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#31 of 1593 GTI and Sound Improvements by stevem14 Dec 01, 1999 (3:48 am)
I'm in the market for a new car and I think I have settled on a GTI GLX. The only other car I've ever owned is a Honda Civic hatch, which was great for the time (struggling post-college), and I was thinking about again, untill I saw the GTI and began reading about it. I'm still partial to hatchbacks, but want something sporty and fun, so the GTI seems to be a good fit. My big concern: the sound system. My favorite thing about owning a car is driving and listening to music. I'm concerned after reading the various posts here and elsewhere about the poor quality of the GTI soundsystem and I'd be curious to hear owners' opinions. How hard is it to upgrade/correct? And how costly? Ideally, I'd like a minidisc system in the car as opposed to/or in addition to, a CD player. Any thoughts? Also, is a CD player standard, or is it extra and then the changer more still? Is there a better fit than the GTI given the sound issue? Thanks for any input -- what a great site!
#32 of 1593 sound etc. by kevinc Dec 01, 1999 (8:46 am)
Hi Steve.. if you're a hatchback guy (as I am) then there is NO other choice that even comes close. Have you driven the car yet? You may have a lot of trouble finding one, you'll likely have to call all over hell. But it's worth the effort. My comment on the sound system - I have a '99, which didn't yet get the Monsoon system. I have the previous "Premium" 8-driver setup. You know what? I like it - a LOT - and it's a far lesser setup than the Monsoon. I had a '97 GTI VR6 previously, and its sound system was SO bad (mostly underpowered) that I ditched the head unit within 2 weeks of getting the car, despite wanting to keep it stock. No such desire this time around, the new head is a big improvement, definitely more power, which makes all the difference. Try the Monsoon system, unless you're an ultra-audiophile, I think you'll be more than satisfied. As for MD, I had a Kenwood MD changer in my '97 (actually it's in my closet now - wanna buy it?). MD is GREAT. I'd love to have it in my GTI, but I'm keeping everything stock. Neither the changer nor the in-dash is standard, though I think they're now putting the changer in all cars for $200 or $250 at the factory or dock and just adding it to the sticker. The in-dash is $240 at full list and works great, I have both, which I find is quite handy. Good luck, let us know which way you end up going. -kc- '99 GTI GLX '86.5 Scirocco 16V 2.0 http://www.geocities.com/klcoll
#33 of 1593 sound system by nedzel Dec 01, 1999 (1:41 pm)
I'm no audiofile, but the sound system works for me. The CD player and changer are dealer installed options. You can buy the changer and CD player from the parts department or directly from VW and install them yourself. The changer can be installed in 5 minutes with just a screwdriver. The in-dash CD player is more of a pain to install. Go take a test drive and listen to the system. Then decide for yourself whether you want to replace it. Jared
#34 of 1593 Sound System/purchasing advice by stevem14 Dec 02, 1999 (4:17 am)
Thanks Kevin and Jared -- I'm hoping to find one to test drive this weekend, so I can hear the stereo, but GTIs seem to be scarce in these parts (Chicago area). I've found a few on the web and I'm going to call a few dealers tomorrow. You've both calmed my fears about the stereo, and on paper 8 speakers sounds impressive. And you are right -- beauty is in the eye of the listener (though I know from experience I'm a pretty picky listener). Hate to forgo the MD though, but I don't think I want to corrupt the look of the dash with non-OEM materials. Since it looks like I may have to order mine, anyone have any luck in negotiating "deals" when ordering as opposed to buying off the lot? Given the scarity of GTIs I feel I'll be lucky to get MSRP. OTOH, I'm not in a hurry, so I could wait out the drought. Thanks again for your help.
