Golf GT FSI

sicruise

Has anyone driven one of these, the 2.0 litre model is 150bhp... seems powerful enough...

I'm thinking of getting one over from the UK looks like 20k to get a 2004 one brought over and vrt'd.

It'd be great to know what its like or should I just get a GTI.

MarkN

If you have the money, it's no contest between that and the GTI.

It's not a turbo engine first of all, it's very slow for a car with 150bhp IMO and it has to be worked hard.

The GTI is a FAR nicer car to be in/drive/live with not to mention the extra 50bhp and a turbo stuck on to it.

NiSmO

This post has been deleted.

layke

Agreed with NiSmo.

150BHP from a 2L engine is underpowered. If it's economy you want as well go for the 1.9 TDI as it pumps out 130bhp yet you won't use the turbo in traffic.

MarkN

layke wrote:

you won't use the turbo in traffic.

With all due respect, what in the name of jaysus did you just say?

smash

150bhp from 2ltr... I would have expected more actually considering you can get 190 from a 1.8 celica.

bazz26

Is the OP is referring to the MkIV Golf 1.9 GT TDi diesel with 150bhp or a MkV 2.0 FSi GT petrol?

I thought the 2.0 FSi n/a unit had around 170bhp.

Edit: Just checked and there is a 150bhp version of the MkV GT.

C_Breeze

steve06 wrote:

150bhp from 2ltr... I would have expected more actually considering you can get 190 from a 1.8 celica.

Yeah from variable valve timing .

150 bhp is not bad for a 2L with no turbo and no VTEC , VVTI etc

layke

MarkN wrote:

With all due respect, what in the name of jaysus did you just say?

Because a mate of mine had a comfort line model and the turbo only kicks in when you hit a certain amount of revs. When your crawling through traffic at 2000rpm you don't use a high consumption of fuel, thus saving you oodles of cash.

MarkN

The best thing any of you quoting figures can do is drive the car. Trust me, it's slow.

JoeA3

Yeah, its 150bhp from 2 litres. Generally regarded as a sluggish performer, and it sold in fairly small numbers (especially in Ireland!). I think VW are replacing it entirely with the 1.4 170/140 bhp TSI's.

Henry Ford III

layke wrote:

Because a mate of mine had a comfort line model and the turbo only kicks in when you hit a certain amount of revs. When your crawling through traffic at 2000rpm you don't use a high consumption of fuel, thus saving you oodles of cash.

You use lots of fuel in crawling traffic, turbo assisted or not.

lafors

NiSmO wrote:

This post has been deleted.

1.4gt.....That car is a bit mental to drive, slow, woosh, slow, woosh, there is no in between.

OP I'd have to agree with some others here, if you can stretch for the gti, go for it.

I've driven the 2.0FSI and wasn't too impressed, not what I was expecting from 150bhp, plus I believe they don't offer it anymore.

The 2.0TDI is a good car too, well worth a look.
Your best bet is to go to a VW dealer and ask to drive a few different models...then try not to buy the gti

MarkN

layke wrote:

Because a mate of mine had a comfort line model and the turbo only kicks in when you hit a certain amount of revs. When your crawling through traffic at 2000rpm you don't use a high consumption of fuel, thus saving you oodles of cash.

I've had Golf GTIs and other turbo cars for the last 4 years. I've covered nearly 40,000 kms in MKV GTIs and about half that in a MKIV GTI.

Firstly, if you are at 2,000 rpm in most turbo cars, you will be well into turbo land and the Golf is no exception.

Secondly, a turbo engined car generally uses MORE petrol when not using the turbo ie. below about 1700 rpm. You could not possibly drive even in heavy traffic and not use some of the turbo.

And a comfort line has no bearing on whether it has a turbo or not.

Just want to clear your post up as it is extremely misleading for someone thinking about buying a Golf with a turbo or not.

bazz26

JoeA3 wrote:

Yeah, its 150bhp from 2 litres. Generally regarded as a sluggish performer, and it sold in fairly small numbers (especially in Ireland!). I think VW are replacing it entirely with the 1.4 170/140 bhp TSI's.

