2010 Volkswagen GTI: Introduction

I figured you guys would've gone for the TDI version. But should be a good compare/contrast to the MS3.

Not my first choice, but a solid one non the less.

I predict that this will become the new favorite over the MS3.

I have never liked those wheels, but VW can't seem to get enough of 'em. Cool car, though.

Great choice! It seems like a lot of people have been clamoring for a GTI ever since the MS3 came along, and it will be interesting to see VW has improved reliability over the Mk IV and V.

Am I right to assume that this is still a FWD hatchback or is AWD?

You have *GOT* TO CHIP THIS! I have a MKV GTI and they are a different beast witha simple chip! It takes 30 minutes and you get nearly 100 extra ft lbs!

DO IT!

I also recommend reflashing the ECU with stage 1 software. You can get it from GIAC they're based in Irvine so pretty close to you guys. But no HIDs?? I have a Carbon Steel Gray 4 door GTI :D

I really wish you guys had gotten the DSG. IMO that's what gives affordable Audi/VW cars their character, nothing can touch that transmission.
I can't remember who said it but it was one of your long-term staffers that commented "its the transmission, more than the engine, that gives cars their character these days."
The 2.0T coupled with the dual clutch in that light(ish) body makes for an absolutely awesome drive. It keeps the RPMs at the perfect point where the turbo is always ready.

Oh well....let the MS3 is better talk begin. It's bound to happen....manual to manual...the MS3 is a better hotrod...its the DSG that gives the GTI its flavor.

Great choice, and glad you guys got the 6-speed manual!!

Silly me...I forgot...

CHIP THIS BEAST.

Then set it back to stock when you sell it....GIAC and APR both have switchable programs...do it through the cruise control stock etc.

It really does change the entire car...without a single change in the mechanics.

As expected, the GTI is here.

Great! I have about narrowed the choice for my next car down to an MX-5 or a GTI, and you guys get both! This is my lucky month. I'm glad you got the manual too. I initially was considering the DSG, but now I'm thinking I'll go manual if it works out well. I also considered the Mazdaspeed3, but besides the poor styling decisions, it just didn't feel right sitting in it. On the other hand, I sat in the GTI and loved it. I haven't had the chance to drive either, so I'll be following along carefully.

Nice! But it's missing two doors and the previously mentioned DSG. :-(

You don't need DSG. Yeah, yeah, it's quicker and all that, but there's nothing like a stick. Besides, these cars are so easy to drive with a manual it's not even worth dropping the dough on the DSG.
I've had an A2 and an A4 GTI -- is it time to get another? Not before the E46 M3...

Can't wait to see the MS3/GTI faceoff.

Excellent - one of my favorite cars!

Oooh. GOOD PICK.

this was no shock, everyone called this from the start.

whats the last car? Its a sedan with a four cylinder and stick.

I'd guess a TSX or Legacy.

I'm really looking forward to this car. Its a strong contender for my next vehicle (although hopefully buy then the Mazda3 and WRX will have become a little less hideous...).

fun choice.

too bad it's refrigerator white...

ps 'candy white' is an awful color name. candy red, candy green maybe....but white candy?

+1 on getting the manual. I tried the DSG and thought there was WAAAAAAYYY too much lag from a stop. Once it got going it was nice, but the manual was a better fit and drove much nicer.

-1 on not waiting for a 4-door! Still a good choice of vehicle.

Love the wheels.

And 4/4 will be a Corvette ZR1. Yup. Ferrari 308 --> Ford GT --> Audi R8 --> Nissan GTR --> Corvette ZR1

Great choice, love the plaid seats!

OOoh, I just can't wait for the introduction of the Aveo

I think the next LT car is either the new Sonata or the Kizashi. They both fit the profile.

Nice solid choice for the budget enthusiast (probably 90% of the IL audience). Sucks you couldn't get the 4-door, even with a few more options.

I'm glad you didn't go DSG. I've driven it numerous times and found it to be a wonderful driving automatic transmission......but an automatic trans nonetheless (yes, I know there is no torque converter....an automatic transmission is any transmission which shifts automatically, even though their is the driver option as well). If I can't slip the power delivery myself, then it's an automatic transmission.

