On the list is:
1. 2005 Subaru Legacy GT
2. MKV GTI
3. 2005 Honda Accord V6 6MT

Whatever I land up buying I plan to drive for a long time, and that I mean 8-10 years and I want to be able to drive it out to 180,000 miles or so before the engine needs replacement. My last car had 230k miles on it before I decided it wasn't practical for me to keep. I also plan to leave it entirely stock

So my questions about the MKV GTI are as follows:
1. What are some of the most common problems with this vehicle?
2. How long can I reasonably expect to be able to keep this particular vehicle if I keep up with maintenance and don't always drive it hard before major work needs to be done on the engine, transaxle, etc.?
3. How do these handle in light snow and ice (roads are regularly plowed) on all season tires?
4. Do strong winds make driving this car a nuisance (40+ mph winds)?
5. How hard is it to start the car at -30F?

I think the GTI is a sexy car and it honestly looks like something I would love to own. I really enjoyed the test drive I did in a a Rabbit, the car felt well put together. Any advice or responses is appreciated.

1. The 2.0T motor in the 2006-2008.5 GTI's is the FSI model. It has a few known weaknesses, primarily the Diverter Valve and PCV valve. Neither are major issues, are fairly easy and cheap to replace, and primarily fail on chipped motors. Aside from some interior rattles I never had any other problems with my GTI. They're a well built car.

2. If you take care of your car and keep up on routine maintenence, I would expect a stock car to make it to 200k without significant repairs. VW drivetrains are stout, their corrosion protection one of the best in the business, its usually the "small" things like window regulators or a sunroof switch that fail earlier. A VW will require more TLC than say a Subaru, but it will reward you in kind.

3. They handle winter conditions quite well. Acceleration on snow/ice certainly isn't the same as an AWD car, but they're equipped with all the best electronic safety nannies to keep you on the straight and narrow. I would personally recommend winter tires on any car if you see cold temps and other winter conditions regularly.

4. No, the GTI's electronic steering actually compensates for cross winds. It feels quite weird the first time you notice it, but it actually works quite well.

5. My GTI started in -20F temps a few times last winter without issue. You'll find a GTI is quite well equipped for winter with heated washer nozzles, heated outside mirrors, and (optional) heated seats.

Based on your questions, I'd personally pass on the Honda Accord. Granted the one I owned was the previous model to that you're considering, but I did not find it to be a good winter car at all. Of your options listed I would definitely focus on the Subie and VW.

WTT/FS:
18" Smoked Karthoums
FS: 2006 Rabbit - My girlfriends car; bone stock

also not to discount is what people do to used cars...

i personally would look very very carefully at any used vw, especially a gti.

most reports are that cars turned in on lease require NO proof of routine maint, oil changes, etc. - that does not make me comfortable buying right off the lot...

just food for thought.

Yeah, most of the miles I drive are highway miles, but as you said the mileage is not my largest concern, I am actually more concerned about low end torque (I hate my 2ZZGE engine). As for buying used, any car can be abused, although sports cars do tend to get it more, and I understand this, however the only VW dealership in the state puts a 5,000 dollar mark-up on every VW they sell, hence the reason I didn't buy the Rabbit I test drove (18,750 seemed a little much for stock with no options).

I owned a Quattro (haldex) equpped TT which performed like an olympic athlete in the rain, but on snow and ice, the summer tires became ice skates. I know you will hear from the steelie contingent who change out their tires every winter and that works well, but there is nothing like an AWD car for the weather you face every year.

The Legacy GT is a great car which will properly marry warm weather performance with snowy weather prowess.

Hey, I used to own an Audi TT, but I got over it.

not to mention the premium gas difference which really sucked a few months ago

still cant beat the feeling of that 2.0T on the highway and through the twisties ......

point is the fun to drive factor on the gti cant be beat, but you pay for it

It does, but it didn't rule out brand new. Also, in mid 2008 the motor was changed to a newer 2.0T labeled the TSI that addresses some of the weaknesses I mentioned about the FSI version.

Quote, originally posted by DarkSpork »

What kind of extra "TLC" can I expect to have to do?

Extra probably isn't the word for it. But in my experience German cars need to have the manufacturer recommended maintenance followed exactly. As long as you do, they'll happily run a long, long time. Japanese cars tend to be more forgiving when it comes to scheduled maintenance.

Quote, originally posted by DarkSpork »

however the only VW dealership in the state puts a 5,000 dollar mark-up on every VW they sell, hence the reason I didn't buy the Rabbit I test drove (18,750 seemed a little much for stock with no options).

If it was a brand new 4 door model, that price was dead on.

Quote, originally posted by dhaTTon in TTexas »

I owned a Quattro (haldex) equpped TT which performed like an olympic athlete in the rain, but on snow and ice, the summer tires became ice skates. I know you will hear from the steelie contingent who change out their tires every winter and that works well, but there is nothing like an AWD car for the weather you face every year.

Haldex AWD works just fine. I too prefer Torsen or other mechanical systems, but your TT's problem was tire related, not AWD system related.

The car I own now is FWD and it handles the winters like a champ (on all seasons), I just hate the car. I do appreciate the input but my question was not a comparison for winter driving so much as my asking the flaws of the GTI and what I can expect from the car as far as longevity goes. I hope I'm not coming off as ignorant, if so I apologize.

Black 2 door sitting on steelies.

A GTI is an emotion car, not a logic car. if you buy with emotion, also buy without regret and enjoy!!!

I was just trying to lend some perspective that I've owned an AWD car and if equiped with the proper tires it IS the proper choice for your winter weather. And YES, you can always take off the steelies in the summer and put your 18" Z rated rubber back on.

Hey, I used to own an Audi TT, but I got over it.

I already use premium gas in my car (the high compression engine requires it) and the price difference seemed nominal to me even when premium was $4.65 up here. What kind of maintenance has to be done that ran you $1300 dollars though ? I mostly do my own maintenance unless its something big or something I have no knowledge of so I'm assuming I may not necessarily pay that much, but $1300 for standard maintenance? With 38,000 miles the car I own made mostly from Toyota parts has needed: a new muffler, window regulator arm, HVAC control unit. I've owned it about a year and all of that cost about $850, if I were to factor in oil changes it would be $970.