Considering new car for daily... anyone have a 2012 GTI, GLI or Passat?

[Concourswanna b]

The GLI seems perfect, though the Golf is cheaper and the Passat obviously has more room.
I'm used to cars with at least some handling ability... is the GLI suspension and motor really worth the cost?
I could just do a Golf and add moderate aftermarket suspension.
I've driven the Passat and I could live with it, but the 5 cylinder seems barely adequate... though it's reliable from what I've heard.
Seems like a lot of car for the money. Base Jetta's not really on the list.
It will be a GLI, GTI, Golf, or Passat... I just need to decide which.
(Why can't they just bring in the two-door A3?)

[Mush-Mouth]

You can't go wrong with either choice really. VW's are great cars.I really like the leather they use as well, especially in the Passat.

[Dan]

I noticed you said reliable. After having owned six VWs and more if you count my Audis, reliable is no word I would associate with a car made by VAG. They are durable and rarely leave people stranded BUT if you don't work on them yourself, or at least maintain an active interest in their care, you are going to be in for lots of headaches and trips to the dealership. And the dealer network is spotty at best.

There will be people that will say they are fine, but talk anyone that has owned them for long and you will get the same story.

They are really fun to drive and the build materials are fantastic for the price, which is why most of us keep coming back, but each time I think maybe Honda for the next car....

[Concourswanna b]

I noticed you said reliable. After having owned six VWs and more if you count my Audis, reliable is no word I would associate with a car made by VAG. They are durable and rarely leave people stranded BUT if you don't work on them yourself, or at least maintain an active interest in their care, you are going to be in for lots of headaches and trips to the dealership. And the dealer network is spotty at best.

There will be people that will say they are fine, but talk anyone that has owned them for long and you will get the same story.

They are really fun to drive and the build materials are fantastic for the price, which is why most of us keep coming back, but each time I think maybe Honda for the next car....

Dan, thanks for the input. I do all the work myself, and I do actually enjoy keeping a logbook of everything. I've even done a few timing belts on dohc's. Sounds like I would probably be ok. My wife does like her Honda though: 79,000 highway miles, seriously, no new brakes, suspension, belts, hoses, or anything needed. Just new tires! We got 79,000 miles out of those tires. Not even wiper blades. Oil changes & filters is all. That's with keeping a close eye on everything. Great car, but the handling's a little soft for me.

[Dan]

Cool, factor in $300 for a Ross Tech cable and you'll be good to go. As many gremlins as they have, their computer interface is phenomenal. You will have access to every control module in the car. Lots of neat tricks and tweaks you can do as well, such as one button window rolldown from your remote. You can also find the VW dealer software manual (its more of a system) if you look around the net.

[Concourswanna b]

Cool, factor in $300 for a Ross Tech cable and you'll be good to go. As many gremlins as they have, their computer interface is phenomenal. You will have access to every control module in the car. Lots of neat tricks and tweaks you can do as well, such as one button window rolldown from your remote. You can also find the VW dealer software manual (its more of a system) if you look around the net.

Sounds good... I'm all about finding the manuals online or on cd, and I found a parts diagram site a white back. Will keep the Ross Tech cable in mind... gremlins is never a good word to hear, but the cable sounds pretty useful.