Golf GTI or Civil Si ?

[say]

Just saw the picture of Golf GTI, how does it compare with the regular Golf(2007) and the civil si... or any other suggestions?
Thanks.

[kilby]

I'n not sure which one, but in the magazine racks now, one of the popular car mags has a comparison test between the two, the GTI won for fit and finish etc... but they really liked them both

[The General]

For the sheer joy of driving and really punching it, I would also go for the GTI. I have not driven either yet but I know deep down the GTI will deliver the right driving dynamics that a japanese car can't. On the other hand, the GTI will spend most of its time in the garage and the Si, on the track...

[say]

so, back to the reliability issue for the VW, right? sighhh.... may be i should just go cheap and get the regular Golf...

[kilby]

A basic Golf won't be any more reliable than a GTI, they should be in dealers in the next few weeks, go have a look and sit in it, that will tell you a lot. We are purchasing a new car in the next two months and are all over the board, BMW 323i, Acura TSX, Jetta TDI, Honda Accord and Golf GTI are the choices. The BMW and the two Volkswagens may be a pain in the ass in the reliability department but because of all the bad press, they have great warranties and we will only keep the car 3 or 4 years. I know this isn't the smartest way to purchase a car, but my wife and I both really enjoy driving just for the pleasure of doing so...the BMW is such an amazing driver as will be the GTI I'm sure so that counts for a lot with us, Apparently the TSX is pretty good for a front driver as well. I sat in the new Civic and think that it's a great looking car but couldn't stare at the WEIRD dashboard and steering wheel for long, too bad they blew those little things on an otherwise great automobile.

[The General]

I got a chance to drive the 2007 GTI and, oh my...

A video will be up soon so stay tuned.

Needless to say, me like a lot!

[Pritch]

General did you get it for a week-long or just a spin?

I got the Civic Si booked in April and Id love to book a GTI and do a back to back...

I want more details!!

Drove the Civic Si for a few hours already though...i gotta say....fun stuff but really it isnt that fast. If Im not mistaken, a Cobalt SS Supercharged will spank it.

[The General]

I only got to drive it for a few hours...

I am convinced that the Cobalt SS SC and Ion Redline will spank it hard off the line but I am also certain that the Si will easily overtake them on a track.

[Pritch]

well, I just spent the week with the Si. Its a real treat. But its very far from perfect. The engine is a real angry little monster but electronic throttle is so poorly calibrated that it is nearly impossible to cruise through city traffic in a stop and go setting smoothly. The split dash isnt my favorite, and neither is the way everything inside slopes up and away from the driver...but you can all read more about this in the review.

as well, the revs hang when you let go of the throttle, though its all a small price to pay for the sound it makes when you push it past 6000 revs- the sound is positively gorgeous. And it gets fantastic mileage. And the shifter is great...the list goes on.

Im doing a comparo between the Si and the SS for the Sudbury star... you might be surprised how close the GM stuff is getting in some regards. Quarter mile time in the Si is about 15 seconds, while the SS SC is about 14.4. Handling is clearly in hondas corner, though not by a huge margin like i was expecting............

as for the GTI- time will tell Im sure, I havent driven one, only the (heavier?) a3 2.0t but isnt the Si several thousand dollars cheaper than a GTI??? And its a Honda- meaning youll have it for the rest of your life


Pritch