I've been considering both cars. I like both aesthetically, and for the practicality that comes with a 5 door hatch. I wasn't even considering a GTI until I saw the potential power gains with just a stage one tune. Then I started pricing 2016 models, and they can be had used for about the same price as a 2016 focus ST. Most people agree the fit and finish is slightly better on the GTI. So why shouldn't I go with a 16 GTI? The only thing I can think of is the ease of maintenance/modability. Does anyone know which is easier to maintain/modify? Also, if the GTI isn't a pain in the ass to work on, why should I stick with Focus ST as being my top contender for my next vehicle?
Focus ST vs MKVII GTI Maintenance/Modification Ease
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Plenty of aftermarket parts for both platforms. Each vehicle will respond differently whatever mods or tunes you throw in. Its all going to cost moneis in the end.
Do what your budget will allow.
Both cars are a pain in the arse to work on...
Do what your budget will allow.
Both cars are a pain in the arse to work on...
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218 Posts
Going to come down to preference and your particular type.
The Golf is a great car, can definitely make some ridiculous gains on a tune alone, fit and finish is a bit nicer for sure, but I also find it boring both to look at and to drive. Reliability these days is about as much of a situational thing more than a company wide thing. On my first ST I had it for 15000km with not a single issue except for some minor grille-related shenanigans. On my new ST I've had zero issues for the 4000km I've owned it. However, there's people here that drive off the lot and have issues immediately. The Golf will be exactly the same. Might have no issues, might have some. The only difference is that it's going to be more costly to maintain and fix the Golf long-term.
Drive them both, see which feels better, buy that one.
The Golf is a great car, can definitely make some ridiculous gains on a tune alone, fit and finish is a bit nicer for sure, but I also find it boring both to look at and to drive. Reliability these days is about as much of a situational thing more than a company wide thing. On my first ST I had it for 15000km with not a single issue except for some minor grille-related shenanigans. On my new ST I've had zero issues for the 4000km I've owned it. However, there's people here that drive off the lot and have issues immediately. The Golf will be exactly the same. Might have no issues, might have some. The only difference is that it's going to be more costly to maintain and fix the Golf long-term.
Drive them both, see which feels better, buy that one.
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218 Posts
The one thing that I find odd about the Golf hot hatches, is that the Golf GTI with PP up here is 38k, but the R is 42k...I would just spring for the R at that point.
Thanks for the quick unbiased opinions. I'll probably be looking to buy a 2015-2016 model of either next year around the spring time. So both would be used, unless of course I see a comparable deal on a new ST (I doubt I could find a new GTI for around the same price). I don't think I would get into turbo swaps on either car, and I might only do bolt ons/tune up to the point of swapping the downpipe if that make a difference into which one will perform better after mods. I will almost certainly be keeping the car for longer than 3 years. Probably in the 3-5 year range. My main concern would be buying a GTI and then finding out it take 3 hours and $200 to change the oil when it would only take 30 minutes on the ST (exaggerating, but you get what I mean).
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218 Posts
Maintenance is definitely going to be more expensive on the Golf. Not sure if it's more difficult per say, but a shop will definitely charge more. I know a clutch job on my friends 2004 GTI was in the thousands for labor alone.
A used GTI will hold it's value much better than an ST though, so prices will be hard to judge. A used ST will be far cheaper than a used GTI.
A used GTI will hold it's value much better than an ST though, so prices will be hard to judge. A used ST will be far cheaper than a used GTI.
Yeah, I think the ST is still my number one choice. The mod potential of the GTI was just shocking to me when I saw those gains from a tune today.
I don't know about a used ST be far cheaper than a used GTI. I'm searching autotrader in my area and 16 GTI SE's are actually cheaper than 16 Focus ST1's. I wouldn't get the base model of either car. I don't like the plaid in the GTI, and I'm not a big fan of the cloth seats in the ST either. Also I want the upgraded center stack in the ST.
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218 Posts
Interesting. Up here used 2015's and 16's are around 5k more expensive than comparable ST's.
I feel like that is how it should be. I mean new similarly equipped GTI's are about 5k more. It seems like the ST's are over valued in my area, or there aren't that many used options. 22k for a used ST1? Why? A brand new one lists for 24k.
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51 Posts
A similarly equipped brand new GTI, to a brand new ST1 in NC with cloth etc. are both 25k [sticker] and can both be had for 20-21k.
I do find it funny that on my local craigslist I see plenty of 2015 or so ST and people are asking for more then they cost new.
My big bro has the Golf with PP. I have not driven it yet and my ST is only a few weeks old and only has 740 miles so far. So both he and I figure it would be better to compare after break-in is done. His is a 6 speed stick as well, no DSG. I love my ST and do understand the GTI may be quicker. Big bro thinks mine will be. We will see I guess. He does love his LSD though, this may make me decide if I get one some day, we both leased so not sure what I will do.
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4,367 Posts
The Focus ST won this years Kelly Blue Book's 2016 5-Year Cost to Own Awards: 'Best Sporty Compact Car'
The GTI did not.
Kelley Blue Book
The GTI did not.
Kelley Blue Book
Yeah, they're crazy. I was comparing new ST2's to GTI SE's when I made my comment about the 5kish price difference. Basically in both cars I want to get away from the cloth seats, and that is more expensive on a new GTI. In anycase I'll be buying used so neither really applies.
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