2016 GTI vs 2016 ST3

[Skurge]

The GTI is bar far the most popular hot hatch around here. I've only seen about 5 STs around here, but countless GTIs. I've only heard good things about the GTI. The GTI also makes more power.

The GTI holds in value far far better here and will be easier to sell, but that is just for DSG, but is also more expensive $30,864 vs $28,801. With better equipment in the Focus. The Focus is also cheaper to own. Although the GTI has better MPG

The GTI has a better interior, but it doesn't have as much tech as the Focus ST. I also prefer the seats in the Focus as I'm a pretty skinny guy

I think the ST looks better, but it has so weird lines though.

I have test driven the ST. I liked it, but I didn't fall in love with it, but this was in the city.
I'm waiting for the dealer to get a Manual GTI in before test drive one. If that doesn't sway me. Anyone have an experience with living with either one and can chime in?

I'm 24 with no kids or pets if that counts for anything.

 

[cr2250]

I have an ST3. It's been great, Ford had some good incentives too. Everyone complains about SYNC but I've had no issues with it.
If you get an ST, get an access port with a stage 1 map. After flashing the eco, the car seems to be as wild as the Mazdaspeed3 I owned.
Only issue is if you're buying new, these cars depreciate way too fast. Doesn't matter I suppose if you plan on keeping it but after one year, the market for my 2014 went from 26 to 19k.

 

[z1ggy]

I preferred the GTI when I drove it compared to the ST, back when the ST first came out. Can't speak to the 2016 model years. The ST was just off for me. I didn't like the Recaro's AT ALL, and was the biggest down point for me actually. The shifter on the ST was meh, and the throws were long and were not crisp. The clutch was very light which is something I also don't like. Tech was nice, but honestly isn't a huge deal to me.

 

[SearchMaster]

I have an ST3. It's been great, Ford had some good incentives too. Everyone complains about SYNC but I've had no issues with it.
If you get an ST, get an access port with a stage 1 map. After flashing the eco, the car seems to be as wild as the Mazdaspeed3 I owned.
Only issue is if you're buying new, these cars depreciate way too fast. Doesn't matter I suppose if you plan on keeping it but after one year, the market for my 2014 went from 26 to 19k.

The 2016s have SYNC3, a completely new system based on QNX instead of Microsoft. All early reports are very positive - much more responsive and a cleaner interface. I've not used the new system, only seen videos, but a system update in late 2013 fixed all early issues I had with mine.

I love my '13 ST3. I didn't consider the previous generation of GTI because I have a bias against VW based on friends' experiences, but it is hard to ignore the current gen. MPG is up a couple of ticks over the ST (assuming VW didn't game the system ), fit and finish are excellent, and the power is easily bumped with a simple tune. In general, the ST feels a bit more raw due to the active vectoring in the corners, but the GTI is faster and more refined. Some people appreciate the raw fun factor of the ST over the refined nature of the GTI, some do not.

As for the Recaro seats, they are very much love/hate. Mine fit me perfectly (6', 185) but a lot of people cannot find comfort in them at all. You seem to like them so you'd probably love them.

They are both great vehicles so whichever one speaks to you the loudest will be a solid choice. Find a dealer that will let you open up a bit with either car though. Driving the ST through city traffic will NOT let you experience what the car was made for - you may as well buy a Prius. My dealer let me have the car over a holiday weekend and that's when I was sold.

 

[yh125d]

I've put 35k on my 2013 ST3 and still love it. I'm 6' 230# with broad shoulders and the Recaros are tight on me, but I like the fit. It was a MK5 GTI that I drove against it, and it felt like an expensive Golf rather than a completely different performance version of a normal car. Definitely a very good car by any measure, but it didn't leave me with a feeling that it was particularly special.

Can't speak on the MK6 GTI, but it is still down on power vs the Focus, although I think it's actually quicker now. I'll say the MK5 felt a lot less powerful, even though it was pretty much just as quick as the Focus. Either way though, the way I see it is they're all close as far as straight line speed, and they're all slower than a V6 Mustang, so how they feel is more important.

