a dull shopping trolley with a few sporting touches and a bigger than normal engine. The issues you describe with the engine don't sound right, though - it should rev reasonably freely and peak power is quite high up the rev range. I don't like the engine much, but the way you describe it doesn't match my experiences.
Edited by kambites on Friday 7th September 09:56
Maybe the engine is still tight at only 750 miles, maybe it will free up, and of course it's a courtesy car, so unlikely to have been treat with any sympathy during those few miles either. Who knows? I just know the one sat on my drive right now has a very poor powertrain.
My mother had a 07 plate golf GTI (strange car perhaps for a lady in her 60's but fair play), I was gutted that she didnt get the tartan seats, instead opting for leather.
I only had a quick drive in it, thought it was a bit 'meh' but I dont like a lot of 'normal' modern cars such as the golf, just too anodyne. perhaps this is part of the reason you didnt like it ?
I thought the performance / engine were pretty good though, fairly typical turbo delivery but with a reasonable top end.
I only had a quick drive in it, thought it was a bit 'meh' but I dont like a lot of 'normal' modern cars such as the golf, just too anodyne. perhaps this is part of the reason you didnt like it ?
I thought the performance / engine were pretty good though, fairly typical turbo delivery but with a reasonable top end.
OllieC said:
I only had a quick drive in it, thought it was a bit 'meh' but I dont like a lot of 'normal' modern cars such as the golf, just too anodyne. perhaps this is part of the reason you didnt like it ?
I think this is probably it - the cars I like tend to have that almost indefinable thing that is 'character' - and I don't think this car has anything approaching that...had ham said:
I booked my car in to the bodyshop for some repairs after a lady drove into it whilst it was parked up. Her insurance arranged for a courtesy car - and it turns out to be a 750 mile ‘61 plate Golf GTi 5dr.
I’ve often wondered what the newer GTIs are like as I’ve never driven once since my old MK3 16V, and I’ve read in numerous places that they could be the best ‘pound for pound’ real-world car on sale today, doing everything very well – a veritable 'Jack of all Trades' no less.
However, having driven it for a few journeys now, I have to say though, I’ve no idea where they get that from. I am in fact, of the quite opposite opinion, in that it does absolutely nothing very well at all. Indeed, I would go as far to say it’s probably the most disappointing car I’ve driven this year – dull as ditchwater and mediocrity personified. Why anyone would ever consider spending £25K+ on one of these is beyond me.
The looks, whilst subjective, are to my eyes very dull. It’s a VW, it’s silver. The interior is of a good quality, but it’s equally dull. Despite numerous levers and dials, the seats have very limited adjustment, and it’s impossible to get the seat low enough to feel like you’re sitting IN the car rather than ON it. They are also very uncomfortable. The tartan fabric, despite being a reference to the old Mk1, is really naff.
Handling and grip are OK, nothing more – too much wallow, too much understeer. The engine is horrid, making an unpleasant wheezy/raspy noise, and whilst it has got decent low-end pull, it quickly runs out of steam further up the rev range. ‘Progress’ can therefore be made at a mediocre pace and nothing more. Additionally, the gearbox and clutch have even less feel/weight than the woeful steering (zero feedback from the wheels – feels like what I imagine a Micra or some such would feel like). I cannot think of one thing that I am impressed with on this car.
So there we have it – I obviously don’t get on with this car, but many others clearly do – what am I missing?
A few thoughts spring to mind. Firstly, what did you think of your Mk3 16v, 'cos that was possibly the worst Golf GTi ever made. Next, isn't the current engine a turbo, 'cos if so I'm surprised to hear that the engine is wheezy and raspy, unless it's N/A in which case I could completely understand.I’ve often wondered what the newer GTIs are like as I’ve never driven once since my old MK3 16V, and I’ve read in numerous places that they could be the best ‘pound for pound’ real-world car on sale today, doing everything very well – a veritable 'Jack of all Trades' no less.
However, having driven it for a few journeys now, I have to say though, I’ve no idea where they get that from. I am in fact, of the quite opposite opinion, in that it does absolutely nothing very well at all. Indeed, I would go as far to say it’s probably the most disappointing car I’ve driven this year – dull as ditchwater and mediocrity personified. Why anyone would ever consider spending £25K+ on one of these is beyond me.
