2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE - BEST Daily For A Car Enthusiast?

[@TheMystro1971]

I am a Porsche 911 owner and collector and I choose to drive a Mk8 GTI as my daily driver. My last daily was a BMW M2C but in reality, the GTI is a far better daily performance car. It flys under the radar and handles razor sharp. Build quality might even be better in my 2024 GTI S than my 2020 M2C. Absolutely no rattling or creeks even in cold weather. The GTI feels so solid and well put together. I have other full size luxury vehicles from BMW in my collection but the DNA in this little GTI takes me back to my earlier air cooled 911 in it’s a drivers car that is pure German simplicity and oozes its German DNA. It doesn’t have vulgar silly wings in add-ons as other cars in the hot hatch category. It just works. Our last few Audi models from a RS3, S4, RS4, were nice but too heavy and rather expensive with annoying tech and mechanical issues always visiting the dealer. AWD might be faster off the line but heavy and less fun in general. The GTI climate control will freeze you out with its air AC and quickly heat up in winter. Set the GTI climate to auto and forget about it in all 4 seasons. Lastly, the GTi is a pure drivers car so once set up you don’t fiddle with the controls short of drive mode “Sport” or “individual”. That is the beauty of the GTI as it doesn’t need to be constantly adjusted like my BMW or Audis. It does what it does better than anything else in its class.

[@thomaslaursen6540]

This is my daily driver since 2017. Consider it my best yet after having 99 other cars.

[@SoichiroSan]

This review was great! I've been flirting with the idea of abandoning my lifelong manual transmission habit for the user-friendliness and comfort of a DSG. Also considering a Honda Civic Si, which of course is only offered with a stick, but the obscene dealer mark-ups (greed taxes) put it on par with the GTI price-wise. Maybe it's because I'm old, but if I'm gonna drop nearly $40K on a car, it should have heated seats and more than 200hp.

[@dienstuhr]

Don't do it man. I thought I could live with an Audi S3 (2018) with dual-clutch automatic (MT not available on the S3) and... I can't. Maybe the DSG would be improved with a tune but it still ain't a 6MT. Love the car otherwise but I have put myself down for a Dolphin Grey 2024 GTI 380 Autobahn with 6MT. Less power than a Golf R/S3 but less weight and still 241hp and limited slip... PLUS tartan cloth!!!

[@SoichiroSan]

I appreciate your feedback. My better half picked up a GTI 40 with the stick last summer. It's brilliant in every way but I'm not super happy with the shift action, feels kinda plasticky. I do like the 380 trims, as they come standard with 19" rims with summer rubber, not to mention adaptive dampers. @@dienstuhr

[@dienstuhr]

I had a MK7 GTI before the S3 and installed a weighted Delton shift knob from Raceseng. It was really nice and I may do the same on my forthcoming MK8

[@thulanimsane8358]

This is Top Class

[@rainersta7073]

Own one since two weeks. 1400 km. Very happy with it. Prices are much higher in Germany. Basic price is 41000 Euro. Automatic costs additional 2100 euro and Leather 2100 Euros as well. Matrix LED 1100. My one with colour glas, Sunroof, Autom. Transmission, DCC Shock absorbers , Leather, Sparewheel, Metallic Red, Travel assist, trailer hitch, Navigation, IQ Light, Extra Winter rims, rear camera, park assist was totally 53500 Euro.(nearly 60000 Dollars) But i didn't bought it...just Renting for 3 Years/45000 km. Your 40000 Dollar Deal was amazing. As our extras are in total comparible, you saved around 20.000 Dollars. ❤ Summer Rims standard, no comfort entry included (you must buy alarmsystem as well, to get it) Miss comfort entry to be honest. And miss better rims....the standard looks not too thrilling. Would order both next time. Might let travel assist and park assist off the order. Had before this smaller Model Polo GTI. Fine too. But Golf is one class higher in materials and kind of driving. Travel assist needs some time of getting adapted. First to understand the system in its different buttons. And it tends to either too much braking at every sign to its exact velocity or speeding up quite quickly to "what is allowed" which can be too much in rain or darkness or just want to cruise. Normaly i reduce speed by just rolling out, but this system uses brakes very often...the result is much black brake pad dust. But you can overrule it with little throttle. Just must get used to it. At the end, lane assist is very good in moments you loose middle of street. Blackmount cell phone holder is very nice.

[@thomaslaursen6540]

It is just over 30 k dollars in Sweden for Golf GTI DSG 7 with 245 hp.

[@Thebuscommunityleader]

Now my perfect car.

