MedMan

I've been looking for a 98-99 2.8 A4 for a couple of months and the other day, I jumped behind the wheel of a 2001 GTI VR6 and was quite impressed.

I was curious if the GTI was ever a contender prior to the purchase of your A4's? I know the A4 & GTI are 2 completely different animals here, but that test drive sure was FUN! I've owned 2 GTI's when I was younger, the last being a 92 2.0L 16V with 16" BBS wheels & stiffer/lower suspension. The 01 VR6 handled just as well as my old GTI but was FAST. Wonderfully smooth, tourque when ever I needed it and definitely a German car feel. I wish the A4 I was test driving pulled like that. I enjoyed it so much that I asked the dealer to run some numbers and it is comparable in price to the pre-owned A4, nicely equipped.

My dilemma is as follows. The GTI seems to appeal to a much younger bunch (I'm 31) and I wonder what the image associated with the GTI is like. I work in medical sales and therefore I've always driven coneservative cars (for client lunches, etc.) or SUV's (for equipment storage space). I've recently changed jobs and no longer need the storage requirements but will have to occasionally take clients out. So do I lose any clout when I pull up in a new GTI rather than the standard conservative sedan i.e, A4?

Just looking for opinions on the GTI I guess. Sorry for rambling.

GPO - Needs a car!

They look pretty cool... though not as good as an A4. Who cares what people think, at least you're not taking the bus!

Mikey L

In Europe if anyone has a nice GTI it's considered a great car. People don't need big cars, they need practical cars, and if the GTI meets your needs I say go for it. My friend has a 1.8t he's modded like mad, and it's an excellent car. Good luck on your decision! Just try to ignore the stupid stigma in America on small cars.

-mikey

BIG NIPPER

When I see someone driving a GTI I give them mad props. There is nothing like driving a sporty little german car. I would love to have a GTI, those things are damn quick. Make sure you get a 1.8T instead. You can make it faster than a VR6 with just a chip.

Driving a VW is nothing like having the image of driving a fixed up honda. There are many reputable tuners that tune VW's and make them nice unlike all the crap for japanese cars. GTI's are all business, get one for sure, you will not regret it.

-Eric

kaiser_chef_beets

i loved that car. the reason why i got rid of it was because i fell in love with the audi. if i could, i would buy another gti without any hesitation. that car packs in a fun factor that is hard to come by in my current chipped/modded a4. yes, the a4 is much more comfortable to drive and the power delivery is completely different, but if you're looking for a linear powerband in a compact car then opt for the gti.

oh yeah, i've said this before and i'll say it again....

big nip- you're car is PHAT!

KenK in TX

...but I threw caution to the wind and went for the A4, which I fell in love with the first I saw it in '96. The economy went into the ****ter after I ordered my A4, and has continued its downward spiral. In retrospect, the GTI would have been the smart thing for me to do - and I'd probably enjoy it as much.

As far as the image thing goes, opinions often seem to be based on stereotypes and misinformation rather than facts. I get all sorts of snide remarks about how much money I spent on my car from co-workers and friends, yet they dont even blink when someone spends an equal amount on a truck, SUV, or cookie cutter japanese sedan. It's extremely frustrating and I often wonder if my car 'image' works against me.

phatAudi

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/15469/ron_riegergolf4.jpg"></center><p>If you want to tune it, the 1.8T might be a better option. But the VR6 stock is a nice ride.

MarkItZero

and I loved that thing! Fast, quick, nimble... My brother loves his as well. The GTI-VR6 is definately quicker than either the 1.8T or the 2.8 A4 but the reason I really sold it was because I wanted something with 4 doors. I often said to my friends if I had bought a VR6 Jetta I would still have it.

Thrawn

This one guy in a Corrado waved me to pull over one time, and we talked in the middle of the street for like 2 hours about VW and Audi motorsport stuff. VW owners always seem to be cool. People on Harley's, Benz's, and even Civics have shown me much appreciation. There's something about a VW. Not too many people have acknowledged me in my Avant though. Click sig. for some pics of my GTI and Avant.<ul><li><a href="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=1427022">http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=1427022</a</li></ul>

Just Gizmo

$32K for an Audi is simply buying a "status" car. They can go screw!

99.5 2.8QTipS