My Take on the Mark V GTI
May 16, 2006 – 8:00 pm by Matt Radel
Filed under Design Reviews, Volkswagen GTI
Judging purely by aesthetics that is. But I’d love to drive one….
I have to say, I’ve had mixed feelings about the Mark V GTI thus far. The candy white model they’ve been using in all the promotional spots has really turned me off, and I’ve criticized it accordingly. I think the wheels sit too far back and have too much clearance above ‘em, making the 17” alloys look like the pizza cutters on my ride. The taillights are an odd shape. It feels like it lost that sturdy stance that made the Mark IV look so strong. It looks too Japanese. It’s lost its distinction and has become a Jetta hatchback.
But, I hadn’t settled on my final verdict. I’d seen every color but black magic, which is my favorite. So I continued to hold my breath and my judgment until I’d seen ‘em all. But, with each candy white GTI that passed by, my hopes of digging the new pocket rocket dimmed.
Just when I had given up, I finally spotted the fabled black magic Mark V GTI on the way into one of my favorite haunts in town (if you’re ever in Cincinnati you HAVE to hit it up. Make sure you take a tug on a Lebanese water pipe too. Just ask Tekmassa, he’ll tell ya). All shiny and new, I immediately fell for it. All my fears where erased. The wheels fit perfectly (which was a bit odd since wheels on black car tend to look smaller to me), it felt sturdy, looked German and very distinctive. I peered into it and felt tingles as I took in the interior of solid, black leather. I breathed it in and sized it up. Slowly walking to the front, I got another rush from the red trim running across the bottom of the grille, which I am fully convinced was included for the black magic models. I finally exhaled, and came to my conclusion: It’s FREAKIN’ HOT!
I was finally shaken from my trance by my friends’ laughter (not from VB, these where Ford people) and entered the establishment, but never broke my gaze from the black beauty.
Part of me wishes that I hadn’t seen it, cause now I want it. I’m still indifferent to the other colors, but the black really suits it. If you’re looking for a ride and hitting up VW dealers, do me a favor and take one for a spin!
My Take on the Mark V GTI
May 16, 2006 – 8:00 pm by Matt Radel
I really dislike the new alloys these suckers ship with, I’ll take some Aristo’s anyday over these ugly things, but maybe that’s just me.
Good point about the Golf now being just a hatchback Jetta, I never thought about that!
Technically, I think the Jetta is a sedan version of the Golf… Gotta remember that everywhere else in the world, the Golf is much more pervasive than the Jetta. Its only stateside where there is the misconception about hatchbacks that the Jetta is on top.
Also: I think the candy white GTI is fricken sharp… but I would never buy a white car, so I’d have to rock the red, or black GTI instead :D
Man, I’m telling ya. I did NOT like these when I first saw pics of them, but since being able to sit inside one and getting up close and personal with one, it’s growing on me, big time. I’m with you Mrad, I would rock the black magic pearl.
I have loved the new GTi’s ever since I laid eyes on them. And I especially want one now because I test drove a United Gray one, and it was the most fun I have ever had in a car. And my dad as in it with me! Me and him both got up to about 90 mph, after only being in it for a few minutes. It begs to be driven, and I will own one in about 6 months. I can’t wait, I need to decide between the Tornado Red and Black Magic.
90 on a test drive?! Man, I gotta find that dealer!
Yeah, I live in DE. The only reason we got that fast, was because no one from the dealership came with us. I guess that they just thought we looked responsible enough. I think they were wrong.