MaxPower
Senior Member
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2017
- Threads
- 5
- Messages
- 457
- Reaction score
- 561
- Location
- NJ, USA
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Civic Si sedan ABM, 2017 CR-V EX, formerly 2005 Saab 9-2x, 1986 Prelude Si
I know this is a relatively old post, but I'm currently cross-shopping the Si vs the GLI/GTI, and thus far, these comments sum up exactly how I feel. Even the last one: every time I consider buying a car, I look carefully at VWs...but I've never owned one, and I feel like I should. I'm well aware of the potential reliability issues (especially as compared to Honda), but the MK7 VWs seem to be somewhat better than other models. I've always wanted a GTI, but a sedan seems to fit my needs a little better.You said it. I looked at Truecar for a GLI Autobahn manual. MSRP is $30000. Market average is right at $27.5... so it sounds like there's quite a bit of room to work. For just the GLI S it's market average is $24.5, about what the Sis MSRP is... admittedly more than most of our OTD prices are, but still with that strong 2.0 that I bet APR does or will offer a reflash to match CTR power levels for peanuts.
It kind of no surprise honestly... the Civics a great car but has been out a few years and the other makers are putting out some solid competition. Honda would be a hard sell for me at this point. I would probably be working hard on a deal on that Autobahn. I put a lot into a good seat and if it feels great and has memory presents and heating plus vent... that alone would be worth some extra coin to me.
A lot of us wanted a K20C1 or C4... something in a Si... or wanted an R lite. I think VW has a pretty enticing daily that can get you that power with a reflash alone for slightly more than Si money... or something damn well equipped for 1/2 way in-between Si and CTR money. There's been some noise about Veloseters Ns settling between the Si and CTRs price point... but this looks like a *lot* more car for the money. I've never gotten the love those gave gotten.
I don't get down when there's good competition and wonder what if I'd waited a year or two to get that instead of what I have. It means things on the car landscape are just moving along as they should. I do know, though... if Honda sits around and repackages our same powertrain in the gen 11 Si... they're probably going to get a repeat of gen 9. We're making the most if it... and it is very efficient... but it doesn't wow me in it's stock form at all.
I also haven't owned a VW yet and feel like my car-enthusiast experience is incomplete without having done so... even if it ultimately isn't that great and my first is my last.
I've owned my current car (Saabaru Aero) for a very long time (bought it new back in 2005), because it's done everything I need it to do, without fail. It's truly been a terrific car. But after 14 years I think I'm about ready to move on. I've looked carefully at the Si over the past couple years, and the 2020 is the most appealing package to me thus far. I like the additions of LEDs & Sensing. But last time I seriously looked at it, the GLI (in its current GTI-esque form) didn't exist. And man, it's a really appealing package at the price point.
I've been trying to figure out exactly where the GLI and GTI differ (aside from the obvious, like body panels). They have the same powertrain/go-fast bits (engine, transmission, diff, brakes), drive/perform similarly, and have many of the same options. Apparently the suspensions are different (or at least tuned differently), and I'm aware of a few of the cost-cutting measures (some hard plastics, and as you mentioned: rear vents, armrest, glove box light). What else? Anything of note? I figure there must be something else, considering the significant price difference. I'd be looking at the Autobahn, which seems like a pretty loaded package. Just wondering what I'd be missing out on versus a GTI.I'm leaning more toward GTI than GLI now, having read about all the little cost cutting things they did to the GLI (removed rear vents, extending center armrest, glove compartment light, secret compartment under the seat etc etc). When the GTI is going for $5k off it's only $3k more than the GLI - but now GLI Autobahns are going for $26k. Damn that's tempting. 2020 GLI Autobahn gets DCC and wireless charging but loses the 6 year warranty.
I will definitely test drive an Si though, just wish it was a hatchback.
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