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+--- Thread: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI (/showthread.php?tid=11364)
Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - Apoc - 02-01-2017
With the kid coming along, I was "relegated" to driving our Clubman as a daily driver. It was a fun car for about the first two years, but it grew a bit tired over the last two years. Wow... didn't even realize we've had that car this long. Anyway, the things that annoyed me about Mini really started to pile up during my daily commute. Perhaps the most egregious is it's sprung way too stiff for city driving, especially one that still has cobblestone and concrete roads (in places). Combine this with runflats and you've got a car that is pretty jarring to drive with a nasty habit of wheel spin and torque steer going up some of the steep hills in this city. As in, it was not uncommon for the wheels to break loose and compromise your ability to steer the car if you hit the right/wrong patch of road. Other annoyances are a nigh impossible time of getting a kid in the backseat with the suicide third door, a lack of bluetooth audio support, no heated seats, road noise, and doors that are long enough that your choices during egress are rest them against the car next to you or have them snap back and try to kill you while you're exiting the vehicle.
There were some things the Mini did right. It was good for squeezing through small openings in traffic/garages and we often parallel parked in spots that other cars simply wouldn't fit in. It was an incredibly efficient use of space; we packed it full of stuff more than once for camping trips, etc. Unfortunately, these were not enough to overcome the shortcomings... especially with the CPO warranty expiring in a few months. Data point: The ignition coil went bad a few months ago, even though the car was only five years old and had ~40k miles. It would have cost $1,000 to replace it.
So, a few months ago, I started looking into replacements. Requirements included:
> Wagon, five door to be exact
> As similar in size to the Clubman as possible
> Not slow, slushy, or lame
> Automatic (don't hate; I commute 3.5 miles in a hilly city, drive 2500 miles/year, and I have a 3-pedal 911)
> Back up camera
> Heated seats
> Bluetooth audio
> As close to $20k as possible
> At least a three year warranty
There was only ever one choice.
I looked around at small hatchbacks and the GTI kept showing good reviews and topping "best of" lists. It really didn't hurt that VW's still dealing with dieselgate fallout and prices reflect that. I'd planned to get a 2016 CPO, since that's my MO, but prices for '16s were in the $20k-$21k range and VW's CPO warranty doesn't really extend the original warranty (which is lame). In my search, I stumbled across a couple new '17s in the boonies (read: Bend, OR) that were listed in the $22k-23k range. Nothing in/near Seattle was even remotely close, until two weeks ago when I spotted one in Olympia, WA (60 miles away) listed at $22,750. It turns out that had the $1000 VW loyalty cash added, which wasn't applicable. After all that was worked out, I got a written price quote from the dealer in Olympia and emailed it to the dealer near my house. They originally dismissed me, but a few emails and head fakes later, they agreed to honor the price because I "work for Amazon and we have a partnership agreement." I ended up getting it for $23,757, which I'm happy with given MSRP is $27,500 and TrueCar is $25,775. I put $10k down, which is about what I think I'll get for the Clubman S (42k miles).
Overall, I'm impressed with the car I got for the money. The fit/finish is really nice and the interior is far more my style than the cartoonish one the Mini has. I've literally put 20 miles on it, so I don't have a lot of feedback about the drive. I can say it feels WAY faster than the 30 extra hp would suggest. The lag is about 1/3 that of the Mini and the shifts seem relatively seamless by comparison. The bullshit the Mini did driving up hills and over rough road is non-existant... so much so that my wife commented the GTI seemed way more stable than the Mini after a single one mile ride. I have one complaint, so far. The side bolsters are pretty dramatic; I'm wide enough that I can't press my back flat against the seat back - have to angle ever so slightly. I'm up ~20 lbs where I was this time last year and ~40 lbs where I want to be, so it's 100% my fault and I'm hoping this is added motivation to make it a short term issue.
Plans:
> Tint
> Gas
> Drive
> ????
> Profit
![[Image: 16402556_10154080678836744_4139940643264...e=5918DB18]](https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/16402556_10154080678836744_4139940643264859878_o.jpg?oh=12a298f6429d350086317d7c50c7e852&oe=5918DB18)
![[Image: 16487078_10154080678266744_1702328480798...e=59159F63]](https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/16487078_10154080678266744_1702328480798480746_o.jpg?oh=a75070f33b82586138ddd58419c55843&oe=59159F63)
![[Image: 16402726_10154080678596744_3044459851776...e=5917D00B]](https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/16402726_10154080678596744_3044459851776105331_o.jpg?oh=be60741a4c0dee517cdd816febd1d83e&oe=5917D00B)
Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - davej - 02-01-2017
Apoc Wrote:
![[Image: C4kha4x.gif]](http://i.imgur.com/C4kha4x.gif)
That looks like a hell of a pick up! Nicely done!
Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - SlimKlim - 02-01-2017
Apoc Wrote:I can say it feels WAY faster than the 30 extra hp would suggest. The lag is about 1/3 that of the Mini and the shifts seem relatively seamless by comparison. The bullshit the Mini did driving up hills and over rough road is non-existant... so much so that my wife commented the GTI seemed way more stable than the Mini after a single one mile ride. I have one complaint, so far. The side bolsters are pretty dramatic; I'm wide enough that I can't press my back flat against the seat back - have to angle ever so slightly. I'm up ~20 lbs where I was this time last year and ~40 lbs where I want to be, so it's 100% my fault and I'm hoping this is added motivation to make it a short term issue.