[@craigsmith2615]

Picking up a white 2023 SE this weekend and wait to drive the 6-speed

[@703Speed]

Heck ya! Congrats

[@javiersanjuanmanivesa1319]

I have bought the GTI, I am glad its the european model, and 6 speed manual. Im old school and where I live there are many mountain roads to enjoy. Only problem is the wait.... Its not expected in my hands till middle of 24

[@703Speed]

I hope you can get it sooner than that! 6 speed is a great choice!

[@rainersta7073]

Ordered my GTI in february 23...it arrived middle of september...supposed delivery date was December 23....actually, the delivery times shrink. But i guess, the dealer had a 20 pieces pre order arrangement and i jumped into just modifying some extras. Might be reason for quicker delivery.

[@rainersta7073]

There's an update coming fall 24. Seems just bigger screen, little design work at front. No big deal but you might prefer waiting for this. But actual model is perfect well. I ran 4000 miles leanwhile and I am very happy. Only thing one could complain is middle class voice control. BMW is better for that. But really nothing else....sound from exhaust is always a pure symphonie❤️ when you hear it outside while engine is running.

[@27Zangle]

Good choice! I would want the 6-speed but would likely get the DSG so my wife could enjoy it as well. She can not drive manual for very long due to spine surgery and discomfort. I test drove a Passat TDI with DSG many years back and the DSG is a fantastic transmission.

[@SolarSailor]

Thanks for the great review! You talked about a lot of the smaller things about the car that other reviewers don't mention. How has the car been over the past few months or was this car just for review? Any engine problems or anything?

[@GTIclubdport9462]

The Gti is beautiful car..especially with stage 1 tune and remove the speed limiter this car is really - really fun to drive everyday..👍👍

[@Courtesyflush52]

Isn’t the speed limiter at 145mph? Why would you ever need to remove a 145mph speed limit on an economy hatchback?

[@GTIclubdport9462]

@@Courtesyflush52 Nahh ..its not just a hatch back..this mk8 Gti stage 1 with stock turbo and engine reached 170mph with ease or maybe more if there’s more room..with stage 1 tune its completely different car its pushing 36psi with stage 1 tune. Thats why they called it GTI with red badging..💪💪 its fun car but the most hated four bangers😀

[@Courtesyflush52]

@@GTIclubdport9462 but again, why would you need to get rid of the 145mph limiter? Even on the Autobahn that’s considered extremely fast

[@GTIclubdport9462]

@@Courtesyflush52 in USA its limited to 128mph top speed because of the tire rating its good for 130mph so once you tuned the gti you need ti change the tires as well to higher speed rating. Being a car enthusiastic we love speed sometimes💪😃

[@luked6930]

@@GTIclubdport9462but why would you need a speed rating higher than 130mph? The GTI barely hits 105mph in a quarter mile, where are you going to get anywhere close to 130?

[@Theonestrongbusleader]

I consider to buy a 2023 Volkswagen Golf.

[@cgmiddle]

Dear, your command of the English language still needs some work.

[@Jacobalatheracer]

AWE Touring Edition Exhaust for VW MK8 GTI - Diamond Black Tips

[@michaelgrow8630]

Thanks. Peace.

[@lukiw7044]

If You want to drive litle faster it's perfect daily. Greetings

[@703Speed]

Yes!

[@Offensively-normal]

👍🏻👍🏻, don't think I would marry the girl but I definitely would love to spend some time with her. A little to complicated and high maintenance for a long term relationship for a guy like me.

[@703Speed]

Haha - good way to put it

[@rainersta7073]

The engine is actually very strong&reliable. It just wants more oil changes than regulated (would say every 6.500 miles), the DSG transmission every 40.000 miles. And the engine does not like power use with cold oil or turn off directly after high temperature use. Just let it run smoother bef8re stop and an additionally minute to cool down turboloader. If that is fulfilled, 200000 miles are possible.

[@thewirah1]

@@rainersta7073 The problem is not the engine, it's the rest of the car falling apart. Rust, leaks that ruin your interior...

[@rainersta7073]

@@thewirah1 Golf 8 falling apart?? To be honest...I am living in Germany and with your gas prices, i would buy a camaro V8 6.2. My old dream a V8. Already the tax in Germany ist very high.... Around 800 Dollar yearly road tax. And Gas around 1. 90 Dollar each Liter (9 Dollar a gallon). And service/parts expansive as well. Enjoy your V8 as long as it is possible. The left tread you nearly as a murder with a V8 car here. 😉😄

[@Courtesyflush52]

I’ve never considered an economy hatchback to be particularly high maintenance

[@olaniyanmichael640]

To me manual transmission is good

[@troigrl]

I could only afford one car! I think you could have played some music too

[@703Speed]

I used to.. I guess I should bring that back into the videos

[@Alfra1324]

The 6 speed is dead! VW just announced it! 😢