The GTI is more practical though. The MK5 backseat was definitely bigger than the Focus, and since it's a more "dignified" car it will pass the parent approval test better if you care about that

I average an indicated 27mpg in the Focus, with probably an 80/20 highway/city split

 

[Demo24]

I've a 2015 SE GTI with just under 6k on it now. So far it's been just fine with no issues to speak of. It's reasonably comfortable (still haven't gotten it to be great for long distances), fairly quiet, materials inside are nice and the fit/finish is good, the engine is great, the manual gearbox is 'ok' (little notchy, slightly oddly geared at times), and it's been quite efficient for me on long journeys. It's really not hard at all to get 36-40mpg just cruising on the highway, but around town expect that in the mid-low 20's. I do a lot of city so it's not terribly happy and my average is in the 20's. Also a very stable car on the highway and is impressively superfluous to buffeting.

I'm not sure what tech the ST would have over the GTI? The 2016 made some decent upgrades in that department so it's got Android Auto/Apple Carplay, and all the things that come with a car 'infotainment' system. Plus in my SE some additional luxuries like auto-lights and auto-wipers, plus keyless auto (a must for me now), and partially power adjustable seats.

If nothing else make sure you get the lighting package! Not only does it make the car look a lot better they are truly incredible at night!

I also opted for the Performance Package so it's got 10 more HP (can't tell), a proper LSD, and significantly improved brakes (they are really great!). This is what really sold me on the GTI over the ST. Everyday driving it's quite civil and almost boring (ST might be a bit more 'raw' feeling to bring up the excitement level) at times, but once you throw it into some corners and just put your foot down it really comes alive! The torque adjusting diff is really impressive in corners and just rockets the car around in ways I'm not use to in a FWD.

If tuning is of interest the engine in the GTI is apparently very strong and makes a lot of power with just a tune. Although the stock clutch is apparently a lot weaker than the ones in the DSG, so pushing over a certain point is basically asking for a more capable clutch.

I really like the engine in this car as well! I've found myself kind of driving it like a diesel in that I often shift in the 3-4k range but that's just because it makes so much torque down low it's unnecessary to ring it out much. It gathers speed pretty effortlessly.

Let me know if you want to know anything else.

 

[cyclistca]

Are you set on getting a hatch?

I tested both the previous model GTI and the latest Focus ST and bought a 2015 WRX. I love the car. It's so much fun to drive. With the rear seats folded down I can get most larger stuff in the car.

 

[deathBOB]

Are you set on getting a hatch?

I tested both the previous model GTI and the latest Focus ST and bought a 2015 WRX. I love the car. It's so much fun to drive. With the rear seats folded down I can get most larger stuff in the car.

I just did the same with a 2016 WRX. The WRX and ST were more fun than the GTI, and the crappy seats/seating position in the ST pushed me into the WRX.

Lightly used STs seem like great deals though.

 

[CombatChuk]

I went through this same thing you did and I ended up buying a Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop.

Yes it's a bit more expensive than the VW and the Focus. But I drove a ton of cars before settling on this one.

Drove a Golf R, very nice, very fast enjoyed the manual. Coming from a Jetta TDI though, it felt like a very fast Jetta (Which it really is). Plus Dealer markup in Colorado ($3000) didn't leave me feeling warm.

Drove a WRX STI, see them every where here and the interior is meh. Still pretty fast

Drove a Focus ST. Great value, but still a Focus and a Ford. The Quality reflected that.

Decided to swing for the fences and drive a Porsche 911 Carrera. Best driving car I have ever driven. Engine a little on the weak side (was looking at a base 991). Maybe if I waited for the new Turbo Carreras it would have been better. I bought a Tesla earlier this year couldn't justify another 100k car.

