Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[REXman]

WJ is entitled to his opinion.
He's obviously careful to differentiate science from opinion as best he can.
When assessing the features, everyone has a different balance of what is most important.
different driving styles, different needs.

It's interesting to read his observations, it doesn't make me 2nd guess my purchase decision.

I can completely understand that Ray wouldn't want to upgrade from a modified R32 to an R.
The additional outlay might buy you a newer car, perhaps better weight distribution and power to weight
but these are marginal, and you'd lose the awesome R32 soundtrack.
For $30k, i couldn't justify it either.

The again, i couldn't trade in the R32 for a GTi, which I see as adding cash in order to downgrade.
It's a trick ride in it's own right, but lacks the "specialness" of the R32...

Thats the beauty we can all have an opinion. and what you said is pretty close to my standpoint too.

I personally wouldnt let go of an R' vehicle to drive a GTI especially if it is a 2008 R32!

The GTI is not in the same ownership ballpark as either of the other 2 options.

An R, from the R32.. maybe.

An R32 to a GTI? What for tbh. I wouldnt sell my MY08 STI to get an MY11 WRX.. But thats just me.

Clearly the R is the better car, all around. But if the budget doesnt allow it, just get the GTI as its still a very competent FWD package, and has better fuel economy.

[sameatworld]

Its another R bash, self justification that lasts 4 pages... awesome.

I sometimes wish WJ would buy another brand of car. Maybe a BMW. Then I'll buy the exact same model and ride the high of never ending free PR and ego boosting pat on the back from WJ's write ups

[MkVIGTI]

I would think seriously about adding a set of small size H&R sway bars with the front set on ‘soft’ and the rear set on ‘hard’. This would dial out the factory induced understeer that causes the Golf R to push wide and lean hard on its outside front tyre driving around the low-speed corners.

I've got the Golf GTI on standard suspensions and have noticed that the stock rear suspension is harder than the front ones. This is especially apparent when you travel in the back seats. But generally the suspension tune offers a great combination of body control and ride compliance, as the ride is fairly smooth especially for the front seat passengers. There is a noticable tilt at the front end when you corner fast though.

[hooba]

I sometimes wish WJ would buy another brand of car. Maybe a BMW. Then I'll buy the exact same model and ride the high of never ending free PR and ego boosting pat on the back from WJ's write ups

[G-rig]

lol, i gave up reading WJ's posts after the very first one!

Yawn...........

I sometimes wish WJ would buy another brand of car. Maybe a BMW. Then I'll buy the exact same model and ride the high of never ending free PR and ego boosting pat on the back from WJ's write ups

The reviews are a good read, why bother posting in his thread if you don't have anything worthwhile to add?

[Danny]

As a Clio Renaultsport 182 Cup owner (well up until tuesday when she will be taken away by her new owner ), I died a little inside when WJ made the statement that my new R would not be as focussed to drive as the Clio.

Now, it's not that I didn't know this or expect it (in fact I knew that nothing would be as cheeky as the 182 cup, however it's very hard to hear it, when I have just sold mine). I bought the R for its acceleration, its class, its comfort and oh so spank me looks (and maybe it was time for me to grow up), and for me it felt that it handled great and shot around corners like it was on rails! Maybe I'm just a 7/10ths driver, I don't know, but if my golf feels the same as my 182 when driving at 7/10ths (and in my opinion, yeah it does, maybe even more fun due to turbo boost), then I am happy!

Did anyone read the TGA mag comparo of the GTI and R long termers? Apparently the reviewer wanted to take the GTI back and keep the R. Result.

[Converted]

Volkswagen would be very happy to hear all of this, everyone deciding between the GTI and R, and not other makes. Man have they got it right since the MKV!
Good to read the comparisons, but I guess there is no end to the GTI or R debate as each individual have different needs, priorities, use, limits and driving requirements/peculiarities hence their purchases.
Keep up the good write-ups guys.

[Corey_R]

Now, it's not that I didn't know this or expect it (in fact I knew that nothing would be as cheeky as the 182 cup, however it's very hard to hear it, when I have just sold mine). I bought the R for its acceleration, its class, its comfort and oh so spank me looks (and maybe it was time for me to grow up), and for me it felt that it handled great and shot around corners like it was on rails! Maybe I'm just a 7/10ths driver, I don't know, but if my golf feels the same as my 182 when driving at 7/10ths (and in my opinion, yeah it does, maybe even more fun due to turbo boost), then I am happy!

Don't worry mate. Anyone who thinks they drive 10/10th in any of these modern cars on Australian roads is either ignorant, lying, or an idiot (with no concern for law or life of themselves or others). This is an opinion shared by the advanced driving instructors at the VW track day I attended recently (although said in their own words).

I would like to think that we're all 7/10th drivers of these modern cars on our roads and leave the 8, 9 and 10/10ths to the race track

[MACCAA]

Don't worry mate. Anyone who thinks they drive 10/10th in any of these modern cars on Australian roads is either ignorant, lying, or an idiot (with no concern for law or life of themselves or others). This is an opinion shared by the advanced driving instructors at the VW track day I attended recently (although said in their own words).

I would like to think that we're all 7/10th drivers of these modern cars on our roads and leave the 8, 9 and 10/10ths to the race track

Correct.
I've done enough Driver Training to realise that people's ability v their PERCEIVED ability is a pretty wide gap.
I worry when I read about people turning off ESP[as opposed to traction control only] and the like on public roads.If you're activating these systems on the road I'd be concerned.
If you know what you're doing you can drive fairly quick on the track with all electronic aids on.So if you're driving faster than that on the road....
Other Advanced Driving Instructors I've worked with leave these controls ON for public roads.
Now on the Race Track...that's another proposition.
It's almost like it's an affront to manhood to drive with it on to some people I've seen.
Which brings me back to my first point re actual ability v perceived ability....

[Danny]

Don't worry mate. Anyone who thinks they drive 10/10th in any of these modern cars on Australian roads is either ignorant, lying, or an idiot (with no concern for law or life of themselves or others). This is an opinion shared by the advanced driving instructors at the VW track day I attended recently (although said in their own words).

I would like to think that we're all 7/10th drivers of these modern cars on our roads and leave the 8, 9 and 10/10ths to the race track

Yeah well thats what I reckon bud. I definitely do not feel like I have the skill to drive at 8 9 or 10/10ths, so for what I get out of the Golf R, it is PERFECT. The RSC was a car that was very difficult to out drive, without being taught at a track day, I've never done a track day, so therefore can't really make comment on the intricacies of a vehicles handling without the due experience. Bottom line is, as long as the car makes me smile, I'm happy.