June 10, 2008
New Car: 2008 Volkswagen GTI MkV
I previously wrote that I was considering a Toyota Prius to replace my Dodge Charger R/T, which is approaching its lease mileage limit and sucks down over $500 in gas per month. I was enamored with the Prius, even its stunted-tortoise looks, until I drove it.
I’m a car guy. I’ve always had a car with some degree of power and agility. The Prius, however, is the diametric opposite of that: it’s ungodly slow and handles like a whale on a skateboard. It does one thing very well: bring the MPGs. Aside from that, I found it to be soulless driving.
My quest led me to the 2008 VW 4-door GTI, which I’ve always admired as a cheap, economical, yet powerful hatchback that has been through its ups and downs since its debut in 1983. Today’s version — arguably the best ever — shares its chassis with the Audi A3, and for the price, I could not find another car that had what the GTI offered. The DSG (direct shift gearbox) transmission — a dual-clutch semi-manual setup — was the deal-maker for me, as I found its performance (and lack of normal auto transmission downsides like a torque converter) to be spectacular. I think the DSG defines the platform, frankly.
As for MPGs, if you keep your foot out of the 2.0L turbocharged/intercooled engine, you can see up to 32-34 MPG on the highway. Get into the boost too hard, though, and you’ll get around 22-24.
To me, the Prius gave up too much to deliver its efficiency. It does one thing very well. However, as a car enthusiast, I’m willing to take less MPGs for the car’s surprisingly edgy Mr. Hyde capabilities.
So, the decision is made and I’ve taken delivery of the car. Full review to follow if y’all want it.
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14 Responses to “New Car: 2008 Volkswagen GTI MkV”
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Congratulations, Jeff! Yes, please do post a full review.
I’ve driven two gtis, three if you count a two door golf with stick shift, and have loved each one of them. my only hesitation with any of those cars is / was the front wheel drive. I really want manufacturers to come up with inexpensive, light, fuel efficient, rear wheel drive cars. I know toyota and subaru are working on a joint, sub 20k rear wheel drive vehicle for the 2010 time frame (only the subaru will be offered in the us). I’m also excited about the bmw 1 series vehicles on the used market.
I’ll listen to a full review. I go back and forth with VW. Having gone through 2 New Beetles and my partner with a New Beetle and a Cabrio, I feel they’re either disasters or disasters-to-be. I pray yours is not.
Of course, I’m the goof still waiting on his Smart ForTwo to be delivered–yes, I test drove the thing, but I’m looking for stylish, high performance, MPG-friendly alternatives now that the Mini Cooper and 350Z I’ve wanted are ridiculous ideas. The Smart is only cute, tidy, and MPG-friendly even if it drives like a golf cart (if you shift yourself–let the car do it, and it’s like having a 5 year old drive you in a golf cart).
Normally, I’m a convertible guy, but I’m willing to change.
I don’t see the attraction of the Prius at all. From what I’ve read, in the real world it isn’t much more economical than my 1.6 Civic (UK model), which regularly brings back around 40mpg. More importantly it’s pig ugly
If you really want economy, the Renault Megane 1.5dCI does ~60mpg, or more if you’ve got a light throttle foot (can you get those in the states?). Obviously, not as much fun as a Golf GTI. Speaking of which, can you get the Golf R32 over there? Now there’s a fun car
Oh, and the 1-series sags in the middle. It bothers me.
I’ve always been a big VW fan, I’ve owned 4 of them and can’t understand the American perspective that a VW is a cheap and poorly built car. In Europe they are considered to be well above average build quality and the 4 I had certainly bore that out. Unfortunately VW’s are no longer imported here or I’d be driving Golf no.5.
I own a 2001 GTI (I owned a 1997 before), and I feel very very jealous right now. Congratz!!!
Olly,
Yes, you can get the R32 here, but it’s expensive and it doesn’t do much in the MPG department. But it *is* fun. No question.
Haggis,
I think the MkIII and MkIV Golf/Jetta platforms really hurt VW. They were built in Mexico and known for all sorts of issues, mainly electrical gremlins and assorted interior creaks and rattles.
