10k/nearly a year with the 6C GTI
Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2017 8:31 pm
So Ive had my 6C GTI for over 10k miles now (really about 11) and approaching a year end of Dec.
I just wanted to give a brief right-up on what I think of the car, how its been over that period and the pros and cons of owning one. Hopefully it'll make a reasonable tead for someone buying one or thinking about it.
So my car is a May 2015 3 door manual. I didnt buy it new then....no it was about 19 months old with 29k miles on the clock....but it represented excellent value for money and had been very well looked after by its 1st keeper. Real draw to this particular car was partly being a 3 door (I wasnt bothered about practicality), a manual (with its extra torque and likely engagement) but mainly its massive spec. Literally bar curtain airbags, sunroof and front armrest it has everything else ticked incl. The hot topic sports performance pack. Id struggle to find such a tidy, well equipped one again I think; particularly for what it cost.
I bought the car for work.....I travel a fair amount and wanted something I could enjoy, that wouldnt cost me mega bucks in running costs (note depreciation as well as fuel/servicing) and provide me relative comfort for some long journeys I typically have to undertake. I like VAG cars and had many prior to this (last few 2 x Mk7 GTDs and a Mk3 Octavia 150TDI Elegance estate) so it had a few v good cars to live up to in ways other than performance.
So to get to it.....v impressed indeed. Its been completely reliable and dependable with two big standouts for me......it feels far more refined and grown up than I expected it to. Its actually v comfortable and I wouldnt say any more or less wearing to drive than a Mk7 Golf or Mk3 Octavia. I do get a bit of clutch leg ache now and again on a particularly ballbreaking drive but I would have done in my Golfs and Octavia too. The ride whilst firm is generally excellent and having the DCC dampers makes a difference. V composed in Normal, rock hard (really too stiff) in Sport but Ill get to that.
The other standout is fuel economy.......the thing driven v sensibly will do well into the 40's....for someone very determined I dont doubt that 50mpg would be achievable on a steady run with few interuptions. Even flogged it will return mid to high 30's on a decent run. Given the performance on tap it doesnt have the right to be as efficient as it is IMHO and that part has really impressed.
In terms of how it is to drive, I really like it very much. Its probably overall the best car Ive owned. It handles well (enough...again Ill get to that), stops great and the motor steals the show....its a lesson in smooth, punchy, relentless and lag free mid range power. It feels as though its overpowering the car at times and its all the better for it. Stick it in sport it all gets a bit skitty and mad and its really really fun on the right bit of mood on the right road.
But its not all perfect. Though what car really is.
The suspension is a bit tall and has a little too much travel in it....so it does have a bit of a looseness to it and has a bit more body roll than I expected. Its not terrible by any stretch but sometimes it just doesnt feel as planted as it should do....still corners like on rails in real terms but I find sometimes Im putting blind faith in the car and its electronics to get me through some bends...rather than the composure of the car reassuring me. The sports button firms things up but doesnt really counter that looseness. Its nothing a decent set of lowering springs wont sort. That said sometimes you get the feeling its trying to drive you, rather than you driving it and that challenge can often be enjoyed....that whole small car with a little too much power thing isnt always a bad thing. Those with one in standard form I am sure mostly will get what I mean.
The gearchange isnt wonderful.....its pleasant enough in normal driving but really get cracking and its just not short or direct enough for my liking. Far from the worst ive experienced but it could be better. I dont know if there is a shortshift kit available for the 6C GTI but one would improve things no end I am sure. Also (and I suspect its somewhat down to the relatively large torque output) you get a bit of gearbox whine at low speeds and the clutch can act a little like and on/off switch in stop start traffic if not payint attention....made far worse when the car is in Sport. Though its is more an observation than a complaint....the Mk7 GTDs werent much better.
Other minor things....the sat nav isnt wonderful...well more so its dynamic routing capabilities. If forced to change a route it tends to insist on U turns. Sometimes it just makes some very odd routing decisions. The infotainment was also very glitchy but has been much improved courtesy of a recent TPI fix at the dealers.
Also some of the plastics are a bit easy to scratch....scuff your foot on the door trim getting out for example...most often it will leave a permanent mark. My glovebox is also quite badly scratched, seems you only need breath on it and it picks up marks.
Finally the Parabolica alloys....love them as I might already they are starting to corrode. If I keep the car longer term I will get them painted....diamond cut wheels just arent practical on a daily drive IMHO.
Also servicing isnt cheap...well I dont particularly think so. A 40k major service with AC service cost me 409 quid. Ive had company cars or cars with service packs for years so perhaps Im a bit out of touch?
Improvements.....well Id lower it for a start, a JB1 would be considered for more power (with c. 240hp and 300lb/ft torque itd be a monster) and Id consider a mid-silencer removal to create a bit more noise maybe. If a short shift kit were available Id look into one of those too.
Otherwise brilliant car. For me shines above the ST, Clio RS and 208GTI in its ability to be heaps of fun but exude a level of quality and maturity these cars cant muster. For me I prefer the look of it to the Golf GTI. Just a fantastic little car, that could perhaps handle just a touch better from the factory.
Would I have paid the thick end of 22k for it new.....I doubt it but for what its cost it to me represents about the best fast hatch I could buy. I'll probably be keeping it a while and putting some miles on...though the release of the Hyundai i30n has me interested....never thought id ever say that if a Korean car!!
