What to buy? GTI or R20

[G-rig]

The R will be more like your R32 - setup for comfortable long distance driving - a Grand Tourer. The suspension will be tweaked for that according to one report. So it depends on what you want I suppose.

Personally, faced with the same decision, I would either go back to an R32 (since you know what it is like) or buy a Pirelli (same engine as the R but w/o AWD). The R32 will become a collectable like the Pirelli because it will be last of it's kind - no more V6 engines for the Golf.

If you like a car that is more fun/thrills than the two suggested above (the new GTI included) ...a Polo GTI is what I would suggest you test drive.

I initially thought the Golf R would be like an AWD GTI but will still weighs 160-180kg more than the GTI, has the older FSI engine and doesnt really stand out from the other Golf's as much as the MK5 GTI/R32. Given the extra drivetrain losses of AWD (10-12%) may still be slower than a retuned GTI. A retuned Golf R would be enough power you'd think, but extra lag so it's a hard choice.

Around town the GTI would probably be good enough for the price saving but those who want to push big power for the streets are better off getting the Golf R (coming to realise that power isn't everything and you can't use it legally most of the time and is a bit pointless- may as well get something that is a hoot to drive like the R32 with the sound, or smaller lighter FWD cars).

If I were placing an order for a MK6 GTI I'd probably want to wait to see really how good the Golf R is and drive it, although the wait is ages for both. The mk6 is really not worth the extra over a Mk5 either given the saving on used ones, but some people like new cars.