I've been seeing a lot of the new MK6 GTIs around and every time I see one, whether it is stock or not, I end up staring at it. I really love the way it looks, especially when it's modded. And there's WAY more of an aftermarket for it than the TL-S. So I've been thinking of getting into one, what do you guys think about this? I realize this is a "step down" from the my current TL-S in terms of the much more upscale interior (IMO), but there are some positives to switching too. Here are my pros and cons of switching from the TL-S to a new loaded GTI...

PROS
-Soo many mods, both visual and performance (2.0T) [With APR Stage II ECU, Turboback Exhaust, and Carbonio Intake the GTI will produce ~280HP | ~315TQ. Not bad at all in that little thing.]
-I love 5-door hatches
-Excellent MPG (24/31) - This is a big deal for me; I'm getting tired of the shit MPG I'm getting from the TL-S.
-Looks outstanding when tastefully modified
-Extremely fun to drive

CONS
-Interior definitely not as nice and "techy" as the TL-S
-Car payment. The payments won't be that high, but I don't have any right now since the TL-S is paid.
-Reliability?
-A LOT of stock/modded GTIs around my area; I see very few even stock TL-S's, let alone a modded one like mine.

Here are some pics I found for you guys to base an opinion. If I were to get one it would be exactly like the following (Candy White, 5-door, DSG) with black leather interior instead of the more common plaid. I'm sure I will change my mind in about 4 or 5 days but I just wanted to hear what some of you thought.











And the current:

 

I am a fan of the GTIs but reliability and maintenance of the TL beats VW. German technology is up there as well. My main reason for sticking with a TL is maintenance cost. But they are nice cars, one of my friend got a R32 and shit is so sexy. Good luck and make no regrets!

 

Not a fan of the front.

 

No payments just sounds so sexy... why give it up?

 

I'm not a big fan of "slammed" cars to begin with, but I think this pic has to be one of the worst offenses to the eyes that can be created.

I love GTI's though. I've thought of possibly getting into one, but the reliability is one of the issues that will probably keep me away.

 

I love the MK VIs. My biggest issue with them is that in base form (Golf) they're quite affordable but once you load up the options, the price balloons to some pretty high levels. People make a big deal about the Mugen Civic being $30k, but a (basically) $17k Golf can easily cost that much as well

If fuel economy is a deal breaker for you, you need to consider a few things. If you're looking at the GTI, unless it's either cheaper than your TL-S after you sell it, and you plan to keep the GTI for a really long time (and assuming it still gets decent gas mileage post-tune) you'll spend more in the end, so the fuel economy thing is kinda moot, if you're just looking at it as "old car vs. new car"

This is why people make a big deal of hybrids being overrated.... yeah, you're getting what, another +10 mpg give or take, but the car costs several thousand more, so it'll take years for a return on investment.

 

+1

 

stick with the TL-S...no payments ftw

 

If you can take the risk of reliability, which btw the gti is one of their more reliable cars, and you dont mind the payments I say go for it.

Personally I love the GTI's and I want one myself.

Dont slam it like that, its not great looking slammed. Lowered sure, but no slam IMO hahah that goes for all cars with me though

 

I'm in the same boat. I've been toying with the idea for a while. Probably will be happening early summer. Except it'll be an upgrade for me from an 02 TLS.

You'll probably have a nice chunk of change to put toward the payment if you part out and sell the TLS. So payments won't be for long either.

Good luck with the decision!

 

Slammed/aired GTI's on oem detroits = :thumbsdow

 

Hey, enjoy your no-car payment

 

i didnt know they came with the plaid interiors... i actually like it

 

^ you get plaid or leather

 

I freaking love that steering wheel. I like the plaid myself, especially with the red stitching

 

I love VWs but I wouldn't go from a TL-S to a GTI. It isn't worth it.

Why don't you get an earlier VW on the side? Then you can go crazy with the mods.

 

Have to agree with the above.

Having no payment means you can take payment money and save it for a sweet down payment on something you can only dream about right now.

 

yeah - having a paid off car at 24 is nice. this is the only opportunity you will have for a long time to set aside money for an upscale car...

your plan to take on PMTs to get into a VW is very backwards - IMO. your taking on more expenses to downgrade your car! - or, for the same amount of $$, you could hold on to the TL for another year and get into a 40k+ car.

the 3G is not that dated. and the GTI is not going to give you much of a "new car feel", even if it does, you are going to find yourself wanting to get out of the GTI in 2 years, with less savings to put towards your next car.

A. Keep TL, upgrade in a year
B. Keep TL, buy an older GTI to tinker with and have on the side.

 

No payments FTW!

 

I love GTIs and I actually considered this as well but gave up on it. I am 23 right now (despite what it says here <-----------) and paid my car off. It feels good owning a car, and not having to think about paying for t any more. Also I think that it's kind of a downgrade from a 3G TLs.

 

I hate hate hate tucking.

 

So, you're one of those trannies that just lets the bulge show?

 

I agree with the others, forget about the GTI, you can pickup an M3 or something down the road maybe. Didn't you used to have different rims btw? If you did, I liked those better.

 

save up for a golf R

 

^ not a bad idea since it looks fking awesome.

 

Don't get one. They are horrible. Unreliable.

 

Of course, it's a VW. Duh.

 

 

They're so good in Thailand, that you will not realize the plumbing is not kosher until you go to fit your pipe and find another pipe. Not good man.

 

Just got a new job so I'm back in the market for a car; looks like it's gonna be the GTI. However, I will be keeping the TL-S as it is now back to stock and giving it to my gf. Will be trading her 08 Civic in on an '11 CPO or new '12 DSG Autobahn. PUMPED!

 

Good luck! I have almost 15k trouble-free miles in the 10 months that I've had it.

 

post pics when you get it

 

good luck

In for pics

 

Nice!

 

Congrats! The MK6's are pretty sweet, you won't regret it.

 

I would hold off. The car markers are going to come up with a lot of small cheap funs with great handling that are very fun to drive. Its not all about speed. Handling is just as fun or more. GTI are freaking expensive except for some here who can trade cars so often.

 

...Have you driven an MK6 GTI?

I was up the in the air about it until I drove one... within 5 minutes of driving it my mind was made up.

And as far as price, I can get a CPO '11 Autobahn with 7K miles for $26K before negotiating and trade. Not bad IMO.

 

Yeah both the MK5 and MK6. The fun lasted till my brain realized I would be car poor meaning the payments would take away from me having nice clothes, good meals out etc, a vacation or 2 per year.

 

TL-S is so much nicer than the GTI.

No payment.

 

I love GTI's, had one way back in 99. They are nice, but now your gf will have the nicer car!