First post: GTi or R32?

[rabbitoh]

Hi all,

Firstly, apologies as this question has probably been posted before, and I will do a search to have a look, but it seemed like a good chance to say g'day.

Current owner of a 2002 Alfa Romeo 147 selespeed. After the boss came to the party and gave me a pay rise, I am looking to replace my bella with either of the above cars. I was initially thinking a black GTi, 5 door with DSG, leather, sat nav Xenons and sun roof. However after seeing (and hearing) a blue 3 door R32, I am extremly tempted to stump up the extra cash, change to a 3 door and drop the sat nav (I hear it is pretty average). I am thinking silver at this stage.

Got a quote for the above GTi at $51500 on the road with no haggling. No idea what value for my Alfa as a trade in yet. Firstly does that seem a good deal and secondly. if any posters have driven both cars, what are the strengths/weaknesses of each and are they happy with the decision they made.

Thanks all

[Oli]

Hi mate and welcome
never had chance to drive new GTI ( i do have GTI 03 ) and they are good fast cars...but if you want everything from vw and for only small diference in $$$ just go for R32 DSG...I had chance to drive one..mate and I will own one soon...
there is no words to describe that car...but there is plenty R32 owners here so they can tell you a bit more....
Not long ago I heard somebody is comparing that R32 with new BMW M3 and said M3 its a bit better
Cheers
Oli

[rabbitoh]

Thanks Oli. Was that person an owner or a non biased 3rd party If it is close to the M3, that would be totally awesome. Hearing it, I know it already sounds better

Just reading some back issues of motor, and even though it only got 15th in PCOTY, they used it as one of their leased cars and really seemed to enjoy it.

[VWGTi]

Hi rabbitoh,

Welcome to the forum!

I'm sure you'll find this place extremely helpful and informative as i have.

The price u're quoted for the GTI seems reasonable - although do u really need the xenon and sat nav - and is the sat nav factory or dealer fitted?

Being a proud owner of a GTI I can tell you that I absolutely love every minute in it. Compared to the r32, well, it really comes down to personal preference and what you like... if you like the roaring sound of the v6 then you'll have to go the r32.

I went the GTI 'coz firstly of my budget, and the urge u get when u put your foot on the accelerator.

Another thing that may sway your decision making might be the r32 is made in germany, while the 5dr GTI is from sth africa (which is getting their butts kicked by oz in the cricket at the moment!!).

To date, I haven't had any issues with my 5dr GTI (touch wood).

Either way you choose you'll just love it! I'd probably suggest doing what most of us here have done and to take both cars on a spin back to back and decide for yourself.

Cheers,
Thomas

[rabbitoh]

Cheers Thomas.

I like the idea of xenons but I have dropped sat nav after reading this forum and some other opinions/reviews.

Yep agreed. Gotta get up to my dealer on Saturday and test drive both. There are worse ways to spend a Saturday

Well I got up early to watch the completion of that match and it is already over! Jeez the Sth Africans know how to fold against us in the cricket

Do you have a DSG or Manual GTi?

[nassdeutsch]

Hi Rabbitoh,

I found myself in the same situation around a month ago. I ended up buying the GTI with Leather, sat nav, parking picked this up 2 weeks ago, though it was a hard choice as i was looking around the 7k mark to upgrade to an r32 without sat nav and sensors. Most people will tell you the GTI is a more involving drive because the r32 is not as nimble with 1700 kg on board, but when your fire up that r32, the world sounds like its going to end.

I would buy the r32, but in a 3 door (they hold their value better), and if you dont like it, i would seriously consider swapping with you. I have only done a few hundred kms in my gti, and i fight myself everyday not to drive down to the dealer and see if i can do some sort of upgrade.

Also the 3dr GTI is made in Germany, and I would bet the quality would be better then those 5 door GTI's around, so maybe something to consider.

[GoLfMan]

oh man i'd hate to be in your position, but i still think i'd go for the R32 anyday, AWD sways me and the fact that aftermarket stuff can iron out any little niggles that may be inbuilt into the factory car eg, haldrex controller to put more rear drive biased and better suspension... It may not be as fast as a GTi (a flashed one) but boy that engine is a beauty

[VWGTi]

Cheers Thomas.

I like the idea of xenons but I have dropped sat nav after reading this forum and some other opinions/reviews.

Yep agreed. Gotta get up to my dealer on Saturday and test drive both. There are worse ways to spend a Saturday

Well I got up early to watch the completion of that match and it is already over! Jeez the Sth Africans know how to fold against us in the cricket

Do you have a DSG or Manual GTi?

Yeh the Sth Africans still can't get over the Aussies in the big games!

I've got the DSG - again down to personal pref. My reasoning was that it's quicker but also it's super smooth for times when you don't want to give the car a fang!

Cheers,

[phaeton]

Welcome rabbitoh

If I was stuck in the position your in, I'd take both for a test drive and work out which best suits me.

If you choose the R32 go for one in Black, IMO they are so Beautiful

[blur32]

Hi all,

Firstly, apologies as this question has probably been posted before, and I will do a search to have a look, but it seemed like a good chance to say g'day.

Current owner of a 2002 Alfa Romeo 147 selespeed. After the boss came to the party and gave me a pay rise, I am looking to replace my bella with either of the above cars. I was initially thinking a black GTi, 5 door with DSG, leather, sat nav Xenons and sun roof. However after seeing (and hearing) a blue 3 door R32, I am extremly tempted to stump up the extra cash, change to a 3 door and drop the sat nav (I hear it is pretty average). I am thinking silver at this stage.

