Picked up new car

[soc]

I picked up the Golf GTI last night - first impressions after a bit of driving last night and a trip to work this morning are pretty good. There's loads of useable low down torque which makes traffic/town driving a lot of fun (if you want) - it feels faster than my GR to 40/50 but that's cause the GR only really gets going as you close on 4k rpms. As for handling - there is no comparison - the FTO hands the golf it's ass on a plate The FTO is sooooo much more direct, better front end grip, more feedback and feels so much more solid in bends. And having a tip box makes it very easy to drive fast in twisties as gear changes are only a flick away. But that said the golf lords it over the FTO for comfort and luxury - the heated leather recaros are amazing - the car feels so solid (for a hatchback), all the controls feel quality and the standard stereo is excellent.

I think I might need to do some work on the golfs suspension though as it feels a bit disconnected and wallowy and no-where near as direct as the FTO although there is good grip. I think I'll need uprated antiroll bars and upper and lower strut braces to start with......

As much as I like the golf I think I'm gonna miss the FTO

[Myfeckin FTO]

I was once the "proud" owner of a GTI mark 3 (Def the worst of the bunch). Handling was not one of its forte's - neither was performance either come to think of it - it was a good solid car,good sound system and nice recaros but thats about it.

However I do like the Mark 4 GTI - the 1.8T engine has improved things a lot. I like the idea of a set of RS4 alloys - it really sets off the looks.
Good luck with the car Shane - Though I'm pretty sure you'll come back to the light and go with a 99 Version R.

[soc]

However I do like the Mark 4 GTI - the 1.8T engine has improved things a lot. I like the idea of a set of RS4 alloys - it really sets off the looks.
Good luck with the car Shane - Though I'm pretty sure you'll come back to the light and go with a 99 Version R.

yea I'm thinking of getting a set of 18" RS4's cause I think they look really good and also look OEM. I'm impressed with the engine and the interior but I suspect in time I'll want that raw feeling again and that'll be the time to pass the Golf over to the wife and start hunting down that elusive '99 GPvR

[CJ]

Nice one Shane, good luck with it. Will we have to create a 'VW Golf' forum to get you to stick around?

CJ

[Myfeckin FTO]

Nice one Shane, good luck with it. Will we have to create a 'VW Golf' forum to get you to stick around?

CJ

Theres an idea - we could also have a Golf technical area - like how to put a child seat into a Mark 4. Or maybe a special section on tow-bars!

[soc]

Nice one Shane, good luck with it. Will we have to create a 'VW Golf' forum to get you to stick around?

CJ

naw man, I'm hear to stay - the FTO is a classic and no matter what I intend to have one again (even if it's a garaged summer car only) so I need to keep tabs on all the developments. Also I'm determined to eventually meet some of the other forum members face to face

[soc]

naw man, I'm hear to stay - the FTO is a classic and no matter what I intend to have one again (even if it's a garaged summer car only) so I need to keep tabs on all the developments. Also I'm determined to eventually meet some of the other forum members face to face

LMAF -

Child seat will probably be a couple of years away and I'll never fit a tow bar (that's why we have parents, so we can borrow their practical cars for shifting stuff)......

[Ivan E]

I picked up the Golf GTI last night - first impressions after a bit of driving last night and a trip to work this morning are pretty good. There's loads of useable low down torque which makes traffic/town driving a lot of fun (if you want) - it feels faster than my GR to 40/50 but that's cause the GR only really gets going as you close on 4k rpms. As for handling - there is no comparison - the FTO hands the golf it's ass on a plate The FTO is sooooo much more direct, better front end grip, more feedback and feels so much more solid in bends. And having a tip box makes it very easy to drive fast in twisties as gear changes are only a flick away. But that said the golf lords it over the FTO for comfort and luxury - the heated leather recaros are amazing - the car feels so solid (for a hatchback), all the controls feel quality and the standard stereo is excellent.

I think I might need to do some work on the golfs suspension though as it feels a bit disconnected and wallowy and no-where near as direct as the FTO although there is good grip. I think I'll need uprated antiroll bars and upper and lower strut braces to start with......

As much as I like the golf I think I'm gonna miss the FTO

I golf GTI for sale! 2 owners. Never used......