Test drove a VW GTI

[acqui]

I am in the process of getting rid of an '04 BMW M3 as I need a 4 door car and the short list so far is G35S, IS350, 05 BMW 330i ZHP, Legacy Spec B, and with an outside shot, a VW GTI.
I have to say, for a FWD car with 200 hp, it's a fantastic little car and the DSG box is excellent. I think it's the perfect car for the city in which I live, NYC. I was also surprised at how much interior room there was. I am 6'3 and had no issues at all with leg and head room. That said, I've been reading some horror stories about interior rattles and DSG issues with these cars. The interior is much nicer (imo) than the Legacy or the 04-06 G35 series.
The IS350 I test drove was very quick but the handling suffered as a result of the electronics (stability systems) kicking in much earlier than in most other "sporting sedans." The interior dimensions also seemed smaller, if not on par with the GTI. Interior materials were fantastic.
The 330i with the ZHP package I already know about because I've been a member of the BMW CCA since 1985. It's a great little car, with fantastic balance and good (not enough) power. For some odd reason, the rated 235 hp in the 330i feels much stronger than stated. I am not sure if it's more a perception or the fact that in many dyno tests, BMW often underscores their power ratings slightly. It would depend on me getting a very low mileage one but I as much as I enjoy driving the Legacy Spec B, interior materials and design matter to me and I just can't bring myself to loving the Legacy as much as I do the BMW or the GTI, or the new interior of the G35, which I think is just fantastic. I am scheduled to test a G35s midweek so I am very much looking forward to that.
I also test drove an Acura TL and while it's a very nice car from a design and reliability perspective, I think having that much power and FWD made it less enjoyable to drive in NYC, where there are lots of streets and constant turning. Torque steer was much less noticeable in the GTI.
I'll miss my M3, which I think was the best of the M cars other than the E30. I can't stand the design of the current 3 series, even though they have a brilliant engine and chassis.

[GeeWillikers]

I love the GTI. Great car!

[InTgr8r]

Originally Posted by acqui

...........
I have to say, for a FWD car with 200 hp, it's a fantastic little car and the DSG box is excellent. .........
That said, I've been reading some horror stories about interior rattles and DSG issues with these cars. ...........

I'm curious, what problems have you read about the DSG????

I know it's kind of a love it or hate it thing, but are there mechanical issues?
If so, it's the first I've heard of it.

[Klubbheads]

GTI is a great car and DSG is great as well. Gas mileage sucks on that car, it is worse than the G35 and other cars that u are looking into. One thing about the ZHP if u drove the automatic that 4500 rpm power dip suffers a lot with automatic tranny. 6MT version of the ZHP is much quicker than the regular 330. Good luck.

[acqui]

Originally Posted by InTgr8r

I'm curious, what problems have you read about the DSG????

I know it's kind of a love it or hate it thing, but are there mechanical issues?
If so, it's the first I've heard of it.

Most of the issues I've read up on have to do with clutch slippage with cars that have gone past 50,000-60,000 miles. I might add, most of them were also cars with either stage 1 or stage 2 performance upgrades, though there are a few people that are reporting issues with slippage in stock cars. I've experienced this first hand with my neighbour's car and she's having a hell of a time getting VW to deal with it. I really love the transmission but I also don't want to be stuck with a $4-6000 repair bill (which is what vw is asking her to fix the clutch pack) after mileage that's considered just breaking in a car in for some other makes (Infiniti, BMW etc) The problem is that I really love the GTI and since driving my friend's, which has a Stage 1 APR tune, it's a wickedly quick, roomy car for NYC, especially considering a brand new one can be had for about 27k fully loaded.

I would never buy the ZHP with an auto as it defeats the purpose ( I think) We'll see what happens when I test drive the G35, which I think I'll enjoy.

[///M32G35]

I made the move from an E46 M3 to a 2007 G35 sedan and, IMO, it was about the most lateral move I could have made given the amount of money I was willing to spend and the intended purpose of the vehicle.