The New GTI: I’m in love…
July 16, 2006 – 3:40 pm by Tim Mixell
Filed under Volkswagen GTI
Couldn’t shake the new-car bug, so what did I do? I’ll let you guess :]
After lots of research, budget crunching and personal deliberation I finally buckled and pulled the trigger on a new car. I am now the proud owner of a Tornado Red 2006 1/2 new GTI… I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. This is a car that doesn’t disappoint, as Consumer Report scored the new hot-hatch at a 96 (on a scale of 100). This is a full 9 points over the rating that the Civic SI (next closest competitor) scored. WOW!
The standard features in this car are too numerous to rattle off in their entirety. Some of the ones that I love: ergonomic steering wheel, mp3-ready cd player, in-dash travel computer + compass and xenon headlights, just to name a few.
Driving this car is exhilarating. The thing that keeps getting me is the exhaust note on acceleration… Very reminiscent of the R32. Acceleration itself is noteably better compared to my 1.8T. I’m happy to report that acceleration doesn’t take as much of a hit as the 1.8T did with 3 passengers and the AC on.
My only real gripe is that the driver-side B-pillar can cause a blind spot if sit a little closer to the wheel (like I do). Other than that - It’s a blast to drive. If you’re even considering getting a new car - I highly recommend giving the new GTI a chance. Exceptional value for the $$$.
I am going to use this as a chance to put a dealer-plug out there. For all you Cincinnati-area folks looking to get a GTI (or any other VW for that matter), I recommend Northland VW. Ask for Lance. I told him what I was looking for, and he hit my number without haggling, and even better: without any pressure.
The New GTI: I’m in love…
July 16, 2006 – 3:40 pm by Tim Mixell
Damn, congrats you lucky dog!
I was down at the dealership the other day and started one of those new GTI’s out, I was a little disappointed at the lack of sound coming out of the tailpipe when I throttled it, but maybe I didn’t do it right ;)
> Some of the ones that I love…
Ahh, but what about the bottle opener or the glove compartment fridge?
Lol- touche! That’s what I’m talking about… too many features to list!!!
Suffice to say, you owe it to yourself to take the thing for a test-spin if you’re at all interested :]
Awesome dood. :D I love seeing ya around the office all giddy. hahah Seriously though, I am really loving the MkV. If it made sense for me to upgrade, I’d do it in a heartbeat.
Alas, I have to be all responsible and stuff and look for a house. Like Debora and I will be starting a family soon or something. sheesh. :P
Yeah man, Lance was a good dude. He was an even better dude compared to other area dealers…
And those other area dealers shall go unnamed? :D
Unfortunately the VW GTI is too expensive over here in Australia for me…
The Comfortline 1.9L TDI however is what I *am* looking at.
One question: how’s the DSG - or should I go manual?
An Aussie, ahe? Well - for better or worse (probably worse), I didn’t take a GTI mated w/ the DSG tranny for a spin… BUT I have read nothing but stellar reviews about it (has me wishing I had given it a chance).
Even so, if you are seriously in the market, give it a crack - at the very least you get the convenience of an automatic (when you want it) ALONG WITH better-than-manual acceleration when using the paddle shifters.
Best of luck in your new car endeavor…
Also, what beer do Aussies REALLY drink? I hear you guys laugh at us Americans for drinking Fosters ;)
lol - yeah, fosters is s***house. It’s the piss we make to export because we *don’t* drink it…
For Good Aussie Beers try this blog post ;)
That said, VB is probably the better “standard piss” (cheap beer) we drink… Tastes better than Fosters but apparently from the same batch.