Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[sabloke]

Don't know why are you bringing some other brand in discussion. I was raising a legitimate question about the future R...
Heck, I wouldn't buy a Renault car either. Not even a next model Renault Sport by the looks of it. The future Clio will be turbocharged, just like the R, so I'd say they can shove it somewhere... I'll be holding on to my current drive for a long time and, just like Ray, can't see any problems with that

[triode12]

Don't know why are you bringing some other brand in discussion. I was raising a legitimate question about the future R...
Heck, I wouldn't buy a Renault car either. Not even a next model Renault Sport by the looks of it. The future Clio will be turbocharged, just like the R, so I'd say they can shove it somewhere... I'll be holding on to my current drive for a long time and, just like Ray, can't see any problems with that

Actually turbocharging the Clio might actually redeem it! Would probably make it more fun to drive if they don't refine it too much again.

[sabloke]

Oh well, it that's what you want just go and buy a Mini. I'm afraid the current Clio is the last big engine in a small package, a true hot hatch in the spirit of the original GTI.

[triode12]

But the mini is a chick's car...oh wait...the Clio is too and so are our Golfs.

The original GTI didn't have a big engine.

[backdoc]

Don't know why are you bringing some other brand in discussion. I was raising a legitimate question about the future R...
Heck, I wouldn't buy a Renault car either. Not even a next model Renault Sport by the looks of it. The future Clio will be turbocharged, just like the R, so I'd say they can shove it somewhere... I'll be holding on to my current drive for a long time and, just like Ray, can't see any problems with that

Before I had the R32 I had a Clio Sport for 3 years and it was quite alot of fun. Got rid of it as lots of interior bits started to fall off!

[triode12]

Before I had the R32 I had a Clio Sport for 3 years and it was quite alot of fun. Got rid of it as lots of interior bits started to fall off!

The 172 or 182?
A friend used to own both and he says that they are more fun to drive than the 197/200.

[triode12]

I must admit I am one of the few that didn't trade sideways. In the eyes of many, I traded down. I loved my R32. It wouldn't come close to beating an R on track, but for sheer driving joy, there was nothing better than having the windows down, sunroof open and giving it a good dose of throttle. It made the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. For the day to day driving stuff, that's what I think the R32 did brilliantly, and where the R "lost me". It just didn't feel special enough, unless you were able to use those extra tenths it has on the GTI off public roads.

It used to bug me no end that in car reviews the jurnos always talked about how much better dynamically the GTI was over the R32. But I realised, it didn't matter what they thought. I was in love with my car and it made me feel good.

So as long as you love your car, it makes you smile when you walk towards it and it makes you look back after you've parked it, what does it matter if it is a GTI or an R or an old R32?

P.S: forum would be far more dull without WJ

The reason you feel you traded down is because you bought a MkVI GTI.

[sabloke]

Well, that might be the case, but can I buy a brand new Clio Williams at the Renault dealer? No. So the 200 would do. Show me one current hot hatch that is as much fun to drive as the 182...
The same applies to most hot hatches, the've grown up and pilled up kilos. The rest are outright boring to drive and nothing more than specced up versions of the shopping trolley ilk.

[triode12]

Well, that might be the case, but can I buy a brand new Clio Williams at the Renault dealer? No. So the 200 would do. Shown me one current hot hatch that is as much fun to drive as the 182...
The same applies to most hot hatches, the've grown up and pilled up kilos. The rest are outright boring to drive and nothing more than specced up versions of the shopping trolley ilk.

Agreed. Nothing you can buy new (hatch wise) that I have tested lately has been fun to drive except the R. Haven't tried the RS250 yet - so there is hope yet. You'll never see me driving a Mini Cooper that is for sure.

[backdoc]

The reason you feel you traded down is because you bought a MkVI GTI.

As I said, in the eyes of many. It is a step down in cost and performance, but in the real world how big a step down is it? The debate would be endless, as this thread demonstrates. The old, mines bigger than yours

I had the Clio 182. I was driving across some train tracks once & the whole roof mounted electrics set up (lights etc) fell out and was hanging down by the electrical wires and swinging in front of my face. That was funny.............not!