Advice needed: Volkswagen Golf GTi

[Thermodynamics]

Having owned 3 doors and 4 doors before, in a certain way, it's true that 3 doors can be less friendly.

 

But when people tell me, ferrying kids in a 3 doors car are too troublesome. I always replied, it's good, cos the kids got no door handles to pull in the rear! It's safer!

 

When 3 door and 5 door has the same insurance premium, it does make 3 door a more attractive choice.

[Thermodynamics]

You mean lower HP?

[Thermodynamics]

Thanks bro! Your analysis very systematic. Do you own a VW Golf GTi?

[Thermodynamics]

www.vagsg.com

 

Ask from folks who own one. At least they can tell you the 7 speed DSG box is catered to a different market, the real reason why the new GTI is launching ahead of schedule and, PI vs AD.

 

3 dr GTI attracts the same insurance premium as opposed to the 5 dr, an additonal info for you

 

Thanks bro! Will go check it out.

[Thermodynamics]

Yes, I agree that since this is my first continental ride, it may be better for me to get from AD for the warranty. Nonetheless, the price difference between AD and PI is quite substantial. This is where PI has an edge. If the accessories missing are minor, I can live with it. Still deciding which side to go for.

[Mr4tc]

One more minus point for 3 door car is the door is much longer than the 5 door version.

 

You have to reach over much further back to get to the seat belt.

[Guyver]

I am the kind that is lazy to get out of the car .... so 4 door version ....

[Thermodynamics]

Oh! I did not know that! Thanks bro!

[Falc]

My comments .......

 

continental rides more difficult and expensive to service and maintain than jap cars - yes, more parts & higher labour cost

 

the Golf GTi is turbocharged, how reliable is the engine and turbo - engine and turbo are reliable and least of your worries, unless you mod to the extreme.

 

Can last me 5 years at least? yes, unless u had a lemon. But from my experience (non major) parts do fail more frequently on my old VW. In the end I got fed up with the frequent trips down to workshop.

 

Are turbo cars more difficult and tedious to maintain? Slightly because it needs more parts for the forced induction.

 

We also love to go for driving holidays up North occasionally. Currently I am driving a 4 dr 2L Jap saloon. As long as you stay to sane speed (<130kmh), i don't see much difference between GTI and normal 2L Jap saloon on NSH

 

priced at 120k+, is the Golf GTi pedigree priced reasonably? vw's are the equivalent of hondas - non premium cars. then again prices in singapore never logical - You are right, it's not logical. If go with head, i will just get a 1.6L Jap car.

[Mockngbrd]

3 door FTW.... F*%# fetchin ppl around....

 

nyways, got kid also juz easy easy flip back the front seats lo, same effort as opening another door....

[Magfocus]

Having owned 3 doors and 4 doors before, in a certain way, it's true that 3 doors can be less friendly.

 

But when people tell me, ferrying kids in a 3 doors car are too troublesome. I always replied, it's good, cos the kids got no door handles to pull in the rear! It's safer!

Something I totally agree Its quite simple to flip forward the seat..and no kid to kick it open

[Dlar2]

How about 147Ti, last chance to get a twin spark engine. S$89.8k.

Try it before you decide on a GTi, then see if VW is really worth the S$20+ K more.

[Fatfat]

The new GTI model is launched ahead of schedule as they feel the current model is taking too many man-hours to build ( read as not making enuff profit )

 

So the new GTI will take much lesser time to assemble, and our guess is it will be inferior in terms of build quality.

 

Same reason why buyers who are in the know are still flocking to buy this 'outgoing' model.

 

Many owners do not believe that the current model price will drop significantly when the new one arrives.

 

 

Not to confuse with the 7 speed DSG, which can only handle a much lesser amount of torque. Its being used in the recently launched 1.4 TSI (122bhp, TC)

 

 

100k car, i would not take my chance on a PI. Just my opinions.

 

Cheers.

[Thermodynamics]

Italian flair is not my cup of tea. I have heard about and seen with my eyes issues related to the reliability of Alfas. Please do not flame though. This is my own experience. Peace.

[Thermodynamics]

Thanks for your input. Reason I ask about reliability of turbo engines is because my delivery turbo diesel Opel eurovans fail pretty fast compared to a normal Jap van such as Hiace or Liteace. Had to sell off 3 of them and bought 3 3rd hand Liteace as replacements. These Liteaces are serving me well. So I definitely stay clear of Opel cars for a start. However to be fair, my euro delivery trucks run around pretty much of time so perhaps it was time for them to fail. Not sure how this translates to the reliability of turbo petrol engines though.

[Thermodynamics]

Hmmm... looks like I may go for this outgoing model instead of waiting for the new model. As I have mentioned earlier, I have this habit of buying outgoing models. All the cars I have owned are never new models so far. Call me lucky but it seems I never had the slightest bit of problems faced by my predecessors of the same model.

 

I got to thank the bros here for your inputs. I think I may want to look further than just at Golf GTi alone with my budget of 120k.

[Woolff]

NOw days Ang Mo makes lousy things...my GE fridge kong within 6 month, died 11 month later.

[Falc]

I see. Did you find out why it fail? usually becoz of lack of maintenance. But i'm sure it's something the family car will not be lack of. Still turbos aren't that expensive, IIRC less than $1K for sure.