Daily Driver: GTI or 370Z

Speedy · 02-07-2012, 07:23 PM

Look at them side by side. Is it still even a question? 370 all the way bro.

keb370z · 02-07-2012, 10:28 PM

I came from an '00 GTI and I loved it while I had it. Fold the seats down and you can haul anything. A pleasure to drive. Exterior and interior all looked brand new even though it was over 10 years old.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the difference of road noise. The GTI is insulated well. You'll hear nice engine sound but that's about it, compared to the Z which has quite a bit of road noise. A lot actually. I had sound deadening installed when I had my stereo upgraded and it made it much better. Be sure to pay attention to this when you do your test drives. Some people can't stand it.

I have two children and my husband's Mazdaspeed 3 is our family car, our Costco car, and our practical daily driver. The Z is more of a second car to me, and we carpool to work. The Z stays in the garage for winter. I keep my summer tires on. I live in the Midwest so summer tires year round is not an option.

If I were in your position, having owned both a GTI and a Z, I'd pick the Z. Because I couldn't go back. Weather isn't going to be a problem for you. You can get a good load of groceries in the Z. Friends and family can help for any bigger hauling you'll ever need to do.

And if this says anything, I had the VW dealer put me on the waiting list for the new GTI R, and I still bought the Z instead. I think your love for the GTI will wear off. You'll love your Z forever. You'll be high every time you sit in the seat, every time you push that start button, every time you accelerate onto the highway. You'll get used to having a GTI. You'll never get used to having a Z. You'll come out of the grocery store, see your Z parked far at the end of the lot, and just stop to drool.

I say go all out. Get the Z.

Telephone · 02-07-2012, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keb370z

I came from an '00 GTI and I loved it while I had it. Fold the seats down and you can haul anything. A pleasure to drive. Exterior and interior all looked brand new even though it was over 10 years old.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the difference of road noise. The GTI is insulated well. You'll hear nice engine sound but that's about it, compared to the Z which has quite a bit of road noise. A lot actually. I had sound deadening installed when I had my stereo upgraded and it made it much better. Be sure to pay attention to this when you do your test drives. Some people can't stand it.

I have two children and my husband's Mazdaspeed 3 is our family car, our Costco car, and our practical daily driver. The Z is more of a second car to me, and we carpool to work. The Z stays in the garage for winter. I keep my summer tires on. I live in the Midwest so summer tires year round is not an option.

If I were in your position, having owned both a GTI and a Z, I'd pick the Z. Because I couldn't go back. Weather isn't going to be a problem for you. You can get a good load of groceries in the Z. Friends and family can help for any bigger hauling you'll ever need to do.

And if this says anything, I had the VW dealer put me on the waiting list for the new GTI R, and I still bought the Z instead. I think your love for the GTI will wear off. You'll love your Z forever. You'll be high every time you sit in the seat, every time you push that start button, every time you accelerate onto the highway. You'll get used to having a GTI. You'll never get used to having a Z. You'll come out of the grocery store, see your Z parked far at the end of the lot, and just stop to drool.

I say go all out. Get the Z.

Thanks for your feedback KEB! It's hard to argue with that! LOL

Face · 02-08-2012, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keb370z

And if this says anything, I had the VW dealer put me on the waiting list for the new GTI R, and I still bought the Z instead. I think your love for the GTI will wear off. You'll love your Z forever. You'll be high every time you sit in the seat, every time you push that start button, every time you accelerate onto the highway. You'll get used to having a GTI. You'll never get used to having a Z. You'll come out of the grocery store, see your Z parked far at the end of the lot, and just stop to drool.

I say go all out. Get the Z.

Coming from my GTI and being a serious VW fanboy, I too was considering the Golf-R, but it's just too much for too little. It was hard getting the last few personal items out of my glovebox when I traded her in, but once in the driver seat of my new Z I didn't look back when pulling out of the lot. I just went for a joy-ride for the first time in 12 years and it was like I was 18 all over again. I seriously get a ****-eating grin when I see it. I've had a hard time sleeping because I can't wait to drive to work in the morning.

Telephone · 02-07-2012, 10:40 PM

Thanks for all of the responses and info. Your feedback seems to split 50/50, which was what I was afraid of. I've scheduled a test drive for the GTI tomorrow, and Thursday for the 370Z. I know now that the test drive(s) will be my deciding factor.

I also realize that they are totally different cars, but they are the only ones that I'm interested in at this time. I want to buy new. I don't have any junk to haul around. This dream car is for me...not for girls. I rarely have a single passenger.

