- Doors and Seats
3 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
147kW, 280Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
6 Spd Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2007 Volkswagen Golf GTI three-door owner review
I bought my Golf MK5 GTI after someone crashed into, and wrote off, my old Toyota Celica.
Owner: Patrick McCann
- DSG is fast
- Fuel economy
I bought my Golf MK5 GTI after someone crashed into, and wrote off, my old Toyota Celica. I was after something fast and cool, small, automatic so other family could drive it, but also practical. Reliability was also important, so that's anything English or Italian out the window.
My budget of around $5000 was not huge, but this ticked all the boxes. It ticked all the boxes, and I have found it to be the perfect balance of practical, usable as a great daily driver, and also heaps of fun. I never worry about parking, scraping the front like I had to worry in my Celica, and it is just so easy to drive.
I managed to buy a car with full leather interior, electric mirrors, heated seats, touchscreen sat-nav, AC, and even automatic window wipers. Seriously, the car does it all. VW was so ahead of its time back in 2005 when it released this MK5. The family has a huge, big, long Jaguar XJ and my Golf is far more practical, even with three doors! Its boxy shape means it takes more boxes, and we've even used it to move house. And because it cost a fraction of the price of any new car, I don't worry when I drive it.
The other great thing about it is that because so many Golfs were made, spare parts are plenty and cheap. I've replaced panels, the entire rear suspension, had engine upgrades and had it tuned, and it is seriously one of the best cars for young people to mod and tune and have a blast with.
The place where it does fall down is economy. Even with careful driving, I'm getting 20mpg, and insurance isn't great either. But it makes up for all that with performance.
As much as a I want a MK7.5 Golf GTI, how can I justify spending $20–30K for no extra power, speed, no more extra fun, and barely any more features? This MK5 GTI is seriously the best daily driver in the world. Yes, you will spend money every now and then replacing worn-out parts and keeping it in good shape, but I'd rather do that and know myself that the car is running well because I'm doing all the work it ever needs.
And after having it five years, it has never let me down. The only time was after covid when the battery was on its way out. I knew about it and then did three very short trips in a row to different shops on my local high street, and then the fourth time it wouldn't start. I asked for it...
Want to know how it drives? The suspension is firm but not uncomfortable, and really feels like you're in something special the way it rides over the road. The bucket seats hug you as well and make you feel like you're in a bit of a weapon.
The car is light and it means the brakes are so reactive. The Jaguar XJ is meant to be light for a big car (being made of aluminum), and considering it has 550hp and massive brakes, trying to stop it ain't easy. You really have to push that brake pedal, and you really do feel the weight of the car fighting you as you try to brake. The brakes on the GTI are the complete opposite. It feels so light and agile, the brakes are a joy.
And then there's the power. Standard it's 200hp. With a stage-one tune you get 240hp and the turbo kicks in around 2000rpm, with the most satisfying surge of torque and power from the turbo. It just keeps pulling harder and harder all the way until it starts to run out of puff at the very top of the rev range. It's only a smallish turbo, but that doesn't matter because pull the paddle and you get the DSG fart, which makes you feel like a bit of a yob but sounds great!
And on that note, the gearbox is so sweet. You can coast in neutral while on the move (a $100K Jag can't do that) and the changes are almost seamless, and remember it's from 2007! You can even put it in manual mode and change up by pushing the lever up and down, but I don't really use it. Paddles all the way for manual changes. Feel like an F1 driver.
Downsides? Well, running costs. It's not a very 'show-offy' car if that's what you want. It might not have the sex appeal of a coupe, but I've detailed mine, painted the callipers, tinted the windows, put the best tyres I can on it, and made it the cleanest GTI I can, which I think looks better than nearly all other cars on the road. Basically, get yourself one! You won't regret it.
Owner: Patrick McCann
MORE: Everything Volkswagen
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