As I leaving the Porsche dealer, I was driving by the Mini dealer I remembered that the new F56 JCW just came out. Went out for a test drive and I fell in love. Best steering out of the cars I drove (Save for the 911) and the interior (when new) was a step above everyone else (except the Porsche). I got a fairly loaded one in a 6 speed and I have been smiles ever since then. Also the build quality is miles over the R50 I had 10 years ago, and that engine is a stump puller.

 

[Skurge]

The WRX doesn't really have a dealer here, I would have to get one from South Africa, I don't really want to do that.

The mini looks enticing, but I wanted something with a bit more space and 5 doors. I am leaning towards the GTI now, but I'm gonna test drive the Focus ST for a little longer and then the DSG GTI, as that is all the dealer has a available.

I don't intend on keeping the car for more than 3 years, so depreciation is of concern to me, but if I enjoy the ST more than the GTI, then that counts for more to me.

Thanks for your input though.

 

[Demo24]

I also test drove a Mini before getting the GTI. Few reasons I didn't go that route.

a)Size was kind of limiting, even though this is the biggest one. Occasionally needing to transport more than 2 people it just wouldn't work well, and I wasn't going to wait for the full 4 door model.
b) Kind of worried about it's composure on the highway for longer drives
c) My biggest issue was the damn arm rest. It's way too high up and it got in the way of my arm when shifting. Only way around it was to raise it all the way up but I didn't really like that.
d)The mini dealer was a good hour drive away and I don't trust their reliability (nor does car and driver on their long term one).

I don't really think the Mini had a better interior than the GTI. It's much improved over previous versions, but you also have to spend a lot on options versus any competition to get the good stuff.

However, I still really like Mini's and I'd buy one if I was primarily in a larger city driving, close to a dealer, and had a road trip car.

 

[X3NIA]

I had a Focus ST2 for a while (8 months) and it was a gigantic POS. It was slow, died in the top end, poorly made (panel fitment was awful) and Ford was terrible about repairing it whenever there was an issue.

I eventually pursued lemon law and won a bit of money from Ford, I got a 2014 WRX Hatch as a replacement. I'd go for the GTI. They're really nice and I'd likely still have a 2013 GTI if I had purchased that instead of the Focus.

 

[Skurge]

So I decided to go with a DSG GTI, if I find I miss the manual, the resale value is such that I can sell the DSG and pickup a manual without adding anything on top.

So the GTI here comes with continental A/S tyres. I wanted to swap them out for the Michelin PSS tyres. Our winters don't ever really go below 5c here and it never rains in winter. So Summer tyres should work all year round for me.

I just wanted to know what kind mileage most people get on those. I'll be doing about 9-10k miles a year.

 

[shabby]

Forget both, go for the focus rs, its only a few $$$ more.

 

[senseamp]

Go with a reputable company and get the Ford.

 

[SearchMaster]

So I decided to go with a DSG GTI, if I find I miss the manual, the resale value is such that I can sell the DSG and pickup a manual without adding anything on top.

So the GTI here comes with continental A/S tyres. I wanted to swap them out for the Michelin PSS tyres. Our winters don't ever really go below 5c here and it never rains in winter. So Summer tyres should work all year round for me.

I just wanted to know what kind mileage most people get on those. I'll be doing about 9-10k miles a year.

I don't know which Conti's come on the GTI but my son's A3 came with ContiProContacts. He's at 25K miles and they're about shot. My got PSS's for my ST and they are much grippier than the OEM Goodyear Eagle F1's - I love these tires. The only downside is MPG has dropped by a couple but it's a small price to pay. I'm not seeing much wear at all after 8K miles and they have a 30K warranty which is quite good for a performance tire.

 

[SearchMaster]

Forget both, go for the focus rs, its only a few $$$ more.

He's in Namibia - who knows how much the RS will cost there?

 

[yh125d]

Forget both, go for the focus rs, its only a few $$$ more.

If by few $$$ you mean $10k then sure


(I am still considering making this same move myself though)