Rocco Downunder - Frist Driving Impressions & Comparo To Mar

[Paul Denney]

Hi everyone, after now having had the Viper for 1.5 weeks and now covered 1200km I can report that I love it ( with a few minor reservations).

I think I would undreservedly give it 6 stars out of 5 if I had not stepped out of the GTI, which IMO is such a fantastic all rounder.

My main dissapointment would be that compared to the GTI, the Scirocco ( for NZ) is lower specced in it's base condition. Unlike the UK we don't get the various PACKS, but instead tick the options box. The NZ VW importer and agent had already selected the specs for the initial shipment of 100 cars.

So what's missing you ask?
Climate dual zone air
No metal pedals
No coming home leaving home light function
No auto lights or wipers.
No auto dippping mirror
No ashtray cover
No drinks holder cover, bottle opener
MP3 conncetion only USB, have to purchase a separte one for an I Pod.
No gas strut for the bonnet ( a weedy rod, which I had on my 1975 Toyota Corolla!!).

I think it is slightly noiser inside than the GTI, could be the sun roof, all that glass. I assume the Mk 6 GTI, will be as quiet as a Phaeton, if the base Mk 6 is anything to go by, very refined.

I suppose it sounds a lot, and when you have been used to them in the GTI, it seems like a step backwards.

Well enough of the negative rant on the plus side:

I and everyone loves the colour. It get's heaps of second looks ,with people staring and pointing. The shape of the car is really distinctive and not at all staid VW.

It handles slighlty better then the GTI, is slightly faster.

Overall I am really impressed, and think I have made an excellent choice. I was tempted to wait until the Mk 6 GTI, but it would only have seemed like a mild face lift, where as the Scricco is totally different. We only got the 5 door Mk 5 GTI, they were built in South Africa, and the 3 door was only imported into NZ, with the release of the Edition 30.

Some updated photos are attached.

http://photobucket.com/pauldenney

Cheers

[iAmbu]

I'm loving the matching green dog lead!!

[Paul Denney]

I'm loving the matching green dog lead!!

Thanks, well spotted.