Is a GTI a good track car ?

Can it be made into a good track car for $2-5K?

I love the look and the engineering ..... BUT I hate FWD, especially on the track.

This has me leaning towards a sti.

If not the GTI, then what else would you pick?

BTW: Its going to be a 2nd car, mostly for work and for the track on the weekends for me to abuse and not have to worry!

 

A newer one? (mk 5). They are heavy as all the newer cars seem to be, and they don't have a LSD.
The lack of LSD swayed me to the Mazdaspeed3. It's a decent car but still has FWD limitations. I think I'll be able to get it to the very low 2.0x lap times at Texas World speedway on street tires. I've done a 2.09 being slowed by traffic and I'm still learning.

STI or EVO would definitely be a step up for track duty, especially since you do not like FWD on the track. You probably know this, but good awd cars let you lay down a lot more power, way earlier than most any rwd car, giving you great corner exit speed. I miss that!

The GTI does have a great aftermarket, with a tune and suspension it could be a satisfying car for the most part.

As you probably know STI and EVO have great aftermarket, and are killer track cars with the right work done. Quite a big step above the GTI in performance.

As an alternative, have you considered the R32? It is a very nice package - you get the style and engineering you like, good aftermarket support and a decent AWD system. Haldex is not as good as the superior STI/EVO awd systems, but it's not bad, and can be modified with a haldex controller to behave more sportingly. If you want more power...the V6 takes well to supercharging A lot of folks think the Mk IV R32 is the way to go, vs. the MK V, but I've not decided on that topic. I don't really think it's that much of a difference.

How about an E46 M3?

 

It is a great performing car for the price, as far as a track car goes the FWD really holds it back as far as a track car goes. I would look into a used MK4 R32 if you want something AWD.

I had APR software, turboback, intercooler and intake on mine and just driving on the street it just spun through third.

 

Or you can buy my 530hp SLK55 for $49,500, it has all performance mods done to it already and will be awesome on track and on the street

 

Check out this thread!

http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69882

 

I got a perfect STi track car for you that I am selling....cheap
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...a-wrx-sti.html

 

STI or EVO, you can't go wrong.

 

the GTI is a fun car......still haven't tracked mine. I need to put some H&Rs on it.

for what it's worth, the owner of the dealership I work for has a GTI track car and it apparently does amazingly well

 

I have a 2008 MKV with mods, and I can say it is a great track car.
But you will need some mods to make it that way

- Coliovers or shock/Spring combo ($ 800 ~ $ 1200)
- sway bars (+/- $ 400)
- better brake pads or / BBK ($ 300 ~ $ 2700)
- Highly recommended APR K04 Ed 30 Upgrade ($ 6000)

Some pics of my car:







Here are some links to track videos (Sebring and PBIR - Moroso):

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k5...CarerraS-1.flv

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k5...T-Part1of3.flv

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k5...T-Part2of3.flv

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k5...Part3of3-1.flv

Mike

 

What do you define as a good "track car"? Is this a weekend warrior or an all out full time race car? I have always had fun with any car that I have driven on the track. There is nothing wrong with a FWD car as long as you know how to drive it. People often misrepresent FWD cars for whatever reason, probably cause they think they are under powered or looked down upon from RWD fury.

R32's will handle JUST like a GTI. Their handling characteristics are that of FWD. If upgrade the Haldex system, then it will handle like a true AWD vehicle (i.e. STI).

Hope this helps.

 

x10000

 

If youre looking to have fun, i would probably stay away from a FWD car. A probably set up AWD car can put down some fast laptimes, but ultimately a RWD set up will be the most fun even though your times may be slower.

 

I got rid of my evo and would not recommend it or an sti / gti... all have too much weight, cost more than the should to run, and can be high maintaince.

I recommend looking at E36 M3 or an S2000. $10k + throw $5k in seats, brakes, tires and get to work. both have super high limits and won't have you crying too bad when you put it into a wall.

 

search a lotus elise or a catherham super7 that's a race useful car.

 

Stay away from Evo's and STI's. VW GTI's have been tracked since they erupted on the scene 30 years ago. Porsches and M3's are great track cars but high cost of maint. & parts make taking them to track unfun.

I can write about this for days, but I'll try to be as brief as possible.

1st I recommend that you give several experts a call. I've listed a few below that will help you identify the right VW (chasis & engine) for you to track and the parts required. I could sit here and recommend various suspension setups, and performance upgrades, but it would be best to get it from the experts.

Now, the Dubs you might want to look at are:
MKIV (2004) - R32
MKIV (2203) - GTI 20th Anniversary
MKIII VR6 -
MKV - 2.0T
MKII & MKI - do-able but might not be in your interest.

Contact:

Bill Schimmel (awesome guy) - Schimmel Performance -
http://www.schimmelperformance.com/
9 Sec Jetta - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDjoCL-Xiqc
I've spoken with Bill personally. He'll give you great advice.

HPA Motorsports (Marcel) - http://www.hpamotorsports.com/
Built the fastest streetable R32 on the planet. 0-60 in 3.2sec.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXAgnhJKbQY
On Redline TV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-76e...eature=related
On Speedvision: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkGtm...eature=related

Bildon Motorsports - VW racing experts - http://www.bildon.com/

APR Tuning - www.goapr.com
Check out their Stage III kits.

Misc. Videos -

MKIII Red Devil Track Car - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w-71yu26ss

500+HP MKIV R32 vs. ZW4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjgax...eature=related

MKV on Fifth Gear - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiXrr...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0Jc4...ext=1&index=29