Mk7 VW GTI

[Madman]

You mean madman likes a European car he'll never buy?! Say it ain't so!

What's not to like about a car that offers a fantastic blend of practicality and a thrilling driving experience?  And who says I'd never buy one, anyway?  Sure, my aversion to depreciation makes me disinclined to buy new, but I can see myself picking up a nice used one in a few years.

I really don't understand the point of your post.  Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this supposed to be a site for enthusiasts who actually enjoy driving?  And isn't that what the GTI is made for in the first place?

[GoCougs]

It is interesting how VW can get the GTI these last few generations so right but most all the rest of their (US) lineup isn't worth much.

[CALL_911]

Agreed. The GTI and Touareg are the only cars in the VW lineup I would recommend. Even the CC, which I like, is too old to be relevant.

[CALL_911]

Golf in general is also solid, although the TDI is pricey

[2o6]

I'd buy a Polo or Up! If it were sold here

[Raza]

Agreed. The GTI and Touareg are the only cars in the VW lineup I would recommend. Even the CC, which I like, is too old to be relevant.

At least it's still on a good chassis.  Being a slightly older design doesn't necessarily mean it's not worthwhile.  The B7 Passat is an example of a car taking big steps back in certain categories to appeal to a different kind of driver over its older predecessor. 

[LonghornTX]

GTI or Golf R?

Been thinking about both. In the past, I didn't think the R was worth it over the standard GTI, but this new Gen car sounds like good fun and possibly worth the money. Ultimately, it will come down to the true delta between them...can't seem to lose with either IMO (though I obviously haven't driven either).

[Catman]

I would just go with the GTI

[veeman]

VW doesn't sell a lot of different models in the US.

Jetta, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg, Golf, GTI, Beetle, and Eos (and some variants of convertible and wagons).  The beetle and eos are not sports cars but stylish cruisers.  The new beetle is an upgrade over its immediate predecessor in every way.  The Tiguan is competitive. 

It makes more sense to say the new Jetta and Passat are disappointing and a downgrade from what they were originally.  VW sedans suck compared with most of what's out there but everything else is decent, very good, or exemplary

IMHO:

shitty:  jetta, passat.
decent:  cc, eos
very good:  tiguan, touareg, beetle
exemplary:  golf, gti.

[CJ]

Exemplary: Jetta Sportwagen TDI.

[veeman]

Exemplary: Jetta Sportwagen TDI.

yeah, that's true.  According to Edmunds:  "Since it's actually a wagon version of the current-generation VW Golf rather than a direct relative of the Jetta sedan, the Jetta Sportwagen looks and feels like Volkswagen's hatchbacks on the inside."

It's really more a variant of the golf than the jetta.  Good point.

[CJ]

I know it's a good point. My parents own one. It's superb.

[SVT32V]

The toureg is not very good. Not sure what it excels at other than high price.

[veeman]

The toureg is not very good. Not sure what it excels at other than high price.

Would you say the same of the Porsche cayenne?

I've never seen a bad review of the Touareg regarding its driving manners, off road worthiness, styling, or interior.  It is overpriced but so are a lot of other large SUVs.  I think it's biggest hampering is lack of a third row. 

[SVT32V]

The cayenne has 500+hp engines, when the toureg has that, I will be more of a fan.

The old toureg had some off-road worthiness in the locking diffs/low speed transfer case, but always had poor articulation. To my knowledge the locking diffs/low spd transfer case are gone leaving a simple awd system. Its off-road credentials are pretty much gone with this move.

[Galaxy]

The cayenne has 500+hp engines, when the toureg has that, I will be more of a fan.

The old toureg had some off-road worthiness in the locking diffs/low speed transfer case, but always had poor articulation. To my knowledge the locking diffs/low spd transfer case are gone leaving a simple awd system. Its off-road credentials are pretty much gone with this move.

For the european market, Touareg II can be ordered with Touareg I's off-road oriented AWD system. Adds around 300kg of weight.

