RE: Volkswagen Up GTI: PH Fleet
Discussion
Approaching 2k miles in mine (well the Mrs's) and so far very impressed.
Its the cheapest and slowest car Ive bought for over 10 years but manages to put a smile on my face every drive. Its surprisingly nippy too even at motorway speeds. We have both noticed other drivers seem to have the Up=slow car syndrome, pulling out in front of you, going for an overtake on the exit of a roundabout etc only to realise the little Up is off.
Remembering its a new GTi for 13.5k (We managed to get in before the rush and actually got some discount) its an absolute bargain. Yes they have compromised in some areas, but this can be forgiven imo. Dont get me wrong if it was an option to spend 1-2k more and have better seats, LED lights etc then yes of course i would have.
In an age with hot saloons having 450 bhp + and hot hatches having 300 minimum its refreshing to drive something fun that doesnt live at the local Shell. Ours is sitting on 52 mpg average at the moment.
Due to change in work circumstances I've recently found myself in the position of needing to buy a new daily. Ive looked at Golf R, GTi, S3's, M4 etc. All great cars but I keep coming back to just buying another Up GTI for me to use!
Its the cheapest and slowest car Ive bought for over 10 years but manages to put a smile on my face every drive. Its surprisingly nippy too even at motorway speeds. We have both noticed other drivers seem to have the Up=slow car syndrome, pulling out in front of you, going for an overtake on the exit of a roundabout etc only to realise the little Up is off.
Remembering its a new GTi for 13.5k (We managed to get in before the rush and actually got some discount) its an absolute bargain. Yes they have compromised in some areas, but this can be forgiven imo. Dont get me wrong if it was an option to spend 1-2k more and have better seats, LED lights etc then yes of course i would have.
In an age with hot saloons having 450 bhp + and hot hatches having 300 minimum its refreshing to drive something fun that doesnt live at the local Shell. Ours is sitting on 52 mpg average at the moment.
Due to change in work circumstances I've recently found myself in the position of needing to buy a new daily. Ive looked at Golf R, GTi, S3's, M4 etc. All great cars but I keep coming back to just buying another Up GTI for me to use!
Edited by Curv3hunter on Tuesday 14th August 20:32
jackal said:
I got one of these last week. The basic lightweight compact feel and floaty suspension is an absolute joy, as is the cabin noise, gearchange and motor torque. Surprisingly, as well as the twisties it’s also a real hoot in the Mway. Even just flicking between lanes at high speed makes you grin. At bigger speeds it’s also amazingly surefooted and stable. I would have no issue jumping into it and driving straight to the south of France for example. In fact I will be doing that very thing in September.
I have 2 negs with the car though. Firstly the front axle is very easily found out and whilst the damping generally is impressive, over sharper bumps and when under power the front wheels quickly run out of answers. There is sonetimes a crude crashy feeling from the fromt corners that can sometimes make its presence felt and of course some inevitable torque steer. Also the nose can drift wildly off line with poor surfaces mid corner. Secondly, hard in a bend or on lift off the up gti does not rotate or exhibit any playful character. It does not seem to clasically undesteer then tuck in on lift off either. It’s more of a 4 wheel drift experience. I’ve owned a Golf R and its far far more sophisticated and interesting in these respects but then a much duller car overall IMO than never really makes your properly smile.
As such then the up gti for me is very much an 8/10ths car. Drive it this way as a momentum machine, enjoying the compactness, immediacy and old school movement of the shell over undulations, and its an absolute joy but drive it too hard and that pleasure drains away and it stops satisfying. In this sense, it is not a “wringing out” car but one to be enjoyed one or two notches back. I would hasten to add that I personally like to drive cars very hard so to most people none of the above would be too much of an issue I’m sure.
Lovely thing to own though, great finish and looks surprisingly handsome and well proportioned. Enjoy in good health.
An excellent postI have 2 negs with the car though. Firstly the front axle is very easily found out and whilst the damping generally is impressive, over sharper bumps and when under power the front wheels quickly run out of answers. There is sonetimes a crude crashy feeling from the fromt corners that can sometimes make its presence felt and of course some inevitable torque steer. Also the nose can drift wildly off line with poor surfaces mid corner. Secondly, hard in a bend or on lift off the up gti does not rotate or exhibit any playful character. It does not seem to clasically undesteer then tuck in on lift off either. It’s more of a 4 wheel drift experience. I’ve owned a Golf R and its far far more sophisticated and interesting in these respects but then a much duller car overall IMO than never really makes your properly smile.
As such then the up gti for me is very much an 8/10ths car. Drive it this way as a momentum machine, enjoying the compactness, immediacy and old school movement of the shell over undulations, and its an absolute joy but drive it too hard and that pleasure drains away and it stops satisfying. In this sense, it is not a “wringing out” car but one to be enjoyed one or two notches back. I would hasten to add that I personally like to drive cars very hard so to most people none of the above would be too much of an issue I’m sure.
Lovely thing to own though, great finish and looks surprisingly handsome and well proportioned. Enjoy in good health.
Edited by jackal on Tuesday 14th August 16:23
I've a 60bhp Citigo, which is almost more fun that my other car with 7 times the power. I think 115bhp and big wheels might be overkill - 90bhp and a decent power band might be a good compromise.
eldar said:
An excellent post I've a 60bhp Citigo, which is almost more fun that my other car with 7 times the power.
I think 115bhp and big wheels might be overkill - 90bhp and a decent power band might be a good compromise.
I'm not sure what the Up is like in comparison, but we have an old, light, simple, narrow, 2006 Fiesta Zetec (in good condition) with 80bhp and 16" wheels. It is adequately quick with a reasonable torque curve, and is great fun to drive, but I would like to try one with 100bhp. I've a 60bhp Citigo, which is almost more fun that my other car with 7 times the power. I think 115bhp and big wheels might be overkill - 90bhp and a decent power band might be a good compromise.
The Up GTi appeals to me. Those wheels look too big, though.
Edited by MC Bodge on Tuesday 14th August 22:13
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