What to buy? GTI or GLI? That is the question...

[Wastegate13]

It could just be a generational thing. Keyless is pretty new, I got my first GTI in 1984, so........I've been using keys for a long time, so it seems second nature. I can see how some would not want to whip out a key. This is my first car with keyless.

I also find that keyless is a battery drain and I have to keep my lipo on a charger if not using the car for more than a day. Lipo problems...

Lipo?

 

[Keehs360]

Lipo?

Lithium polymer

I think? That’s my best guess

 

[sterkrazzy]

Lipo?

Lightweight battery I'd guess

 

[Diggs24]

Eh? My lithium battery has sat for weeks and fires right up.

 

[Wastegate13]

Battery makes sense. Do you park in a garage and leave the car unlocked? There are parts of the electronics that only go to sleep once you lock the car. Several people have experienced this issue.

 

[bentin]

Agreed, open windows also tend to be a battery drain if you have interior motion sensors. Our old B5 A4 would kill a regular battery in months since the car was parked indoors with the windows down.

 

[Diggs24]

Car is left unlocked with windows open in my garage.

 

[GTIfan99]

Lipo?

Lithium Ion battery. It weighs 3 lbs. Not really worth it, but I already bought it, so here we are. lol

 

[RollCage]

Bro. U near Denver Colorado? If so u can come over and drive my GTI and gli

Thanks man! If I could find time away from work, I might take you up on that. I'll let you know!

Has anyone said just go to a dealer and test drive both yet?

Yup, in my original post... Drove both, and that's what spawned all 8 pages of this

 

[RollCage]

I own both a 2018 S and a 2019 Rabbit. The Rabbit has the the keyless and LED's. I can honestly say that on a street car, the only thing that bothered me on the S was not having the LED's and that's an easy aftermarket fix. Keyss is almost an annoyance at times and pushing a button to unlock doors and putting key in the ignition isn't really a big deal to me.

Get the car that feels special to you. If you don't, you'll be looking to get out of the car in a couple of years. I love both our 18 S and 19 Rabbit.

I'm a hatchback guy, always have been. I'd never buy the GLI over the GTI. I'd buy the GLI if the GTI didn't exist. Both fantastic cars, but come on, it's a GTI. It's an icon. Plaid for life. lol

You hit the nail on the head, I think. The GTI just felt more "special." The GLI was very nice, and if it were the only thing available, I'd be completely happy with it, but since the GTI exists, well... I like it more

I have requests for quotes out on both of them at the moment, but I'm planning on a GTI, unless a super screaming deal comes along on a GLI.

 

[jimlloyd40]

I agree. I'll never buy a car again without some kind of kessy\keyless ignition. Not having to take anything out of my pockets when getting into my car is a huge quality of life thing for me.

It's very helpful for me too since I'm in and out of my car 30-40 times per day.

 

[GTIfan99]

You hit the nail on the head, I think. The GTI just felt more "special." The GLI was very nice, and if it were the only thing available, I'd be completely happy with it, but since the GTI exists, well... I like it more

I have requests for quotes out on both of them at the moment, but I'm planning on a GTI, unless a super screaming deal comes along on a GLI.

Even with a screaming deal, I think you'll feel like you settled with the GLI. Just get the GTI and be happy. Life is too short to worry about $2000ish.

 

[RollCage]

It could just be a generational thing. Keyless is pretty new, I got my first GTI in 1984, so........I've been using keys for a long time, so it seems second nature. I can see how some would not want to whip out a key. This is my first car with keyless.

I also find that keyless is a battery drain and I have to keep my lipo on a charger if not using the car for more than a day. Lipo problems...

I certainly don't mind having a physical key, but I'll admit that keyless is pretty nice. I actually just like the push button to start (having had an S2000), more than the keyless entry...

I just wish that VW had put the key cylinder on the dash with an illuminated ring around it like my old Toyota Tundra had. Easy to see, easy to find.

 

[jimlloyd40]

Lipo?

He's a PA so he keeps a lipo fat sucking machine in his car.

 

[RollCage]

Even with a screaming deal, I think you'll feel like you settled with the GLI. Just get the GTI and be happy. Life is too short to worry about $2000ish.

I think you're right!! I know for sure, that even though they're equal on paper, and even after modifications, that I'd always wonder if the GTI could've been just a little bit better.