VW Tiguan, I read its a GTI on stilts. Its got plenty of room. If you want it in stick you might have to order a new one.

 

I have. I really like what I've read about the new Sonata turbo, but with a manual requirement it's not happening. None around and slightly over budget being brand new.

 

fusion?

or a new buick?

 

I'd say do it!

BUT...GT were auto only...the GXP came in stick...good luck finding one, Id be shocked.

 

G8 GXP = but good luck finding one in your budget.

 

It's almost impossible. He needs something with low mileage....

 

I just picked up a new optima turbo and while it's not a stick it has a six speed shiftable auto. I am amazed at the smooth power delivery and low end torque.

 

I did read good things about the 6 speed auto. There's literally a couple turbos in the Phoenix area and they're over budget. Very cool car though.

 

Ok, so I did a google search and from what I can tell the main difference between the TSI and FSI engines is the TSI is a timing chain instead of a timing belt, as well as an upgraded fuel pump. Is there any other differences?

If I wasn't planning on tuning or modding the car beyond an intake and exhaust, would there be major issues with the FSI?

If you had to choose between an '09 with the TSI w/6spd manual verses an '08 with the FSI w/DSG, which would you pick?

 

Tsi

 

TSI by a country mile, I still go to the VW forum and TSI is way more coveted.

 

I would definately go with the TSI engine.

The main issue with the FSI engine appears to be a problem with the "Cam Follower". If or when it wears prematurely, it will also destroy the fuel pump and camshaft.

I have a 2006 Jetta 2.0T (FSI) with 70K and the engine internally has been flawless over the years. I do worry about the cam follower now that im out of warrenty but members at VWVORTEX have been receiving letters starting last week that the cam follower, fuel pump, camshaft etc are all being extended to 10yrs/120k starting from the vehicles in-service date from VW. Im in Canada but I do hope to here this from VW Canada soon.

I believe these issues as well as some other issues have all been addressed when they released the TSI engine with the 2008.5 models. The upgraded fuel pump is important if you plan on doing a reflash in the future as some people with the earlier FSI models did have issues when doing a reflash.

Although mine has been great if I was to do it over again I would go with the TSI engine just for the extra piece of mind.

I think you would really enjoy the GTI. Although mine is the Jetta, I cant believe its been almost 6 years and i still enjoy the car like i purchased it last year. The reliability is also very good and not as exagerated as many people on most Japanese car forums make it out to be........but I know most people here in car talk know this already.

Hope this helps a little.

 

i been looking at GTI's as well and the cam follower costs about 55 dollars at the dealer and most people change them every 10-20k on the car. its a rather simple job but its still tediouos and if the previous owner didnt do it, you may have cam damage. the GTI i looked at is covered under the warranty until 2016 but nobody has posted about the new cam and its reliability

 

Excellent info, thanks! I have actually been looking at GLIs as well as GTIs. I'm completely dead set on getting a manual tranny on every other car in my price range except for the GTI/GLI. I haven't driven a DSG yet but I have driven a new M3 with the DSG. I know it's not 100% the same, but it's the instant shifting and paddles that I liked a lot and from what I've read/seen the DSG in the VWs are top notch and really liked.

All the 08s I've seen have the FSI engines, I have yet to see one with the TSI, so it'll be easier to stick to '09 and above for searching. I'm intrigued by these cars, so if the MS6 deal falls through I'm going to look hard at the GTI/GLI.

 

Is GTI big enough for your needs?

 

^ IIRC the rear is pretty damn near identical to the MS3. Then again, it could be deceiving like the Civic that could fit the car seat.

 

Don't forget DSG needs servicing every 40k miles too.

 

Yeah, that's what I thought too.

Because when I ride backseat in my friend's GTI, it feels pretty tight.

 

Among quite a few differences here is a small sample:

No more flat tappet cam follower (replaced with roller)

4 lobe camshaft design as opposed to FSI's 3 lobe (more HPFP pumps/rpm)
...more balanced cam shafts in the center of the block on both sides

Injectors have been upgraded

timing chain

revised oil filter location (night and day difference in ease of oil change)

revised air intake (no longer part of the engine cover...yea!)

downpipe change

improved PCV system



I'd go with a TSI over FSI if given the choice.
Not to say I would never go with FSI...but the TSI is that much better.

 

This. I test fit the baby seat in a regular ole Jetta and it fit, well, barely fit. It was at least livable where the MS3 simply wouldn't have been.

