I was about to buy the GTI before I bought my car. To be honest, a LOT of people have the "I almost bought the GTI before...." story; maybe because GTIs seem to be great until you see them in person and realized the prize is completly overpriced to what you're buying.

The GTI wouldve cost me 26K, while as for 2K more I got a MazdaSpeed6. AWD, its actually a car, more trunk space, 274whp/280tq, and beats chipped GLIs and GTIs. Handling-wise, although sloppy due to its weight, AWD compensates into the balance. And it's a true turbocharged car. The turbo on the GTI is the smallest thing you can imagine. Same small little turbo they put to all the 2.0T german cars. I would like to know what those cars boost...im sure its something like 8psi

 

The K03s in the 1.8T boosted stock 12 psi at 2800 rpm to 9 psi at redline once chipped they boosted 18 psi at 2800 rpm to 13 psi at redline (6500ish).

I think the turbo in the 2.0T is essentially the same turbo and you can find many boost curves posted around on the net which show the apr93 programming essentially making the same boost curve as with the 1.8ts.

having owned a 1.8t in the past with just a chip many people ... including myself ran mid 14s at 100 traps. my best run with a 2.0 60 got me 14.3 The 2.0Ts are running high 13s chipped only

 

Before my Prelude all I owned was VW's but once I switched to Honda I realized why they always had cost more. I had four Sciroccos (1 16v) and a GTi (8V) and they all needed tinkering. It never failed that there was something that needed to be fixed in every one of the cars including the GTi that was bought new. In 13k miles that car had the trans replaced, the ECU replaced, an annoying problem with being able to get a full tank of gas, and a strange bucking around 2k rpms. My friends that have had them since still complain about similar odd problems and the dealers, like they did with me, dont want to help at all.

It's a shame because I loved the cars and their feedback when driven hard but being somewhat of an adult its a PITA to have to constantly tinker with your new car.

In 170k plus miles the # of problems I've had with my Prelude that werent a result of some sort of modding is almost non exisitent.

I'm not knocking the car but rather the company as it seems they dont care about making a solid product.

 

Why do I get the feeling you had been wanting to get into a GTI and used the snow as an excuse/justification? Most people have reported having little or no trouble getting around in their S with winter tires. I would buy it if you bought an r32 but how much better is the GTI in the snow and ice? I'm not knocking your decision...ok maybe a little....I have only had my S for 6 months and sometimes fancy something different but I know I would regret it....hopefully you will not.

 

By the way, what kind of deal did you get? Trade value?

 

Winter beater FTW!!





I don't understand why ppl would drive their S in the snow.. Feels like way more abuse then revving to 9grand to me...

GTI's look funny to me.. sucks you downgraded..

 

I had a VW Jetta it was a big piece of crap, always was broke, and major things from the c coverter, AC, sun roof, exhaust, brakes, cd changer and the engine burned more oil 1 qt per 1,000 miles. I would never by another VW, it was a 2000

 

My Rains & snows er

 

Wow back in April I almost purchased an S2000 but I decided to be practical and purchased a GTI 6speed. Dam I made a mistake. I have not had problems with the GTI but wish I had purchased the S (no snow in South Florida). In fact I am trying to decide if I should take the hit and trade it on an S2000. If I lived in snow country the GTI would be perfect.

 

The S can be a bit tense in the snow, even with snow tires I agree.

The GTI's seem great on paper, and I think they look nice too. However, the reliability is an issue as I would imagine if you take it in with mods, the mods will be the excuse for every issue from the dealer.

I buddy of mine leased an Audi TT and that thing had electrical problems the whole time.

Headlight flickering (crack in the headlight assembly pin, $1600 if out of warranty).
Various light bulbs burning out every few months.
Remote entry gremlins.
Power window motors shorting and needing replaced.
Power windows not rolling up to seal after closing the door.
Leather stitching coming lose.
etc, etc, etc...

I flat out just couldn't stand dealing with time to figure out the problems, coming back for special orders that take weeks from germany, etc...

Hopefully your luck will be better