I think the GTI lacks the exoticness of a car like an EVO 9 MR. You just don't see them around that often and that is why the GTI can get dull sometimes. At least in my neck of the woods, they are EVERYWHERE. I mean, VW hasn't stopped production on them since they came out whereas EVOs have come and gone.
I had the exact same feelings as you when I owned a Neon SRT4. Can laugh all you want but they are fast as ballz stock and very easy to mod for even bigger power. I was in love with that car. It got so much attention everywhere I went (including the negative
).
The GTI was my feeling of maturing up and wanting something a bit more tame and practical, but still could be fun. I honestly didn't expect it to be as slow as it was stock, but a Stg1 tune can get it feeling a little bit more fun. Of course it doesn't end there because then you just want more and more, and here I am with a K04 on the way. I'm hoping to capture some of the insanity the SRT4 provided me with the K04, but I feel you. I was tempted multiple times to trade the GTI because I just was a little bored of it and with the issues that arose for such low mileage, I didn't have much faith in it. Here's hoping I can still get a lot more years out of it with the K04 mod. I got 1 year left to pay it off. :thumbup:
I really appreciate you taking the time and telling your story. Yes, I know the SRT-4 very well, have tracked with them when I had my 9 MR. I used to always joke with the SRT-4 guys by saying, "Yeah you can keep up in the straight I hear ya, but soon as the road bends the Evo is KING" They always agreed no agruements. I had much respect for the SRT cars. So under rated and these guys ran BIG HP gains over stock and they were at the track with me and we just enjoyed the "cars". It was the STI's the Evo's the SRT's heck Corvettes and it was like a "click". At the track we would always see the German Car guys on the other side of the pits and they had their BMW's, Mercs, Audi's and VW's. We always called them the snobs. They never spoke to us, they never came over for a beer, they never helped when cars broke on track, it was weird. When I had to sell my 9, honestly broke my heart. Had her for about 5 yrs, I never wanted her to be a HP Queen or anything, just enough to keep my heart rate up. Last Tune I had on 91 pump was 340whp and on WMI 70/30 mix just under 400whp and was daily driven and tracked and in the years I had that car NOT ONE PROBLEM.
I too, was looking for something more mature I guess when I sold the 9. I got tired of the cops pulling me over all the time with the same story "We saw a car that matched this cars description" some of the cops were cool, some were big hairy cocks. I would have people tail gate me all the time wanting me to push it, just allot of negative attention I didn't want. I only had 3 cars on my list when I went looking for another car. Ford Focus ST, Subaru WRX, and the GTI. After driving all three, I was sold on the GTI. BUT I never had plans to mod. If I did? I would have gone WRX. I just wanted something with a snail attached to the motor for instant torque, decent mileage, and something I can put stuff in, including my 2 kids. Now here I am 4 and half years later, GTI is paid off, credit is better, divorce is over, kids are older, and I am getting that itch. I look at the issues I have had with the GTI thus far, nothing too crazy but my car is on its 4 water pump since it left the factory in Germany. The water pumps didn't fail, but the seal did. The 4th one finally got the revision. I had my well guess you would call it Valve Cover would leak, so they re sealed it with that florescent green silicone stuff has not leaked since. I had my Cam angle sensor leak, they replaced that. Thats about it. Pretty petty for the VW world.
So for shizzles and gizzles I see the RS sitting at Ford as my girl and I pull through a drive through for food. The ford dealer is right next to it. I was like F ME!! So I go over and take a look. First thing the sales guy tells me is "this car has been here a while we need to sell it, I will take $2000 off the price right now if your interested" CRAP!!! Never have I heard a dealer give 2G's off the retail price of an RS. So I got his card and said I will think on it.
So I have been thinking on it, and its about about a week or 2 now, sales guy still calls me, the RS is still there, so I think I can get them down more. BUT like you all said, your GTI is paid for and that RS even with a lower price is STILL with tax going to be $40-42k out the door. With my GTI as a down I am still looking at $450-$500 a month for 5-6 yrs. OUCH.
I was looking at tunes for the GTI, I like Unictronic. I also was reading about the new COBB Access Port V3? Not sure if that is any good but like the idea of it. Unitronic too, I like how I can upload tunes of my own, put the OEM file back in, switch stuff the COBB unit just makes it even easier. I am thinking, Intercooler, Downpipe, Charge pipes, I still get a kick out that, "Charge Pipe" Intercooler Pipes is what I know them as. Diverter Valve relocation kit maybe, K04??? LSD for the DSG, will the DSG hold up? Will the TSI hold up??? who knows total crap shoot with these cars I think.
So yeah, long winded I know, but here I am. I havent done anything yet. I find it best when not sure, to just do nothing. In the mean time I read your stories and advice from all of you, and it does help me. So Thank You all for your time. You are all Awesome:thumbup:
Jeff
