I will start my car Journal as I am pleasantly pleased with this GTI 7.
I have to accept that I am quite enthusiastic about new technology. So I would prefer to try new stuff even if it means leaving some raw driving on previous models or cars. Same with the motorcycles I have all with latest electronics which of course from time to time I disconnect but I benefit a lot from.
Having said this then, don't expect me to be missing the raw feeling of previous GTI's a lot. When I want this feeling then I go and race Go-Karts. Or take the Mk 7 on track too
Love the GROWLING on Sport mode. 230 ponies are well worth the extra price tag.
Driving Experience so far.
As said before it is in fact my 4th owned Golf and 6th driven, I am enjoying this one more than I did the Mk 6. The reason being how changeable the behaviour of the Mk7 can be compared to the 6. I tend to use a lot the DCC modes but the 7 with the Comfort mode feels far a different car than the 6th did. More floaty, softer, very light steering and of course more silent. Certainly the Damping and Rebound settings better managed on this one. 6th felt on confort mode like having more damping and just the rebound was changed.
DSG
Like far better the way the DSG engages the down shifts. This quick acceleration with the nice growl of the engine is just great. Then at lower speeds it does a more relaxed acceleration. I find it better than Mk6.
Steering
So far I like the work done on this. Confort mode very light goes easy. Sport mode you feel the feedback and the weight is increased to the levels of the Mk 6. The progressive steering is for me a good achievement. I enjoy this a lot for the driving I do, easy to do less turns and so far I feel it quite well adapted. For me to get used to this almost no-time.
Mk6 was more like in sport mode but always and yes I had moments where I didn't wanted to change the position of hands to complete a turn BUT I had to. Now that feel is gone. Just to clarify my driving position is very much on the sporty side meaning, close to the wheel.
Start/Stop
I see the use of the system, still it gets me a bit anxious on certain situations for instance when having to stop for a turn and I feel like saying "don't turn off". After reading the manual the system won't shut it down if the steering is on full lock, so I would do this in order to keep it running ready to pounce to the turn.
Other than this situations I now accept it quite well.
In combination with the Auto Hold, it makes the driving quite relaxing.
Without Auto Hold, then when releasing brake up you go.
Dealer tells me don't worry all is meant to work like that and resist the stress of running electrics while you wait.
Therefore I will trust VW on this one let's see later.
ACC
Contributes to relaxed driving yet still I am careful as I am learning to live with it. But one gets the impression that the car drives itself which can be bad because I fear it could make one take the attention off the road. Again prudence IMO.
System works well, keeps the distance, brakes if necessary accelerates gently (I have used it only on Confort or Normal mode).
Lane Assist
Will only use this one when on highways (autobahns in here). I had it on but I was driving on a city/country road. So I had those gentle pulses from the steering wheel. It corrects gently and tells you if you remove the hands, to hold it back again.
Works fine but that one feeling only on highways.
Park Assist
As I like driving a lot I put a lot of effort on Park the car in the best way. Nevertheless I gave this system several tries and again, me lazy but I like it! Had situations when while on the move and about to find a spot I pushed the button and it reacted quick. Then yes the manoeuvre all fine. With the DSG one has mostly to lift up the brakes.
The only thing is the position of the button which is on the right to the gear selector. So until I learn the position of it then I have to look and the DSG gear selector hides it a bit.
One of those things.
Will post more findings and experiences, hope to bring up something to the reader.
Main conclusion so far: This little jewel makes me happy and brings enthusiasm to my driving.
I have to accept that I am quite enthusiastic about new technology. So I would prefer to try new stuff even if it means leaving some raw driving on previous models or cars. Same with the motorcycles I have all with latest electronics which of course from time to time I disconnect but I benefit a lot from.
Having said this then, don't expect me to be missing the raw feeling of previous GTI's a lot. When I want this feeling then I go and race Go-Karts. Or take the Mk 7 on track too
Love the GROWLING on Sport mode. 230 ponies are well worth the extra price tag.
Driving Experience so far.
As said before it is in fact my 4th owned Golf and 6th driven, I am enjoying this one more than I did the Mk 6. The reason being how changeable the behaviour of the Mk7 can be compared to the 6. I tend to use a lot the DCC modes but the 7 with the Comfort mode feels far a different car than the 6th did. More floaty, softer, very light steering and of course more silent. Certainly the Damping and Rebound settings better managed on this one. 6th felt on confort mode like having more damping and just the rebound was changed.
DSG
Like far better the way the DSG engages the down shifts. This quick acceleration with the nice growl of the engine is just great. Then at lower speeds it does a more relaxed acceleration. I find it better than Mk6.
Steering
So far I like the work done on this. Confort mode very light goes easy. Sport mode you feel the feedback and the weight is increased to the levels of the Mk 6. The progressive steering is for me a good achievement. I enjoy this a lot for the driving I do, easy to do less turns and so far I feel it quite well adapted. For me to get used to this almost no-time.
Mk6 was more like in sport mode but always and yes I had moments where I didn't wanted to change the position of hands to complete a turn BUT I had to. Now that feel is gone. Just to clarify my driving position is very much on the sporty side meaning, close to the wheel.
Start/Stop
I see the use of the system, still it gets me a bit anxious on certain situations for instance when having to stop for a turn and I feel like saying "don't turn off". After reading the manual the system won't shut it down if the steering is on full lock, so I would do this in order to keep it running ready to pounce to the turn.
Other than this situations I now accept it quite well.
In combination with the Auto Hold, it makes the driving quite relaxing.
Without Auto Hold, then when releasing brake up you go.
Dealer tells me don't worry all is meant to work like that and resist the stress of running electrics while you wait.
Therefore I will trust VW on this one let's see later.
ACC
Contributes to relaxed driving yet still I am careful as I am learning to live with it. But one gets the impression that the car drives itself which can be bad because I fear it could make one take the attention off the road. Again prudence IMO.
System works well, keeps the distance, brakes if necessary accelerates gently (I have used it only on Confort or Normal mode).
Lane Assist
Will only use this one when on highways (autobahns in here). I had it on but I was driving on a city/country road. So I had those gentle pulses from the steering wheel. It corrects gently and tells you if you remove the hands, to hold it back again.
Works fine but that one feeling only on highways.
Park Assist
As I like driving a lot I put a lot of effort on Park the car in the best way. Nevertheless I gave this system several tries and again, me lazy but I like it! Had situations when while on the move and about to find a spot I pushed the button and it reacted quick. Then yes the manoeuvre all fine. With the DSG one has mostly to lift up the brakes.
The only thing is the position of the button which is on the right to the gear selector. So until I learn the position of it then I have to look and the DSG gear selector hides it a bit.
One of those things.
Will post more findings and experiences, hope to bring up something to the reader.
Main conclusion so far: This little jewel makes me happy and brings enthusiasm to my driving.
