2006 / October 10th/ Driving is fun again
So, on Friday I finally picked up an upgrade to my aging ‘73 VW Superbeetle. Meet my new toy, my 2003 20th Anniversary GTI. For those of you wondering if it’s fun to drive — it should be illegal (okay, it is illegal) to have this much fun driving. This car is absolutely beautiful, flies through the gears, and handles like a dream. Running around 215HP and at least 240 ft-lbs of torque, this thing flies.
It’s all about the V-dubs. If you’ve ever wondered like you’re missing out of some elite club — it’s the VW club you’re missing out on. Never have I ever witnessed such a pride for their brand like drivers of VWs. It’s obvious though — the cars aren’t just made to pump out the most bang for your buck. It’s all in the details. It’s the way the seats fold forward. It’s the exact size of the steering wheel. It’s the red stitching on the seat belts. It’s the James Bond style key. It’s all in the style, baby.
Now I’m going to go off and drive around for a while. Where? No where important ;)
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October 11th | #
Nice! Congrats on the upgrade and the choice. I always liked VW.
October 11th | #
Looks sweet!
October 11th | #
As previously stated… sweeeet! Looks good.
October 11th | #
Terrific car! I want one Golf just like yours, but in grey.
October 11th | #
I would much rather see some pictures of you 1302/1303? beetle ;) … (Im a beetle maniac, and owns two allready)
October 11th | #
I’d say the same about my Saab and Saabs in general. For some reason these are considered for “over 40 something and filthy rich” cars.
October 11th | #
About 4-5 months ago, I bought my favorite car: 2004 VW Jetta GLI. The one with the “extra” put into it (the 18″ BBS wheels, 6spd, turbo, Recaro seats, etc.). I am an evangelist for VW cars (and audi) to the extreme, and it’s because of those little details in the design. There is so much quality and craft put into those cars. I’m still discovering awesome features in design, and it’s been 5 months! Things like, when parked (in neutral), the automatic headlights go off only if the e-brake is on. As soon as you lower the e-brake to start driving, the lights come on.
I really appreciate the thought and design that has gone into my VW, and I’m sure you’re the same way. I better quit now, I could probably talk about it all day!
Sweet car by the way…
October 11th | #
Awesome ride!
I just ordered a ‘07 VW GTI with 18″ wheels and a sunroof. I can’t wait until it arrives — especially since my previous car was a 1995 Subaru wagon!
October 11th | #
Eh, sweet! Congratulations! While I’m not one myself, a couple friends are, Volvo owners are just as passionate. NOBODY except me seems to like my ‘73 Chevy Blazer. (It’s convertible baby!)
October 11th | #
Aww, ove old Chevys - but then I do have a Chevy pickup that’s older than me as well:)
October 11th | #
Congrats on the purchase, that’s a kickass Golf. I too am a VW nut and a Golf owner (02 TDI), excellent cars all around.
That’s quite an upgrade from a 73 Beetle, talk about polar opposites! I would have paid to see somebody roll up to the dealership in an old Beetle and drive away in one of the most amazing Golf’s out there (next to the R of course).
October 12th | #
Dan: I’ll see if I can muster up some pics. The beetle is in a pretty sad state right now though… just suffering from being 33 years old and my (poor college student) daily driver for the past 5 years.
Ryan: I totally know where you’re coming from man. It’s the little things, like how the seats lift up off their backs and smash up to the front when you pull them forward, giving the people in the back plenty of space to crawl in. Or how the seatbelts have red stitching on the ends to accent them. Absolutely gorgeous. The GLI’s are sweet too — kind of the 20th AE GTI’s big brother :)
Patrick: Nice! The new GTI’s are pretty hot. I’m loving the new interor and grill designs for the 06/07’s. Now just tell me you had the right mind to get a manual ;)
Justin: No kidding man. I went from power-nothing to power-everything. Absolutely loving it :) Oh — and the bug stays. I won’t be selling that thing anytime soon ;) Now I just actually get to work on it without being scared of breaking my daily driver (i.e. I can finally put in the disc brakes that have been in my room for the past 3 months).
October 12th | #
Manual is the only option for me! Heck, I haven’t driven a automatic transmission since I was 16 (26 now), and that was for just one year.
I do hear very good things about the auto tranny for the new GTI though. It uses the gearbox from the Audi, and includes some crazy paddle shifting.
But manual is always better.
October 12th | #
re: transmission
Actually the new DSG transmission (similar to the one used in BMW and exactly the same as in Audi) is faster shifting than a manual and will give you quicker 0-60 times than even the best drivers can squeeze out of a manual.
Of course, this transmission isn’t available in the Mk4 Golf, so yes, manual would be the transmission of choice of Kyle’s new ride (did they even offer the 20th Anniv. in an auto??).
October 12th | #
Justin: Yeah, but for me manual isn’t about getting quicker/accurate shifts… it’s about the raw power associated with having that shifter :) I played with the new tiptronic stuff in the ‘06 GTIs. It sucks. It’s just not the feel of the manual.
To me, automatic transmissions are boring. I want to have fun while I drive.
October 12th | #
I’m totally with you on that Kyle, I’ve driven manuals my whole life and love the driving experience. Autos are boring. That being said, being able to just hop in the car and not worry about all that shifting stuff is nice. Especially when you might be letting somebody else drive. Nothing tenses me up more than somebody over revving and not letting out the clutch when they should ;)
Tiptronic is the old, slow setup we had in Mk4. DSG is the new, much snappier double-clutched transmission :)
October 12th | #
That car is HOT! Congratulations and enjoy the new vehicle. I have to say, those GTI’s are pretty slick.
October 12th | #
Justin: Didn’t realize they upgraded… I’ll have to go play with it sometime :)
October 13th | #
I have a VW Golf too. Pity mine is 1994, I am so envious of you right now!
October 14th | #
glad to see you stick to the dubs! IY20th’s are my fav’s out of the 3. Your number is already in the registry but check out 20AE Registry. My brothers roommate has #4000 in Jazz blue.
Sounds like it was chipped previously. Stock 20th’s are 180hp.
veedub in da haus’
October 14th | #
Yep, definitely. It’s running APR (just reflashed a week ago to newest), along with a few other mods gets me to around 18psi spikes on the turbo. Way too much fun :) Nice number!
October 15th | #
ah cool.
im running GIAC in my beetle.
October 16th | #
hot man, absolutely hot!
Love it!
Got me a VW TDI this year. Turbo Diesel fuel-efficient goodness ;)
November 3rd | #
Hey, nice pick up.
The 20AEs are really nice cars. I’d prefer one in Black Magic Pearl to Imola Yellow, though. ;)