2007 Volkswagen GTI Consumer Reviews

Best all-around car....period...

Written by: BigBob on 10/25/2009

Vehicle

2007 Volkswagen GTI 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)

Review

After owning SUVs, sports cars, economy cars, this is THE best all-around car that combines features of each of the above-listed automobiles. Fuel economy is excellent when compared to the performance. Sure you can get 40 mgg in a prius but the drive is boring, I'll take the 31-34 mpg in a fun-to-drive GTI any day. I've owned the car for 2.5 years and have had absolutely no problems with it, besides a small rattle in the rear drivers-side door panel that the dealership was able to fix at no charge. I usually get bored with cars after a year or two but this GTI is the only car I've owned that I am seriously considering buying after my lease is up.

Favorite Features

STEERING WHEEL! The build quality is amazing! The GTI is really the poor-man's BMW. The performance and handling are amazing. Standard features are abundant and there is a great attention to detail and refined engineering.

Suggested Improvements

The car could use 25-50 more horsepower. I would also like to have seen the car lowered by about 1-1.5 inches to reduce body roll. While I LOVE the look of the cloth interior the fabric used could be more durable and more resistant to wear. These are small suggestions to an otherwise amazing car!!

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Super Good Time

Written by: jt on 10/22/2009

Vehicle

2007 Volkswagen GTI Fahrenheit 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)

Review

I have had this car for 2 years now and it is absolutely the best car I've owned (out of 6). Lots of room lively engine, suspension. Very easy to get along with. Had only minor probs. Fan switch and leaky coolant for a/c.

Favorite Features

DSG transmission, solid steering feel, rear seat space, great interior quality

Suggested Improvements

Lower cost of maintenance; ie: oil, wiper blades. If you purchase one with 18" wheels, be ready to fork over some cash when the tires wear out.

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90K miles, still excellent!

Written by: VPA on 10/20/2009

Vehicle

2007 Volkswagen GTI 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

The 2007 GTI is a very well made car, the only significant repair after 90K miles was rear wheel bearings. There was also a problem with the PCV valve which was fixed under a service bulletin. The car also loses or burns some oil - not unexpected for a turbo, I guess, but you must check the oil regularly. Numerous interior squeaks and rattles were corrected after I replaced the horrid stock Continental tires with BFG SuperSport A/S and then Goodyear Eagle GT A/S. Ride and handling are great, the stability control is excellent. No steering feel due to the electric steering, but you learn to live without it. An almost perfect, practical sporty 4- dr hatch at a reasonable price.

Favorite Features

Great torque and tall gearing make it a joy to shift through the gears with both power and reasonable fuel economy. Perfect for point-and-squirt moves through traffic. The dual-zone climate control (not offered in other years) is great - not expected in this price range. Always solid and stable.

Suggested Improvements

Sound system nothing special. Front seats comfortable but the Recaros in my previous SVT Focus were much more so. Headlight washers waste washer fluid (always operate when washing windshield with lights on). Car feels solid and heavy, with zero steering feel - could be more fun to drive.

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What makes Awesome.

Written by: Chris C on 08/08/2009

Vehicle

2007 Volkswagen GTI Fahrenheit 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)

Review

Its just a fine piece of engineering. This car feels absolutely solid and locked on to the road. Driving becomes more intuitive when the car goes exactly where you point it, when you point it. Anyone who has ever driven an American car should be familiar with the amount of sag or 'play' between the actual motion of the steering wheel and whats transmitted to the wheels. That's what makes German cars so awesome - wheels turn with the drivers hands. The DSG is just about the most underrated technological innovation ever. This trans is a blast, blowing through gears at speeds previously unimaginable for any gearbox. Learn about how the dual clutch works -- its worth the education.

Favorite Features

DSG Gearbox Launch Control ESP Optional Paint (Fahrenheit :) Steering Wheel Seats Moon Roof

Suggested Improvements

Better Stereo/Nav/Gadget integration.

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Fun, Cheap (Relatively), and German....

Written by: Smyrnios on 06/30/2009

Vehicle

2007 Volkswagen GTI 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

My GTI has been with me for two years and 17K miles, and the experience has been positive. This is the original "hot hatch", the benchmark for this class. If you're looking for outright performance, go for a Mazdaspeed 3. But if you're seeking European character and sophistication, the choice is clear. The GTI goes about its business in a most German way. Feels solid as a bank vault when you get in and shut the door. On the interstate, it's unflappable and deceptively fast, so invest in a good radar detector. This model has ceased production, as the sixth-generation is already out and headed to the US in the fall of 2010. There should be many pre-owned examples to choose from.

Favorite Features

Engine sounds great under full throttle. GTI built in Germany, not Mexico as previous model. Xenon headlamps standard. High quality exterior paint finish. Beefy steering wheel you want to caress. Full-size spare tire. Elegant enough for the country club valet, if the occasion were to arise.