The 2.0 FSi is being replaced by a new 1.8 FSi afaik.

layke

MarkN wrote:

I've had Golf GTIs and other turbo cars for the last 4 years. I've covered nearly 40,000 kms in MKV GTIs and about half that in a MKIV GTI.

Firstly, if you are at 2,000 rpm in most turbo cars, you will be well into turbo land and the Golf is no exception.

Secondly, a turbo engined car generally uses MORE petrol when not using the turbo ie. below about 1700 rpm. You could not possibly drive even in heavy traffic and not use some of the turbo.

And a comfort line has no bearing on whether it has a turbo or not.

Just want to clear your post up as it is extremely misleading for someone thinking about buying a Golf with a turbo or not.

No. The model I posted up is a Turbo Diesel. Diesel in traffic + not using turbo = better for pocket then any petrol model. I know the comfort line makes no bearing on what's under the hood I simply said my friend has a comfort line.
I'm basing this info on what I was told from a person who owned the specific model and I doubt he was lying saying he didn't use the turbo while creeping in traffic. All i'm saying in my post is that you can get a Diesel model with nearly the same bhp with better fuel economy.

MarkN

You're missing the point.

Yes you can buy a 130bhp Golf (although the 140bhp 2.0 TDI engine is more in line with the GT FSI engine) but turbos work the same way in a petrol or diesel car and you would want to be CRAWLING along to keep the engine below the power band where a turbo starts - petrol or diesel it doesn't matter and like I said, turbo cars use more fuel when not on boost.

I'm not trying to have a go at you, but it's only fair that the OP gets actual information not what a mate down the pub says. He also didn't say he wanted a diesel anything.

sicruise

It looks like an extra 7000 for a GTi bringing it over from the UK...

Which seems to be a little near... http://www.cbg.ie/Cardetail.aspx?CBGID=751763&ID=1313361&NumPics=3&Make=VW&Model=Golf%20GTI%2016V&frmFilter=

My budget is 20k... i currently have the 1.4... should I just hang out until the GTi comes in my price range then?

MarkN

Is that 20k plus what your car is worth or your budget is 20k full stop?

It's going to be late next year and a car with lots of KMS, if not the year after before you can get a MKV GTI for 20k.

JoeA3

Yeah, the first of the MK V GTI's (2005) are still going for 26-29k.... It'll be a while yet before they drop below the 20k mark.

sicruise

Dang... i'll just have to get my saving hat on... yea with my car 20k. Obviously depends on what I get for mine...

Yea think i'll hang out for the gti, the gt fsi seems like it'll just be a let down!

I thought the gti's came out in 2004 as well?

JoeA3

nahh, they would have maybe appeared in showrooms in late 2004, but I've never seen a '04 reg mkV GTI.

bazz26

The GTi is like Coca Cola. The GT is just like Diet Coke, looks similar to regular Coke but doesn't have the same taste.

MarkN

I test drove a red MKV GTI from Grange in late 2004 (I think it was either end of November or early Dec) but I have never seen a 04 plate.

lightening

I think I saw that one as well. Grange must be making a fortune, I got a new one for about 2K more than what they were looking for a second hand one!

Plug

bazz26 wrote:

The GTi is like Coca Cola. The GT is just like Diet Coke, looks similar to regular Coke but doesn't have the same taste.

Theres a new GT sport and it looks, if anything nicer than the GTI, well no actually it dosen't but its a close call:(
Personally i'd go for the 1.4GT, cheap on fuel, tax, insurance etc and has plenty of horses for the size of the engine.

MarkN

I suppose you're entitled to your opinion Plug but how you could up with that conclusion I dunno!

The red calipers which catch your eye, the 18" wheels, the side skirts, red strip on the honeycomb grill, the bigger discs and then inside - the steering wheel, tartan seats with the GTI logo not to mention the size of the side bolsters and the nice touches around the cabin like the red LED lights.. the GTI is miles ahead.

The GT has NONE of the above bar twin exhaust pipes.

