[buyingconstant7]

Hi all. I'm an avid Volkswagen enthusiast but I'm also very impartial. I am in the market for either a GTI, Golf R or a Focus ST. Don't want the RS. I'm wondering if the Focus ST is an overall better car than the GTI. I'm tired of having boring, slow econo boxes, so I'd love a hot hatch now. So I'm wondering if anyone came from a mk7 GTI? And I would need some advice on whether the ST is better than the GTI. Please be as impartial as you can. I'd like to know the strengths and weaknesses of the ST.

 

[AK2112]

Go for the GTI

 

[Quantim0]

Buy the GTI or an R if you can. My gf has a mk7 and there's no objective reason to buy the St over one

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[sullyman86]

If you are not modding, the st has more power, handles better and is generally more fun to sling around. If you are modding, the GTI gets a massive power bump with a tune. The st sees modest gains with a tune. The st long term maintenance should be less as well as parts being cheaper. I really don't think you can beat the st for the money to fun factor. Some have picked up brand new st1 for around 20k.

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[Evitzee]

Only YOU can decide which is better for YOU. You will get all kinds of answers depending on who you ask. I shopped the GTI, WRX and ST and bought the ST because it was the best for ME, but that may not be the right decision for YOU. Read, evaluate and make the decision that is best for YOU, we can't make the decision for you.

 

[p.opus]

For me it was simple economics. The ST was more affordable than the GTI. But in addition to that, I do like the aggressive looks of the ST. I like that maintenance is cheaper. And finally, I don't reward a company that willfully defrauded is consumers regarding the environmental impact of its diesel automobiles, then hid behind the skirts of a single former engineer who they claim acted alone and undetected. I find it ironic that shortly after the VW scandal. Audi removed the "Truth in Engineering" tagline from its commercials.

 

[mininsx]

I've owned more VWs than any other brand and used to be a mechanic at a dealer years ago. I had a 2010 GTI and in the spring of 2015 I got the fever for a new car. I was willing to spring for a Golf R but they were impossible to find. Fast forward to this year and the fever hit again, and once again, the Golf R was nowhere to be found and if I found one it was a four door. I gave up on that idea and concentrated on the GTI SE with the PP, but again, it was tough to find a two door, so I figured that if I had to get a four door it wasn't going to be a VW because the Golf four door is too boxy looking for my taste, and that's how I ended up looking at the ST. It's got more power than the GTI (stock) and it's made here. It reminds me of my '04 VW R32 power-wise, and handles just as good, too. No one can tell you what's best for you, but I'm quite happy with my ST.

 

[Fuxalt]

2010 GTI-->ST2. I love the cars for different reasons. I loved my GTI and I love my ST, but now that Cobb has opened up tuning for the GTI it would make my decision harder if I had to choose now vs then.

 

[Stealth]

GTI or golf r

 

[focus_st23]

Focus ST

 

[McGuillicuddy]

I researched this to death. Agonized for weeks. I've just pulled the trigger on a mint 2013 GTI. The reason being that the GTI was just going to be easier to live with on a daily basis:

Better gas mileage + larger tank = much more fuel range (this was big for me, but perhaps not to others)
Tighter turning radius
Flat hatch when seats folded (FST has a big step down at the seats)
Roomier rear seat (I have 2 kids and their car seats that need to go back there)
Taller hatch
Vertical height adjustment for the passenger (my wife is tall)

The FST was definitely a much more balls-out driving experience and there was an awful lot I liked about it. And it is noticeably cheaper than the GTI (about 10% for both new and used). But for *me* the GTI was a better fit for daily life. If I was a single dude and didn't have a long commute (hence the fuel range concern) then it would have been a much closer decision.

 

[p.opus]

I researched this to death. Agonized for weeks. I've just pulled the trigger on a mint 2013 GTI. The reason being that the GTI was just going to be easier to live with on a daily basis:

Better gas mileage + larger tank = much more fuel range (this was big for me, but perhaps not to others)
Tighter turning radius
Flat hatch when seats folded (FST has a big step down at the seats)
Roomier rear seat (I have 2 kids and their car seats that need to go back there)
Taller hatch
Vertical height adjustment for the passenger (my wife is tall)

The FST was definitely a much more balls-out driving experience and there was an awful lot I liked about it. And it is noticeably cheaper than the GTI (about 10% for both new and used). But for *me* the GTI was a better fit for daily life. If I was a single dude and didn't have a long commute (hence the fuel range concern) then it would have been a much closer decision.

