Stage2Sasquatch
Go Kart Champion
- Location
- Walled Lake Michigan
I drove the ST and the GTI several times before deciding on the GTI.
I test drove the GTI and ST Fiest several times before deciding on the GTI. Here are my honest non biased thoughts and opinions:
The GTI won on the interior/exterior, power, interior/cargo space, and comfort. Better baseline power/speed and better response to modding.
The ST won on fun factor, steering/handling, brakes, overall dyamics, clutch/shift feel, sound and reliability. Probably resale value too. Thanks dieselgate...
If I could go back in time I would have gotten the FIST for my second car. I already have my fast car (15' GT stang). Every time I look at these forums or other forums, there are thread about complaints of issues with their VW/GTI. Many of the complaints are serious. There is a 3 page thread over at VWVortex with 9 different DSG failures! Blown motors, several early-build turbo failures, slipping clutches, weird noises, vibrations... I have had several new cars over the years and Ive never seen so many complaints in such a short time.
These cars respond awesome to tunes but you couldn't pay me to jeopardize my warranty with this car!
I really question the reliability of these cars and can't wait to unload my GTI to be honest.
Nice write-up. Seems like we pretty much agreed on most impressions. It's funny how close our situations are, but just the opposite. See I think if I were to only have one car, I would have bought the FiST. Since I already have a car solely for fun (Miata), the GTI is actually going to be my "fast" car. Eh there's complaints about reliability on every car forum. Currently however, VW is ahead of Ford in Reliability ratings by a decent amount. Get that thing a real tune She's asking for it