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ok I want more power and GTI is the way to go, since i love the car so much anyway, but question, which should I get? GTI VR6 or GTI 1.8T? Considering once I get the GTI I'm staying with it for a loooong time so mods will be done to it...and also is a VW worth my money? I've heard good and bads about VWs, but what's the percentages on the pros/cons?

 
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I have heard some bad things about VW's...but GTI's are damn phat...a friend of mine had one for about 2 yrs...he raced it fairly frequently and used it as daily driver...as far as I know he just had regular maintenance type things to do for it...seemed to work well for him. Besides you can get a lemon w/ any brand car...honda just recalled like 440000 vics...and when my uncle bought his SLK the check engine light wouldn't stay off...I say the GTI is a great car

 
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GTI is a dope ride!!! I have heard that VW's are $$$$ when it comes to maintaning them. That kinda sux... But out of the two its up to you... The vr6 is just straight engine.... if you know about engines that might help. however, the 1.8t is DOPE TO... however, its a turbo, maintenance would be a pain in tha ****.... Just read up on em.. do as much research as possible and go from there... GOOD LUCK

 
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DO IT! DO IT! it's a dope *** ride!!!

 
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depends whether you want turbo compared to a v6...i traded my vic a year ago and i have no regrets

 
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i hear the trannys on VW have a tendency to have problems and the money to maintain isnt cheap. All i can say is research

 
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http://vwvortex.com/

 
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well change of plans, my mom is going to keep my vic and I can buy a new car in september if everything goes as planned, but besides a GTI, what's in the same price range and quality? I'm planning to spend 18-19 K out the door so it doesn't have to be new but I want it to be 2002+ models. If I am sticking with the VW, it's gonna be a 337 or a 20th AE.

 
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the make more parts for the 1.8T then they do for the VR6.....

 
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I have friends who have both the GTI VR6 and the 1.8t. From what I have heard, the 1.8t is better if your going to mod, hint the tunability of the turbo, etc. The VR6 will give you more power to start with tho. Either are good, the VR6 are fast and **** and the 1.8t are quick to and with a couple upgrades can haull some ***. SO...

VW's are good cars though. German Engineering is amazing but maintance does cost more. I am the only one in the family to drive a Honda, everyone else has German cars (which I cannot afford!!).

If you like the looks, go for it. You wont regret it I dont think.

 
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If you're gonna just buy it and drive it, go for the VR6. My dad has one, but he's pretty disappointed with the aftermarket for it. If you think you'd like to mod it any more than intake/exhaust, the 1.8T is the way to go... for now.

 
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I really don't know if I would have the money to mod it considering german aftermarket parts aren't cheap, well any aftermarket that's gonna give u some gains in that matter. I'm digging the VR6's six speed manual, leather interior and ESP feature and stock to stock the 1.8T is .1 sec faster 0-60 than the VR6. The VR6 has dual chrome exhaust and of course 6 cylinders make it sound that much better. So far I'm leaning towards the VR6 but the 1.8T is very tempting in it's own way...mainly because there's serious aftermarket parts for it, but then there's the turbo lag and if it ever does screw up it'll cost a lot more to fix than the VR6. AHHHH such a hard decision!

 
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ill say 1.8T...german cars r expensive to maintain...u can change the chip and ur in 200hp already then get a turbo timer...the chip cost bout $400

 
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I got an 03 GTI 1.8t and I love it. All that needs to be done is the Chip and turboback exhaust, and it's good to go. It's no contest against the vr6 when the 1.8t is chipped. I dynoed mine with just the chip at 181whp and 240 lbs. tq. I recently got the turbo back exhaust and can tell a big difference up top, no dyno yet with the exhaust on. My bro-inlaw has a vr6 and its a nice ride, but once 20psi kicks in, it's all over. I recommened the 1.8t, if you like to mod, because there is so much more that you can do with this engine. It's good for 400whp on stock internals. So there is all the potential with this car. I don't want to sugar coat everything, the 1.8t and vr6 both need some help with the stock suspension.

 
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so how much did the setup cost for just the chip and turbo back exhaust? And doesn't the 1.8T just come with regular seats? I'm diggin the VR6's full leather and six speed gearbox...I know modding the 1.8T will own up on the VR6 but how much extra would that cost me?

 
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Have you considered a 20th anniversary edition GTI?

 
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actually yes I have if u have read the posts I am actually considering a 20th or a 337, if I can't get those two I'll get the 1.8T or VR6. Most likely b/c of the price of the 20th and 337 I doubt I can get those at the price I'm willing and able to pay.

