Hey all,y lease is up in Jamuary on my 06 GTI. It's been a great car but I've decided that even tho it's been my 3rd dub, I'm considering other makes this time around.

I'm pretty much done with all the modifying and want something good looking, reliable and fun to drive. Originally I was thinking a 2010 golf but the 2010 Impreza hatch has caugt my eye.

Tell me about your experience with the 2.5i engine(both good and bad)


Thanks!

 

if you have a GTi, you're gonna want a WRX unless you're willing to give up BOOST.

 

My friend paid 22k for a new 2007 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport (don't let the Outback part throw you, it's just a trim option like WRX or STI) and it came with the 2.5 liter flat four in question. I drove it around a couple dozen times over a year or so and that was enough to convince me that my next car had to be a Subaru wagon.

The 2.5i engine is not sluggish but if you're used to a GTI then it won't feel particularly satisfying either. It is definitely an engine that is suited to gas-conscious and responsible driving. However, it is entirely capable of some windy hillside fun. The AWD will be a much bigger difference between your VW and the Subie. If you're looking at a VW golf then this is probably a very good alternative.

If you want something a little more exciting you can step up to the turbo WRX but that will cost you about 7k extra MSRP.

 

VW are good lease vehicles.

Subaru's are good own-for-life vehicles.

 

Just be prepared for all the interior rattles and noises. All the gear whine, transmission backlash, lifter noise, panel rattles, etc. It's all normal for a Subie!

 

I used to work at a Wolkswagon dealer before.
I knew a few of the technicians and they said they are
electrical nightmares and parts like to fail alot.
Leasing a vehicle is not a good financial decision for many reasons.
Vehicle leasing isn't smart because you will never own anything.
If I were you I would give up that leased Wolkswagon GTI and
buy a Subaru.Overall Subarus are excellent vehicles to own.

 

i have a 02 jetta glx-vr6 wagon (bought new march 02). the only electrical parts to go bad are the driver's window switch assembly (only went auto down on driver's side - probably from 6 years of use) and the airbag control module (sunroof drains got clogged and got 2 inches of water in passenger side footwell). maybe the wagons had better quality controls than the sedans due to wagons only being built in germany.


overall, i thoroughly enjoy the performance of the sti over the jetta. i still have a sore spot how i still average 23.5 gpm in the vr6 jetta whereas the best i've gotten in 1 tank on the turbo H4 sti was 20.6 gpm. still better than my best 20.0 gpm in my z32tt. i guess boost tends to do that.


based on kbb and other reports, i completely agree. my personal experience tells me though that german cars built in germany can be reliable too. or maybe my wagon is just "special".

my 08 sti was purchased new in february 08. no problems, but took a while to get adjusted to the "quality" of the interior. the jetta's 6 year old interior felt more sophisticated.

*factory radio didn't sound as good as the vw monsoon system. i got a pioneer premiere f90bt to get better sound quality and jdm surround to keep the dash looking stock (oem stereo wider than double din).

*power windows only auto down on driver's side? my 1990 300zxtt (18 years older) can do that. i guess i got spoiled by the auto down and up for the driver and passenger windows on the jetta.

*leather seats "feel" hard, kinda like old vinyl, but sti also has alcantara/suede inserts.

*jetta has power driver and front passenger seats with 3 memory settings for driver's side. sti all manual controls for seats.

just make sure you actually sit in whatever you're interested in and "tryout" the interior. i overlooked that part, but the rush i got from the sti's engine/drivetrain during the test drive kinda made me forget about those issues i had. still no regrets after almost 2 years of ownership.

good luck with your search for a new vehicle.