Tell Me Something More about VW GTI

[Z-06]

I'm seriously considering a daily driver and one of the cars on my shortlist is the 2015 VW GTI, 4-door, with manual transmission and performance package. I'm yet to test drive it.

1. What I like, on paper, is that the car is a perfect blend of utility (hatch), performance, fun-to-drive, fuel economy, and features.
2. What I hesitate about is VW's reliability and dealer experience. Is this car now made in Mexico, unlike previous iterations that were made in Germany?
3. What  I dislike are the options packages. I do not have problems with with getting the S, but I hate the plaid seats. I dislike the panoramic sunroof for SE and Autobahn trims.

Tell me more about it. Your thoughts, your driving experience, your opinion, your dealership experience.

[Frisky Dingo]

I haven't driven a new one, but I've always summarized the GTI thusly- it's a 911 in a FWD, hatchback package. That may sound crazy at first, but the philosophies behind both cars overlay quite well- fun to drive, but not at the expense of practicality or refinement and understated. They're both built to a time honored, tried-and-true formula that is just incremental evolution. That typically speaks volumes about how good a car is. I've read reviews that say the new GTI is nothing short of the perfect DD. That's pretty substantial praise.

 

Reliability is admittedly a concern on a VAG product, but if you're buying new, who cares. Just get an extended service contract if you're keeping it past factory warranty.

[A Horse With No Name]

So far my new Jetta has been fantastic....it is a TDI.  The new VW GTI takes care of the timing chain issues (tensioner issues) of the Mk 6 GTI.  Reliability has been up as of late, but I would not expect it to be Toyota or GM level perhaps quite....

 

However, when I bought the MINI Cooper S, I figured it would be unreliable....however...it has been orders of magnitude more reliable than my fathers Toyota Highlander....go figure....

[Frisky Dingo]

So far my new Jetta has been fantastic....it is a TDI.  The new VW GTI takes care of the timing chain issues (tensioner issues) of the Mk 6 GTI.  Reliability has been up as of late, but I would not expect it to be Toyota or GM level perhaps quite....

 

However, when I bought the MINI Cooper S, I figured it would be unreliable....however...it has been orders of magnitude more reliable than my fathers Toyota Highlander....go figure....

Crazy how that works sometimes. My BMW was more reliable on the way to 87K miles than my Camry was that I bought new and kept only 18K miles.

 

And I even had an N54 powered 335i.

Edited May 21, 2015 by Frisky Dingo

[William Maley]

Let me direct you here ---> Carfax: 2015 Volkswagen GTI 

*Note: Shameless Plug by your's truly. Also, I will have a GTI review here in a month or two.*

Let me try to answer these questions as best as I can.

1. It comes pretty close. The GTI has a lot of spunk, fun in the corners, quite comfortable for daily driving, and does pretty well on gas - got 28 MPG for the week. If you're planning on carrying people, go for the four-door. Comes with a decent amount of equipment on the base model.
2. Yes, the GTI is built Mexico. Really couldn't tell a difference in quality, so I think you might be safe.
3. That drove me crazy as well. Had an SE and wished I could get the plaid seats (Yes, I'm a sucker for plaid)

I would honestly buy a GTI if I could. But I can't comment on reliability or dealer experience. What I will say is skip the driver assistance package since it becomes a hinderance because Volkswagen made it way too sensitive. 

[Anthony Fongaro]

I own a 2008 VW GTI, have driven and reviewed both the MkV and MkVII. It is a great handling hot hatch, and you are right about the options. They are fun cars and the added practicality is a big plus. My dealer experience has been...how the reliability of VW is...so very mixed. Fuel economy can be around 30 mpg on the highway and 24-25 around town. I'd say take a look at one when you're able to.

[Z-06]

Thanks gentlemen. If I was again looking on paper, VW reliability while not stellar is not something which would bother me. I know three folks in person who have had horribly reliable Passat (2) and a Golf. That makes me anxious. Besides that the VW dealer here really doesn't give me a good vibe.

 

Nevertheless, I am planning to keep an open mind and at least go and test drive it.