Can't argue much with what was said above. The GTI is a great car and if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But seeing that my ST really is my "mid life crisis" machine, I wanted something a little more aggressive and still this side of practical.

I hope my ST lasts a good 10 years, and then I'll see what the 2026 GTI's look like. Hopefully we'll still all be allowed to drive by then.

 

[Straightline]

While i definitely agree the GTI might have a few edges over the FOST. One of my tipping points is I had 2 European built cars before and they always cost alot to repair and maintain. I was very tickled when I saw the user manual for the FOST recommend basic motocraft full synthetic. That is a good sign all things will be abundant in North America.

 

[Robb]

I came from a GLI to an ST. Same power plant as the GTI, different looking body. I've poked and prodded my way around the platform for almost six years and can say that it was a tough decision for me. I've owned everything from MK2 - MK5, and worked closely with the MK6. Believe me, leaving the Volkswagen family was very difficult for me.

I excluded the Golf R and Focus RS because of price. Sure, the AWD is fun. Sure, the extra power is nice. But apples to apples, the ST is way more fun than my VW. It's a completely different ride with tons more go fast bits from factory. I am very happy with my purchase.


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[xrayruester]

Fiancée has a gti I have an st. The ST3 ST costs about the same as an SE GTI, but with current incentives the ST will be cheaper by about 1-2k. Both cars shouldn't be any less reliable than the other, but the Ford will probably be cheaper to maintain. Fuel economy is about identical. The biggest difference is probably down to modifications. Both have a big aftermarket, but the GTI will give you the most performance per aftermarket dollar spent. If you want anything over 300hp in the Focus you'll have to go with a larger turbo. The GTI happens to come with a larger turbo and can hit over 300hp without stepping up turbo size. All that being said, they are similar cars with different styles. Drive them both and make your decision.

 

[Mithosi]

My ex room-mate qualified for the VW buyback program. He used the extra cash to upgrade is Jetta to a GTI. I've only ridden in it a couple of times but I liked a few things better. We are both dads now (I have three he has one). The backseat in the GTI was much roomier for car-seats now days. I can fit two in the ST, havent tried the third, but even with two its pretty tight. He had much more space in the back for a growing family. The other thing I noticed was the clutch was softer, and from what I could tell smoother. But when I got out I just wanted to hop back in my ST. Much more fun to drive, and with our wives telling us we can't mod until we are past the warranty stage I'm very happy with my purchase

 

[Toff]

I came from an '03 GTI and while it was a fun car, I had more stupid things break in that thing than all my other cars combined and I'm middle aged. Plus the VW scandal came out and I wasn't up for supporting them again so ST it was.

 

[Robb]

I came from an '03 GTI and while it was a fun car, I had more stupid things break in that thing than all my other cars combined and I'm middle aged. Plus the VW scandal came out and I wasn't up for supporting them again so ST it was.

To be fair, the 1.8t was a fairly unreliable motor. All revisions had considerable issues which I didn't like working on (despite having a BT one myself). As for the diesel scandal, I didn't let it influence my decision making. My ST3 feels a lot more modern inside than my MK5 and any MK6 I've been in. I can't speak for the MK7, but hopefully they're not headed on the same path that BMW did from the e36 until the e90.

 

[johnma09]

As a young single person, the ST by far suited me better. For me it was definitely initial cost and maintenance. I used to hate the way the GTI looks but it has grown on me, but then again I love to look out into the parking lot at work and amongst the sea of dull grey, white and black boxy cars and see that bright performance blue glimmer stick out like a sore thumb. But objectively (flame suit on) I do think the GTI is a better car, just more expensive and out my price range. Plus with ford's 0% APR for 6 years, that sealed the deal for me (2015 ST1 w/ sunroof, $22.4 k) so if money and maintenance costs are no obstacles for you, i'd say get the GTI. Also objectively stock for stock the ST IS indeed a better car so there's that too lol

 

[AK2112]

Check the prices on closeout 2016 GTIs right now.

I'm seeing $5k to $6k off sticker as the online asking price right now.

That's quite good.