BPUKiller

Whoops, I take back my comment about residual value. The real kicker is the GTi actually will end up costing less over a 5 year ownership period than a Si. According to Edmunds, a $26K GTi will cost you about $39K over 5 years and a $23K Si will cost you $44K over 5 years. One of the major reasons is it will cost you about $4500 to insure a GTi over 5 years, but it will cost you $12300 to insure a Si over 5 years. I guess Si drivers get in to more accidents compared to GTi drivers?

rai

I can't believe that. That's almost 3x more to insure the SI

Either way the point is both cars are costing about the same and both will get you around with a smile. Just so happens the GTI is FI with 50% more TQ.

Much like the 350Z v S2000 debate there is no one car that's right for everyone.

NEODYMIUM

Yeah right, maybe for a 3 time DUI offender. Sounds pretty inaccurate.

soundzero

I've owned MK IV GTI 2001 and 2002, VR6 and 1.8t. Then went for a good driving in MK V GTI. Night and day difference between the two generations. MK V chassis is light years ahead of MK IV so much tossible than anything I've driven that was FWD. hint of understeer but suprisingly well balanced handling is what blew my mind away. not to mention the engine. WARD international engine award awared 2.0FSI turbo engine the best engine in the world in 2.0l class in 2004 I believe. S2000's K20 2.0l engine swepped the award from 2000-2003. Anyways,

Now, I have not driven Si but seen it in person and the paper.

What eludes me to GTI is it's mod friendly engine. Did you guys know, simple ECU chipping will boost it's HP near 250 and torque near 260 safely and reliably? Combine that with this fantastic chassis and beautiful fit and finish, Id choose 6speed with retro clothes and call it a day.

BTW, lower the MK V GTi a tad and throw in set of summer tires. It won't be too far behind Si. Si might be better buy in terms of price but if an only if VW had sorted their reliability issues, I would buy GTi over Si if I was in the market.

That's all and all of it my own humble opinion.

ITR #203

Well yes the chip does get great gains (gains that no N/A motor could match), but to be fair, the K20 motor in the Si is no slouch for gains either. An intake and Hondata reflash was good for around 20 hp peak and like 30 hp in the midrange on the RSX's, not too shabby.

I like the GTI a lot and really think its the better car overall; however, I'm severely biased toward high revving motors and lighter cars so its a tossup to me.

NICKS2K

for modding ability of the new GTI, also whoever stated that german cars interiors were years behind those of others is WAY WRONG vw/audi interiors are second to few, maybe Bentley

balakris

Hate to be a nag but the S engine is an F20 not a K.

rjm161

Start with a ridiculous amount of safety, mostly required by stupid governments. When you start engineering cars for pedestrian safety, how much can you really continue to focus on performance? 27 damn air bags?

It'd be cool if they'd go back to moderate HP cars that weigh next-to-nothing. Thinking that the GTI probably weighs close to what my Element weighs is simply ridiculous.

...and I thought it was bad that my '97 del Sol VTEC outweighed a '97 Civic EX coupe by 50 lbs. Suddenly 2522 lbs. seems light.

soundzero

Right. But you get the idea.

mav

http://www.goapr.com/VW/products/ecu...de_mkvgti.html

For $600, you get 250HP and 300lbs/ft of torque. Amazing.