GTI to JSW?

[Hufeisen]

I have a '11 GTI 6spd/nav/sr. I like it most of the time, but don't love it all the time. The funny thing is I always wanted a GTI. Before it, I had an '03 Jetta Wagon and an '08 Rabbit that I owned for a short time. Before the VWs, I had Jeeps - Cherokee and Grand Cherokee.

I guess I took for granted how I could throw anything in the back of my wagon. I loved it because it was "different" than every SUV on the road. I could throw my bike, board or dogs in and not care.

I found an '12 JSW and feel like it would suit me better. I'm not a speed demon off the line in traffic and know the 2.5 will be fine for daily driver role and can cruise well on the highway.

Besides a modded wagon just looks better compared to the multiple GTIs we see at shows. Am I crazy? Will I miss the third pedal and 2.0?

Feedback appreciated

[MatteoLC]

Everyone's different - but the one thing I miss (when I don't have it) is the third pedal.

I keep my 99 Beetle 2.0L MT at the airport waiting for me instead of my Jetta TDI (DSG)
or even my previous Passat v6 (Auto).

The JSW 2.5L with manual is no slouch and there have to be a few out there...
I couldn't do without the MT - can you?

Wagons do look cool though...

[nikhsub1]

Do it And why do you have to get an automatic?

[O'doyle]

Three pedals > two.

[Hufeisen]

^^^ That's what I'm talking about

The one I found is used and it's an auto, which isn't horrendous to me. Ideally it would be manual and the 2.0!

[Outrider6]

You're the perfect candidate for an '09 SEL with the 2.0t. Be patient and get one.

If you've got a 6MT GTI, you know what the SEL shifts like. To figure out whether the DSG is right for you, drive one. If you can live with either one, your concerns are economics (the 6MT will be cheaper in the long run than a DSG) and availability (SELs with the 2.0t are uncommon).

I've had a DSG TDI for about a year. I honestly like it, especially with paddles (GTI steering wheel), though I slightly prefer the manual in the SEL.

My previous DD was an E39 with a shiftable slushbox. The DSG is light years better than that. The DSG shines in stop-n-go traffic or where you don't want one more thing to do/think about when driving. What I like better about the manual are things the DSG doesn't do (skip a gear) or doesn't do so gracefully (go readily in and out of neutral).

Nothing wrong with the 2.5, though some say it's rough. OOTH, it's likely to be very reliable and its 170 HP isn't bad. IIRC, it comes with a 5MT, which you ought to drive to see if you like it.

I'm heavily biased towards wagons for the utility you already appreciate, the looks (really!), and the stealth factor.

[en WyCe]

Better to wait for the right JSW to trade for. Don't want buyer's remorse, again.


Posted via Tapatalk for iPhone.

[Hufeisen]

Better to wait for the right JSW to trade for. Don't want buyer's remorse, again.


Posted via Tapatalk for iPhone.

I don't know if it is buyer's remorse with my GTI. It was the car I always wanted from a teenager and it was the only thing I considered when I sold my BMW. I just have come to the realization that I don't need "speed" that the GTI offers. I have a Miata and old BMW project that will fit the fun car role. While it is a great car and with a rack system I can accomplish most things I would with a wagon, I just feel like a JSW is more "me".

I know I'm rambling and I appreciate all the feedback.

[ToeBall]

I don't know if it is buyer's remorse with my GTI. It was the car I always wanted from a teenager and it was the only thing I considered when I sold my BMW. I just have come to the realization that I don't need "speed" that the GTI offers. I have a Miata and old BMW project that will fit the fun car role. While it is a great car and with a rack system I can accomplish most things I would with a wagon, I just feel like a JSW is more "me".

I know I'm rambling and I appreciate all the feedback.

I understand. I love my Golf R. It's fast, fun to drive, and a great platform for a project. My JSW TDI, is better as a daily. It gets more than twice the mileage, and is still a blast to drive. I've driven a few GTI's and I can tell you the JSW's suspension is quite comparable. Even better when you throw on a good set of coilovers. You get 95% of the performance but also a more utilitarian vehicle which is much better for road trips or towing a small trailer or hauling stuff as needed. Plus, I think the lines of the JSW are nicer than a GTI 4-doors'. I would also suggest going with the manual gearbox. There's really no downside.