I'm very curious to hear your impressions of the ride quality of this latest generation. I found the last one to be "germanic" in terms of tightness but comfort, but at the sacrifice of a very rubber-band like feeling over undulations.

I haven't followed this too closely but I believe this engine still suffers a longevity issue with....and i'm totally going off memory here....cam followers? From what I remember reading, whatever it was was a simple DIY job but needed to be replaced every 30-40k miles or so.

Lastly: I had no idea VW got rid of the standard HIDs on this car. Wow. Never expected that. I was very impressed by VW giving this car standard HIDs at the 22k price point back in 2006.

Joe

Awesome! I can't wait to see if the reliability is any better versus the '98 GTI my friend owned. He sure got his money's worth out of the extended warranty.

Excellent. I'll look forward to following this one with interest. Particularly since the bulk of your new vehicle introductions of late have been singularly uninspiring.

Nice choice. Now, bring on the Stage 1 re-flash!

"I think the next LT car is either the new Sonata or the Kizashi. They both fit the profile."

The Sonata they tested has a manual so perhaps thats the new long term car.

I'm very excited about this car. Good choice guys. I'm glad you got the stick too, I really want to know your opinions on it.

Now, I'm all for reading about this car.

I love how VW executed the appearance of this car as it looks high end, polished, sophisticated yet still youthful enough to emit its fun character.

I also like the power of the 2.0T however the sounds it emits arent as enjoyable. Sounds like my hydrostatic lawn mower. Has VW fixed that?

A great choice- with a proper transmission as well. It should be an entertaining read. If forced to go FWD again I'd pick the GTI over the 2010 MS3.

I like it! You set out just as I would: 4-door with MT. This car is just packaged so well with great back seat room, even in 2-door. I hope this car does well, 'cause I also fear VW reliability, though I have never owned one.

I test drove the previous gen GTI last year. The manual shifter felt like it was shoved in a cup of plastic forks. I can only hope they've made it better, otherwise it was a reasonably fine German car.

"I haven't followed this too closely but I believe this engine still suffers a longevity issue with....and i'm totally going off memory here....cam followers? From what I remember reading, whatever it was was a simple DIY job but needed to be replaced every 30-40k miles or so." - joefrompa

@joefrompa - That was the last-generation FSI (EA113) engine. The new EA888 has totally eliminated that cam follower by using a timing chain instead, and does not need follower replacements - it's also much easier to change the oil on due to the filter placement and oil pan design. This is from first hand experience on my Mk6 GTI.

You guys should've gone with the DSG transmission - at least it's somewhat new technology etc. and isn't that what you should be reporting about? I didn't realize that all Edmunds' staffers were such excellent drivers, that only a true manual trans. would suffice? Believe it or not, but sometimes these new fangled devices called dual-clutch transmissions can actually make a car faster, while being no less fun to drive! You guys already blew it by not specifying the M3 with BMW's M-DCT trans., but what do I know, as I've personally only owned over 40 different cars thus far.

No, they are not going to chip or re-flash the vehicle ... that would destroy all reliability data they collect.

And yeah, when you chip a turbo VW, you are going to wear out the turbo and transmission faster ...

CharlesnCharge - I realize owning 40 different vehicles will give you a better spectrum of experiences, but I don't believe it promises any greater insight into what other people enjoy....

I'm on the other side than you, personally. I've driven the DSG and similar transmissions, and I find it bothersome, less involving, and less subjectively quick. Sure the shift times are faster than I can accomplish, but so what? I can't slip power delivery at my own pace, and pushing a button is not the same as moving a lever that has 7 choices of location.

I wholly accept that a DSG transmission is technologically more advanced. However, I still find a manual transmission to be the best choice for myself as an enthusiast, and for those interested in long-term ownership. Heck, if Toyota made more manual transmission'd cars, maybe they'd be in a place better right now :)

Would have been interesting if you got a DSG. You could have seen if you had the same problems that Car and Driver had with their Jetta TDI long termer, or the problems that the Autoblog guys were talking about last week. The expected VW techincal problems are starting to rear their head in DSG land, me thinks.

Sweet choice, finally a cool car. Down with the Crosstour, Up with the GTI. GTI FTW.