The MkV chassis is a massive upgrade, designed from the ground up, and by everything I’ve read, it’s fantastic. Time will tell, I guess. This is my first German car, so I have high expectations.
I took over a lease on a 2007 GTI (lowered/body kit/CAI/Revo flashed) and it has been great - tight chassis, point and shoot steering, and lots of power (the “award-winning” 2.0 engine). Currently, they are a few thousand cheaper in Canada due to CDN$ exchange rate. Only downside for the kids is that it’s a 2-door not four, so they have to twist a bit to get in and out - but much better for me than the mini-van, and it does have good cargo capacity for its size. I’d recommend highly if you believe driving should be more than just getting from A to B.
ps - I’ve had it a year and no problems - built in Wolfsburg not Tiajuana - be sure to get the 18″ Huf wheels, not the 17″s. Radio/CD quality is OK but nothing great. Better to listen to the turbo whine anyways!
i’ve got a 2004 jetta gli and i love it. it’s the 1.8t, however. one thing you’ll want to keep an eye on is your oil consumption. it may only be a problem with the naturally aspirated 2.0’s, but VW is on the record as saying that .84 quarts of oil EVERY 1000 MILES is within normal operating parameters.
good luck!
Thats the difference! Mexico/Germany!!
That explains a lot in the quality of the cars from the US to Europe.
Personally I think VW’s are excellent (German built). I’ve owned MkIII and Mk IV Golf’s (plus several Polo’s) but when I then moved to a Mercedes I realized the VW’s were almost as well built as the Merc I had just bought but paid a lot more for.
Can’t go wrong with the MKV GTI. (Perhaps, other than it looks. Retarded minivan anyone?) I love mine. It’s combination of performance (0.90 G skid pad, 0-60 6.0 secs with DSG and launch control, best streeing wheel ever?), economy (28.0 mpg spirited driving), utility (hatchback with seats folded down really is spatious like a small minivan), and luxuary (with leather interior/sunroof/premium sound) is tough to beat. It’s looks grow on you and it doesn’t scream “Boy-racer, please pull me over Mr Officer”.
Also this car is very tuneable, which is part of the fun and will keep your interest in the car over the long haul. I prefer APR engine management software, which doesn’t affect mpg but increases HP to 252 and Torque to 300 lb/ft. Midrange punch is ridiculus. Suddenly for $850 you have a car that is much faster in real world driving than the R32 for $6K less and still maintains 30+ highway mpg. Automobile mag wrote: “The [APR chipped] GTI is the fastest traffic-beater in the world”. I would not disagree with them. “The 2.0T’s insane midrange punch and DSG’s ability to shift without losing boost work together to create an unbeatable combination when squirting through holes in traffic.”
This car will keep you coming back for more. Before my recent series of speeding tickets, I routinely got it up over 100mph on the freeway. It’s so fast and smooth that your confidence skyrockets almost as quickly as my insurance premiums.
With gas prices approaching $4.50, this is the all-around performer that you want in your garage.
My first VW was a 2001 Beetle GLX. assembled in Mexico, but really loved it. Got tired of the stick in horrible Phoenix traffic and kids grew tall enough to complain about lack of headroom in the back. Traded that in for the new 2005 Jetta which really lacked the guts I had gotten used to in the turbo Beetle. The trunk latch had issues also. (I think partially made in Mexico also)
I now have a 2007 GTI 4 door with most of the bells and whistles. Made in Germany yeay! Love, love ,love the car. Very roomy inside. Fast, fun, great.. until I took it in to have it’s 15,000 miles service where they rotated the tires (I missed the 10,000 but everything was fine and great. )now my tires are sounding horrible. They are very loud and causing a lot of vibration. They say that;s just how it is on these cars. I don’t get it! cant believe it. SO I am looking for anyone out there with a similar problem. I have never had or heard of such an issue.
Im going to pick it up to see if the problem is fixed, we’ll see. thanks