[nikhsub1]

I understand. I love my Golf R. It's fast, fun to drive, and a great platform for a project. My JSW TDI, is better as a daily. It gets more than twice the mileage, and is still a blast to drive. I've driven a few GTI's and I can tell you the JSW's suspension is quite comparable. Even better when you throw on a good set of coilovers. You get 95% of the performance but also a more utilitarian vehicle which is much better for road trips or towing a small trailer or hauling stuff as needed. Plus, I think the lines of the JSW are nicer than a GTI 4-doors'. I would also suggest going with the manual gearbox. There's really no downside.

^^ a man who knows

[sportwgn]

I've never owned a vehicle with a trunk. I recently came over from the Subaru Cult (97 Legacy Wagon R.I.P. via Bambi, 02 WRX sold with 187k, and an 07 Outback that was great too but the MPG wasn't cutting it). That being said, I am very happy with my JSW TDi, it handles all of the same cargo whilst getting almost twice the MPGs. Plus JSWs look great

Good luck with your search.

[g60rabbit]

I understand. I love my Golf R. It's fast, fun to drive, and a great platform for a project. My JSW TDI, is better as a daily. It gets more than twice the mileage, and is still a blast to drive. I've driven a few GTI's and I can tell you the JSW's suspension is quite comparable. Even better when you throw on a good set of coilovers. You get 95% of the performance but also a more utilitarian vehicle which is much better for road trips or towing a small trailer or hauling stuff as needed. Plus, I think the lines of the JSW are nicer than a GTI 4-doors'. I would also suggest going with the manual gearbox. There's really no downside.

Im not a suspension guru so all I can say is I dont really agree with that statement.

My 2012 TDI dsg wagon with same size 18s with similar tires [probably better tires on TDI] and upgraded rear sway [drawing a blank on size] To me doesnt feel nearly as good as my 08 GTI does stock. And stock to stock wasnt close.

Now I dont know how both would perform side by side on say a track but I would say the GTI to me just "inspires" more confidence.

If I had to do it all over again I would have searched for a 2.0T Wagon and then done suspension mods.

[rootrider]

Im not a suspension guru so all I can say is I dont really agree with that statement.

My 2012 TDI dsg wagon with same size 18s with similar tires [probably better tires on TDI] and upgraded rear sway [drawing a blank on size] To me doesnt feel nearly as good as my 08 GTI does stock. And stock to stock wasnt close.

Now I dont know how both would perform side by side on say a track but I would say the GTI to me just "inspires" more confidence.

I agree with you... but the suspension is easily changed so that it mimics the feel of the GTI, or so that it performs more aggressively.

[ToeBall]

Im not a suspension guru so all I can say is I dont really agree with that statement.

My 2012 TDI dsg wagon with same size 18s with similar tires [probably better tires on TDI] and upgraded rear sway [drawing a blank on size] To me doesnt feel nearly as good as my 08 GTI does stock. And stock to stock wasnt close.

Now I dont know how both would perform side by side on say a track but I would say the GTI to me just "inspires" more confidence.

If I had to do it all over again I would have searched for a 2.0T Wagon and then done suspension mods.

I said it's quite comparable, not the same. You'll really want to upgrade the coils, as I said, it can be even better with a good set of coilovers.

[CRJSW]

I said it's quite comparable, not the same. You'll really want to upgrade the coils, as I said, it can be even better with a good set of coilovers.

plus front and rear sways and some nice sticky tires you'd be surprised what other cars you'll overtake on the corners... Heck with just springs I was overtaking some high end cars.

[haunted reality]

I have the car you are looking for A 2.5S manual JSW, I do like it, it was my wife's before, but I had to trade in my beloved MKV GTI to get a minivan for the family. I then inherited her JSW. I'm always back and forth, sometimes I miss having a GTI, since we have a minivan we don't need the room so much. Maybe we can do a trade.

[Hufeisen]

Maybe we can do a trade.

If only it was that easy.