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Sedans Volkswagen Jetta VW Jetta GLI vs Honda Civic Si
70 messages, Last post on Aug 11, 2009 at 7:17 AM
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Replying to: ibflossing (Nov 09, 2008 8:18 am) My 06 GLI is about to hit 29k miles, and I haven't had any problems with it. I take it to the dealer for its regular service, and am just about to replace the original 18" Potenza tires. I wish that the service wasn't so expensive (relative to my old cars, the Accord and TL), but it's not as bad as our Volvo XC70, LOL. I was tempted to trade the GLI in last month for an 08 TL (amazing bargains to be had), but realized I love the German engineering. Other than a couple of rattles that show up in cold weather, it has worn very well. The paint is as good as day one (it is detailed 2x year), the leather has worn very nicely, and the switches are still solid. I don't like how they decontented the 07/08/09 models, but that's how it goes.
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Replying to: chris_tx (Nov 11, 2008 6:04 am) I'm thinking about getting an 09 GLI and I have some questions. 1. When you said "I wish that the service wasn't so expensive (relative to my old cars, the Accord and TL)" , how much does it co$t ?? 2. "decontented" in what way ? 3. MPG (regular driving without abusing it) ? Thank you 
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Replying to: ibflossing (Nov 11, 2008 3:31 pm) |
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 How is that even a question???? I mean, the Jetta is kinda cool, I'll give you that. But the Honda Civic is definitely a nicer car. It looks more civilized, yet it stands out. I'm not saying the Jetta doesn't, but......
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Replying to: mustangman911 (Jan 09, 2009 6:12 pm)
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Replying to: erok22 (Jan 11, 2009 10:59 pm) |
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Replying to: erok22 (Jan 11, 2009 10:59 pm) Oh, I'm glad you mentioned that article, where the Si beat out the GTI. You can find it here.  The Civic's interior is very plain and boring Since you like Motor Trend's opinion , they refer to the Civic's interior as having "a zoom-zoom feel to the Si's cockpit (sorry, Mazda) that entices constant revving of the engine." The 2.0T FSI engine is far more superb than the Civic's. Whereas the GTI always feels like it's on simmer--with its peaceful demeanor, softer suspension, and low-end grunt--the Si thrives on full boil, giving off the most steam with the engine screaming near 8000 rpm and the raspy exhaust belting its song like AC/DC. - Motor Trend That "far more superb" engine is torquey for sure, but "far more superb?" I don't buy it.
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Replying to: thegraduate (Jan 12, 2009 7:21 am) My 5 cents here from a Honda fan: I have owned a 2006 Civic EX coupe and a 2008 VW GTI. I'm the driver who wants to feel power but doesn't want to hear road noise. With that in mind the VW is a superior product. If VW had a better reputation for reliability then I would be a VW fan and would consider Honda's/Acura's as practical economy boxes. Its obvious that VW is competing with products built by BMW, Mercedes etc. Honda is not attempting to match them but provide an alternate. The Honda products are practical and fuel efficient so they have many minimums. I believe if a Civic Si had the same sound dampening ratio as found in the GLI/GTI the Si with its current horsepower would not beat a GLI/GTI. Its a matter of preference and the willingness to handle repair issues for me. Not every GLI/GTI is going to have reliability issues. Its just the chances of it are higher vs a Honda. One other thing you don't have to be at 7000 plus RPM to be satisfied with a GLI/GTI. I've seen a poster claim the following: "I'd rather push a VW than drive a Honda". I thought it was funny but until a person drives a new GLI/GTI/R32 I don't see how they can talk bad about VW. BTW I'm currently working on my 2008 Honda Civic's interior to reduce the road noise so its more like the VW. 
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Replying to: goose (Jan 15, 2009 7:26 am)  ), and has all the luxury accesories I could want. And while the regular maintenance on it is pricey at the VW dealer, it has been completely trouble free. And at 30k miles, it feels more solid than my old Hondas, which had rattles galore by this time. To me, it is more grown up, providing additional luxury, but still allowing me to unwind the engine and have fun when I want to. I grew tired of having to rev rev rev all the time with my Hondas. I also like the little "German engineering" details. I love that after reading the manual, I learned that the headlamp washers only spray every 5th time the windscreen washers spray (everytime would be excessive ), and how the wipers adjust where they park on the windscreen to lengthen the life of the wiper blades, and how nearly everything can be adjusted inside the trip computer, even the brightness of the dome lighting! Of course, one could argue that this type of thing just means more can go wrong, and I agree, but I haven't had a single problem, save a rattle, in 30k miles. So IMO I have Honda reliability with German soul. Now if only VW could replace my dealer with my old Honda dealer!
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Replying to: chris_tx (Jan 15, 2009 8:27 am) For my commute to work, I originally leased an 07 Honda Civic LX Coupe 5-Speed and although it served it's purpose of getting me excellent fuel economy, the performance I craved wasn't there. 9 months later, I made the switch to an 08 Si Coupe and it was the best decision that I have ever made. My co-worker was driving a 2006 VW GTi and he wanted an Si. He asked me to email him my pros and cons on the Si and I emailed him with: Pros: Good gas mileage (I do 60-miles round trip every day to work and I average about 31-mpg) Handling (One of the best handling cars I have ever driven. I can pull 0.91 G on the skid) The Price Performance (0-60 in 6.3 secs and the 1/4 in 14.8 secs) i-VTEC Powerband (Power and engine note sounds spectacular. "Wow! What an engine note! Equal parts angry hornet and formula bike" - MotorTrend) Safety Honda Reliability Helical Limited Slip Differential LSD 6-Speed Manual Transmission (One of the smoothest shifting manual transmissions I have ever used. Effortless shift throws) 8,700-RPM Redline Exhaust Note 2-Tier Digital Speedometer / Tachometer Display Steering Feel Maintenance Minder System Styling (Inside and Out) Clutch Feel and Travel Comfort (Racing seats are firm, supportive, and plush. Is that possible to have all 3?) Interior Room (Front) Cons: Drive-by-Wire (DBW) Throttle System (RPMs do not immediately drop when you shift gears sometimes) Low Torque Numbers Black Interior (Only comes in Black, which is what I wanted, but every piece of lint or dog hair shows) No Leather Option (Would have been nice, but the cloth/suede material is excellent in feel. Wears pretty easily as well and starting to see some fade spots) No Heated Seat Option Interior Plastics scratches easily A/C Vent right behind Steering Wheel (Not a real Con, but I’m starting to run out of ideas) Interior Room in the Rear (A bit cramped in terms of leg room in my Coupe, but maybe that is because I am 6'1" and my driver seat is way back) That’s pretty much it… it's one of the best cars I have ever owned. I am not a hatch fan so I will never put a GTi on my list of cars to get. As for the GLi, I don't think it has the performance I am looking for. I am a coupe guy so I'm crossing the GLi off my list as well. To each their own, but you know how I feel about my Si. Nothing bad to say about VW though... |
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