8th Gen GTI Questions

[tosha]

I've considered the Golf R but the lighter weight and better mpg of the GTI is actually more appealing to me.

But, needs changed and looks like I might be getting a truck now. I don't want to daily a truck though. I want something small that I can whip around corners and gets better than 18 mpg.

Yeah, I have very similar dillema, still keep coming back to R as the best all around choice. For me though, 4wd is a big plus as I can have some fun in the snow as well, which we have plenty of.
I owned couple Golfs about 20 years ago. Those are not representative as they were far from new condition, but both of them had something broken at any and every point of time. It was ironic as there wasn't much to break. One of them was equipped with a heater and stereo, another one also had power steering. That was it. Go figure... some similar age toyotas that my friends owned were bulletproof and far better equipped. At least they were easy to fix.

Long story short, I would never buy a used VW again. Lease or finance a new one and get rid of it after 4 years - sure. But nothing more than that. It's very unfortunate they don't make Impreza STI's anymore..

He said he would do the belt at 90,000 miles or eight years.

That's reasonable. Timing belt on a 4 banger is not a big deal though, less than a gay of work with no rush. A lot of things will break long before that

Sponsored

 

[Ewheels]

It's very unfortunate they don't make Impreza STI's anymore..

Eh, those were ticking time bombs as well.
I used to be a massive WRX fanboy but I let those dreams die after never meeting a single person who didn't have serious engine problems before 100k miles.

 

[tosha]

Eh, those were ticking time bombs as well.
I used to be a massive WRX fanboy but I let those dreams die after never meeting a single person who didn't have serious engine problems before 100k miles.

Urge to boost is the main killing factor there . But the good part is you can swap an engine on a sideroad with the help of few friends and they are great project cars.

I'd bet that if you buy one new and leave it alone in stock form, feed with good premium gas and change oil frequently, it will be super reliable. I had couple Subarus (non Sti) and those were some of the best cars in my experience. That's the nature of any small displacement high HP engine, there is no buffer for mistakes.

 

[Strokerswild]

Eh, those were ticking time bombs as well.
I used to be a massive WRX fanboy but I let those dreams die after never meeting a single person who didn't have serious engine problems before 100k miles.

Usually about 80K, even stock.

A coworker had both a WRX and a Forester with essentially the same engine, and both were down like clockwork at around 80K miles needing valves and seats, IIRC. Killed my notions of one as well.

 

[Strokerswild]

Oh, and I believe the GTI engine now uses a timing chain versus the belts...

 

[sk47]

Oh, and I believe the GTI engine now uses a timing chain versus the belts...

Hello; If so the car is back on my list of potential new cars.

 

[Hack]

I've considered the Golf R but the lighter weight and better mpg of the GTI is actually more appealing to me.

But, needs changed and looks like I might be getting a truck now. I don't want to daily a truck though. I want something small that I can whip around corners and gets better than 18 mpg.

With those goals, a Mustang GT could work. Yes it isn't small, but it's decent on corners and it's easy to get over 19 mpg even with a couple track days per year sprinkled in. Or buy a Subbie BRZ like I have. They aren't bad and should be able to get more than 20 mpg. I haven't checked mine, so I'm not sure what I'm getting.

Usually about 80K, even stock.

A coworker had both a WRX and a Forester with essentially the same engine, and both were down like clockwork at around 80K miles needing valves and seats, IIRC. Killed my notions of one as well.

This is why I'm not taking my Toybaru to any track events. I trust Ford engines a lot more.

 

[Strokerswild]

This is why I'm not taking my Toybaru to any track events. I trust Ford engines a lot more.

I don't think the issues apply to the non-turbo Subie engines.

 

[Hack]

I don't think the issues apply to the non-turbo Subie engines.

I hope you are right! There are a lot of people talking about how Subaru puts too much RTV in the engine. It can block the oil pickup and starve the engine out.

 

[ice445]

My 2017 was okay. Two water pumps before 50K miles, and the cam cover leaked. But as far as actually starting and driving, never an issue once.

 

[ice445]

I don't think the issues apply to the non-turbo Subie engines.

Also unfortunately it does, all variants of the FA24 are affected, normal and the DIT.

 

[Balr14]

Usually about 80K, even stock.

A coworker had both a WRX and a Forester with essentially the same engine, and both were down like clockwork at around 80K miles needing valves and seats, IIRC. Killed my notions of one as well.

My Forester XT engine lasted 92k miles. I gave it to my son-in-law at about 110k and my grandson now drives it. It's pushing 190k now, but the engine is getting pretty bad. On the whole, I'm not fond of horizontally opposed engines. I love Porsches, but they have far greater likelihood for serious issues with bore scoring and oil consumption, than conventional engine configurations.

 

[ice445]

My Forester XT engine lasted 92k miles. I gave it to my son-in-law at about 110k and my grandson now drives it. It's pushing 190k now, but the engine is getting pretty bad. On the whole, I'm not fond of horizontally opposed engines. I love Porsches, but they have far greater likelihood for serious issues with bore scoring and oil consumption, than conventional engine configurations.

A dry sump system eliminates most of the negatives of a boxer engine, but Subaru cars can't afford to implement that at their price points.

 

[Balr14]

I've yet to own a BMW or Merc, and based on a friend's sagas with both I won't, but VW parts and service tend to be orders of magnitude less expensive. At least what little I've experienced.

The first of my two VWs to date was also the first foreign vehicle I ever bought. I was nervous at first, but now I see the error in my ways....

The BMWs I've owned were less problematic than my daughters VW SUV. You have to know what models and years to avoid for BMW and Mercedes.

 

[Strokerswild]

Also unfortunately it does, all variants of the FA24 are affected, normal and the DIT.

Interesting. Everyone I've known with non-Turbo Subies have had great experiences with them.

Sponsored