[krhodes1]

But tomorrow I say goodbye to my M235i. Trading it down to a 2017 VW GTI Sport for a couple reasons. I've bought a 2nd home in Port Charlotte FL, and a month or two of having the M235i as my only car while trying to get a second household established was just a giant pain - the car is only really capable of hauling @ss! I need something with some cargo space. And despite spending way below my "budget" on the new house (and doesn't house shopping SUCK), and the tax savings of becoming a FL resident, the specter of two mortgages and maintaining two homes made me nervous. More than halving the monthly payment eases that considerably. Thanks to DieselGate, the discounts are NICE - I got well over $5K off MSRP without trying too hard. And they gave me a killer trade-in that eased the pain of doing this somewhat. And since it was a trade, no sales tax due. So back to my roots - I drove an '85 Jetta 2dr and an '84 Jetta GLI in college and grad school, then had a '92 GLI 16V later in life, and my first new car was an '02 Golf TDI GLS. I still have my 328! wagon back in Maine though, will be here in FL ~7.5 months a year and in Maine summers.

The GTI Sport is kind of the M235i to the GTI R's M2 - a bit more power (+10hp), a limited slip diff, HID swivley lights and keyless entry and start added over the base GTI for a smallish price premium. Fun car, though completely different being a pumped up shopping trolley. I pick it up tomorrow - of course, they didn't have the exact car I wanted, but one was in transit. It showed up an hour after I left the dealership. Doh! White on black plaid cloth, six speed stick. I usually prefer colors, but I just like the way Golfs look in white. Plus Florida sun... I hope they send my M235i far away - will suck if I see it around Ft Myers all the time! There are NONE of them here at all in God's Waiting Room.

[ny176]

Congrats on the second home and Good Luck with the new GTI! I'm sure you'll find your way home down the road.

[KO7]

GTIs are phenomenal cars, especially for the money. I had a MK6 one that I do miss. Unbeatable as a do-it-all car at its price point.

[bimmerfile]

Moving your money from a depreciating asset to an appreciating asset is always a prudent financial strategy.

[xantdieselx]

Congrats and enjoy the GTI

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

But tomorrow I say goodbye to my M235i. Trading it down to a 2017 VW GTI Sport for a couple reasons. I've bought a 2nd home in Port Charlotte FL, and a month or two of having the M235i as my only car while trying to get a second household established was just a giant pain - the car is only really capable of hauling @ss! I need something with some cargo space. And despite spending way below my "budget" on the new house (and doesn't house shopping SUCK), and the tax savings of becoming a FL resident, the specter of two mortgages and maintaining two homes made me nervous. More than halving the monthly payment eases that considerably. Thanks to DieselGate, the discounts are NICE - I got well over $5K off MSRP without trying too hard. And they gave me a killer trade-in that eased the pain of doing this somewhat. And since it was a trade, no sales tax due. So back to my roots - I drove an '85 Jetta 2dr and an '84 Jetta GLI in college and grad school, then had a '92 GLI 16V later in life, and my first new car was an '02 Golf TDI GLS. I still have my 328! wagon back in Maine though, will be here in FL ~7.5 months a year and in Maine summers.

The GTI Sport is kind of the M235i to the GTI R's M2 - a bit more power (+10hp), a limited slip diff, HID swivley lights and keyless entry and start added over the base GTI for a smallish price premium. Fun car, though completely different being a pumped up shopping trolley. I pick it up tomorrow - of course, they didn't have the exact car I wanted, but one was in transit. It showed up an hour after I left the dealership. Doh! White on black plaid cloth, six speed stick. I usually prefer colors, but I just like the way Golfs look in white. Plus Florida sun... I hope they send my M235i far away - will suck if I see it around Ft Myers all the time! There are NONE of them here at all in God's Waiting Room.

Congrats on the new car! That's a great pick. And I agree with you, it a fantastic ride for the money. White looks great on that car too, and I'm happy to I hear about the manual tranny. That's doing it right from all sides.

[Dylan86]

Good stuff man, can't go wrong either way!

The GTI really is the best at everything. The Golf R is the best at everything, just AWD and faster, but to a lot of people that doesn't mean "better". Balance of practicality and performance, with lots of room to mod. Stage 1 APR makes 290whp 360wtq, booya!