It's cause it weighs less than you think it does. Mine weighs 3050lbs with the sunroof, leather, pimpin' stereo, etc. You're definitely not the only bigger guy with that complaint about the shoulder bolsters. On the other side of the spectrum, you could be like me and be ever so slightly too-long-legged and weak-chested to actually fill out the seat belt because of the weird way it mounts. It's fine in the winter when I have a coat, but in the summer it sort of flaps around on me the entire time. This problem could be easily rectified by making some gainzz so I hesitate to bitch about it too much.
Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - Ken - 02-01-2017
Apoc Wrote:I can say it feels WAY faster than the 30 extra hp would suggest.Probably because it's closer to 50HP more. I believe APR and others have dyno'ed them at closer to 230ish at the crank.
Awesome pickup! Wanted to get one myself but the fiance veto-ed it because she doesn't like hatchbacks for... reasons. Now looking at crossovers because, she does like lifted hatchbacks?
Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - davej - 02-01-2017
Ken Wrote:[ Now looking at crossovers because, she does like lifted hatchbacks?
![[Image: 264cfc000bc7c456baea69aead99417a.jpg]](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/26/4c/fc/264cfc000bc7c456baea69aead99417a.jpg)
:dunno:
Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - JPolen01 - 02-01-2017
Ken Wrote:Lulz. My wife thinks I'm so lame whenever I see a CTS V wagon or e63 wagon and go nuts.Apoc Wrote:I can say it feels WAY faster than the 30 extra hp would suggest.Probably because it's closer to 50HP more. I believe APR and others have dyno'ed them at closer to 230ish at the crank.
Awesome pickup! Wanted to get one myself but the fiance veto-ed it because she doesn't like hatchbacks for... reasons. Now looking at crossovers because, she does like lifted hatchbacks?
Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - ScottyB - 02-01-2017
is that a 180mph speedometer? in a golf?
great car though. VW has gone down the 911 path with these where they've perfected the hatch platform over and over to the point where they just drive beautifully. hope it treats you well. the 2.0T/DSG combo doesn't sound amazing on paper but i found it to be a blast for a useful daily and i'd gladly drive it if i couldn't have the 6 speed for some reason.
Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - WRXtranceformed - 02-01-2017
Very nice choice and a wise move to dump the Mini when you are! It would be so hard not to modify that thing!!
Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - rherold9 - 02-01-2017
Those plaid seats still kill me to this day. Otherwise solid car and fun hot hatch.
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Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - *insertusernamehere* - 02-01-2017
Shoulda kept the mini
Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - Senor_Taylor - 02-01-2017
rherold9 Wrote:Those plaid seats still kill me to this day. Otherwise solid car and fun hot hatch.
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You shut your mouth.
Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - JPolen01 - 02-01-2017
rherold9 Wrote:Those plaid seats still kill me to this day. Otherwise solid car and fun hot hatch.Can't stand them either. Can you option not to have that fabric?
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Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - Apoc - 02-01-2017
JPolen01 Wrote:rherold9 Wrote:Those plaid seats still kill me to this day. Otherwise solid car and fun hot hatch.Can't stand them either. Can you option not to have that fabric?
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Nope... only in plaid unless you go two models and $5k up to the SE (Sport sits between them), which has black leather standard.
I actually think it's one of the best things about the car and part of the reason the red paint really grew on me.
Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - rherold9 - 02-01-2017
Apoc Wrote:I actually think it's one of the best things about the car
![[Image: Colin_Farrel-Disgusted.gif]](http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2013/06/Colin_Farrel-Disgusted.gif)
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Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - Ken - 02-01-2017
Apoc Wrote:JPolen01 Wrote:rherold9 Wrote:Those plaid seats still kill me to this day. Otherwise solid car and fun hot hatch.Can't stand them either. Can you option not to have that fabric?
Sent from my SM-T713 using Tapatalk
Nope... only in plaid unless you go two models and $5k up to the SE (Sport sits between them), which has black leather standard.
I actually think it's one of the best things about the car and part of the reason the red paint really grew on me.
Same - I really like it especially in this combo.
Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - *insertusernamehere* - 02-02-2017
rherold9 Wrote:A+ you win the internet tonight, Ryan.Apoc Wrote:I actually think it's one of the best things about the car
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Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - WRXtranceformed - 02-02-2017
I'm also firmly in the do not like camp for the seats, but I get it's part of VW's schtick with these and they definitely are a "love it or hate it" thing
Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - Mike - 02-02-2017
Thanks for making me miss mine even more. F'ing marriage... You're gonna love the shit out of that thing.
Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - SlimKlim - 02-02-2017
Mike Wrote:Thanks for making me miss mine even more. F'ing marriage... You're gonna love the shit out of that thing.
Buy one. "Sport" trim is the old "S + Performance Package" Thanks to Dieselgate you could easily get it under 25k. Might as well do it before the Cheeto in Chief slaps a 20% import tax on them to pay for a stupid fucking wall.
Re: Project? Nah... Prolly Not: Mk7 GTI - Mike - 02-02-2017
Have a paid for RAV4 that makes a lot more sense than a GTI (offroadability, price, the amount I drive). Pretty hard to justify.