[mummer431]

I was wondering if anyone has driven the new VW Jetta GLI. If so, how do you compare it to the IS? My girlfriend has a GLI and it's pretty damn fast. It accelerates like a raped ape, but it has a bit of torque steer. It has drive by wire, which is supposed to make the power instantaneous.

Overall, it's a nice car for the price. She got full leather, heated seats and premium sound for under $25k.

 

[ISKid04]

Uhhh, you're comparing a $30,000 + LEXUS to a Volkswagen? Get real.......... :roll:

The Jetta is FWD and it's a VW; that means the quality isn't as good as the IS', the service isn't as good, nor is the long term reliability.

 

[craniac24]

While everything you said might be true, I would love to trade our cars' resale characteristics for the VW's. My friend had a 2000 GTI that was beaten on pretty badly with over 60k on it. He sold it earlier this year for $14,000.

I can only hope that I can get that much for my car when it's 4 years old with that much mileage on it!

 

[LexMunky5]

While everything you said might be true, I would love to trade our cars' resale characteristics for the VW's. My friend had a 2000 GTI that was beaten on pretty badly with over 60k on it. He sold it earlier this year for $14,000.

I can only hope that I can get that much for my car when it's 4 years old with that much mileage on it!

if you are buying a car for its resale value alone, you are buying it for the wrong reason. True, it may be factor in your decision, but dont let it be the only factor. While it is true that the Jetta GLI has the highest resalve value in its class, the Lexus is no slouch in resale either.

In the end, you have to look at the big picture, would you like to own a Lexus with its repuation of high quiality and customer service, or a VW with (in my mind) its reputation of being a litte better than mediocre.

 

[Wino_II]

I test drove the GLI before the IS300...and i did not like it. it felt very cramped and uncomfortable not to mention it didn't shift very smoothly. I also was not a fan of their customer service. I asked the guy if i could order one to my liking and he said no. that is when I walked away.

 

[Ralidog]

I was wondering if anyone has driven the new VW Jetta GLI. If so, how do you compare it to the IS? My girlfriend has a GLI and it's pretty damn fast. It accelerates like a raped ape, but it has a bit of torque steer. It has drive by wire, which is supposed to make the power instantaneous.

Overall, it's a nice car for the price. She got full leather, heated seats and premium sound for under $25k.

Not sure if this counts, but I had a 2001 Jetta GLS 1.8T.........Getting this car was one of the biggest mistakes I have made with regards to car purchases. Initially, when I got it, the car drove like a dream. Smooth as hell (compared to my 1991 Civic SI with a bunch of work done to it) with a decent amount of power to boot! I got that really sweet looking metallic blue with black "leatherette" interior. The problems included:
* Clips that hold the window up on the front windows are made of plastic, so they break often....and if you don't bitch to the dealer & VW of AMerica, you have to pay to get em fixed.
* Sunroof would open up on it's own after turning the knob to close it all the way.
* After 5 months of ownership, the A/C broke on the hottest day of the year....according to the dealer, "the clutch for the A/C Compressor EXPLODED.....but dont' worry, we'll fix it"
* Airbag light came on a couple of times
* Window leak after 1 year of ownership
* Springs on the drivers seat broke


That's all I can think of right now. They look great.....gauges look cool....but I would not recommend anyone get one......
Just my .02c

 

[SEABASS]

Spend the extra 5 grand for:
A - The obvious
B - You won't have the same damn car your girl has.

 

[mummer431]

I'm not looking to buy a GLI, I was just wondering how the GLI compared to the IS performance wise. I've never driven an IS, but I have driven a GLI and I was asking anyone who has driven both how they compare.

I agree with the person who said the GLI doesn't shift smoothly, but overall it's a nice car.

 

[Speedee]

If I remember correctly, Volkswagen was number 34 out of 38 manufacturers for quality. Of course Lexus was number one.