Volkswagen GTI (mk7) - Fast Blast Review - Everyday Driver

After driving the Mk 7 Golf in various forms, the guys have wanted to get a GTI on camera in the prefect spec. When our friend Dixon bought a 6-speed with performance pack, we knew it was time for a fast blast.

The tires discussed are ones available as part of the Performance pack. Bridgestone Potenza S0001s.

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[maximus]

Ah Golf GTI...the car that can do no wrong. It really is one of the best at what it tries to do, which is a little bit of everything for everyone. Love it

[anaswarjayakumar]

Proud to announce that I am a proud owner of a 18 Golf GTI DSG that has accumulated just over 3000 miles since I took delivery last August. One of the best cars I have purchased and owned. It puts a smile on my face every time. Even though I have just recently started watching your content, your channel is starting to become one of my favorite because of your honest reviews and amazing content. Keep up the good work guys!

[bryanramey]

Here's my experience with VW. My wife has a 2009 Tiguan 2.0T. We serviced it every 10, 000 miles and at 75, 000 miles the Tiguan still drives and looks like a brand new car. The only gripe is that each service, I am spending $350 to $600 and the sun roof shade went out right after warranty expired, however I was able to get it fix for a very low cost. But what I do love about our VW is the interior is made with really good materials that don't scratch like some of my previous cars which had this cheap plastic that was shiny. Now that the car is paid off, we are planning on keeping it for a while.

Bottom line, VW's are great if you service them. I mostly like them because they drive, feel like a Audi or BMW.

[Zoolookuk]

I watched this video at least a dozen times before buying my GTI Autobahn w/PP (and the manual gear box!) Great videos, thanks!

[seinsmeld]

My Mk 5 GTI has 285, 000 km on it and is still running A1. I highly recommend this car. Enjoy.

[Trendyflute]

I've said it for years and years: VWs are great, if you maintain them. Do not confuse them with Corollas or Civics that run without oil changes. If you do the maintenance on your VW as is recommended, you will have a happy experience by and large. People who don't think they're Japanese econoboxes and are disappointed.

I am 11 years and 103k miles into my '04 GTI (first and only owner). Starting at 75k, I have been inclined to be proactive and invest in major maintenance items. Timing belt and water pump, full suspension refresh including every mount and bushing and bolt, brakes include calipers and lines, etc. Just did clutch and flywheel and transaxle input & output bearings and seals. Has it cost me several thousand dollars over the last few years? Yes. Do I trust my VW to get me from SF to LA and back today? Definitely yes. I am confident I can get many thousand more miles out of my GTI. I had to put in some maintenance and effort to get to that point. It's not magic or rocket science. If you care for these cars, they care for you, and are a lot of fun in the meantime. I have done many track days and blasted down countless canyon roads in mine and even if I have to put some money into keeping it in tip-top shape, overall, I know it is ROBUST. It will keep going as long as I put in my fair share. And that is a very fair tradeoff. I love my GTI, it is my second one, and I am dying to get my hands on a MkVII Performance Package because I feel very confident it will be a great vehicle too.

If you want something that doesn't requiring thinking or caring over the long term, go elsewhere. But know there is no magic. You get your fun and your practicality and your economy and your comfort from your GTI because you are invested. That's the deal. Maybe it's not what everyone wants to hear, but it is the truth.

[alexstern]

I love how you guys do those long distance shots with trees flying by. Not sure what you call that but looks awesome and fast

[dino]

I've got a mk5 TDI that's got near to 300K miles and it drives and looks just like new.

[davidd]

I own a 2010 GTi and love the way it drives, but yes, as soon as warranty expired had to replace the following intake manifold (twice), fuel injectors (twice), chain tensioner caused cam shaft failure. Jeez a few thousand dollars in repairs. Maintenance was kept up always. Now I have 133K miles and car is rock solid, fun to drive, but I drive it with fingers crossed (no more repairs please). This is a no BS post. Reliability is needed for all VW's.

[yanivantebbi]

After 65000 I’m pretty happy with my mk7gti. It is different engine, very reliable

[TheHandyguys]

Thanks guys for your great reviews and fast blasts. I regularly watch your videos and appreciate all the work you put into them production wise. It is an amazing amount of work. I also listen to your podcasts. What is best of all... i get to listen to the podcasts using android auto in my new 2016 4 door GTI Performance Pack manual that I just purchased last month. This is an amazing car. Great interior, awesome driving dynamics, excellent technology. Yea some people don't get the hatchback but when necessary I am able to drive my family of 5 (including wife, 2 teenagers and a 10 yr old) with no problem. And for my daily commute on curvy back roads in SE PA I get to have a blast.

[NiceGuyAidey]

Ive had my MK7 Gti for 2 years now and still love driving it everytime...

[johnnnewmex]

The '60, 000 mile' perception you mention seems to apply more to other VW models than the GTI. I would say it is the one model (Golf) that has the best reliability reputation for that brand. But sure I'd never expect it to be like a Honda. But for $25k, it is a great little car.

[UInACrash]

EverydayDriver I needed this review back in April but I am relieved to know that you approve of the car that I ultimately picked. I test drove extensively the competition with the Focus ST and Subaru WRX and I went this route with no brand loyalties to any of the 3. They all have great qualities about them and none of them are perfect, but what a great time to want a manual transmission in a performance oriented car under 30k.

[kylegoodman]

This video is precisely why after I got my 2016 GTI Four Door PP SE with the DSG (I commute in my GTI and live in a pretty congested area so it was a must) and DCC, I got rid of the standard tires and got some new ones with money I set aside. I get why Volkswagen went with the standard Bridgestones; they've got enough grip for probably the majority of GTI buyers, they don't have any NVH/ride quality issues, and they're cheap to repair. The Dunlops I got though were only a shade more expensive and they didn't mess up the NVH or ride quality while giving me a ton more grip. Thanks for the tip, guys!

[rickmoderie]

The VW GTI with the DSG is my favorite car that I ever owned. I could race TTs on the backroads. I could jump out on the Autobahn with no problem. I could conquer windy roads with the pedal to the metal. I could cruise calmly on the Autobahn like any other Autobahn cruiser. Compared to BMW, the car drives itself. I owned a MkV (2007).

[fkporsche]

GTI is a great driving hot hatch! I love driving my nephew's GTI. For that price point, the GTI drive really satisfying, great steering feel, power is pretty good, handling is good, a solid vehicle. I live right by the canyon. Drove my nephew's car many time through the canyon road. Satisfying car.
My other car is a GT3RS. (A Pretty involve car) but I can't find any negative thing on a GTI.

[JoJoJoker]

Agreed 100% on the tires. My GF's Mk7 GTI (APR stg. 1 300 hp, DSG) is let down by those stock rubber bands. My Mk6 GTI (APR stg 1 260 hp, DSG) has Michelin Pilot Sport A/S3s. That's what I am going to put on her car. They transform it. FYI: the R gets a manual, they should be here in 2 months. Please review a stage 1 car.

[wizeguiz]

I agree with the tires issue. I have owned several cars both economy and performance. You have to find which tires work well for the car and buy them. Most come with lousy low rolling resistance ones which are good for gas mileage, but suck on the twistys!

[bettersteps]

My MK6 2013 manual GTI is at 97k and still running as strong as the day I bought it new. No issues and the quality of the interior is top notch. Fantastic car and my second GTI. My MK4 was just as fun and reliable. The GTI is a great car. Buy it with a manual!