Mike10821
Passed Driver's Ed
- Location
- Northern NJ
Here it is, my first new car, my first Golf GTI, and in fact my first Volkswagen. It's a 2015 4 door SE DSG with Performance Pack, Lighting Pack, and DCC in Carbon Steel Grey. Back in December, I placed an order for this car in Pure White. Ended up cancelling that order and going with another dealer for a better price.
Order was submitted December 16th, and almost 4 months later I had no information about when it would arrive. Finally a few weeks ago I learned it would arrive in June, but I was really looking forward to taking delivery in April when the weather was getting better.
Long story short: Last Monday, I decided to check the inventory of a bunch of local dealers. None of their sites showed anything close to my spec. Checked VW.com and there was nothing. Clicked the "Close Matches" button (or whatever it was called) and found this car "in transit" in my exact spec, just a different color. Called the dealer, and was informed that it had just arrived that day (it was not yet listed for sale in their inventory). Got to the dealer at 5:30pm, just as technical PDI was bring completed (no strut pucks). Got my hands on it before the detailer, and asked to not have it touched. No front plate holes had been drilled, and the plastics had just been removed. Ended up getting the car for exactly the same price I had worked out before, and drive it away that night.
This car is my daily driver, and might see a track day here and there. But it is mostly for getting me to work, and getting my wife and 7 month old daughter around safely when we don't need to take the larger vehicle (wife has a 2015 Acura RDX for longer trips and bad weather). I opted for the Performance Pack for the diff, as I do enjoy "spirited" driving, and really like to push my cars when no one else is in the car with me.
My first impressions after a week of driving are overwhelmingly positive. I really do love driving this car. It has the practicality of a small SUV (with the seats folded down) with much better fuel economy (over 30 mpg so far). It is very comfortable for me and my wife, even with an infant seat in the back (on either side). For reference, I am 6'1" and 230lbs, and I can sit comfortably with the infant seat behind me (though I choose to put it behind the passenger seat as my wife is about 4 inches shorter than I am). The cabin is very quiet when travelling down the freeway, and even though the car is small, it feels very planted. The steering is not what I am used to in a sporty car (my last car was a 2004 350Z). But it is perfectly acceptable for me for daily driving. The DCC really is fantastic on bumpy roads, and smoothing things out with a sleeping baby in the back seat. Sometimes I leave it in comfort by accident, and I can actually feel it tighten itself up when taking corners at speed. That is the beauty of DCC, and something that many seem to not realize.
My plans for the car are to improve handling a bit, and give it some more power. In the short term, I have a set of VWR springs that have been in the garage for months. I plan on getting a set of summer wheels, and eventually some better tires (Michelin PSS most likely) with a separate set for winter. After reading RjRacings build thread, I may look into a larger rear sway bar as well. I have had a box of LED replacements from DeAutoKey that have been waiting to be installed, as well as some Osram cornering bulbs, as recommended by Roger2050 on Vortex. I will also get a tune after break-in period and early oil change. Going to start with the low output APR Stage 1, and will probably bump it up to high output after getting better tires. I know I will probably get some hate about that last part, but the crappy all season Pirelli's are breaking loose as it is (and I have not taken it above 4k RPM yet). Definitely needs window tint as well, will most likely go with 35% all around.
Anyway, on to the pics!
This was at the dealer, just before I signed the paperwork. No other customers ever got a chance to look at it or drive it. 12 miles on the car.
MK7 GTI by Mike1082, on Flickr
This was the next morning at work. I always get in early for the good parking spot. My friend arrives soon after in his CSG MK6. I was very inspired to look into a GTI after driving this car, and another slightly older MK6.
Untitled by Mike1082, on Flickr
I am a self-proclaimed detailing enthusiast, so the fact that I do not have proper paint protection installed right now is killing me. But when you start having kids, your free time disappears very quickly. This weekend (after 5 painful days of driving with no protection) I finally had just a few hours to myself early in the morning. Gave it a quick foam bath using my AR383 Pressure Washer and MTM Hydro foam cannon (if you are interested in this setup, you will need this adapter from AR to attach a foam lance, and consider a female-female brass hose fitting, as the one at the hose inlet of this pressure washer leaks like an SOB).
Untitled by Mike1082, on Flickr
A few weeks ago, I attended a "Detailing Clinic" at Detailers Domain, sponsored by Adam's Polishes. I had always known they made great products, but this new one is really nice. You spray it on the paint right after a wash, while it is still wet. As you are drying the car, you are adding a quick layer of protection. Probably not as durable as a true sealant or coating, but super easy to use and fast (this part is going to be key for me). I bought it at Detailers Domain right after seeing it demo'ed, but you can find it here.
Untitled by Mike1082, on Flickr
I was very happy with the outcome. Though I do plan to do a full wash/decon/wash/polish/coating in that order as soon as I am able, this will do for now.
Untitled by Mike1082, on Flickr
Though this was not my first choice in color (mainly because a friend at work has the same color on his MK6, and I just love some cars in white) this color really does look fantastic when it is clean.
Untitled by Mike1082, on Flickr
Soon enough, with nicer wheels, springs, and tint installed, I think it will look great. Now I just need to make sure I have enough cash to buy a bigger house without touching my car fund... :laugh:
Untitled by Mike1082, on Flickr
Finally, here is a bonus pic of my old car, which sadly I had to trade in to buy the wife's new car (no room for an infant seat in here
)
Order was submitted December 16th, and almost 4 months later I had no information about when it would arrive. Finally a few weeks ago I learned it would arrive in June, but I was really looking forward to taking delivery in April when the weather was getting better.
Long story short: Last Monday, I decided to check the inventory of a bunch of local dealers. None of their sites showed anything close to my spec. Checked VW.com and there was nothing. Clicked the "Close Matches" button (or whatever it was called) and found this car "in transit" in my exact spec, just a different color. Called the dealer, and was informed that it had just arrived that day (it was not yet listed for sale in their inventory). Got to the dealer at 5:30pm, just as technical PDI was bring completed (no strut pucks). Got my hands on it before the detailer, and asked to not have it touched. No front plate holes had been drilled, and the plastics had just been removed. Ended up getting the car for exactly the same price I had worked out before, and drive it away that night.
This car is my daily driver, and might see a track day here and there. But it is mostly for getting me to work, and getting my wife and 7 month old daughter around safely when we don't need to take the larger vehicle (wife has a 2015 Acura RDX for longer trips and bad weather). I opted for the Performance Pack for the diff, as I do enjoy "spirited" driving, and really like to push my cars when no one else is in the car with me.
My first impressions after a week of driving are overwhelmingly positive. I really do love driving this car. It has the practicality of a small SUV (with the seats folded down) with much better fuel economy (over 30 mpg so far). It is very comfortable for me and my wife, even with an infant seat in the back (on either side). For reference, I am 6'1" and 230lbs, and I can sit comfortably with the infant seat behind me (though I choose to put it behind the passenger seat as my wife is about 4 inches shorter than I am). The cabin is very quiet when travelling down the freeway, and even though the car is small, it feels very planted. The steering is not what I am used to in a sporty car (my last car was a 2004 350Z). But it is perfectly acceptable for me for daily driving. The DCC really is fantastic on bumpy roads, and smoothing things out with a sleeping baby in the back seat. Sometimes I leave it in comfort by accident, and I can actually feel it tighten itself up when taking corners at speed. That is the beauty of DCC, and something that many seem to not realize.
My plans for the car are to improve handling a bit, and give it some more power. In the short term, I have a set of VWR springs that have been in the garage for months. I plan on getting a set of summer wheels, and eventually some better tires (Michelin PSS most likely) with a separate set for winter. After reading RjRacings build thread, I may look into a larger rear sway bar as well. I have had a box of LED replacements from DeAutoKey that have been waiting to be installed, as well as some Osram cornering bulbs, as recommended by Roger2050 on Vortex. I will also get a tune after break-in period and early oil change. Going to start with the low output APR Stage 1, and will probably bump it up to high output after getting better tires. I know I will probably get some hate about that last part, but the crappy all season Pirelli's are breaking loose as it is (and I have not taken it above 4k RPM yet). Definitely needs window tint as well, will most likely go with 35% all around.
Anyway, on to the pics!
This was at the dealer, just before I signed the paperwork. No other customers ever got a chance to look at it or drive it. 12 miles on the car.

