Just wanted to get your thoughts on this. 300hp twin turbo and RWD is hard to ignore, when you could buy one used (with less than 20k miles) for the same price as a new GTI.
Anyone have experience with this car at all? Drive one? etc?
I actually was deciding between the 3 series and GTI. And as you can tell, I went with the GTI but here was my reasoning:
0% APR vs pre owned was a nice attractive point but if money is no issue...
The BMW had a good interior, and great looks, I like both the GTI and 3 series, however, when it came down to the driving- the GTI was just more "fun" and really had some nice bells and whistles. As far as I'm concerned I feel like the GTI is just overall, a much better bang for your buck.
Both are German, so they share very common styling, and driving feel, but if you wanting a more "sporty" feel, the GTI won it over for me. The suspension is the HUGE difference when I was test driving (2007 328i and xi vs 07, 08, 09 and 2010 GTI). Your turning speeds feel tighter.
As for back seat passengers, more headroom in the gti, if that even matters.
Radio package, at least what I looked at, the GTI offered more options (in dash changer, mp3, AUX input, the data input and SD card etc)
The "social" recognition is higher I think with a BMW but, I think I like the fact I get the "whats a GTI?" from some co-workers.
Overall I think until I can pop on the $50k range for an M3, or a nice decked out 5 series, I will be choosing the GTI over the 3 series. Now my fiance...shes won on the 3 series..so in a few months, I should be able to tell you more about how each hold up! As for the 1 series styling.....