 

^ good news!

 

Yep, I know about the servicing on the DSG. It'd be something to consider but since the TSI has a timing chain instead of a belt, that would offset the typical timing belt service that most other cars need.

 

This solidifies my decision to only look at '09s and above. Thank you sir!

 

Good luck!

 

Thanks. I'm going to test drive the MS6 tonight. The title is still not in, which in a good way is a nice excuse to walk away if the car isn't to my liking. We'll see.

 

just had lunch with a Mazda speed owner, and I was telling him your situation he drove the GTI and the MS3 in the same day and he liked the MS3 over the GTI..

So I think the MS6 would do you very nicely.. Let us kno how it drives when u get back from driving it

 

^ The MS3 and GTI both are extremely great vehicles for its price. You just can't go wrong with either.

Some people will like the MS3 more because of its rawness to it.

Some people will like the GTI more because it's more refined.

I guess younger crowd tend to like the MS3 more since when you test drive both cars on the same day, the MS3 has more of that boost kick as a stock form. But really, either car can be tuned to go really fast with some cheap upgrades. So, the stock numbers and performance shouldn't discourage anyone from purchasing either car.

 

This just in from the stuff you need to know desk:

VAG has started to send out letters today to FSI engine owners (certain 2006-2007) models regarding:
INTAKE CAMSHAFT, CAMSHAFT FOLLOWER &HPFP WARRANTY EXTENSION
(2008 FSI engines not covered because they are not BPY)
Warranty has been extended to 10 years or 120,000 miles.

Now everyone go out and get yer FSI on

(disclaimer....check your VIN with VOA...prior to purchase)

 

Funny, I just read that on a VW forum last night, but I didn't know what the extended warranty was in reference to.

 

Nice! More options for you then!

 

So if one buys an FSI with DSG....significant parts of the engine and the transmission on the whole are covered to 100k mi.

 

nobody has reported on the updated B-series cam yet.

 

I test drove the MS6 tonight. The car was everything I thought it would be. Extremely fun to drive and pulled very nicely. There's one thing making me freak out - whiteish smoke out the tailpipe. I read all about Mazda recommending 5w40 to prevent this and he admitted the shop he brought it to put 5w20 in it by accident (made me go hmm), so he's going to have the oil changed tomorrow to 5w40 and make sure it doesn't happen again. This car surely won't be easy on the wallet when it comes to oil changes (7qts of 5w40 full synthetic) and gas mileage (18-20mpg observed mixed driving) with premum gas required.

The Civic Si sedan is starting to sound better and better as a daily driver. Ugh.

 

I guess that means a GTI with DSG would be out too then, since you'd be doing the DSG service ($$$) approx. every other year base on mileage you do per year.

Whatever happened with the LGT? Not considering it anymore? I still think that's the way to go.

 

Well I'm not ruling the GTI out, it's just a lot to consider now that the numbers are starting to roll through the mind. Damn Accord was such a cheap, reliable, fast car it makes every other car seem mucho expensive and unreliable, well, besides the Civic Si sedan.

There are literally zero LGTs w/5spd manuals in the Phoenix area with under 45k miles. Zero. Sucks.

 

I understand about the Accord and have a similar dilemma. My 2000 Coupe has been fantastic, even in the car-hostile snowbelt in which I live. Nothing I've found has come close to measuring up. I was even tempted by an ad for a fairly low mileage '91 Legend recently, but it looks like someone got it.

Also coincidentally, a 5MT Legacy GT with 46K miles showed up at a dealer about 90 miles away from me. If it's still there Monday I may have to take a drive to check it out. The asking price of $20K seems a lot to me for a car pushing 50K miles, though, especially one that will drink a fair amount of premium.

 

It's refreshing to hear someone else with my dilemma. Damn those reliable Accords lol!

The Legacy's hold their resale value. It's tough to pay $20k for a car with 50k miles, I know what you mean. A part of me is kicking myself for passing up the Spec B. That was a sweet car.

 

stay away from the mazda 6. its not worth it

 

based on what? Are you talking about the regular 6 or MS6?

Im curious, really.

Before i test drove my ms3, ive never driven a mazda before. The perception that i had of mazda was like "ghey" "wtf would u get a mazda???"

I was very wrong.

 

damn 5w-40 7 quarts in the MS6,......



glad I just got the 6

I have not heard anything bad about the 6. and I joined 6 crew mazda 6 club issues here and there but those issues are with every car