GTI or Integra?

Time to retire my old Mustang and get something more 'sensible'. I'm looking at the VR6 GTI or an older Integra (90-93)- this would mostly be for commuting, but I need to carry the kids and occasionally piles of stuff - hence the hatchbacks. I think I got the mod/racing bug out of my system with the 5.0, but still want something that is fun to drive. So let's hear some opinions...

How's the reliability of the VW's? I know the Honda/Integra will be way up there, dependability wise.
What sort of problems should I watch out for? Things to test when shopping?
What sort of real world gas mileage should I expect?
How will they hold their value? Since the VR6 is 95+, it's a few years newer and therefore a few thousand dollars more than the Integra... On paper the VW looks financially worse.
Just how badly will I be able to smoke integras with a GTI? Remember, I'm coming from a big V8, where I routinely eat most of these little cars for breakfast (on my way to the gas station).

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Ok well I have a VR6 and it's a bit modded however even before it was modded I could still smoke most hondas (F/I,S2k's,NSX's, or High compression all motors being the exception). I'd get the GTI. The ignition coils on VR6's are notorious for going bad and with my 95VR6 Jetta the electric windows go out. The VR6 is nose heavy other than that it's handles pretty well. I'd lower it a bit if I were you and get some bilstein sports shocks however it's up to you. You can do some inexpensive mods like a GIAC chip and Cold Air Intake. A cat back exhuast helps open it up a lot and exploits the VR6's classic grizzly bear roar.

I myself when my VR6 was lightly modded was able to beat some stock 5.0's on the freeway and light to light I only lost by the most half a car length.

Get a 1990 Mk2 GTi 16v. They're cheap, reliable, and easy to work on if you have to. They'll still quench your power thirst too. If you get tired of the 140somethin' horsepower they come with you can always turbo or supercharge it. You can even make 'em 4WD if so desired. And it's hard to get one that gets less than 30mpg.

Itr

Well the 1.8T and the Itr are close so its a drivers race with the 1.8T being a little faster. The VR6 is a little faster and it has more tq then the 1.8T and ITR so it will feel faster too. So I would get the VR6 GTI because its faster and much more comfortable ride. Because like you said you need a commuter.

While the 1.8T and VR6 VW's are fast I disagree that they are faster than an ITR. (Assuming all cars are stock) My best track run so far has been 14.6. If you want all out performance I'd suggest the ITR but if you want a quiter more refined ride go with the 1.8T. Is the VR6 really faster than the 1.8T?

Stock vs Stock the 1.8T is slower than the 24valve VR6. However it's soooo easy to make the 1.8T faster by adding a chip. Little things like a CAI, exhaust, diverter valve or blow off valve, better manifold, and even cams will help but not hardly as much as a Chip.

Cmugen you must have a type R right? I think he means just the regular Integra. In which case the VR6 and 1.8T are faster.

Well, it's academic at this point ( I bought an Integra LS), but here's a response:

1. There's more to life than speed. The GSR or ITR weren't really options because they have no low end torque, and need to be wound up so much to wake up, it's just not fun for me. Remember, I'm coming from Torque city. None of the above cars is going to register on my butt-o-meter; the VR6 had a chance, but the buckage wasn't there.

2. It's a commuter, so reliability is a priority. After hearing many VW horror stories, I couldn't in good conscience go for that. I know I'll have many trouble free miles with the Civic... er Acura.

3. My budget wasn't as much as I'd hoped, and couldn't find any GTI's much under $6K, while I got a nice Integra for $3.

But thanks for the responses... it makes a good discussion.

You are correct, I do have an ITR. And again you are correct that a 1.8T and VR6 are way faster than just an ordinary Integra. I believe that they are even faster than the GSR. And again, if torque is what you're looking for an Integra of any kind is not what you want. I live up in Canada and I'm just wondering if down in the U.S. you guys have the R32 Golf for sale? From what I've read that sounds like a fun car.

Well the 1.8T and the Itr are close so its a drivers race with the 1.8T being a little faster.
Quite simply put, no.
---and about the 1.8t and vr6 being faster than the gsr, come on guys dont start this again, we all know its a drivers race.

pleeease dont start it again

pleeease dont start it again

GTI is sooo much faster! hahah