[boneca]

Hi guys, I believe similar topic has been discussed before but I can’t seems to find it, maybe it was a long time ago!

Anyway, I just started to look for daily driver (not a beater) but something I will like and enjoy no less (maybe little less) than my M!

I was planning to get a second car for daily for about 2 years now but every time something more important was coming up and I was putting this idea on back seat.

So finally, I recently crossed 100k mile mark on my X5M about 4 months ago (the warranty ran out at the same time) and I’m already at 108k+ so I decided to revisit the idea.

My daily commute anywhere between 80-120 miles depending on the day (95% highway miles)

My budget somewhere between 10k – 15k.

I understand that with this budget I won’t be able to get a new car which is ok. So this means the Rabbit is out (brand new for 2019), Golf R used I can find for about $18k-$20k but I don’t want to finance!

Based on my research I see GTIs between 2010-2014 sell for anywhere between 10k-15k with approximately 70k miles or I can find a Golf for about the same money with about 35k miles.

I really don’t want Golf, I’m torn between GTI and Golf R even though Golf R is stretch!

Also I’m looking for 4 door, manual only, have a color preference but this is not as important.

Let me know u thought?

I appreciate it!

[Red Bread]

14 is the first year of the Mk7, which is about 150 pounds lighter than the Mk6 and has fully defeatable stability control.

I debated a new Mk7 SE vs a Mk6 R before buying my SE. I now have a second one after the earlier one met an early, unusual death.

The R is a little quicker, although not as much as the power would suggest, but the ones I've driven feel less eager to rev than the GTI and just slightly dulled overall.

Be aware that Mk7 clutches are very weak. If you tune, you'll need a new clutch relatively quickly. The Neuspeed box doesn't have a low torque setting, but APR does. Definitely use that until you get a better clutch.

The sunroof absolutely squeaks, but it's nice to have and larger than the average car in this category. I hate sunroofs but like having this one. Tartan seats are nice. My first one had pleather and it was nothing special.

It's a great daily, a better clutch, a tune and a set of decent tires and I really haven't missed having a faster, rwd car. If some one builds a 3,000 pound, rwd, manual sedan/hatch I'd leave the GTI camp in a second, but no one's going to do that.

Probably worth noting that the Mk8 goes into production in a few months, Mk7 values will drop once that happens. Just as they did when VW USA doubled the warranty on 18 and on models.

[boneca]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

14 is the first year of the Mk7, which is about 150 pounds lighter than the Mk6 and has fully defeatable stability control.

I debated a new Mk7 SE vs a Mk6 R before buying my SE. I now have a second one after the earlier one met an early, unusual death.

The R is a little quicker, although not as much as the power would suggest, but the ones I've driven feel less eager to rev than the GTI and just slightly dulled overall.

Be aware that Mk7 clutches are very weak. If you tune, you'll need a new clutch relatively quickly. The Neuspeed box doesn't have a low torque setting, but APR does. Definitely use that until you get a better clutch.

The sunroof absolutely squeaks, but it's nice to have and larger than the average car in this category. I hate sunroofs but like having this one. Tartan seats are nice. My first one had pleather and it was nothing special.

It's a great daily, a better clutch, a tune and a set of decent tires and I really haven't missed having a faster, rwd car. If some one builds a 3,000 pound, rwd, manual sedan/hatch I'd leave the GTI camp in a second, but no one's going to do that.

Probably worth noting that the Mk8 goes into production in a few months, Mk7 values will drop once that happens. Just as they did when VW USA doubled the warranty on 18 and on models.

I appreciate u thoughts here, very good points!
It's true that I can find GTI mk7 cheaper than Golf R mk6!

would love to have all wheel drive as well but I already have one if needed!

curious if I should wait few more months to see how the mk7 prices will change after mk8 announcement!

[The Wind Breezes]

Regular GTI is fine, you will enjoy it. Golf R really overrated.

[Red Bread]

Don't get too excited about Haldex. It's true that VW/Audi's version sends about 10% to the rear at all times, but it only transfers more with slip and the R doesn't have the front mechanical LSD of the Performance Package GTI's.

In my experience the Mk7 GTI drives better than the nearly 300 pound heavier Mk6 R, and being able to kill the nannies is nice too.

[BEM-S4]

Look for a sport model with plaid seats. It was the least expensive level with the good bits from the R and has Apple car play so should be fine from a tech perspective. Lower model didn't get good brakes and suspension, higher than sport you were paying for bigger screen, nav, leather, crap you don't need.

The R is overrated, not worth the step up from GTI. Hell on the current lineup across VW and Audi I don't think any of them are worth the $ premium versus GTI until you get to RS3.

[boneca]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Look for a sport model with plaid seats. It was the least expensive level with the good bits from the R and has Apple car play so should be fine from a tech perspective. Lower model didn't get good brakes and suspension, higher than sport you were paying for bigger screen, nav, leather, crap you don't need.

The R is overrated, not worth the step up from GTI. Hell on the current lineup across VW and Audi I don't think any of them are worth the $ premium versus GTI until you get to RS3.

are u talking about roughly 2014sh GTI with Red GTI badge?

[Dogeeseegod]

Why not a 128i?

[boneca]

Originally Posted by Dogeeseegod

Why not a 128i?

I already own BMW

back to the roots, had few dubs before...

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by boneca

are u talking about roughly 2014sh GTI with Red GTI badge?