Plug

MarkN wrote:

I suppose you're entitled to your opinion Plug but how you could up with that conclusion I dunno!

The red calipers which catch your eye, the 18" wheels, the side skirts, red strip on the honeycomb grill, the bigger discs and then inside - the steering wheel, tartan seats with the GTI logo not to mention the size of the side bolsters and the nice touches around the cabin like the red LED lights.. the GTI is miles ahead.

The GT has NONE of the above bar twin exhaust pipes.

I said its a close call. the GT does have the big discs, it does have a fancy grill but not like the GTI, its alloys are uique but yes I think the GTI is the better car and it is my favourite car but what i said about the cheaper prices they are better than the GTI's! but if I had enough money of course i'd buy that GTI, its a wonder that car.

Henry Ford III

I like the new GTI, particularly 3 door in white. They are horrendously expensive however.

lightening

Henry Ford III wrote:

I like the new GTI, particularly 3 door in white. They are horrendously expensive however.

You get a lot for your euro though, performance, room, comfort and looks. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw the price of the standard A4!

I got a GTI, its the bog standard one and I have never been happier with a car. Its really such a nice easy car to drive and its very responisive. The GT looks and read well, can't wait to see it in the Bourne movie, they are famous for their car chases.

Plug

Whats this bourne film?

lightening

The Bourne Identity, the Bourne Supremacy and now the Bourne Ultimatum. Car chases in Europe (much better than the USA chases) using old battered mini coopers and Russian made junkers driven by a trained spy... Really good car chases, as good as the car chase in Ronan. This time they have chosen the Golf GT as one of the getaway cars.

unkel

lightening wrote:

You get a lot for your euro though, performance, room, comfort and looks. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw the price of the standard A4!

The Golf GTI 200BHP lists at about the same (€35k) as the base Audi A4 - the one with the old 102BHP 8V 1.6 lump. The GTI is much better value for money imho

Plug

lightening wrote:

The Bourne Identity, the Bourne Supremacy and now the Bourne Ultimatum. Car chases in Europe (much better than the USA chases) using old battered mini coopers and Russian made junkers driven by a trained spy... Really good car chases, as good as the car chase in Ronan. This time they have chosen the Golf GT as one of the getaway cars.

I saw The Bourne Identity, t'was good!

lightening

unkel wrote:

The GTI is much better value for money imho

Phew.

MarkN

I don't think the price of the GTI is that much - it's certainly not that far away from the Opel OPC or the Focus ST and it won't lose anywhere like the other two when you go to sell it on/trade in.

I'm sure you can get a discount on them if doing a straight deal also. I know I was offered €2,000 off a new one without a trade from a Dublin dealer.

JoeA3

Yeah, on paper the GTI looks a bit pricey, but the overall package/bang for bucks you get for the cash is still rather impressive, especially when you consider its not far off the cost of a 1.6FSI A3, boggo standard A4, and probably cheaper than a 316. Which would you rather have?!

There's a great selection of high performance hatches alongside the GTI out there right now (OPC, ST, Type R), all excellent cars...

Apparently, the big car chase in the new Bourne involves a VW Toureg! Its reportedly one of the best car chases on film... I'll see for myself tomorrow night.

lightening

GT looks well, this will be good for sales. Pity about the colour though..

milltown

MarkN wrote:

turbo cars use more fuel when not on boost.

...it's only fair that the OP gets actual information not what a mate down the pub says.

You should probably heed your own advice about actual information.

Unless the Golf is unique in running amazingly lean without holing it's pistons, I would love to hear your explanation for this. The air to fuel ratio needs to be maintained at the same level, more or less, right through the rev range. When the engine is on boost it is spinning faster, so the engine is breathing deeper (for want of a better expression), using more air and therefore more fuel.

Sorry to drag this off topic again btw.

Theboinkmaster

Am hoping to get a mark VI GTI brand new in 4 years.

Any thoughts from anyone what this model will likely bring? Any thoughts on what they can improve on from the mark V?

lightening

Probably more power, and looking a little less "fat". I think the exhaust is a little bit noisy and the dump valve on mine is far to loud. It hisses everytime I take my foot off the accelerator.

