You are talking brand new GTI's. My buddy was able to pick up an 01 with 30k miles for about $12k.

 

They might make better used cars no doubt. Let the first guy eat the depreciation :).

 

agreed. as i said, not knocking the performance of the GTI/GLI/R32s, just their prices. get them a couple years old, and they're nearly half price sometimes, then they're a much better deal for what they are.

 

There are a few gti/r32 in my area downtown. Most actually are owned (not the r32) by girls (girls are younger than me women are older..heheh). I like the look outside and inside, and they ride nice.
As far as the HID's, that's a winter project. And as always the custom approach will be 10 times cooler than the stock.

I only shift 1-3-5, so it's like I'm driving a 3 speed anyway. 6 would be cool if the ratio was even bigger than our fifth (its the hypermile in me).

Who's gonna start the HHR vs mini clubman thread?

 

isn't there already one floating around here? lol

but yeah, i don't think those features (HID and 6-spd) are justification enough to say the GTI is a better car. and they're simple enough to do for ourselves, and yes, a custom HID setup would end up way cooler than a stock setup. it ups our level of unique-ness, while EVERY GTI has them. personally, if someone was going to offer me either a second SS to go with mine that i already have, or a GTI to accompany my SS, i'd take the second SS. i made the SS vs GTI decision once, and i'd make the same one again.

 

i picked up 05 jetta gli w/29,500 miles for $19,000. it came w/the recaro seats, bbs rims, and monsoon speakers(decent) stereo, auto w/tip, bodykit(factory). to tell ya it picks up faster then my hhr lt. just my .02

 

I got to play with an R32 last night. Couldn't get in a clean run, but we played around a little. Seemed pretty even, but his sounded damn nice. I was surprised. Nice burble to it.

 

What? how does that work for you? lol

 

Hey, what's an 01 HHR SS go for

You guys are comparing apples to oranges...
I came out of a VW that cost me close to $3K to get back on the road after I broke a timing belt... By the way, just replacing a timing belt (unbroken) is about $1K!

I will say that I thought the VW had superior ride and comfort, but it costs a whole lot more money and is expensive to maintain.

I will stick with my 100K warranty.

 

Works great if you like 30-35mpg in the city. Won't win the race to the red lights though :)