Gaywheels.com welcomes the return of Axel Rod to discuss the
2006 VW GTI.  Long awaited on these
shores, the new GTI offers performance in a practical package. 

Gaywheels.com: So, we are discussing the 2006 VW
GTI today…  just to get things
going, Axel, on a scale of 1 – 10, where 10 is "zuper",
where do you stand on the GTI?

Axel Rod: As small, sporty cars go…definitely a
9

Gaywheels.com: I’d agree. There is no such thing
as perfect car…but why not a 10?

Axel Rod: It’s really not that big outside OR
inside and there are a few details that aren’t perfect.

Gaywheels.com: Ok, we know you like ‘em big…but let’s focus on the positive aspects of the car
at first

Axel Rod: The Golf–uh, I mean, Rabbit–no,
wait–GTI–makes a great go of the two-box look.  But at the end of the day, it’s still a
box.

Gaywheels.com:  A sleeker box than the past but you can
definitely tell it is based on a more mundane people mover being that the Rabbit,
I mean Golf, is the main vehicle for VW in the European market

Axel Rod: Oh yeah…it’s hard to get past its econo-box roots

Gaywheels.com: but then again, having the
versatility of a hatch with a 2.0L, 200 hp turbo motor isn’t a bad thing

Axel Rod: True.  Not that you’ll confuse the hatch space
of the GTI with a station wagon.  Or
even an Elantra GT.

Gaywheels.com:  Not everyone…I mean not every car can
be versatile.  Did you try out the
cargo space?  We were able put two
bikes in the back along with luggage for a long weekend in Florida.  The bikes never made it OUT of the car
but that is another story…..

Axel Rod: It’s a good size for most
people–you’ll be able to bring home that stinky chair from the da-da-da commercials. And it’s a lot more usable room than
the Jetta GLI.

Gaywheels.com:  Ah, the first "gay vague commercial
from VW"….memories…so what did you think about the driving
dynamics? 

Axel Rod: Simply first rate

Gaywheels.com:  We had the GTI with the DSG…I am not a
fan of the DSG but I can see why people would like it. The handling,
acceleration and MPG were all impressive. 
We drove to Florida
and back and averaged 30 MPG

Axel Rod: Well, if having the car shift for you
makes you feel like less of a man, then you won’t like it.  It’s also not tuned for the grandma
driver.  But than again, if you’re
looking for a grandma car, then the GTI isn’t right for you in the first place.

Gaywheels.com: True. My issue is that if you drive
the car at a leisurely pace, the DSG can get ahead of the driver….during hard
acceleration though, it is simply superb

Axel Rod: I disagree…I think that the
economy mode is good enough for the average GTI driver, even when stuck in stop
and go traffic.

Gaywheels.com: You didn’t feel the
hesitation?  I was able to confuse
it in stop and go…

Axel Rod: Nope…but then again, I tend to drive
cars very hard. You’d be amazed what I can do to a Town Car…

Gaywheels.com: I’ve heard I’d be amazed at what
you can do IN a Town Car!

Axel Rod: LOL…that too

Gaywheels.com:  Let’s
talk competition…is the GTI only for Euro lovers or do you think the guys who
love Hondas will be swayed by the German version of fun?

Axel Rod: I think this is the first GTI in years
that’ll make Civic Si drivers think twice. Especially since the new Si is so
polarizing.

Gaywheels.com:  
Hell, it is the first VW in years that will make true GTI
drivers think twice!  Also, I am all
about versatility and the Si can’t swallow what the GTI can….let me rephrase
that….it is a sports car that you can hit the Homo Depot in

Axel Rod: Definitely…great on the track, and on
the way home from the track.

Axel Rod: 
The Si has the one advantage of being lighter on its feet.  Not that the GTI isn’t agile, but it
can’t get past the extra bulk it carries around.

Gaywheels.com:    So, it is pretty clear
that we liked the GTI.  The litmus
test is "would you buy one"?

Axel Rod: 
Well, this is the other area where the score goes from a 10 to a 9…

Axel Rod: 
The GTI can get VERY expensive if you’re not careful with the options
sheet.

Gaywheels.com: Very true.  Like taking a hot man out on a date, it
is a lot of fun at first but when the bill comes around it can be a bit
shocking.

Axel Rod: 
But you gotta pay to play.  And if you want to go all the way…bring AmEx–Diner’s Club isn’t
taken around here.

Gaywheels.com:  
 So, what do you
think the "boulevard factor" is on this car?  Does it get attention?  Did you get noticed when driving it?

Axel Rod:     Probably not.  But that may not be a bad thing…you’ll
also avoid the unwanted attention of the police.

Gaywheels.com:    Good point.  I’d have to say it is a bit incognito
and depending on the consumer, that can be good or bad.  For me, it is perfect.

Gaywheels.com:    So, anything else
you’d like to add? 

Axel Rod:      Well, there’s a
four-door now, and if more is better, then the two additional doors are
definitely worth the extra money.

Gaywheels.com:    That brings us back
to the versatility argument.  Some
would say that a 4-door GTI is sacrilegious but I’d spring for the extra doors
for sure

Gaywheels.com:    One last thing,
the GTI is one of the few cars that simply put a huge smile on my face.  Like the Jetta GLI, I couldn’t wait to drive it and
made up excuses to run errands

Axel Rod:      I agree on the
fun factor…though I’d say both the Civic Si and MINI Cooper S can give equal
amounts of enjoyment, depending on your priorities, and I’d drive both before
buying anything

Gaywheels.com:     But of the
three, the GTI is the only one on the "gay-friendly"
list.  If that is important to you,
it could be the deal breaker

Axel Rod:      Yep…very true

Gaywheels.com:      Ok
then, Auf Wiedersehen!

Specs:
* 2.0 liter turbo 4-cylinder engine making 200 hp
* EPA rated 25 city/31 highway
* 6-speed Manual standard, optional 6-speed DSG automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters for an additional $1075
Price:
* Base MSRP $21,990
* As tested $29,405

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