Suggested Improvements

Some interior rattles audible on bumpy roads. My previous Hyundai Elantra had a superior stereo. 200hp is adequate, but the competition has surpassed that figure. Sirius available only in package with moonroof. Options could bloat the price to nearly $30K. Curb weight of 3200lb sometimes felt.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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A Fun Car, But Take Good Care of It

Written by: Stuart N on 06/10/2009

Vehicle

2007 Volkswagen GTI 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)

Review

My '07 GTI is the most enjoyable new car I have ever owned. It's the perfect size and I've got plenty of space for people and cargo, too. VW styling never gets old and the retro interior is cool, comfortable and durable. The DSG is best auto-manual transmission ever made. It makes the car feel sporty without making me feel tired. It's a sports car that doesn't beat you up. But stick to the base car and skip the leather package. Otherwise you have a $30K GTI.

Favorite Features

DSG, retro seats, xenon lights, handling and steering, radio.

Suggested Improvements

Electrical problems have dampened the ownership experience. I've had a coil pack go and repairs for engine and oil pressure sensor lights. The dealer, Langhorne VW, has fixed all of these with no charge. One time they took me on no notice on a Saturday and had me back on the road in an hour.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Sporty and Practical

Written by: Uthor on 06/06/2009

Vehicle

2007 Volkswagen GTI 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I bought the GTI to have a fun car to drive while still being able to live with it day by day. It has more than enough power for the street. Quick steering and an easy to use 6-speed gear box, but the clutch travel is long. There is a huge aftermarket to tweak the car to exactly how you want it. Fits four people with ease. The hatch is a bit small compared to my last car's trunk, but cavernous once the rear seats fold down. Adequate 6-disc CD stereo for a non-audiophile. I've had no mechanical problems. The biggest problem with owning the car is how expensive maintenance can be, especially if down at the dealer, but the recommended 10,000 miles between oil changes helps with that.

Favorite Features

Powertrain. Interior accent lights at night. 30+ mpg easily achieved if driven with care. Much fun if driven without care. Big aftermarket. Multi-Function Display in dash for car info (mpg, etc), radio control, and car options.

Suggested Improvements

Lots of minor eccentricities with the controls (cruise control, seatback adjustment, lever to lower the seats to get into the rear, etc). Creaks and rattles are common.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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The Real GTI is Back

Written by: Nick S. on 03/25/2009

Vehicle

2007 Volkswagen GTI 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I've had my GTI for almost two years now, and it's easily the finest car I've ever driven. There were so many duds that followed the 1983 original, but Volkswagen finally got serious again about this iconic model. The engine is the star here, propelling what's not a light vehicle with gusto. It pulls from below 2000 rpm, which means there's virtually no turbo lag. Great car for darting around Manhattan traffic, but the open road is where it shines. Buckets of torque make passing a breeze, and the VW is unflappable at high speed. Overall reliability has been surprisingly solid. Fuel economy has been atrocious.

Favorite Features

2.0L turbo engine sourced from Audi, xenon headlamps, quality interior materials, induction "tube" that pipes in engine/exhaust sounds into cabin.

Suggested Improvements

The stereo is a joke, despite the myriad speakers. There are numerous rattles coming from the dashboard and other parts of the interior, as well as clunking noises from who knows where. The ride is sometimes harsh, and the shifter feel could be better. Blue instrument lighting is getting tired.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Best Ever

Written by: sunsetswan on 02/25/2009

Vehicle

2007 Volkswagen GTI 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)

Review

I have owned this car for 2 years now. This has been, overall, the best car I have ever owned, and I have owned a lot of vehicles over the last 40 yrs of driving. The quality is exceptional and the driving puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. The fun factor and mileage make it a "10".

Favorite Features

The DSG transmission is wonderful. 18" Hefs our great. Gas mileage is good. Fun to drive factor.

Suggested Improvements

Awkward position of cruise control.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Very practical for parents and children

Written by: Dad's Taxi on 01/16/2009

Vehicle

2007 Volkswagen GTI 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

The GTI is amazing. gets better with age. Perfect for urban areas-- park it anywhere. Equally at home ripping down curvy country roads in the mountains or cruising on the highway. Equipped with winter wheels/tires/roof box it easily can take four skiing or riding. Cruising range over 400 miles-fill ups are infrequent. VW put the money where it counts in this new gti. The handling is crisp and predictable. Squirt through some traffic and take the exit a little faster or go for a Sunday drive and enjoy motoring with the windows down and sunroof open. Sound and options could be better. If you can only own one car this is it. buy it used and save some $. Fun and reliable. kids luv it.

Favorite Features

Engine performance, suspension, incredible grip. the rigidity of the chassis-- Four door option, Bigger back seat, climatronic, headlight washers, cockpit lighting, steering wheel, power lumbar support, go for leath 18 inch wheel and tire package, sunroof, lights. Other VW people say hi on the road

Suggested Improvements

I wish vw would make it look more happy put more adjustments in the seats like memory and remove any buttons or slots that don't function. More interior/exterior color options and make it more quirky and a little less expensive to buy with dollar. 4motion. More power. Trailer hitch in rear bumper

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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