There are now 22,145 miles on the GTI's odometer and it's past the year mark, which means it shall soon be departing to the big cloud in the sky (and by cloud I mean "list" and by sky I mean "old long-term cars in the lower right-hand corner of this page"). This makes me sad, because the GTI is not only one of my favorite all-time long-termers but also one of my favorite cars, period. I haven't been driving it that much since new long-term cars began flooding our garage like ... OK, so now's not really the time to be making flooding metaphors, but you get the idea. We have a lot of new long-termers and old ones get less attention.
So before the GTI sails off into the sunset (see, get the symbolism of that photo? Clever, I know), I thought I'd drive it home one last time to experience what life would be like if I didn't have this job and actually owned my own car. That's right, barring the funds needed to by an XJ Supercharged or CLS63 AMG, I'd get a four-door GTI modestly equipped just like ours. Hell, even with said funds, I'd probably own one in addition to those. And a ski boat. And this home theater.
Crap, what the hell was I talking about? Oh yes, the GTI. Wonderful car, one of the best cars you can buy today. I shall miss it, but it shall at least forever be placed alongside the 135i, Challenger and S5 on the mantle of my all-time favorites.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 22,145 miles
eldaino2 says:
11:26 AM, 03/30/11
awwww.
i feel your pain sir.
great shot too, and despite being partial to the gti, i think the blog was great in highlighting its good and not so good points, and its general all-around awesomeness.
and with the exception of some annoying sounds and weird a/c smell, it wasnt the bucket of bolts people make these cars out to be.
another 22k and i'm sure you guys would have had the same experience i have: kinda pricey maintenance, expensive tires, but decent on gas, fun to drive, and reliable.
northsparrow says:
12:01 PM, 03/30/11
I thought IL was going to hang on to this for another year to see if it fell apart or not. Now we'll never know and the great VW debate will continue ad infinitum.
Before you let it go would you please check if pressing the horn causes the engine to stall the way it does in the new Jetta?
powell_jr says:
12:02 PM, 03/30/11
87 octane dyno run?
ms3omglol says:
12:19 PM, 03/30/11
Good bit of writing here. Note to other editors at Inside Line: More of the funny and less of the cruise control/airbag seam nitpicking.
blueguydotcom says:
12:24 PM, 03/30/11
Nice little cars. I'm still torn on them as they're so much fun to drive, feel buttoned down when you want to relax, can be economical and overall have a good amount of utility with 4 doors.
The GTI v. the Golf TDI, to me, is still a tough call. While the engine is great on the GTI, getting 10 more MPGs for gas costing about the same means the TDI would have a clear advantage.
teampenske3 says:
12:32 PM, 03/30/11
Yeah, where's the dyno run?
This is really sad. My second favorite long term car, after the new Mustang, is going away. Beautiful photo. I really enjoyed the blog. I think this was the first one I completely followed, start to finish. But, like Michael Jordan's career and Notre Dame's basketball season all good things must come to an end.
seppoboy says:
12:46 PM, 03/30/11
GTI is a fabulous car, but so is the Golf TDI. Four doors is definitely the way to go. Yes, it's a European make, so the maintenance is important and can't be done by a high-turnover, low cost auto service chain like the Asian makes, but that's a fact of nature for any Euro make. This example will make someone a nice used car buy.
audisport says:
01:01 PM, 03/30/11
Good long termer...
If only they offered the Golf GDI here like in Europe we could all have our GTi w/diesel wants satisfied.
Enjoyed reading about the GTI. I too wish they would keep this car indefinately so we could see the long term reliability of the 2.0T.
blueguydotcom says:
02:33 PM, 03/30/11
@audi - agree with you on both points.
milleman says:
02:39 PM, 03/30/11
Aaah well, so much for you asking your readers for their requests about what they'd like to see InsideLine address prior to selling the car. Or might you still do that as you await a buyer?
(As I recall, direct comparisons to pricier Euro cars, 17"vs 18", summer tires, free ECU performance flash, 87 octane dyno, long-term reliability testing...)
zcalvert says:
03:53 PM, 03/30/11
well, yeah, there are reasons that those of us who own them like them so much...
... and contrary to popular opinion, it's not because we're mindless devotees to the cult of VW.
atomic13 says:
04:17 PM, 03/30/11
@blueguy: "The GTI v. the Golf TDI, to me, is still a tough call. While the engine is great on the GTI, getting 10 more MPGs for gas costing about the same means the TDI would have a clear advantage."
+100. I'm actually having this debate with myself right now. Trying to figure out if one holds an advantage over the other for what I need it to do. Leaning toward TDI but I still have a bit of time before I'm able to pick one up so more time to keep debating.
IL, thanks for sharing the GTI as a long termer. This was a fun car I enjoyed following, even with all the name-calling and general silliness in the comments sometimes lol
velocity_x says:
05:25 PM, 03/30/11
Is this car listed online....autotrader perhaps.....for sale yet ?
eldaino2 says:
07:00 PM, 03/30/11
Atomic: I agree, and I'm glad none of those trolls are here.
Unless you are buying used, and depending on the options, the tdi is the efficiency winner.
But no plaid seats lol. In retrospect, if I had the choice, id have gotten the tdi because I drive far on my commute.
fuel_on_fire85 says:
03:53 AM, 03/31/11
You guys should fill the void by buying a TDI golf. We need to see if this is a reasonable alternative to hybrid/electric...
eclogite says:
05:59 AM, 03/31/11
Best home theater setup ever.
nseymour says:
08:19 AM, 03/31/11
Wonder if you guys will list this on Ebaymotors or Cars.com ?
f1fannewyork says:
08:39 AM, 03/31/11
I'm about to buy a car mostly for commuting and want something that's fun, economical, mid $20k's, but still practical enough for when others are in the car. I have the GTI at the top of the list. I also looked at (but have not test driven) the Golf TDI. On paper it looks really slow, not fun to drive - thoughts / other suggestions (also looking at mini, 3 Hatch, Sonata) ?
chrisa222 says:
08:43 AM, 03/31/11
Man I was hoping you guys would do the free trial APR tune so we could see what thats about. Damn! Also the octane test.....
panerai250 says:
08:58 AM, 03/31/11
Keep It so we can see how It acts as the miles accumulate,thats my only real concern In reguards to this hh.
cr_driver says:
09:44 AM, 03/31/11
"I thought IL was going to hang on to this for another year to see if it fell apart or not. Now we'll never know and the great VW debate will continue ad infinitum."
Yeah, 30k more miles would have been nicer.
bmw__m5 says:
04:36 PM, 03/31/11
I own an M5 and every time I see one these I'm always inclined to say "nice car", especially when its clean and in Black with a 6 speed.
f1ndler says:
06:26 PM, 03/31/11
to bmw__m5: That's the one I got - clean, black and 6 speed:)
Dear IL, I was hoping for two things before you sell it:
1: APR Stage 1 with Summer rubber test
2: 87 Octane test
bmw__m5 says:
07:57 PM, 03/31/11
@f1ndler
Spot on, and better yet try the stage III turbo kit. I really liked the idea of this car car was concerned about toque steer and wheelspin. Plus, I got my 08' M5 for $34k.