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My son is considering buying a new GTI and both he and I would like to hear from those who own them regarding performance, gas mileage, need and cost of service, build quality; in other words all things that are important when buying any car.

How's it been for you?  

Our long-term GTI was featured in our August 2008 issue. Overall, we loved the car, it was quite reliable despite a few niggling issues, but its gas mileage wasn't as good as it should have been given the EPA numbers. We've heard of other GTI owners not getting great mileage (barely 25 mpg on the highway). There were also a few too many rattles after 20K miles. Service costs aren't super cheap either.

Still, we loved our year with the GTI and we still love when any GTI visits the office. Isn't that really what is important when buying a car?  

Have you check out the new scirocco yet,looks like a moon rover on mars. I still have my 85 roc 79,000 original miles. Just about to sell it until i seen the new 09. Does that increase the value of my 85? I know it's a classic but, still on the fence about selling it unless it raise the value. Any suggestions/or advice will be greatly appreciated.  

I can't speak directly in regards to the MkV model, but I had a 2000 Mk4 GTI, and while it was great fun to drive, I had quite a few quality/reliability issues with it. If he's considering a performance-oriented hatchback, I'd recommend looking at the Mazdaspeed3, or Subaru WRX.  

It's a great car and a great value for the money.

Co-worker's '07 is holding up nicely and it looks great.

Performance is strong and competent, she hasn't needed any service beyond perishibles and everything looks like it comes from a company of car enthusiasts: sober, attractive and practical.

One knock is the lowish MPG (~25mpg real world), but all the hot hatches get about the same MPG (except the Cooper S, which is much smaller/lighter).  It depends a lot on how you drive it and GTi drivers don't(can't?) seem to baby it too much.  

The other is VW reliability, which seems to be middling (as is the Cooper's).  The one I know has been perfect, though.

Scirocco would be nice, but they aren't importing them.  

You can go round and round with the options Mazdaspeed/GTI/Cooper S/Volvo C30.  All meet the desires of different people.

Mazdaspeed: cheap, crazy power, "it's a Mazda" (Owner: poor, but proud.)
GTI: competent sporty compromise (Owner: DINKs)
Cooper S: style, economy, kart handling, small (Owner: "Dad's gone crazy")
Volvo C30: subtle style, competence, sporty maturity. (Owner: Marketing Directors)

The GTI and C30 are better highway cars; Cooper for city/around town.  
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Graduate, Rodan School of Automotive Design

I've driven my 2007 GTI for 40,000 miles, year-round, in upstate New York. I'm a somewhat spirited driver (with a radar detector). 6-speed manual.

Highs: Absolute blast to drive, even when I'm typically bored of my car (after two years). Extremely agile--great in midtown NYC traffic. Very stable at speed (get a radar detector). Fairly good mileage on trips (honest 31 mpg if you use the cruse control).; thirsty around town.

Lows: Expensive maintenance (synthetic oil every 5K miles, plugs at 40 K miles). Pathetic in snow, even with Blizzaks at all four corners. Goes through tires very quickly (OEM Continentals lasted 13 K on the front). Assorted rattles are annoying. Sunroof is quirky: when the windows are up and the roof is open, an air-pressure difference causes a deafening thunder--the spoiler seems to be the culprit. Avoid the iPod adapter at all costs--just use the stock MP-3 adapter.

Overall: Buy the base model (best value) and have a riot driving it. Save $$ for gas and maintenance, and build a nice relationship with your service tech.

P.S. Hurry--current model is going out of production this year.  

I have the highest praise for my 06 GTI. This car has given me 50,000 exuberant, turbo-screamin' miles. It has never let me down. I can be having an unpleasant day at the office, but as soon as I get my stubby fingers around that leather steering wheel, I'm a happy man!
I get 30+ MPG on highways with cruise on. City? Who cares? I get such a thrill out of the Velcro-like cornering, MPG is inconsequential... and that tuned, just rite note issuing from the exhaust, oh man! Plus, at highway speed the exhaust is whisper quiet, just the way it should be[gotta hear the XM/Sirius Radio].
I too change synth oil/filter at 5k. I dont mind; the car is worth it. Plugs? Manual cites 80,000 miles before changing. So far, so good.
I knew when buying that tires would be high [225-40-18's]. Got excellent mileage from the OE Conti Summer tires [27k]. However Im not thrilled with the Goodyear F1 All Seasons that are on now. They only lasted 23k; back to Conti. All Season this time.
Even so, small price to pay for such an accomplished, reliable, safe, blast-to-fling -around automobile.
However, I just drove the new MkVI 2010 model. Much improved styling and corners even better! OOhhh so tempting.....