[MrH]

Has the new Range Rover taught us nothing?  I was hoping the idea of locking differentials and solid axles as a requirement for "off-road credentials" was dead.

[Catman]

The Jetta wagon doesn't look all that sporty.

[SVT32V]

Has the new Range Rover taught us nothing?  I was hoping the idea of locking differentials and solid axles as a requirement for "off-road credentials" was dead.

No, it really hasn't taught all that much. Are you really going to argue that an awd system is superior to a properly set up low range locking differential system?

[Catman]

Actually the 2015 looks a lot nicer.

[SVT32V]

For the european market, Touareg II can be ordered with Touareg I's off-road oriented AWD system. Adds around 300kg of weight.

Too bad they still don't offer it the states, I entertained the thought of picking up the previous generation. I would much rather spend this kind of money on a grand cherokee over the new toureg.

[ifcar]

VW doesn't sell a lot of different models in the US.

Jetta, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg, Golf, GTI, Beetle, and Eos (and some variants of convertible and wagons).  The beetle and eos are not sports cars but stylish cruisers.  The new beetle is an upgrade over its immediate predecessor in every way.  The Tiguan is competitive. 

It makes more sense to say the new Jetta and Passat are disappointing and a downgrade from what they were originally.  VW sedans suck compared with most of what's out there but everything else is decent, very good, or exemplary

IMHO:

shitty:  jetta, passat.
decent:  cc, eos
very good:  tiguan, touareg, beetle
exemplary:  golf, gti.

The Jetta drove pretty nicely even before the 2014 upgrade -- consider what it's competing against. The Passat isn't brilliant to drive, but it's pleasant and useful, which is on par with the class. The old Passat was just crazy-expensive and has ceded the upscale quality and price tag to the CC, which makes perfect sense.

Meanwhile, I'd have to disagree on the Tiguan and Touareg, too....I guess we like different types of VW, though I'd agree that the Golf is quite nice.

[Madman]

I've never seen a bad review of the Touareg regarding its driving manners, off road worthiness, styling, or interior.  It is overpriced but so are a lot of other large SUVs.  I think it's biggest hampering is lack of a third row. 

Which is why Volkswagen is going to inflict upon us a three-row CUV to be built at Chattanooga and based on the North American NMS Passat.  Think of it as Volkswagen's Toyota Highlander.  Sure, it will be shit but most importantly for VW, it will be cheap.  And for a company beset with the world's worst case of Toyota Envy, that's all that matters.

[2o6]

Which is why Volkswagen is going to inflict upon us a three-row CUV to be built at Chattanooga and based on the North American NMS Passat.  Think of it as Volkswagen's Toyota Highlander.  Sure, it will be shit but most importantly for VW, it will be cheap.  And for a company beset with the world's worst case of Toyota Envy, that's all that matters.

The Touraeg is 46K starting and can reach in the 60's.



Besides, the Highlander is a great vehicle, as is it's kin such as the Traverse, CX-9, Pilot, etc. VW is missing out on a huge segment in the US with the totally wrong Touraeg.

[Madman]

Besides, the Highlander is a great vehicle, as is it's kin such as the Traverse, CX-9, Pilot, etc. VW is missing out on a huge segment in the US with the totally wrong Touraeg.

I really miss the days when Volkswagen started trends instead of jumping on the bandwagon ten years too late. 

[2o6]

Making a midsized SUV is "Jumping on a bandwagon?"

[CALL_911]

I really miss the days when Volkswagen started trends instead of jumping on the bandwagon ten years too late. 

They missed people buying their cars back then more than they currently miss people missing their trends. Sure, the trend shit was interesting, but only to internet fanboys (read: people who make no difference to their bottom line)

[CALL_911]

Making a midsized SUV is "Jumping on a bandwagon?"

It is, but "jumping on a bandwagon" and capitalizing on a good idea are not mutually exclusive

[Raza]

Actually the 2015 looks a lot nicer.

Damn, that looks fucking sweet.

[Madman]

Damn, that looks fucking sweet.

Yes it does!  Please tell me it's coming here?