Lionheart

http://www.autoclips.net/article.php?id=174

duboseq

Good read. Seems the that the VW lack of LSD and extra 400lbs kinda of hurt it. But both are neck and neck.

jsalicru

For daily driver... GTi wins in my book. If you plan to track it however, the Si will be a better deal.

In my case the GTi might see some mountain driving but nothing more.

slicksilver

Dumb review. The GTi had all season rubber versus the Si's summer tires. That makes a HUGE difference.

rai

The GTI you can get features you can't on a Si like: HIDs, leather + heated seats, DSG (auto-stick).

jsalicru

Bi-Xenons + autoleveling HIDs on a car in this price-range is almost unheard of in the US. The leather on the GTi is of very good quality too. Full size spare is a real plus too.

To me, what I really didn't like about the Si interior is that it looked unfinished. Cubby holes everywhere with no covers to them. The side sills look dull, especially compared to the GTi.

ROGUE3308

SI

jsalicru

GTi

Lice Locket

Actually, the DSG in the car is a true sequential manual. It is the same dual-clutch design found in the Audis. I think that's pretty cool, because fast-shifting sequentials are usually found on high-end cars.

g60racer

One thing about the GTi... for about $350 there is another 50 lb ft of torque and 45hp to be had, from a chip upgrade. Gotta love that about turbo cars.

I would definitely ditch the stock suspension and get something like an H+R/Bilstein combo on there though, it's just tooooooo high. Like a mini SUV/minivan look.

I seriously was upset that DSG didn't get sent over to the US with the R32s, while they offered that option in europe. I would have gotten DSG over my six speed manual in a heartbeat. Shifting in 0.08 second, and automatic throttle blips for downshifting!