#35 of 1593 deals by nedzel Dec 02, 1999 (3:47 pm)
I paid ~$22,200, which is about $1000 off list. I found a dealer with a Silver/Black GTI GLX on the lot and started dealing. The previous 3 dealers I spoke with wouldn't deal. This one would. You do have to be willing to walk away. When the salesman gave me the line "these are real popular, I don't think they'll discount much", I said fine, I don't need a car now. I want to buy one now, but if you won't deal, I'll wait three months when the supply is better. At three dealers I had to walk away. But the fourth was willing to deal. Be polite, but firm. When I walked at the previous three, I told them to give me a call if they wanted to sell a car. Two of them called back -- one with a minor improvement in his price, and the second after I had already bought a car. Jared '00 GTI GLX
#36 of 1593 Bubble by wicketkeeper Dec 03, 1999 (1:50 pm)
Has anyone purchased a "bubble" cover for the sunroof? Does it make a difference? Cheers!
#37 of 1593 In-dash CD with Monsoon by pipo Dec 06, 1999 (9:32 pm)
debijon, if you already have the Monsoon system with the "VW" changer, your only option (other than the "VW" headunit) is to get a Panasonic head unit, which must also be a model with built in amplifiers, so that the speaker level outputs of the headunit may be wired to the speaker level inputs on the Monsoon amplifier. The changer is manufactured by Panasonic, and configured to work only with a Panasonic head unit (or the factory head unit, which is apparently a Clarion modified to work with the Panasonic changer). If you don't already have the "VW" changer, then your choice of head units is limited only by the requirement mentioned above: that it have built in amps for proper wiring into the Monsoon system.
#38 of 1593 Monsoon System Upgrades by pipo Dec 06, 1999 (10:03 pm)
stevem14, I, like you, anticipated that the Monsoon system would sound pretty good, based on the description I got from a Monsoon representative (8 speakers, 200 watt amp, customized equalization). First, the bad news: I was disappointed by the result. If you are a picky listener (as you said you are), particularly if you are sensitive to abrasive treble, be forewarned, this one's an ear bleeder. I actually keep the tone controls turned all the way down in the midrange and treble, while I adjust the bass in the minus 8 to minus 6 range (for most source material) to make the system listenable for more than a few seconds. But before you despair, here's the good news (based on hearsay, but nonetheless good news)! The headunit is apparently the weakest link in the system, and a good aftermarket headunit (with built in amps; see prior post) can transform the system. That's the fix I'm going to try. If you haven't yet purchased your car, my advice would be not to get the "VW" changer (which would limit you to getting a Panasonic headunit). Then you will have a multitude of headunits to choose from, and you can add a changer if you'd like. The Blaupunkt Alaska is made to match the VWs' dash lighting, but it's not reputed to be the best of the available headunits.
#39 of 1593 GTI Sports Suspension by jchorn1 Dec 07, 1999 (2:47 am)
I just bought the Autoweek magazine and they mention that VW is coming out with a sports suspension for the GTI. It doesn't say what parts will be upgraded. No dates were mentioned as to when, but it will be sometime in 2000. Replies to this message: xinnek (Feb 12, 2006 9:33 am) dl7265 (Feb 14, 2006 10:07 am) allhorizon (Feb 15, 2006 1:49 am) dl7265 (Feb 15, 2006 9:34 pm) and 15 more...
#40 of 1593 sports suspension by kevinc Dec 07, 1999 (4:13 am)
Everything will be upgraded - springs, shox, and swaybars. This was reported by the boys at vwvortex.com, who have a direct pipeline into VWoA. The changes will appear in the spring, along with the 1.8T in the GTI GLS. Also at that time, the Golf/GTI will begin coming from Brazil rather than Wolfsburg. It will be interesting to see just how "sporting" they go with the upgrade. Also they sorely need to upgrade the tires, which are your garden variety, all-season grocery-getters. More suspension without more tire will be a big letdown for those who don't go ahead and upgrade the rubber after buying. -kc- '99 GTI GLX (upgraded suspension & tires) '86.5 Scirocco 16V 2.0 (ditto and then some)

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