horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Quicker only in certain conditions; if the driver asks for something the transmission is not expecting, it tends to get confused and takes a very long time to select the proper gear. True, in a flat out 0-60 or quarter mile, the DSG versions may well be a tenth or two faster, but in the real world, not so much.

SamDoe1

How so? If you're bored driving the GTI with any transmission, you're doing it wrong or are sitting in traffic.

If you reach your hands just behind the steering wheel at 9 and 3 there are these paddles (labeled + and -). If you pull them, the transmission will change into whatever gear you want whenever you want. I'd say that the DSG is faster all around than the manual. This is why they don't make manual transmission cars when you get up to the higher levels of performance. The manual is slower in almost every situation, get over it.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Clearly you haven't driven the DSG in a real world setting. Using the paddles and selecting a gear when the transmission is anticipating a different gear is exactly what screws up the gear changes.

SamDoe1

I drive a DSG Golf R every day.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Maybe they've updated the DSG software on the R; the software on the stock GTI sucked muy-much. Regardless, the loss of involvement with the car ain't worth a couple of tenths of a second.

00TL-P3.2

We all have our reasons & preferences.
From what I've been reading, it's all in knowing how the DSG works & knowing how to get it to do what you want. IE: If you're accelerating & try to downshift, it's going to take slightly longer as the trans has the next higher gear 'pre-selected' & is expecting an upshift. Same in converse with an upshift while braking. If you do something converse to what the computer expects it's understandably going to take a delay to accomplish.

00TL-P3.2

Just heard back from my ins agent on the GTI. Seems the 2018 doesn't exist in his system, so he ran numbers on a 2017 Autobahn. Premiums higher than the F150
Can't win in this. Part of the point was to cut the annual vehicle cost (ins, note, fuel) & get into something enjoyable to drive.

Luckily, I'm in no hurry & can wait until the real 2018 numbers are available.

TacoBello

SamDoe1

Look at a different company for insurance. My Golf costs less to insure than my wife's 2007 Accord...mostly because Progressive doesn't recognize a Golf R as a different car, it just comes up as a Golf when you give them the VIN number.

nanxun

This, right here. This makes me very happy!

nanxun

FYI.

https://jalopnik.com/what-do-you-wan...-ma-1825825110

kurtatx

250 HP is pretty great.

nanxun

I agree, but I wonder how that power is put down and what it feels like through the rev range, esp. with that turbo?

Folks are saying there's lots of torque down low on the new Mazda6.

My 3G TL made 256hp when new and has that VTEC (Yo!) bump up around 4500 rpms, which I absolutely love.... Wondering how the new Mazda6 compares.

00TL-P3.2

Maybe, my agent is independent & can shop multiple carriers. May have him price us on a few carriers & see what comes up.

00TL-P3.2

Also, by my numbers, it would save me a whopping $40-60/month. Figured by actual fuel numbers comparison via Fuelly on the F150 & estimating between 25-30mpg on the GTI.

00TL-P3.2

Thoughts?
Local dealer has $4,200 off MSRP on a GTI Autobahn? Good deal, or can more be had? They're the lowest in Houston on an Autobahn.
I also think, if I sign up as a member of SCCA (65+local dues) it nets another $500 off. Have read $500 off and $500 under invoice, not sure the current status of the deal, would need to make sure all discounts/incentives/rebates are retained as well.

nanxun

FWIW, a dealer in my area has listings for GTI Autobahns claiming to offer $6.5k off the MSRP ($37-$37.5k). Of course, those numbers are designed to lure you into the dealership or to call, so ....

Anyway, here's a link to that dealer's GTI inventory:

https://www.sheehyspringfieldvw.com/...anchor-model-3

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

No Autobahn models with the 6MT.

SamDoe1

Are you willing to travel to get it? If no then I think it's decided already. If you're willing to travel, there are MANY advertised at just over $30k for a DSG.

I spoke to these guys when buying my Golf, the advertised price is definitely bait.

00TL-P3.2

Planning on a DSG.
Not opposed to travelling, but makes trade value more difficult, unless I can manage to private party sell the F150 ahead of time.
Thea dealer posted above has a Night Blue for 6.5k off, attractive numbers for sure.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

More's the pity, my wife's 2012 6MT and my brother's 2017 6MT models were/are a joy to shift.