Got a quote for the above GTi at $51500 on the road with no haggling. No idea what value for my Alfa as a trade in yet. Firstly does that seem a good deal and secondly. if any posters have driven both cars, what are the strengths/weaknesses of each and are they happy with the decision they made.

Thanks all

Welcome Rabbitoh

You, like me, my son have seen the light! After an original 156, an early build 147 and a JTS 156....quality, enjoyment, reliability, resale, features, performance...(did i mention reliability and quality?) are things i didn't know could go together all at the same time! Don't get me wrong, the alfisti are passionate for a reason, Alfas have a way of being infectious and you tend to forgive a lot. But not having to cringe everytime i see a pot hole is a sweet moment in my life!

I to looked at both and ended up with a 3dr, Mkv R32, DSG, roof, bluetooth & iPod.In Blue. I agree with Phaeton, they look hot in black. The GTI was/is a fine thing, certainly steers more accurately (and is a lot lighter) than the R32. But to me it had more of a feeling of being on its tippy toes. Rides nice, goes awesomely well...and is a little more traditional & purist. However, if you do a few k's, the added weight, lower stance and AWD gives the R32 an exceptional poise on the road, surprising ride, still sweet handling and a more race car feel (seats are set lower). It looks horn, holds its value & smashes most other things under $100k.

Oh, by the way, have you heard it???????????? Just make sure economy is of no concern. That noise encourages all sorts of short burts of acceleration and hanging onto a lower gear just to listen to it. We are here for a short time, not a long time. Rev, enjoy it and let others bask amongst its glorious noise. This is your role in life!

[Panman]

Hi Rabbitoh,

I'll second what Blur said - in an earlier post my comment was:

Yet with the GTI and R32 we get two well built, reasonable value for money, exciting performance cars. How good is that... There are no wrong choices, just preferences!

I've got an R32 5 Door Manual in Silver. I love it - the only complaint is a slightly annoying rattle in the back seat which my dealer is trying very hard to cure

I have the recaros (which aren't an option on the GTI) and love them, yet other people don't.

I drove both, as well as a chipped GTI, and settled on the R32 for pretty much the reasons that Blur outlined. AWD, more secure feeling on the road (esp compared to the chipped GTI), and the fact that everything I wanted was standard (or in the case of the Recaros) optionable.

2 Months and nearly 4000Ks on, I'm still finding reasons to go for a drive, or take the long way to get anywhere.

Either way you'll be happy with your choice, but do drive both and decide which suits your driving style better.

[VWGTi]

Oh, by the way, have you heard it???????????? Just make sure economy is of no concern. That noise encourages all sorts of short burts of acceleration and hanging onto a lower gear just to listen to it. We are here for a short time, not a long time. Rev, enjoy it and let others bask amongst its glorious noise. This is your role in life!

LOL I can definitely second that! It applies to the GTI as well!!

[rabbitoh]

Thanks for the responses so far guys. I have heard both - I saw a blue 3 door R32 at Milsons Point, and I have seen a poster on here a few pages back who says he lives here. Must be his. The sound......pure car porn, although the GTi sounds great as well.

blur32,

Yeah the 147 has been a great little car. Sounds the bizz as well with the high tek exhaust and K&N filter I put on her but there have been niggles with windows etc and the ride is getting old fast. Seems like a good time to get out, while the problems are minor and easily fixed. Plus I want more power

Panaman,

Silver is probably the color I want to get. Have you been happy with that choice? Also re the recaros, are the rear seats still standard? I hear it is a little hard to get in and out of the back with them, but since I will be in the drivers seat, I guess I shouldn't care :-P

nassdeutsch,

Take the plunge and go for it man You can always go back!

Given the better half will also be handed the keys, and has not really driven much, sounds like the more linear power delivery, planted nature and 4wd of the R32 may be the way to go.

Tossing up how to finance it, and will see what deals can be done. Till then I have been youtubing R32 and GTi videos. Love the TopGear ass kicking the R32 handed to the 130i

[blur32]

Panaman,

Silver is probably the color I want to get. Have you been happy with that choice? Also re the recaros, are the rear seats still standard? I hear it is a little hard to get in and out of the back with them, but since I will be in the drivers seat, I guess I shouldn't care :-P

Be carefull of the Reacaros on a 3Dr! They look hot, are awesomely comfortable and I am glad I did not get them!

If you are not carrying a lot of people in the back (or you can force them to all enter via the passenger side), go for it. The problem with them is that they do not return to your preset position once folded forward. You will forever be re-adjusting you seat! If you carry a few people and want the Recaros (they are real hard to say no to!!!), then go for the 5Dr like Panman.

As for colour:Blue is the go (although I am biased and it is a little "common") and Black is damn fine. Both of these colurs really highlight the grill. Silver wont highlight the grill, but the lower air intakes really stand out, as does the rear valance panel. And personally, i think the grey is just a little drab (strange, course I think it looks hot on a GTI)

[Panman]

Rabbitoh,

Pretty much what Blur said. The Recaros are a complete pain in a 3 Door, they don't "Tilt-Slide" (So there is no memory position), they don't really go far enough forward to allow easy entry and basically just don't work in the 3 door unless you never have anyone in the back seat. Even my old 2 door STi was more practical from that point of view.

I quite like the silver because it looks like an ordinary Golf until you plant your foot, and it was an easier sell to the missus when the grille didn't stand out too much. That said, I like the black, and the DBP.

I did post some photos of mine, but here're a couple...

Seatage.....




Sideage.......