Import Convert - As for the cheaper insurance rates in Cali, I have a clean driving record and I'm 32...but I'll never consider buying a home here. So there is a tradeoff. BTW, if you don't want kids...get a vasectomy! Best decision I ever made. I was 26, and the procedure was easy and $350. Parenthood just isn't for me.

hdskull - Yes I know our roads are not the best. And you're right about the nice features on the GTI. I like fog lamps, sunroof, heated seats, plus those other features you mentioned. The GTI will also allow tire rotations. But when I add more options to the GTI, I get closer and closer to the Base price of a 370Z.

rxdo - I know the GTI has potential. But the money it takes to make the GTI as fast as the 370z...I could use that money torwards a 370z. I have a bike to go fast on. Both of these cars are quick enough for my needs. Besides, I want to stay as far from the RICE scene as possible.

elmz - I did not take the width of the 370z into consideration. Thanks for bringing that up. Parking the 370z will cause me much anxiety, I think.

gsxr750 - I couldn't tell if you were joking or not. I'm only considereing the GTI & 370z at this time. How the weather in NY? We're riding all year here.

Thanks guys. I'll report back...

02-07-2012, 07:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Speedy Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: TN Posts: 390 Drives: check my signature Rep Power: 15	Look at them side by side. Is it still even a question? 370 all the way bro. Fountainhead likes this.

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02-07-2012, 10:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
keb370z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 214 Drives: '11 M6 Sport in Blue Rep Power: 15	I came from an '00 GTI and I loved it while I had it. Fold the seats down and you can haul anything. A pleasure to drive. Exterior and interior all looked brand new even though it was over 10 years old. I'm surprised no one has mentioned the difference of road noise. The GTI is insulated well. You'll hear nice engine sound but that's about it, compared to the Z which has quite a bit of road noise. A lot actually. I had sound deadening installed when I had my stereo upgraded and it made it much better. Be sure to pay attention to this when you do your test drives. Some people can't stand it. I have two children and my husband's Mazdaspeed 3 is our family car, our Costco car, and our practical daily driver. The Z is more of a second car to me, and we carpool to work. The Z stays in the garage for winter. I keep my summer tires on. I live in the Midwest so summer tires year round is not an option. If I were in your position, having owned both a GTI and a Z, I'd pick the Z. Because I couldn't go back. Weather isn't going to be a problem for you. You can get a good load of groceries in the Z. Friends and family can help for any bigger hauling you'll ever need to do. And if this says anything, I had the VW dealer put me on the waiting list for the new GTI R, and I still bought the Z instead. I think your love for the GTI will wear off. You'll love your Z forever. You'll be high every time you sit in the seat, every time you push that start button, every time you accelerate onto the highway. You'll get used to having a GTI. You'll never get used to having a Z. You'll come out of the grocery store, see your Z parked far at the end of the lot, and just stop to drool. I say go all out. Get the Z.

02-07-2012, 10:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Telephone Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 297 Drives: 2012 Sport M6 Rep Power: 15	Thanks for all of the responses and info. Your feedback seems to split 50/50, which was what I was afraid of. I've scheduled a test drive for the GTI tomorrow, and Thursday for the 370Z. I know now that the test drive(s) will be my deciding factor. I also realize that they are totally different cars, but they are the only ones that I'm interested in at this time. I want to buy new. I don't have any junk to haul around. This dream car is for me...not for girls. I rarely have a single passenger. Import Convert - As for the cheaper insurance rates in Cali, I have a clean driving record and I'm 32...but I'll never consider buying a home here. So there is a tradeoff. BTW, if you don't want kids...get a vasectomy! Best decision I ever made. I was 26, and the procedure was easy and $350. Parenthood just isn't for me. hdskull - Yes I know our roads are not the best. And you're right about the nice features on the GTI. I like fog lamps, sunroof, heated seats, plus those other features you mentioned. The GTI will also allow tire rotations. But when I add more options to the GTI, I get closer and closer to the Base price of a 370Z. rxdo - I know the GTI has potential. But the money it takes to make the GTI as fast as the 370z...I could use that money torwards a 370z. I have a bike to go fast on. Both of these cars are quick enough for my needs. Besides, I want to stay as far from the RICE scene as possible. elmz - I did not take the width of the 370z into consideration. Thanks for bringing that up. Parking the 370z will cause me much anxiety, I think. gsxr750 - I couldn't tell if you were joking or not. I'm only considereing the GTI & 370z at this time. How the weather in NY? We're riding all year here. Thanks guys. I'll report back...