00TL-P3.2

The closest 6MT Autobahns are 150-250 miles away, and only in red or pure white (both low on my personal color choice list). If I were looking for a Mazda 3 or Focus, a manual would be the only option, but having driven the DSG in the GTI & Alltrack, I'd more more than satisfied with it for me.

I'd have to go almost 500 miles to find the closest 6MT Autobahn in a desirable color for me.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

That's exactly why we did a factory order for both our 2012 GTI and our 2016 Mazda3. The only rub was there was an earthquake in Japan during the build of our Mazda, and that really screwed up the just-in-time manufacturing process; we ordered the car in late March, didn't get it until July.

SamDoe1

Can use the national prices as a negotiation tool though $6500 off is a damn good deal. That's almost a 20% discount off of MSRP. I wish dealers were willing to do that kind of discount for the R.

00TL-P3.2

Will have to talk with the salesguys at the 2 dealers closest to me & see if they'll play ball with the VA dealers pricing as leverage.
Under $34.5k OTD is my goal.

00TL-P3.2

Looking around a bit today, the cheapest in TX, in Iron Blue, GF Green, or Pure White is just over $33k. Will have to make some calls & start some negotiations.
Average discount is just over $3k, with the dealer by my office having $4200 off.

majin ssj eric

Good lord, you switch preferences so much that whatever you end up with will just be whatever you happened to like at that particular time! I too have found this segment to be very difficult to narrow down because there are so many great options at the ~$35k mark for roomy 4-door sedans/hatches. I'm still in the preliminary stages of narrowing down my preferences to replace my 2009 Genesis sedan (which has been the best car I've ever owned btw) and there are a LOT of great cars to consider.

The new Accord 2.0T Touring is still my #1 target right now as I love the styling inside and out, the driving dynamics are best in class, the feature-set is extensive, and Honda seems to be throwing money at these cars to move leftover 2018's already. I know everything is subjective but I just cannot understand why ANYBODY would choose the Camry XSE over the Accord 2.0T Touring, other than Camry fanboys and those who just HAVE to have a V6 because they think it makes them cooler. Don't get me wrong, the new Camry is a great car, but the Accord is just better in most scenarios.

I've also got that Mazda 6 Signature on my radar as well because let's face it, it is clearly the prettiest of the midsize sedans in the segment, on the outside anyway (I still prefer the Accord's interior in Touring trim). The 6 and the Accord are actually quite similar when you really look into them, but the Accord just seems to perform better even if the specs show the Mazda SHOULD be faster. Its really a toss-up between the two though and each has compelling cases to be made.

I would LOVE to be able to stretch into a new Stinger GT but in order to match the feature content of the Accord Touring you pretty much have to go with a GT1 or GT2, and those things are just way out of my price range. Maybe all of these dire depreciation predictions you guys keep mentioning will come true and I'll be able to snag a barely-used GT2 for $35k or so next year? We'll see.

As far as the GTi goes, I'm kinda surprised this is the direction you are currently going in considering the cars you've been talking about up til now. I just don't see the attractiveness personally. Its a much smaller car than the Accord or the Stinger as well as being a "hot hatch" rather than the larger, sedan-like cars you've been considering. I also can't seriously compare the dated interior of the GTi to such modern and beautiful interiors as the new Accord, 6 Sig, Stinger GT, or even the Camry. The GTi is obviously a far simpler, turn-and-squirt little hatch that compares better to the Civic Si or TR than it does to the Accord or 6. But hey, if that's what you want then get it! Should be able to get a pretty good deal on a GTi since they are not all-new like the other cars.

00TL-P3.2

True, I've drifted around quite a bit & have probably overthought/over researched it to death.

If the Stinger Premium + tech was MSRP around 33-35k it'd be top of the list, but at $40k it's a no-go.

The Accord & 6 I put pretty equal to each other. The Accord Touring is a bit higher MSRP than the 6 GTR, but likely has a bit more cash on the hood, so they are probably pretty close OTD. The Signature was out for us, really didn't like the Chestnut interior, and the Parchment was a no-go with 2 kids.