The looks, whilst subjective, are to my eyes very dull. It’s a VW, it’s silver. The interior is of a good quality, but it’s equally dull. Despite numerous levers and dials, the seats have very limited adjustment, and it’s impossible to get the seat low enough to feel like you’re sitting IN the car rather than ON it. They are also very uncomfortable. The tartan fabric, despite being a reference to the old Mk1, is really naff.
Handling and grip are OK, nothing more – too much wallow, too much understeer. The engine is horrid, making an unpleasant wheezy/raspy noise, and whilst it has got decent low-end pull, it quickly runs out of steam further up the rev range. ‘Progress’ can therefore be made at a mediocre pace and nothing more. Additionally, the gearbox and clutch have even less feel/weight than the woeful steering (zero feedback from the wheels – feels like what I imagine a Micra or some such would feel like). I cannot think of one thing that I am impressed with on this car.
So there we have it – I obviously don’t get on with this car, but many others clearly do – what am I missing?
My next thought is that I have a pal who is fond of his Golfs. He lives down a long single track lane, he's a pretty handy driver and has rallied in the past (Mk 2 Escorts) albeit some 30 years ago.
A trip down his lane with him at night is a) fairly frightening and b) leaves you very impressed with his boggo Golf GTi. Due to his knowledge of the lane it would take some pretty special machinery to keep up with him, I would say.
I didnt think the mk3 16v was a bad car ? Surely the 8v version of the same would have been worse for starters.
And dont get me started on the mkIV 2.0 'GTI' I had the pleasure of driving one briefly and it was shocking. Didnt go (at all), didnt handle, felt like it was even heavier than it actually was.
And dont get me started on the mkIV 2.0 'GTI' I had the pleasure of driving one briefly and it was shocking. Didnt go (at all), didnt handle, felt like it was even heavier than it actually was.
heebeegeetee said:
A few thoughts spring to mind. Firstly, what did you think of your Mk3 16v, 'cos that was possibly the worst Golf GTi ever made.
It was a company car, I had no choice. It was s
t. Very unreliable, lease company took it back off me after 18 months as it was spending more than 50% of the time in a garage getting fixed.Perhaps that's given me a subliminal pre-disposition against Golfs?
I was tossing up a MkV Golf GTi vs a Z43.0 vs a 130i.
I shyed away from the Golf as I couldnt find a nice unmolested one with honest history and the bits I wanted for less than 15k. I couldnt bring myself to spend 15k on a golf. Thanks to a persistent repeating ex girlfriend issue, I ended up with an '08 E92 325i.
Undoubtedly the most boring, lifeless car of all the ones I was actually considering. It "sort of" wakes up when you really push it on and get the engine singing, but the slushbox soon nullifies that, paddles and all.
Anyway, it was cheapish and it looks nice.
Modern cars just arent all theyre cracked up to be, unless youre spending north of 18k.
I shyed away from the Golf as I couldnt find a nice unmolested one with honest history and the bits I wanted for less than 15k. I couldnt bring myself to spend 15k on a golf. Thanks to a persistent repeating ex girlfriend issue, I ended up with an '08 E92 325i.
Undoubtedly the most boring, lifeless car of all the ones I was actually considering. It "sort of" wakes up when you really push it on and get the engine singing, but the slushbox soon nullifies that, paddles and all.
Anyway, it was cheapish and it looks nice.
Modern cars just arent all theyre cracked up to be, unless youre spending north of 18k.
eliotrw said:
Cars like this arent raw enough these days.
Having driven a 265 Cup recently I'd be inclined to disagree.Although I haven't driven one, reading between the lines of the reviews for the Golf it seems like a lot of the appeal of the Golf GTi is the fact you're driving/owning a 'Golf GTi'. No doubt the s
t will hit the fan once they release the Mk8 'GTi' with the same 200ish bhp engine...blearyeyedboy said:
Had ham- What are you comparing it to in terms of performance and handling? Other FWD hatches or RWD sportscars?
I'm not - I'm comparing it to the expectations set having read articles/comparison road tests, etc.I have however driven/owned a very wide range of cars in the last few years from Gallardos to 1 ltr Hyundai hire cars, and everything in-between, and this is comfortably the most disappointing against my prior expectations.
heebeegeetee said:
Next, isn't the current engine a turbo, 'cos if so I'm surprised to hear that the engine is wheezy and raspy, unless it's N/A in which case I could completely understand.
He said it makes a wheezy and raspy noise - not sure why being turbocharged would prevent that. Turbocharged engines can make all sorts of peculiar noises.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff