Focus ST or VW Golf GTI?

[SmokeShow]

Anyone have experience with either one? Which one handles better? Which one responds to mods (exhaust, I take, tuning, fmic, etc.) better? Any known issues with either one?

I was pretty sold on a Focus ST to replace my TDI for a DD. But then I went for a ride in a reasonably modified 2015 Golf GTI. Jeez man, from a 30mph roll that sucker pulls harder than my truck ever has at near 500rwhp. Being a little more than 1/3 the weight of my truck though. He estimates 325-340whp in his car. And handling was unbelievable. Totally impressed! I don't think a 2015 gti is in my budget (he says his was $21k plus $4k in add-ons incl wheels & tires) but the 13 & 14 GTIs I see on CL here are right around that so I assume a 15 stickers get more like $25-30k? There's plenty 13-14 Focus ST from $17-22K but new ones sticker over $30k.

Thoughts?

 

[Hot COCOAL]

They both "perform on paper" about the same, but like all category's in this comparison, the golf has the edge. The Golf is more refined in every way. The ST is like a teenager all hopped on Mt Dew, every angle of the car screams "immature" in and out its presents a "youthful" image. Whereas the golf seems slightly more responsible, like a recent college graduate. The golf is jacked up and has its own edge, but its like being jacked up on Starbucks vs Mt Dew. And instead of in your face styling its infused with the lines of minimalist elegance, and you have to remember its now the 7th generation/reiteration of an original mold brakaer... The original "hot hatch" mk1 Rabbit/GTI.

Between the two, I'd say VW all the way (even tho one tried to kill me)
They both accept mods well, there's TONS for the GTI and I would be happy to point you in a direction...

 

[SwitchBack]

Have you looked into the golf R?

 

[SmokeShow]

The R is the AWD version of the GTI, right? I saw a 2013 Golf R on CL at $30K... yeah, it's out of reach.


Jason, I was hoping you'd chime in since I thought I remembered you having one. :thumb: How'd it try to kill you?! LOL What all did you do to yours? Yours was an mk6, right? Is the mk6 as receptive to mods as the mk7?

Good forum to go read on?

 

[SwitchBack]

Vwvortex.com

 

[Hot COCOAL]

The R is the AWD version of the GTI, right? I saw a 2013 Golf R on CL at $30K... yeah, it's out of reach.


Jason, I was hoping you'd chime in since I thought I remembered you having one. :thumb: How'd it try to kill you?! LOL What all did you do to yours? Yours was an mk6, right? Is the mk6 as receptive to mods as the mk7?

Good forum to go read on?

I had 2 MK6's a 2011 tdi and then...
I had 2013 MK6 Golf R. Bought it new. At 6500mi the ECM bricked itself. Flashed it and went to Stg2 APR tuning and at 8300mi the stability control system glitched and the car flew off the highway, gotta hand it to VW tho, the car was totaled and me and my daughter walked away.

I had H&R coils and sways, a whole bunch of whiteline parts, modded HPFP, runner flap delete, shifter mods, VWR intake, TyrolSport subframe dead set kit, dogbone insert, stop tech slotted rotors and SS lines, 42DD catch can and downpipe back 3" exhaust...it ripped, it was absolutely a mid 11sec car and I hadn't even touched the turbo or injectors.

VWvortex or golfMk6 are great forums, MK6 forum is probably easier to get along on
Can't say as to what the MK7 is like to drive or tune, I know the 2.0tsi or tfsi engines will make close to 400whp with studs in the heads and rods and some fuel and turbo mods or even bumping up to a gtx28

 

[Chevy1925]

my buddy is a VW nut. fairly sure hes had every MK at one time or another.

prior to the new 2016 R he has now, he had an MK6 that he and i did alot of work to. Initially it got the same drop and sway bars Jason's did and the ARP stage 2+ setup (exhaust, intake, valve springs, audi r8 coil packs, tuning, dual intercooler, dual disc clutch and some other little things). it was a quick car but i could pull him on my tow tune from a roll. wasnt pulling him hard but i was walking away. the setup dynoed 260ish fwhp which was on par for APR's claim of 320hp crank.

then we stepped up the turbo to a ko4 and the beast came alive. i know he could pull my tow tune so we never did race them that way but i did secretly load the race tune one night and we just happen to do a 40 pull. it really wasnt a race after i put busses on him but still fun. either way, with the ko4, it almost wasnt fun. Summer it would heat soak bad and run on the hot side when on road trips. It also basically had no use for 1st or 2nd gear cause it would just spin tires. it was cool at first but he tired of it after a while.

in this time, before we put the k04 on, he raced his buddies 2014 ST. he would slowly pull away from it. stock for stock, the ST had him. the issues that he was quite worried about though was he was on the ragged edge of what that motor could take and the stock fuel injectors had issues hanging open and popping motors. He didnt want to build a wrong wheel drive so he bought a dodge charger..... that lasted 6 months and he got the R lol

Now with the new R, it has the new twin scroll turbo which is basically the ko4 with better spooling characteristics. its 300hp stock and the damn thing scoots. its soon to get a few upgrades and be near or touching the 400hp mark. with all wheel drive though, its going to a much more fun car with that HP.

His mk6 needed alot of supporting things to keep the power to the tires, i know his mk7 will too. i know the ST will need as much work as well so really, its dependent on which one you like more. If i had to choose, i wouldnt want either due to wrongwheel drive but ive seen what the vw can do and they aint no slouch

 

[SmokeShow]

Can the DSG trans in the VW handle the mods or is it best to stay with the manual trans cars? It'd be a better "sell" to the wifey if she could drive the car if need-be which means it'd need to be a DSG car.

 

[Chevy1925]

Can the DSG trans in the VW handle the mods or is it best to stay with the manual trans cars? It'd be a better "sell" to the wifey if she could drive the car if need-be which means it'd need to be a DSG car.

long as you tune the DSG as well, i have not heard of them having issues. my buddies other friend has a CC mk6 with the DSG and all the same mods my buddy had including the ko4 and its still going strong. his car was one of the ones that fell victim to the injector issue though

 

[lil bleur]

Can the DSG trans in the VW handle the mods or is it best to stay with the manual trans cars? It'd be a better "sell" to the wifey if she could drive the car if need-be which means it'd need to be a DSG car.

I have a 2010 GLI w/ DSG that I put a K04 turbo and APR KO4 Tune on. It dynowed 290hp 307tq. I never got around to tuning the trans and its held up very well. APR says you can go to thr stage 3+ tune and turbo (450hp) and not have a problem. Like was said before with the KO4 1st and 2nd are pretty much useless other than for frying tires! I have taken down 2015 Mustang GTs, STIs, & Lots of my customers 530ish rwhp (Stock Turbo, Max Effort Tune) pickups. I have had 0 issues with the car, the only thing I wish I had is AWD!!! I say go V-Dub!! LOTS of potential!!

 

[SmokeShow]

GLI is the Jetta version of the Golf GTI??

 

[lil bleur]

GLI is the Jetta version of the Golf GTI??

I believe that is correct. It has the 2.0 TSI engine and DSG Trans and everything that APR makes for it as far as suspension and drive train is compatible with the GTI if it has the TSI engine. I should also say that I have the APR cold air intake & a cat less downpipe. WWW.GOAPR.COM

 

[dmaxdallas]

Wait for the focus RS....

 

[lil bleur]

Wait for the focus RS....

Yessir