128i vs. GTI

[CALL_911]

Go.

[Colonel Cadillac]

No poll? Weak sauce.

I have driven neither. Most likely 128i.

[the Teuton]

I love the 128i, and I'm not a huge fan of VW's brake feel. From what I understand, though, the GTI is a hoot to drive.

[GoCougs]

GTI based on styling alone.

[S204STi]

Hard choice...  since it's not a 135, I'd have to go GTI.  It really is a great car to drive.

[Raza]

GTI is a better all rounder, the 128i might be slightly sharper.  And that's a strong might. 

[3.0L V6]

GTI - better looks, better rounded package. Also, not a huge fan of pretentious brands and the image they convey, personally.

[sportyaccordy]

128i, GTI is a great car but I just don't see a point of a VW w/o a VR6

1 is uglier, less practical, more expensive... but not neccessarily ugly, impractical or expensive outright. Quick too. 128i it is

[Xer0]

There's like a 10k difference between the two with how I would option them out.  If it's my money then a GTI every time.  If it's someone else?s money then probably still a GTI, the 1er is just strange looking and I'd feel bad about not just stepping up to a 3.

[SVT666]

GTI on looks alone. 

[hotrodalex]

GTI.

135 wins over the GTI, though.

[68_427]

128i if it's the new turbo model.

[2o6]

5-door GTI.


128i is too ugly.

[Onslaught]

I want to throw up every time they give me a VW to fix on at work. And that's not a joke. So just because of that I'll go with the 128i.

[CALL_911]

And if we throw a C30 T5 into this mix?

[Cookie Monster]

Probably the GTI.

[the Teuton]

I think the 1 series was my favorite "new" BMW when I worked at the dealer. It just felt like a pure driving machine...except when equipped with the ActiveSteering.

[sportyaccordy]

Shame the 1er is so heavy, no reason it should be over 3000lb (though I am having trouble thinking of any new 4 seat RWD car under 3000 lb... with a piston engine)

[Eye of the Tiger]

Shame the 1er is so heavy, no reason it should be over 3000lb (though I am having trouble thinking of any new 4 seat RWD car under 3000 lb... with a piston engine)

Accent driving in reverse.

[Raza]

And if we throw a C30 T5 into this mix?

Still the GTI.  The C30 is a more expensive, not as good, less practical C1 Focus that would be great to own...in theory. 

[CALL_911]

Still the GTI.  The C30 is a more expensive, not as good, less practical C1 Focus that would be great to own...in theory.  

I drove one yesterday. It's put together very well, it's composed in the twisties and best of all, it's fucking quick. Vague/overly boosted steering though, and I wasn't a fan of the brakes.

I honestly would not mind owning one. I'm pushing so hard for the 128i, but I can't find a CPO one with a manual around here, which is a huge hassle.

My parents are starting to think that I should take over my sister's car until she needs it back, and then starting car shopping for me. I could do that, especially if this is at the end of the GTI's model cycle.

EDIT: I found a super-stripped out 1er in Maine, which is perfect for me except that it doesn't have a sunroof. Should I just suck it up?

[SVT32V]

128 hands down, if I had to pick one.

rwd>fwd

Plus you don't have to look like an emo douchebag to drive the 1er, just a badge whore.

At both of their price points there are many other cars I would rather have.

[CALL_911]

128 hands down, if I had to pick one.

rwd>fwd

Plus you don't have to look like an emo douchebag to drive the 1er, just a badge whore.

At both of their price points there are many other cars I would rather have.

Namely?

No roadsters, no Camaro+Mustang.

[Cookie Monster]

Why no Mustang? I'd be tempted to look at the V6 model.

I'd probably go with a new WRX.

[CALL_911]

Rag: I still have that V6 Mustang stigma in my mind. Its retarded, I know. Maybe ill give it a shot. As for the WRX, its on the list, but I can't find one around here to drive, and from what I hear, it doesn't drive as well as the GTI and it has some tranny issues.

[Cookie Monster]

Rag: I still have that V6 Mustang stigma in my mind. Its retarded, I know. Maybe ill give it a shot. As for the WRX, its on the list, but I can't find one around here to drive, and from what I hear, it doesn't drive as well as the GTI and it has some tranny issues.

Well, the V6 Mustangs are about as fast as the 135i's, aren't they? I don't know how well they handle but it's worth a look, IMO.

Are the WRX's still not as good to drive as the GTI's, even after the refresh? Plus with the WRX you can say you own a sub 5 second 0-60 car.

[SVT32V]

Namely?

No roadsters, no Camaro+Mustang.

So you criteria, no pony car or roadsters, but up to low $30s

Well if the mullet mobiles are out then the challenger is also I guess.

That would leave me with the genesis, wrx, g25, ralliart, rx-8, and 370z.

I was thinking miata, but now your criteria has been modified to also throw that out.

If it had to drag itself around by the front wheels only, then I would go with the mini on styling alone

[S204STi]

Well, the V6 Mustangs are about as fast as the 135i's, aren't they? I don't know how well they handle but it's worth a look, IMO.

Are the WRX's still not as good to drive as the GTI's, even after the refresh? Plus with the WRX you can say you own a sub 5 second 0-60 car.

Apparently the WRX became even less sharp of a handler after my generation, and mine wasn't quite as good as the GTIs that I drove back to back with it, so it makes logical sense that it's still not quite as good.

[CALL_911]

So you criteria, no pony car or roadsters, but up to low $30s

Well if the mullet mobiles are out then the challenger is also I guess.

That would leave me with the genesis, wrx, g25, ralliart, rx-8, and 370z.

I was thinking miata, but now your criteria has been modified to also throw that out.

If it had to drag itself around by the front wheels only, then I would go with the mini on styling alone

Genesis- Good call
WRX- See reply to Rag's post
G25- Auto only, probably priced too high
Ralliart- No
RX-8- Was initially at the top of the list, actually. Low fuel economy kills it.
370Z- Worth a try for sure, can't imagine dad saying yes though. We'll see.

[Cookie Monster]

So you criteria, no pony car or roadsters, but up to low $30s

Well if the mullet mobiles are out then the challenger is also I guess.

That would leave me with the genesis, wrx, g25, ralliart, rx-8, and 370z.

I was thinking miata, but now your criteria has been modified to also throw that out.

If it had to drag itself around by the front wheels only, then I would go with the mini on styling alone

G25 is auto only, Ralliart honestly looks like a POS compared to the competition, and the 370Z is slightly more expensive than the rest (not sure what his price range is).

I second the Genesis and RX-8 though.