The Motor Forum

Stuntman · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:50 pm Post subject: Golf GTI Mk VI

My Dad has recently bought one of these. He came to visit me today and we went round the Cotswold towns of Stow, Moreton and Broadway - with me doing the driving

He's gone for the 5dr, with a manual gearbox (good man), and it's on the standard 17"s which is probably quite uncommon. It also didn't have the adaptive dampers. He's loaded it with tech kit though, it's got the satnav and the reversing camera and he said it cost him £26k

I drove about 45 miles in it on fast A and B roads in damp and then dry conditions. The car had done about 1100 miles and the gearbox was still a bit notchy, with reverse being a little difficult to select.

The driving position is very good and the quality of the interior is very impressive. The ride is OK but a little bit firm and crashy - I'd definitely spec the adaptive dampers, especially if the car was on 18"s. It's not ridiculous but it doesn't breathe over the surface like the best cars do.

Handling-wise it's pretty good, it turns in well and does what you ask of it. In 3rd gear corners I could feel the diff doing its stuff - subtly but effectively. good stuff. I didn't find torque steer to be an issue (it's the first powerful FWD car I've driven in quite a while).

The steering is quite light and doesn't seem to possess much feel, which is a shame because it means you don't perhaps lean on the car as hard as you might otherwise.

The engine is quiet and refined most of the time but emits a slight growl under hard acceleration.. Turbo lag is minimal, but still noticeable coming from the NA engines in my cars. No issue to Dad though, he reckons it's fine (he's not the keenest of drivers, mind).

Dad's car is dark metallic blue and looks very stealthy, perhaps too stealthy. The front end looks very good but it's a bit anonymous from the sides and perhaps could be described as a bit dumpy if you were being harsh.

Overall, it's a highly competent fast all-rounder but I can understand why the mags might prefer some others in its class. I was quite impressed, but a tad underwhemed. It's very good, swift and well-made, but it's not terribly exciting. But I bet it's a very nice car to own.

Dad's other car is a 335i convertible, and he says he prefers the Golf.
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Matt · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 12:33 am Post subject:

Does the turbo growl sound anything like a turbo rally car IRL?

I ask as the one I used on my racing game sounded very much like WRC cars on the overrun. I was suitably impressed and hoped that's how they sounded in reality.
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Pkh72 · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:26 am Post subject:

Piccies?
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scamper · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:39 pm Post subject: Re: Golf GTI Mk VI

Jasper · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:12 pm Post subject:

I've also had a extended drive in one of these and agree almost word for word with Stuntman. Except I thought it looked wonderful, maybe it was the colour.

The one I borrowed was a Demo from Specialist cars in Kirkcaldy but unlike the Stealthy dark blue, this one was RED with leather and georgous 18'' Alloys. Still retails at £26k which is a lot of money for a Golf, but I'd love one on my driveway.

I had it for Saturday and Sunday, when we did the Bathgate VW show (any excuse for a drive in a nice car). It averaged over 32MPG and I noticed that with the lower emissions of the new engine £78 for 6 months Tax. So I could afford to run it, even if I cant afford to buy it.

Sorry no boot shots.

Matt. Listen to this.

scamper · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:31 pm Post subject:

Those lovely 18 inch alloys oh so don't like being chipped, but so easy to do. Then after, corrode very easily.

The interior to me does not look much better than the mark 5, quality wise? See the crap plastic on driver's door pocket.

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:36 pm Post subject:

I bet that little crescent is expensive, with those views of the Forth Bridges. Nice pictures anyway. I think I prefer the alloys on Eddie's Edition 30 though, and that brake disc looks a little lost in there.

Matt · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:58 pm Post subject:

They do seem to sound good then. Does the standard spec still come with the tart(an)?
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Stuntman · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:44 pm Post subject:

Nice pics, Jasper.

Matt - yep, standard spec is still tartan, Dad's car has the tartan seats and they suit the car well IMO. Those leather seats look good too, mind.

No pics of Dad's I'm afraid.

I didn't absolutely rag the car when I drove it although I did have a couple of sustained bursts of full acceleration from about 40 up to about 100. Most of the time I drove the car in 'disguise mode' so as not to scare Dad too much - concentrate on good lines, carry big speeds and try and flow down the road - and hey presto you're in Stow on the Wold!
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Jasper · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:44 pm Post subject:

"him" · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:47 pm Post subject:

...I think that ridiculous shaped steering wheel in itself would be more off putting!
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scamper · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:58 pm Post subject:

woof woof · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:

£26k? Jesus!
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Mark · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:27 pm Post subject:

£26k?

The front bumper looks like it belongs on a Volvo tractor unit.

Too much black honeycomb plastic.

Nasty red strips on the front grille.

The exhausts remind me of a wheelbarrow.

Apart from the minging steering wheel and gear lever, the interior looks ok.

I'm not really feeling the love...

Nice Guy Eddie · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:25 pm Post subject:

I really like that, its just a shame VW have mellowed the GTi down for the arrival of the R. Its means I can't change my car for the Mk6 Gti which only leaves the R which at 30k and too rich for my blood.
As for the wheels I'd take the standard 17" and then purchase a nice set of aftermarket BBS and fit those. Very nice Mk5's are looking rather sad due to the poor condition of there 18" wheels.
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TimR · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:30 am Post subject:

I remember the first time I was behind a Mk5 GTI. In a traffic jam it took me a couple of minutes to realise it as there was simply nothing special in the view from the back. I think it was only the double exhausts that made me look twice.

While I don't like advertising a fast car too much it'd be nice if it had a bit of visual drama.

The new one is slightly better but the excessive use of honeycomb at the front is offputting.

scamper · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 12:17 pm Post subject:

Must admit, the GTI steering wheel is one of the best to hold in my opinion.

Martin · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 12:38 pm Post subject:

I followed a brand new red one through Northampton today and it's definately a big improvement on the previous std model. The exhaust pipes look a bit small, but at least it doesn't look like a 2.0TDI from the back now!

I actually like the front end treatment and the new interior is decent step forwards.

It's always been a bit expensive for the performance though.
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Rodge · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 4:29 pm Post subject:

I see they've kept the steering wheel from the Mkv. I found it one of the most pleasant wheels to hold when I drove one. 26k is a lot of money for one. Get a basic one and it'll still go as fast.
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TimR · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 4:31 pm Post subject:

Someone in the flats where Jasper took his photos is selling an Alfa 156JTS.

Jasper · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:53 pm Post subject:

Dalgety bay is where the photos were taken and very nice area is is too. Well it is since I moved back to Edinburgh.

Living and working in Fife is not good for the Soul.

TimR · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:36 pm Post subject:

I couldn't agree more and I did it for about 15 years.
Proper Fifers are a particularly dour bunch.

Ye Ken?