MK7 GTI by Mike1082, on Flickr
This was the next morning at work. I always get in early for the good parking spot. My friend arrives soon after in his CSG MK6. I was very inspired to look into a GTI after driving this car, and another slightly older MK6.

Untitled by Mike1082, on Flickr
I am a self-proclaimed detailing enthusiast, so the fact that I do not have proper paint protection installed right now is killing me. But when you start having kids, your free time disappears very quickly. This weekend (after 5 painful days of driving with no protection) I finally had just a few hours to myself early in the morning. Gave it a quick foam bath using my AR383 Pressure Washer and MTM Hydro foam cannon (if you are interested in this setup, you will need this adapter from AR to attach a foam lance, and consider a female-female brass hose fitting, as the one at the hose inlet of this pressure washer leaks like an SOB).

Untitled by Mike1082, on Flickr
A few weeks ago, I attended a "Detailing Clinic" at Detailers Domain, sponsored by Adam's Polishes. I had always known they made great products, but this new one is really nice. You spray it on the paint right after a wash, while it is still wet. As you are drying the car, you are adding a quick layer of protection. Probably not as durable as a true sealant or coating, but super easy to use and fast (this part is going to be key for me). I bought it at Detailers Domain right after seeing it demo'ed, but you can find it here.

Untitled by Mike1082, on Flickr
I was very happy with the outcome. Though I do plan to do a full wash/decon/wash/polish/coating in that order as soon as I am able, this will do for now.

Untitled by Mike1082, on Flickr
Though this was not my first choice in color (mainly because a friend at work has the same color on his MK6, and I just love some cars in white) this color really does look fantastic when it is clean.

Untitled by Mike1082, on Flickr
Soon enough, with nicer wheels, springs, and tint installed, I think it will look great. Now I just need to make sure I have enough cash to buy a bigger house without touching my car fund... :laugh:

Untitled by Mike1082, on Flickr
Finally, here is a bonus pic of my old car, which sadly I had to trade in to buy the wife's new car (no room for an infant seat in here

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