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VW GTI (All styles)

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen GTI, Coupe, Hatchback

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#2 of 1593 car & driver by nedzel Nov 16, 1999 (1:13 pm)
If you read the car & driver review of the GTI GLX, you'll see that they have two main complaints about the GTI: 1) soft suspension and 2) shifter. They loved the engine and the interior fit and finish. It is also much roomier than the competition -- the GTI can actually fit two adults in the back. The handling of the car can be easily improved by replacing the springs and struts, and by adding performance tires. Total cost of that will be less than $1000. In contrast, how much would it cost to improve the interior of the Celica? The GTI's shifter isn't great, unfortunately. It is notchy and doesn't like to be hurried. I don't know of any cheap fix for that. Jared '00 GTI GLX
#3 of 1593 This is Hatchbacks Topic 7, VW Golf GTI, continued. by davebayer Nov 16, 1999 (1:43 pm)
For the benefit of newcomers, this topic is the continuation of Hatchbacks Topic 7, "VW Golf GTI". That topic lasted until it was frozen on 15 Nov 99, and contains various posts of interest to anyone considering buying a '00 GTI GLX. Replies to this message: ssantana153 (Dec 15, 2005 6:45 pm)
#4 of 1593 seat covers by wicketkeeper Nov 17, 1999 (1:50 am)
Does anyone know of a company that sells seat covers for the 2000 GTI? Seeing as I have a bambino, I'm particularly keen to find covers for the back seats. Also - does anyone know what the best leather treatment lotion is for the 2000 GTI? Also also - I'm going to write to Car and Driver about the 0-60 times. Replies to this message: dma36777 (May 28, 2007 9:26 pm)
#5 of 1593 car and driver by dflor Nov 17, 1999 (2:54 am)
ive also read the article on car and driver it the gti a 7.7 sec 0-60 . i can also testify having a 99 gti vr6 that this time seems slow. and while the shifter seems trickier it only takes a few hours to get use to it.                              df
#6 of 1593 0-60 instructions? by davebayer Nov 17, 1999 (1:27 pm)
I'll bite. Hottest drivers out there, if you were giving detailed instructions to C&D on getting a recent VR6 0-60 in under 7 seconds, what would they say? What's the start like? Where do you shift?
#7 of 1593 Breaking-in a gti by swong4 Nov 17, 1999 (2:48 pm)
I have a 2-week old '00 gti vr6, and have close to 400 miles on it. Just love the car and the engine. The manual says so go easy on the engine for the first 1K miles. I have heard others say that it doesn't really matter, and even one that said to rev it up during shifting for the first 1K miles. Can anyone tell me what their experience was, and does the engine rev more freely and feel more powerful after the initial break-in? I have not really revved the tach beyond 4000 rpm. Does most of the gti vr6's power kick in after 4000 rpm?
#8 of 1593 Breaking in a GTI by pipo Nov 17, 1999 (7:41 pm)
This should resolve your quandry. Randy Hubbard of Raceware says the following: Read the owner's manual. The engineers at VW know what they're talking about. Until 600 miles, don't rev over 5000 rpms, and vary the engine speed and throttle position regularly. After 600, occasional WOT (wide open throttle) is ok, just don't exceed the red line. After 1000, let her rip, including full bore WOT for limited runs (but of course, nver exceed the red line). Hope this helps.
#9 of 1593 Car and Driver by pipo Nov 17, 1999 (8:11 pm)
No one should ever base their car buying decision primarily on anybody's opinion but their own. Read and gather all the information you can, then form your own judgment. And remember, the C&D writers are just another bunch of schmos expressing their own subjective opinions. They may have a lot of experience, but they also have their own biases and preferences. That said, there are many different views expressed regarding the GTI's poor showing in the recent Car and Driver article. Some attribute it to pressure from certain advertisers, others talk about a Honda bias, and others (including some VW lovers) basically agree with the written analysis of the GTI (if not the actual points standing). If you read the article carefully, much of what C&D has to say about the GTI is both positive and true. The negatives, numb shifter and excessive body roll, have been complained about by Vdubbers at length in this and other forums. But let's put the negatives into perspective. Most car drivers in this country would find the GTI to be an extremely nimble handler, compared to most of the products that are available out there. And, as many others have noted, there are relatively inexpensive suspension mods available to turn the GTI into an amazing handler. I also don't think there is to much to complain about with respect to the shifter. I don't find it numb at all -- perhaps not as crisp as it could be -- but overall quite precise. Bottom line, this is a great and practical little car that is beautifully put together, is comfortable and subtly luxurious, and, best of all, that engine! It pulls very nicely starting at about 2000 rpms, and never quits after that. This cannot be said about any of the Japanese 4 bangers, which only put out at vry high rpms (annoying, if you ask me, unless you're always on a race track revving the bejeebers out of it). Most importantly, GTI owners are PASSIONATE about their cars. I love mine, even with its minor flaws, which I intend to remedy with suspension mods in the Spring. These cars get under your skin and stay there. Kinda like falling in love...
#10 of 1593 Re: Breaking-in a gti by davebayer Nov 17, 1999 (9:45 pm)
I cleared my first 1,000 miles in the first week, all highway miles at under 3,000 rpm. In case you don't have a GTI VR6 yet, this means using 5th gear sometimes, and keeping it under 80 mph. Not an impossible discipline to follow. In other words, breaking in a GTI simply means not playing with it too hard. Even after 1,000 miles, taking care of it means giving it a chance to warm up, before playing with it too hard. The oil has to distribute, especially in cold weather, where synthetic oil is apparently a plus. (I'm waiting till 15,000 miles to switch to synthetic, unless I hear better advice...)
#11 of 1593 GTI VR6 stock tires by swong4 Nov 18, 1999 (4:45 pm)
Has anyone's gti vr6 come in stock Continentals? Most of the posts that I've read here talk (or complain) about having Michelins and Goodyears. Mine came with Continentals (made in Germany) and I'm wondering if handling will improve with tires like Pirelli P7000's. Any advice?

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