@joefrompa:

With all due respect there Joe, while I generally agree with most of your opinions/posts, we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.
I believe there's somewhat of a distinction between driving a DSG, or equivalent trans. equipped vehicle, i.e. dual-clutch, vs. actually owning one. Previous owner of an '08 R32, Evo X MR, and there also being an '06 GTI w/DSG parked in my garage that I always used to have access, I'll stick with my opinion that IL's somewhat short-changing its readers by not opting for this bit of new automotive transmission technology.
AutoCar Magazine has recently driven/tested both the new Golf R model, along with Scirocco R, in both manual & DSG - their conclusion: DSG suits both cars the best!

Now, I know it boils down to personal preference, but the more you drive DCT/DSG equipped cars, the more you tend to like 'em. I used to be a manual trans. supporter 100%, but judging from my experiences with the aforementioned cars, I'm now a convert.

Checkout what C/D's April issue has to say about the new Porsche 911 Turbo, equipped with...wait for it...their version of DSG - w/7-speeds! How does 11.0 @ 128 mph grab ya? That's what virtually seamless shifting will do, not to mention superfast shifts!

@charlesncharge -- while I have respect for your opinion on the DSG vs manual issue, I think the IL guys made the right call here. Their objective was to get into the car at the lowest cost possible. Definitely can't do that with the DSG. I will trust the tests that say the DSG is quicker and ultimately faster, but I too have driven one and didn't really like it.
As for the Porsche Turbo's times, well hell, it's a Porsche Turbo!

"The expected VW technical problems are starting to rear their head in DSG land, me thinks."

The DSG needs a fluid change every 40,000 miles- yet many dealers don't know that salient fact. Over on VW Vortex there was a thread concerning those ignorant dealers. I called my five nearest dealers and only one knew the service requirements of the DSG. That's not to say that the DSG might not have inherent problems, but VW's notoriously incompetent US dealer network may be playing a major role with regards to the reliability-or lack thereof-of the DSG.

There seems to be a severe shortage of four-door GTIs without all the pricey options. All the dealers in my area are stocked with bloated ones, some surpassing $30K. A little too steep for an enthusiast on a budget, and with a small family. I've enjoyed my two-door Mk5, but I'm disappointed with all the interior rattles. Otherwise, it's been pleasantly reliable, frugal on the gas, and really fun to drive. However, the Mazdaspeed 3 is significantly less expensive, especially without the tech package.

Prediction: Inside Line will prefer the euro feel of the GTI, then repeatedly say "Ohhh, if it only had the Mazdaspeed 3's horsepower (or more)" .

"There seems to be a severe shortage of four-door GTIs without all the pricey options. All the dealers in my area are stocked with bloated ones, some surpassing $30K."

The incompetence of the Louisville VW dealers coupled with VWOA's idiotic option bundling kept me from buying a five-door GTI back in 2007. The dealers had absolutely no interest in ordering a car, even telling me the process would take 5-6 months(!). VWOA for its part wouldn't allow me to get premium sound without a hole in the roof, or heated seats without leather.

I hear you, Roadburner. VW dealers here in the NYC area aren't much better. From sales to service, it's a full-on migraine. I was practically laughed at when I inquired about the possibility of a four-door back in '07. I don't care how classy the interior is in the new one, I'm not forking over 30-large.

"I'm not forking over 30-large."

Not for a GTI. That kind of money in the pre-owned market can get you an E46 M3, a 335i, an S4, or a Boxster.

It it were a GTD I'd like it more.

I love this car. I like accessible cars like this one, the miata, the mazdaspeed, the xc60, and the terrain. All cars I would consider (the hatch for me, the suv for my wife) keep these purchases going. I would rather read about two 25,000 dollar cars than one 50,000 dollar luxury car that I could never drive. Good work on the car selection recently, very good indeed.

IL needs to keep it past its warranty so all the VW fanboys can see this playout:
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings/dependability-ratings-by-brand/sortcolumn-1/ascending/page-#page-anchor

just got mine yesterday! :D VERY satisfied.
Cant wait to read more about it.

I live in malaysia so we get the euro spec ones. (ACS and more sophisticated engine)