Car Reviews: 2006 Volkswagen GTI

When it comes to performance on a budget, the choices are sadly diminished from what they once were. Once, a golden age existed, and consumers had a myriad of choices when it came to performance oriented cars that still had reasonable price ranges and the capacity to handle different situations. Although the days of having multiple vehicles available has long since gone, some still remain on the market. Of those, perhaps one of the most acclaimed and longest running is held by the Volkswagen GTI. Although recent models of the car have reduced available power and increased price, the 2006 GTI represents a return to form for Volkswagen, and consumers should definitely be happy with the results.

Although the GTI is a car that has the potential to have a lot of power, it is hard to notice by the exterior. While the classic styling of the GTI remains intact, perhaps the only complaint that could be made is that the GTI still looks rather boring. Although the two door models are sporty, and the front ends are improved, including a front under body spoiler and a more aggressive, lower stance, the overall presence of the vehicle is still perhaps not where it should be. Still though, complaints aside, the GTI is a vehicle which still manages to look respectable, and although it may not look like the sports car it could be, the design is timeless and it still manages to stand out, although perhaps Volkswagen could have used a little extra design time when it came to the head and tail lights of the vehicle.

Inside, not much has changed from the previous version of the GTI, and that is a good thing. The interior of the vehicle remains functional and minimal. Although drivers will find a host of controls, they are right where they should be, and it is entirely possible to control the heat, air conditioning, and cruise control without removing one's eyes from the wheel. The manual stick shift is set perfectly, and from the second the driver gets in the vehicle, the excellent visibility, perfectly positioned pedals and reasonably short stick make it seem as though it is ready to drive. The interior is still lit by a comforting combination of soft blue and red, and drivers will be happy at the ease of reading the various gauges, including the boost gauge, which manages to be effective without looking awkward, a rare feat indeed for a turbocharged vehicle. Overall, the interior of the GTI is excellent, and interior design has always been a strong point for Volkswagen, regardless of the year.

However, perhaps no where does the GTI stand out more than the second that one turns the key. As soon as the fuel begins pumping through the engine, so indeed does the heartbeat of the driver begin pounding. The powerful turbo charged four cylinder engine puts out roughly 200 horse power, and it only takes a flick of the wrist and a press of the foot to realize what has made the GTI such a completive vehicle in the past, and what will continue to make it so enjoyable. While the car is fast, it never feels uncontrollable, the boost of the turbo is consistent throughout the entire RPM range, meaning that drivers never feel the uncomfortable "kick" that sometimes comes with homemade or lesser quality turbo systems. Taking the GTI around sharp corners is truly a joy beyond compare, and the feeling of winding out the gears, allowing the engine to work it's magic while the clutch perfectly meshes with the feeling of shifting is something which few cars can compare with, especially a car in the GTI's price range.

While the GTI may not be perfect, and drivers can expect to pay and pay dearly for anything that may go wrong, there is absolutely nothing that should discourage the purchase of this vehicle. From it's price range to it's incredible performance, the GTI is a vehicle beyond compare, and it should perhaps be the first choice of buyers who want a performance oriented vehicle which is still dependable, and which still has the option to fit more than a suitcase in the trunk. An overall great find.