Rocco Vs Competitors

[Vwphile]

I've test driven the Rocco and agree with all the comments I've read on this forum. It has great performance, handles as if its on rails. I absolutely love the exhaust burble as it changes up through the gears in the DSG version.

So I'm a convert.

But just to make sure I haven't missed any obvious competitors (apart from its own siblings) have any you driven either the
Renault Megane Cup 250
Mazda MX5
Mini Cooper S

and how they compare with the Roc

Would greatly appreciate your thoughts.

Also manual VS DSG in the Rocco?

[Mac135]

Not quite sure why you think an MX5 is a competitor but if you were going to stretch the list of competitors a bit then I'd consider adding the following:

The sister cars Golf GTI and R
Audi S3
Alfa Guiletta (adds 2 doors but is a quickisg hatch)
Alfa Brera coupe more a cruiser perhaps?
Audi TT plenty of reviews compare the two cars
BMW 1 coupe
If you are including the Cooper then perhaps the citroen DS3 Sport
Mazda RX8
Peugeot RCZ
Nissan 370Z
Volvo C30

The R isn't going to win a comparison on all counts against this line up. The Nissan or a 135 would stretch it in a straight line for example but as a 135 owner I think an R could well be a better daily drive being a little more practical, a little livelier, a little more efficient etc.

The R stacks up well in my view but like everything making a choice from the group above will come down to compromise.

[Andych]

I have to agree with Mac135... out of the original list... I could only seriously take the Renault as a competitor.. it is a touch cheaper and most likely faster but I think it would be harder to live with on a daily basis.
The Mini... nope
The MX5... a long way from being competition IMO anyway..

[Mac135]

I think the Golf R a genuine competitor and probably the car to have it you needed 4 doors in a compact performance package.

[Vwphile]

Not quite sure why you think an MX5 is a competitor

MX5 and Roc are two door fun cars that handle well and are at Similar price point. Admittedly, one drives from the front and the other from the rear, the MX5 is a 2 seater but I won't be carrying more than one passanger anyway so not a deal breaker

[triode12]

I've test driven the Rocco and agree with all the comments I've read on this forum. It has great performance, handles as if its on rails. I absolutely love the exhaust burble as it changes up through the gears in the DSG version.

So I'm a convert.

But just to make sure I haven't missed any obvious competitors (apart from its own siblings) have any you driven either the
Renault Megane Cup 250
Mazda MX5
Mini Cooper S

and how they compare with the Roc

Would greatly appreciate your thoughts.

Also manual VS DSG in the Rocco?

I have driven both the Rocco (DSG) and Renault 250 Cup Trophee (manual of course).
Technically speaking the Renault would beat the Rocco in terms of handling esp on the twisties. This is the car you want to get if you plan to go on the track a lot. BUT...I personally would get the Rocco because I don't go to the track that often and would get bored driving the 250 as a daily - the 250 just isn't fun to drive. You have to push the 250 a lot more, hence to license losing speeds to get the same fun feeling you get from the Rocco at legal speeds. The 250 is just too composed/too good - you don't get the feeling of speed till you get over 140 km/hr.

Also, the 250 feels cheap on the inside compared to the Rocco. The only redeeming feature of the 250 is the v.cool built-in telemetry ala Nissan GT-R. Not to forget the very bad reputation for reliability and resale value of the frog brands.


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---------- Post added at 05:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:19 PM ----------

[QUOTE=Vwphile;775153]

Not quite sure why you think an MX5 is a competitor

MX5 and Roc are two door fun cars that handle well and are at Similar price point. Admittedly, one drives from the front and the other from the rear, the MX5 is a 2 seater but I won't be carrying more than one passanger anyway so not a deal breaker

You also forgot that one is turbo charged while the other is NA.
I would drive both and make up your mind. The NC MX5 is due to be superceeded next year. So you might get a good runout deal on one if you wait till the end of the year.

[Andych]

I think the Golf R a genuine competitor and probably the car to have it you needed 4 doors in a compact performance package.

Personally... I thought the Golf R was the ducks guts when it was released... mean looking etc but I was in with my dealer today sorting a couple of things out and they had a CW fully loaded Golf R together with a Viper Green Roc and a CW Roc and to be honest... the Golf is very plain looking now... it is amazing how wide the Roc looks or should I say how small the Golf looks.
The Golf seats are tiny and you feel like you would be bumping shoulders with your passenger.... plus surprisingly the Golf felt almost claustrophobic where before I felt it was a nice spacious cabin....

And I was trying to be objective about it as well. The other scary thing is... the Golf was well over $70K drive away as it sat on the floor...and all it had over my Rocco was front parking sensors and the RVC.. which mine will get.

[Mac135]

Agree with your points re the Golf. There does seem to be a width to the Roc. Not sure if it is real or imagined.

I hope that feeling of space or airiness increases with the sunroof fitted. I'm yet to sit in a Roc with one fitted.

I see you were expecting your car early Feb. Seems to have slipped a bit?

[entice]

You must have sat in a LWB version of the Roc. As i did teh 2 yesterday.
light, good looking (get rid of teh badge on the front) and wide stance are what the roc has over teh R
Spaciousness, rear seats (usable) and boot) useable and loadable is what the R has over the Roc.

you'll be happy with either.
you'll be happy for less with the Megane

but thats just MHO

[Mac135]

[QUOTE=Vwphile;775153]

Not quite sure why you think an MX5 is a competitor

MX5 and Roc are two door fun cars that handle well and are at Similar price point. Admittedly, one drives from the front and the other from the rear, the MX5 is a 2 seater but I won't be carrying more than one passanger anyway so not a deal breaker

ok I understand. I don't see them as competitors but get that they represent alternatives for you.

On the manual vs DSG ? The Dsg is a great option. It works well and I think still connects you tom the car in the way a torque convertor auto can't. Especially since VW updated the DSG feel some time ago (since I owned by DSG GTI). DSG takes awhile tom really get the feel of. If you do go the DSG route makes sure you put it into M and use the stick and paddles. In my view the DSG should only be used as an auto in traffic- once on the move it paddles and stick.