[B_Rice]

See ya later brother. I hope your gti is more reliable than mine ever was.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats on the new car

[basiluf]

I'm also considering a GTI Sport 6MT in replacement of my leased M235i. The fact that I can sign and drive and pay off the car in 36 months for a little bit over $100/month more than I'm paying on my M235i lease is quite tempting.

[krhodes1]

Figured I'd post a pic or two:

The new ride:

IMG_20170126_121115833_TOP by kevinr1916, on Flickr

The dearly departed, at the Welt with Mom:

M235 - with Mom by kevinr1916, on Flickr

Almost a week in, I really like the GTI a lot. But it really makes me a bit mad at BMWNA, because the ultimate would be something like the GTI with the M235i's engine and chassis. Oh yeah, that is pretty much what an M135i is!

[Alpine F31]

Your M235i was exactly like mine. I recently sold mine for something more practical too. Hopefully I'll be able to add a new "fun" car to the stable this summer.

Congrats on the VW.

[MartyMcFly88MPH]

Congrats. If you have to settle, the GTI isn't a bad choice. I had mine stage 1 for 60k miles without many issues (water pump). I'd highly recommend tuning it.

[SCCThree]

I have to admit when the new Golf R marketing blitz was going on a couple years back all the press photos were of a blue 2 door version. I was determined to get one once they went on sale. Then the VAG curse hit and they only brought over the 4 door variant which was a huge disappointment to me. It was so annoying to go to the UK and see the 2 door Golf R running around and I couldn't get one. So, I bought a CPO 335is and have a M240xi on order. Interesting how it all works out.

[mrfattbill]

That is a sharp looking car, congrats.

Bill

[Rayscott]

Good choice and a prudent decision. I leave for Naples in 2 weeks. I will look around and see how many I see down there. I do see lots of exotics, lots of $$$$$ in Naples. I get around in my measly X3.

[Dylan86]

Ohhh a Pure White MK7 I see, great choice, but I'm not biased in any way

Here's our grocery gett'r. I feeeel we'll always have a GTI/R in the driveway as it's really the family favourite in most cases (aside from my fav, obv.)




And the "old" MK6

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by Dylan86

Ohhh a Pure White MK7 I see, great choice, but I'm not biased in any way

Here's our grocery gett'r. I feeeel we'll always have a GTI/R in the driveway as it's really the family favourite in most cases (aside from my fav, obv.)

Nice! Your neighborhood is MUCH more scenic than mine, too! I LOVE those wheels on your old car!

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

Nice! Your neighborhood is MUCH more scenic than mine, too! I LOVE those wheels on your old car!

Thanks, and yea the 18" "Serron" wheels flowed really well on the MK6. The only reason we jumped into the MK7 was all of the hype. I must say, it was worth it, but there was nothing wrong with the old car, lol

If you're not already on VWVortex (or VWKotex depending on what hour of the day it is), there's a ton of mod friendly info, as well as best practices etc that you can take advantage of.

Mod #1, 12v plug from the Audi's.


Cheapest and one of the most pleasing interior finishing pieces IMO (and under $30 to your door)

D

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by Dylan86

Thanks, and yea the 18" "Serron" wheels flowed really well on the MK6. The only reason we jumped into the MK7 was all of the hype. I must say, it was worth it, but there was nothing wrong with the old car, lol

If you're not already on VWVortex (or VWKotex depending on what hour of the day it is), there's a ton of mod friendly info, as well as best practices etc that you can take advantage of.


D

My join date for VW Vortex is in early 2001 - this ain't my first VW...

I've seen that Audi plug - cute! Got my Euro headlight switch today, auto headlight thingy should show up tomorrow along with the trailer hitch and roof rack. And a pile of stuff from VW accessories next week.

[WolfGTI]

Congrats on the MK7. My Vortex join date is 6/99, definitely showing my age.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by WolfGTI

Congrats on the MK7. My Vortex join date is 6/99, definitely showing my age.

You and me both - when I bought my first VW ('85 Jetta 2dr), Reagan was president, and the Internet didn't exist!

How is it even possible that was over *30* years ago???