I liked the Genesis/G80, but it was barely a break even with the F150. With it being just me, or me +1 the majority of the time, I also didn't really need a car that size.
Went into this whole thing really wanting to pick up a W205 Mercedes, but the numbers weren't working in my favor. The C400/C450 that I originally looked at were a huge increase in insurance premiums & any in our budget were higher mileage. C300s, I couldn't find exactly what I wanted within 3-400 miles, so that was out too.

The GTI is by far the most fun to drive & once July incentives are out, I'll be making some calls to try to get a deal. It wasn't originally on my radar, as I was only searching for a fun & roomy sedan. The GTI/Golf R threads here got me to go check on out. Was pretty surprised that my 2 kids int heir car seats fit with enough leg room in the back.
The GTI is 'refreshed' for 2018, but not all new. If I can get it done for under $35k OTD I think it'll be a go.

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

After buying my Ody, I have no doubt I could snag an Accord Touring for 34k OTD....

majin ssj eric

Some dealers are outright advertising $33k for 2.0T Touring Accords on their websites, I have found, so $34k OTD seems like almost a given. Of course, Honda is offering aggressive incentives right now (on top of the typical summer drive time specials) so that is obviously subject to change. For me, I just feel the new Accord is a damn home run for Honda as it is pretty much #1 in its segment in most categories, and its been so long since there was a Honda/Acura that really interested me that I'm kinda itching to get back to my Honda roots and finally purchase one again. My last Honda was my brand new 2006 Civic Si (bought it on release when they were still marking them up) and haven't seen anything from them other than the previous generation Accord that really motivated me enough to even consider one (I still really like the 2013-2017 model but the way they did the segmentation and optioning really turned me off; to get the car I'd want I'd have to go with the Touring which I don't find near as compelling as the new Touring or especially the 2.0T Sport, which is at least based on the EX optioning rather than the LX like the previous Sport).

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

F23A4

SamDoe1

Given that they just added that same unibrow to both the HRV and the Pilot, my guess is that it's here to stay. Doesn't look bad at all in the black chrome of the Sport models. Can always vinyl wrap the actual chrome ones if you hate it.

00TL-P3.2

The black chrome brow is an option on the other trims.

As far as mid-size sedans, the 6 takes the cake in the looks dept.

Looking yesterday, it looks like current VW incentives expire on 7/9, so I'll have to start making some calls.

SamDoe1

Accord and Camry are bigger physically but when it comes to useful space, hatchback > *. The Golf can carry a crap load of stuff due to the hatchback configuration and I can easily (and comfortably) sleep in the back of mine if needed, not something you can do with a sedan. Also, the sporty Golf models drive a crapload better than the Accord does. I did the same comparison before buying mine and was just not that taken away with the Accord in terms of driving dynamics. If you want a good average car at a good price, the Accord is it. If you want something that's fast/fun and economical at the same time, the GTI/R is hard to beat.

00TL-P3.2

The Accord & 6 were top of my list, as I hadn't even considered the hatch group.

Sam & the other guy with the white GTI got to posting & get me looking at VW. After a couple test drives, the GTI is a much more fun car to drive, with the only slight downside being the slightly smaller amount of back seat space. Plus, it'll fit in my garage with a lot less reconfiguration, as it's a good bit shorter than the Accord/6.

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

GTI is nice though. I wouldn't mind getting one. Now with the van I no longer need a truck.

SamDoe1

Yup, that and a 6/72 warranty. Send it.

F23A4

majin ssj eric

Well of course styling is always subjective, but I actually really like the front design on both the new Accord and Civic. I really fail to see what is so dramatically offensive about the chrome grill? We are certainly not talking about anything nearly as offensive as the beak on the 2009 TL's. Yeah, yeah, people hate on chrome (and chrome isn't my favorite either), but lest we forget that the 2013-2017 Accords had an awful lot of chrome on their grills as well. In my opinion, there is almost always knee-jerk negative reactions to brand new designs across the board, especially when the outgoing model is well loved and I think we are seeing at least a little bit of that here with the 2018 Accord, and I fully expect those negative opinions of its styling to soften as time goes by, like it usually does as a new model becomes established and familiar.