Not to troll, but what do you make of the Edmunds review?

http://www.insideline.com/volkswagen/gti/2...-and-video.html

They seemed to like it as an all-around car, but their actual road-tester seemed bitterly disappointed with the car's performance:

"VW appears to have completely written the GTI off as a genuine driver's car."

I haven't driven one myself, but plan to test-drive it as I'm moving to Europe soon and will need a more practical (but fun) car.

 

You weren't asking me, but I just ordered a 2010 GTI last weekend, so perhaps my thoughts might be helpful. I haven't owned a S2000 yet, but my father has a 2002 AP1 that I've been able to drive fairly often, and right now, I drive a 2006 Impreza 2.5i daily, just to give you some perspective.

I read and watched the Edmund's review, and I honestly didn't see too many valid complaints with the car. Ultimately, the GTI isn't a straight-up performance car, but really, not too many cars these days are, especially under $40,000 or so (the S2000 was one, especially in AP1 form, along with the Elise, and to a lesser extent, the Miata as well). That said, I did three test drives in various GTIs before deciding on buying (well, leasing) one, and each time, I didn't want to bring the car back to the dealer. Definitely fun-to-drive, and FWD never really seemed to get in my way (and I'm about as big a proponent of RWD that there is).

My GTI will be a daily driver, averaging about 80 miles per workday (until I move closer to work, anyway). The car is unique in being truly fun-to-drive (albeit not at S2000 or even Miata levels), and yet, it's awfully refined inside and out. Great seats, great stereo (with the Dynaudio package), HIDs on both high and low beam, etc. Personally, I wouldn't even consider a Mazdaspeed 3 against the GTI, at least not for a daily driver; I wouldn't really consider either as an all-out performance car for weekends either. But I would absolutely, without a doubt, call the GTI a driver's car, if that makes any sense.

The best recommendation I could give anyone considering a GTI is to just test drive one. I did it on a whim, and I'm really glad I did.

 

I completely agree with your take on the GTI and had nearly the same situation with finding and deciding on the car.

I started looking at some used rides that included:

1) 08 Mazdaspeed 3
2) 04 Focus SVT
3) 07-08 GLI Jetta
4) 07-08 GTI

When I drove the new GTI, I was really trying to prove to myself that I didn't need to spend the extra money, where the used one would be nearly the same for a lot less. After driving the new GTI, I was so surprised how fun it was to drive and how nice the interior features that I forgot about the used one. The seats and steering wheel are amazing!

 

Hmmm.

How bout that TDI?

 

I think about that when I'm on my commute to work.

I'm sitting at a stop light with tons of Imperial Starfighter SUVs around me with one person in it and wondering WHY?

 

Believe it or not, it's actually a great car/engine. My wife really loves it, the trunk is HUGE (important for hauling baby strollers and other baby stuff), it sips fuel, and has steering feel that S2000 owners would envy.

Driving it doesn't produce an adrenaline rush by any means, but it's a surprisingly nice handling family sedan.

 

If you have any questions about service, reliability, longevity, etc pm SWIFT2000. Hes a service writer at Stohlman VW in Tysons Corners VA. Very high volume dealer. He knows these cars inside and out, oh and hes my little brother.

 

I've been seeing these more and more lately, looks like they're becoming quite popular. They look good.

 

BTW - Nice ride and congrats. this car was a top contender for my next family vehicle foe a while till I went a different direction entirely.

 

I was only kidding with you, Chris.

Although it was not listed under the pre-owned cars I considered, after seeing it at the NAIAS in January, I came close to buying one of the TDI CUP Jettas. I geek over the mileage those TDIs get. What was also cool about the Jetta, besides its looks, was the limited numbers (1200) that were coming out. I can imagine those TDI CUP Jettas will really hold their value.