I'm honestly not 100% sure I haven't been great about keeping up with VW since we got rid of our last one in 2010. Am driving new GTIs with mom tomorrow as she needs a new car, but the 2019s have all different/new trim levels.

If you go on autotrader and search GTI then trim level "sport" you should get to the ones I'm talking about. I think they will fall into your price range.

This is the type of thing I'm talking about...

http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1e35e7e0

[boneca]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

I'm honestly not 100% sure I haven't been great about keeping up with VW since we got rid of our last one in 2010. Am driving new GTIs with mom tomorrow as she needs a new car, but the 2019s have all different/new trim levels.

If you go on autotrader and search GTI then trim level "sport" you should get to the ones I'm talking about. I think they will fall into your price range.

This is the type of thing I'm talking about...

http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1e35e7e0

I appreciate it, I will def take a look!

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by boneca

I appreciate it, I will def take a look!

That one is more than you wanted to spend - I'm sure you could find a nice one in budget. Just an example of the sweet spot for that gen of GTI - as I said you get all the nice performance upgrades but nothing extra.

And those plaid seats are AWESOME really make the car IMO. To oversimplify, sport then = rabbit now.

[Red Bread]

Make sure it has the Performance Package. R brakes, limited slip and 10 extra hp.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Dogeeseegod

Why not a 128i?

Lighter, mechanical limited slip, torque, more useful interior volume, five to eight years newer.

We had an N54 135i, it's not one of the cars I've owned that I actually miss.

[Mach550]

I was extremely happy with my 2016 GTI autobahn with the performance pack and DCC. I just wanted to move into the luxury segment when I bought my 5 series. I should have kept it when I felt like going around in a go-kart instead of a boat.

[KingOfJericho]

GTI is a fabulous car. Fun to drive and quick enough to get in trouble. The aftermarket is second to only the Jeep Wrangler as well.

[TSM330i]

I have a 2015 GTI. Obviously I modified it, but stock, out of the box it is stellar and will serve you well for your commute. The four-door has quite a bit of room in it also. My wife and daughter sit in the back together when we travel anywhere and have no issues with space at all (I'm 6'1" and she's 5'9" and sits behind me).

As others have said, the Mk6R is nowhere near the car the Mk7 GTI is. The entire platform and engine is much better in the Mk7.

That being said, you want to look for a 2016 or newer GTI. They have the USB port to connect our smartphone and Apple Car Play.

Also, I did have the APR Stage 1 HO tune with the stock clutch for over 1 year and had no slipping issues at all. It is basically a crap shoot as to if the clutch slips or not. If you're buying used, you have no idea how the previous owner drove the car and slipped the clutch when they pulled out. I had a 2000 VW Golf GL with over 230K miles on the original clutch and it still held strong without slipping. But, that was me driving the car for 99.9% of the time.

Here's one in NY for $14500 with only 41K miles:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...0743/overview/

[squelchy451]

- The presence or lack of eLSD shouldn't really matter. It's not a mechanical system, but is clutch based, and as such, shows a degree of hesitation or lag, and could pose headaches down the line
- As most people have said, a Golf R is overkill and may not have the same lively feel as the FWD GTI.

[boneca]

I appreciate all the replies guys

Looks like what I'll be looking for is mk7 GTI with 4 door, manual, preferable white exterior, pleather seats with either sport or performance package (it could be that performance package only comes with leather seats and sunroof for either one I don't care but I guess I will have to see when I'll come across one), under 70k miles, based on what I've seen it has to be no less than 2015 but more likely 2016 model.

So far availability on these are low (I understand it can be hard to find exactly what I'm looking for) and prices are still around $20k which is more than I'd like to spend at this time.

here is a pretty good example what I found local to me but looks like its already sold:

1-Owner 2016 Volkswagen GTI SE wPerformance Package 4-Door Hatchback with only 28k and 6-Speed Manual Transmission...Finished in White over Black Leather Interior for a striking color combination...Great options such as Performance Package (13.4-inch Front and 12.2-inch Rear Vented Disc Brakes VAQ Limited Slip Differential and 10 extra HP to the Engine) Rear Camera Fender Premium Audio Automatic Headlights Bluetooth wAudio Streaming Power Sunroof Heated Front Seats and Mirrors Apple CarplayAndriod AutoMirrorlink Capabilities SAT Radio Driving Mode Selection and much more...Fully serviced and still under full VW Factory Warranty













I'll be keep looking and we'll see what happens when mk8 will be announced!

Once again thank you all!

[virtualbong]

Happy to see you narrowed it down to a GTI. I was in the same situation last fall. I was starting a new job that would require driving 50 miles each way. I picked up a 2014 GTI - Driver's Edition and absolutely love the car and now understand why it has such a following.

[TSM330i]

Just a FYI: They are actually leather seats in the upper trim models. If it's a base car (S), it'll have the cloth plaid seats.

Yes, they are a bit difficult to come bye. Just keep looking and good luck!

If you can deal with the cloth seats (my personal preference), this one seems to be a good deal:
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

[boneca]

Originally Posted by virtualbong

Happy to see you narrowed it down to a GTI. I was in the same situation last fall. I was starting a new job that would require driving 50 miles each way. I picked up a 2014 GTI - Driver's Edition and absolutely love the car and now understand why it has such a following.

Thank you, u should update u signature with GTI

I'm about to start looking for new job myself, I've been commuting to NH about 35 miles one way for the past 13 years but now my office location closing down and I forced to start looking, so at this point I don't know how long or short my commute is going to be but I really want to minimize the wear and tear on my M!