2009 Volkswagen GTI 2.0 turbo from North America

Summary:

Fun, dependable, modest running costs

Faults:

Intake manifold flapper valve failed about the 4.5 year mark. It was replaced by the dealer as a warranty item.

General Comments:

Comfortable, quiet, fast and enough torque. Gas mileage is about 28, premium, with 50-50 freeway / town usage.

The dealer has done some strange stuff and has been helpful too. However was told the rear shocks were leaking, they weren't, also that the turbo exhaust valve had an "oil" leak, though there is not a lot of oil in the turbo.

Both of the above issues were examined by another repair facility and dismissed as not true.

I'm not sure what to think about this as I'd like to think the service guy was sincere, but the problems were easily assessed as being non-issues. If it's the people who actually do the work that are wrong, then it's probably not a good place to go for service.

Normal maintenance intervals are 10k miles or yearly, which is more than reasonable.

Replaced the battery last week at 5/6 years and 50k miles. $170, self installed, which seemed pricey.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th November, 2015

2009 Volkswagen GTI 2 door 2.0T turbo petrol from North America

Summary:

A good choice!

Faults:

Overall the car has been flawless except the following:

- Some rattling in the door panels when it's cold.

- The paint is very sensitive on this car: it chips very easily, and after giving it a wash by hand following the winter season, I started noticing little red dots that looked like rust. I was able to remove some of them with polishing compound, the rest will probably require an oscillating buffer.

General Comments:

- The car looks amazing. I have the 18" rims and leather & sunroof package.

- Lots of torque and great pickup. Excellent for a busy city downtown.

- Very comfortable seats.

- Very fast and stable on the highways. Wish it was a bit lower to the ground.

- Great handling and steering response.

- Awesome stereo, wish it had a bit more bass though.

- Great on gas: If you don't drive it too hard, you can average 7.8L/100 city/highway combined.

- Transmission is smooth as silk.

- Very well laid out high quality interior; on the same level as Benz and BMW.

Overall the car is fast, fun to drive and solid. It is overall a great car, whether you want a sports car or a practical car. Plenty of trunk space, as well as rear folding seats when you need the extra space.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th April, 2010

6th Apr 2010, 20:23

The little red dots are industrial fall out. Very common, especially on lighter color cars. A clay bar should be able to remove it.

18th Apr 2010, 18:29

Thank you :) I'll give that a try.

8th Sep 2010, 10:46

Just added a 10" subwoofer to the factory stereo, and what a difference! Highly recommended.