I just wanted to give a brief right-up on what I think of the car, how its been over that period and the pros and cons of owning one. Hopefully it'll make a reasonable tead for someone buying one or thinking about it.
So my car is a May 2015 3 door manual. I didnt buy it new then....no it was about 19 months old with 29k miles on the clock....but it represented excellent value for money and had been very well looked after by its 1st keeper. Real draw to this particular car was partly being a 3 door (I wasnt bothered about practicality), a manual (with its extra torque and likely engagement) but mainly its massive spec. Literally bar curtain airbags, sunroof and front armrest it has everything else ticked incl. The hot topic sports performance pack. Id struggle to find such a tidy, well equipped one again I think; particularly for what it cost.
I bought the car for work.....I travel a fair amount and wanted something I could enjoy, that wouldnt cost me mega bucks in running costs (note depreciation as well as fuel/servicing) and provide me relative comfort for some long journeys I typically have to undertake. I like VAG cars and had many prior to this (last few 2 x Mk7 GTDs and a Mk3 Octavia 150TDI Elegance estate) so it had a few v good cars to live up to in ways other than performance.
So to get to it.....v impressed indeed. Its been completely reliable and dependable with two big standouts for me......it feels far more refined and grown up than I expected it to. Its actually v comfortable and I wouldnt say any more or less wearing to drive than a Mk7 Golf or Mk3 Octavia. I do get a bit of clutch leg ache now and again on a particularly ballbreaking drive but I would have done in my Golfs and Octavia too. The ride whilst firm is generally excellent and having the DCC dampers makes a difference. V composed in Normal, rock hard (really too stiff) in Sport but Ill get to that.
The other standout is fuel economy.......the thing driven v sensibly will do well into the 40's....for someone very determined I dont doubt that 50mpg would be achievable on a steady run with few interuptions. Even flogged it will return mid to high 30's on a decent run. Given the performance on tap it doesnt have the right to be as efficient as it is IMHO and that part has really impressed.
In terms of how it is to drive, I really like it very much. Its probably overall the best car Ive owned. It handles well (enough...again Ill get to that), stops great and the motor steals the show....its a lesson in smooth, punchy, relentless and lag free mid range power. It feels as though its overpowering the car at times and its all the better for it. Stick it in sport it all gets a bit skitty and mad and its really really fun on the right bit of mood on the right road.
But its not all perfect. Though what car really is.
The suspension is a bit tall and has a little too much travel in it....so it does have a bit of a looseness to it and has a bit more body roll than I expected. Its not terrible by any stretch but sometimes it just doesnt feel as planted as it should do....still corners like on rails in real terms but I find sometimes Im putting blind faith in the car and its electronics to get me through some bends...rather than the composure of the car reassuring me. The sports button firms things up but doesnt really counter that looseness. Its nothing a decent set of lowering springs wont sort. That said sometimes you get the feeling its trying to drive you, rather than you driving it and that challenge can often be enjoyed....that whole small car with a little too much power thing isnt always a bad thing. Those with one in standard form I am sure mostly will get what I mean.
The gearchange isnt wonderful.....its pleasant enough in normal driving but really get cracking and its just not short or direct enough for my liking. Far from the worst ive experienced but it could be better. I dont know if there is a shortshift kit available for the 6C GTI but one would improve things no end I am sure. Also (and I suspect its somewhat down to the relatively large torque output) you get a bit of gearbox whine at low speeds and the clutch can act a little like and on/off switch in stop start traffic if not payint attention....made far worse when the car is in Sport. Though its is more an observation than a complaint....the Mk7 GTDs werent much better.
Other minor things....the sat nav isnt wonderful...well more so its dynamic routing capabilities. If forced to change a route it tends to insist on U turns. Sometimes it just makes some very odd routing decisions. The infotainment was also very glitchy but has been much improved courtesy of a recent TPI fix at the dealers.
Also some of the plastics are a bit easy to scratch....scuff your foot on the door trim getting out for example...most often it will leave a permanent mark. My glovebox is also quite badly scratched, seems you only need breath on it and it picks up marks.
Finally the Parabolica alloys....love them as I might already they are starting to corrode. If I keep the car longer term I will get them painted....diamond cut wheels just arent practical on a daily drive IMHO.
Also servicing isnt cheap...well I dont particularly think so. A 40k major service with AC service cost me 409 quid. Ive had company cars or cars with service packs for years so perhaps Im a bit out of touch?
Improvements.....well Id lower it for a start, a JB1 would be considered for more power (with c. 240hp and 300lb/ft torque itd be a monster) and Id consider a mid-silencer removal to create a bit more noise maybe. If a short shift kit were available Id look into one of those too.
Otherwise brilliant car. For me shines above the ST, Clio RS and 208GTI in its ability to be heaps of fun but exude a level of quality and maturity these cars cant muster. For me I prefer the look of it to the Golf GTI. Just a fantastic little car, that could perhaps handle just a touch better from the factory.
Would I have paid the thick end of 22k for it new.....I doubt it but for what its cost it to me represents about the best fast hatch I could buy. I'll probably be keeping it a while and putting some miles on...though the release of the Hyundai i30n has me interested....never thought id ever say that if a Korean car!!
. I also find mine to be very good on fuel consumption and regularly see 40+ mpg; my long term average according to the car’s fuel computer is currently 41-42 mpg - much of that is down to the congested roads I travel on where there’s rarely an opportunity to do anything other than go with the flow of the traffic at a fairly leisurely pace!