Tanabe

sicruise wrote:

Has anyone driven one of these, the 2.0 litre model is 150bhp... seems powerful enough...

I'm thinking of getting one over from the UK looks like 20k to get a 2004 one brought over and vrt'd.

It'd be great to know what its like or should I just get a GTI.

I have a 1.8 Litre 150BHP '00 GTi if that's any good to ya!

Henry Ford III

MarkN wrote:

I don't think the price of the GTI is that much - it's certainly not that far away from the Opel OPC or the Focus ST and it won't lose anywhere like the other two when you go to sell it on/trade in.

I'm sure you can get a discount on them if doing a straight deal also. I know I was offered €2,000 off a new one without a trade from a Dublin dealer.

I ran a Focus ST for 12 months. Great fun, but expensive to run. Depreciation was not an issue at all. They hold value extremely well due to relative rarity in the market. GTI's are everywhere by comparison.

It sold privately very quickly. I miss it actually

lightening

Henry Ford III wrote:

GTI's are everywhere by comparison.

There may be a good reason!

I have only ever seen two ford ST's ever. Very impressive looking, not as refined as the golf, but really really nice. I thought it was very very loud, is this normal or is the exhaust that burbly?

Henry Ford III

5 cylinder engine makes a distinctive burble ok. It was very refined inside however. Suspension was a good compromise. Recaro seats were excellent.

Fuel consumption was heavy, and tax and insurance were also high, but it was a really nice car. Buckets of pull at any revs and a fine soundtrack to boot. Addictive infact.

MarkN

milltown wrote:

You should probably heed your own advice about actual information.

Not according to any petrol head I've ever witnessed talking about turbo engines.

So they must be all wrong. Must be why they drink fuel when they are cold too. But again, you probably have your own theory. I've only lived with the cars.

Lightening - the whoosh you hear when you take your foot off the pedal is perfectly normal. The exhaust note sounds great for a 4 pot I think, it's loud when on full chat but not in a negative way.

Henry - I hope that rarity/depreciation thing works for S3s too

Henry Ford III

MarkN wrote:

Not according to any petrol head I've ever witnessed talking about turbo engines.

So they must be all wrong. Must be why they drink fuel when they are cold too. But again, you probably have your own theory. I've only lived with the cars.

Lightening - the whoosh you hear when you take your foot off the pedal is perfectly normal. The exhaust note sounds great for a 4 pot I think, it's loud when on full chat but not in a negative way.

Henry - I hope that rarity/depreciation thing works for S3s too

It should do, but the change to the GTI engine (albeit a tweaked version) will hurt.

E92

They could do with improving the furnishings of the interior and reliability for the next model, the interior quality of the current Golf is at best no better than a Ford(its actually worse IMO), VWs have long lost their reputation for reliability, plus a bit more power, its not that the car is slow, far from it in fact(it can do 230 km/h on German autobahns, just look at youtube), but 200 bhp is not a lot compared to its rivals.(OPC Astra has 240 bhp, Focus ST has 222 bhp).

Plus, using the technology that BMW uses for their 'efficient dynamics' programme too. That stuff has improved the claimed economy of BMWs by up to 10 mpg.

Plug

E92 wrote:

but 200 bhp is not a lot compared to its rivals.(OPC Astra has 240 bhp, Focus ST has 222 bhp).

You pay an extra €800 and you can have an extra 41HP on your GTI, 41:eek:!
Thats 238HP, i saw it in magazines and the internet.
http://www.superchips.co.uk/curves/vw2lfsiturbo.pdf

MarkN

TWO of my mates own OPC's and neither of them can drive the car in anything less than 3rd in the wet. Give me the GTI anyday.

lightening

MarkN wrote:

Lightening - the whoosh you hear when you take your foot off the pedal is perfectly normal. The exhaust note sounds great for a 4 pot I think, it's loud when on full chat but not in a negative way.

Right, thanks MarkN. The weird thing is, a pal has one in grey and the you can hardly hear the dump valve!