 
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Dont have to be an *** just because I missed one sentence that was not on your first post.

 
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I got the chip( REVO) for 399.00. This was good for 30hp and 90+lbs. torque. The exhaust is a 3'' GHL turboback, which includes downpipe and highflow catback was 900.00 I have'nt put my car on the dyno since the exhaust install. But my trap speeds went up from 96mph to 100mph. On stock tires. I can really fell the difference up top. One thing about these cars is that they produce so much torque down low that it feels like it's not making that much power up top. The TB really helps. If you get a chance you should go on vwvortex.com and look around. Of course all the 1.8 guys are going to tell you there car is the best, and vice versa with the vr6 guys.

 
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2k2excoupe : sorry I wasn't trying to be an ***, my english isn't all that perfect so u'll have to forgive me on my typing sometime, if I truly was gonna be a$$ you'll know if when I call u some nasty words lol

naptowncivic : I've been in vwvortex.com but that site is not as nearly organized as this civic site so I don't stay long even though they have great info on the cars. Yea I know the 1.8T guys are gonna say good things about theirs and vice versa for VR6 but that's the problem, they're both the same car just that they have their pros and cons on both models...such a very very hard choice. Even though I am planning to mod my car in the future, I don't think I would be able to anytime soon after I buy it so I dunno if sticking with the 5 speed 1.8T would be as nice as the 6 speed 200hp V6 with full leather :-D In the long run I know the turbo'ed will be more of a hassle than the VR6 no?

as I know the VR6 runs off 200 hp on stock engine without the need of a FI, but the 1.8T is still very impressive with it's I-4....gheez also, how's the reliability on GTIs? I heard good and bad about them, of course the ppl that own them never said anything bad much...I mean how bad of a realiability rating is it? I understand a lot of cars will start having problems after around 50K miles but that's ok as long as I don't have problems at 10, 20, or 30 K miles I'll be glad.

 
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I have had no problems with my car 10k. I know quite a few people with VW's and there has been the little bugs here and there. But those were all on 02 and under models. There has'nt been that much problems reported with the 03's and 04's. Don't get me wrong the realiablity is not that of honda.
Now the vr6 has 200 crank hp. But all the stock dyno's I have seen on the 1.8t are around 160-165 whp. which means the claimed 180hp from VW is more like 190hp. One thing to remember, you can get a chip for under 500 and be at 180-190whp(210-220hp). Not to mention the 1.8t has a sh*t load of torque. My cars crank numbers before the exhaust were 210hp and 270 lbs. torque. Your best bet is to drive both and see which one you like the most. The 1.8t dose come in leather too.

 
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how about having to worry about the turbo screwing up after some time?

 
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Go with 1.8T is better all around, even on gas.

 
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My friend has a 99 1/2 gti vr6 with apr stage 3 upgraded with a bigger turbo, miltech catback and it's bored to the limit of 3.1liter all in all it hauls ***.

 
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It's like any turbo car. If you take care of the turbo(i.e. let it cool down) It should last for a long time. However, like anything mechincal, it can break for a number of reasons. I'm looking forward to my turbo blowing up, so I can put a T3T4 50 trim in there. Anyways, If you like the vr6, by all means it's a great car. But, the 1.8t is no slacker.

 
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hmm it's a tough decision, I'm sure a lot of you here like boost and so do I , but that vr6 is still in my conscience, I'll have think this over and I guess I'll ahve to test drive both and see how much I like one over another comparing everything...thnx guys

 
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I am in love with the Gti's. I really want one, but it's not the right time for me. I've been a member on Vortex for about 6 months. It just takes time to get used to the way their layout is. You will learn so much!

I have driven both cars, the 1.8t and the VR6. I liked them both. I guess it just depends on mods down the road. If you don't wanna fork over a ton of money right at the start to upgrade the 1.8t, go with the VR6. But, if you just want a quick car at first, and wait for them to come out with more parts for the VR6 (which they will) then go that route.

The 337 and the 20thae are both awesome as well. I sat in a 20thae when I was looking to trade in my Civic. It's a nice car for what you pay. Look around for a used one. So many people are trading them in now that the R32 is here. You just have to search hard. There are even some new ones still on the lots.

If you want to wait, get the R32. It is way more money, but so worth it if you can afford it. It's claimed at 240hp, six speed, racing seats, upgraded suspension, the best exhaust note ever heard by man (or woman ). I want this car so bad, I'd do just about anything for it. But, it's not the right time, like I said before. The car starts at 29,150. It's a price hike, but so nice.

Anyway, good luck.