Which car should I get?

[triode12]

This discussion will go round and round in circles and get nowhere as everyone will have their biases.

The best bet would be to take both out for an extended test drive, especially on a twisty road. Then you will see which one out of the selection suits your driving needs/biases best.

In my case, I would never consider the R32. Nose heavy, not nimble and drinks too much.

[Stalker]

This discussion will go round and round in circles and get nowhere as everyone will have their biases.

The best bet would be to take both out for an extended test drive, especially on a twisty road. Then you will see which one out of the selection suits your driving needs/biases best.

In my case, I would never consider the R32. Nose heavy, not nimble and drinks too much.

Agreed. But just for the record, I get 9.8L/100kms - which is better than a lot of cars out there, probably even a modded GTI? ....and I would never consider a GTI. I like the exclusivity of the R32.

[triode12]

Agreed. But just for the record, I get 9.8L/100kms - which is better than a lot of cars out there, probably even a modded GTI? ....and I would never consider a GTI. I like the exclusivity of the R32.

Are you getting your readings from the MFD or from the fill to first click method? If the former, then I would try the latter and then tell us your reading. The latter method needs to be done over a few refills and averaged.

[Stalker]

Are you getting your readings from the MFD or from the fill to first click method? If the former, then I would try the latter and then tell us your reading. The latter method needs to be done over a few refills and averaged.

I monitor my ODO, check the receipts and do the math. Thanks for your interest.

[poyta]

I guess you need to realistically ask what you want from the car. Are you going to be seriously doing track days and some very fast 10 / 10th driving to warrant getting a GTi/Pirelli over an R32 or will it be more traffic light fun? If its the latter than the traction from the R32 would be your best choice. Are you seriously going to be going down the path of spending money and modifying to get more performance for it? If so then avoid the R32.
If it was me and I had those choices I'd get the R32 because I want a car that looks good, has a bit of a wow factor amongst the on-lookers and lets be honest a GTi is so common that really who cares ! The Pirelli is rare but most people just think its a GTi. Only true enthusiast would pick one from a distance or know its benefits over a GTi.
I also know that i'll never do any track days - I'll only every now and then give the car the gas and get up to legal speed limits ( or slightly over )- the occasion traffic light derby or a fast overtaking on the highway. All this would be done better by the R32 due to its superior traction off the line. I'm sick of constantly losing traction from the FWD, can only imagine how bad it would be in a chipped Pirelli. Then there's the pure aural delight from that V6 that would always bring a smile to my face.
I also know that any money spent on modifications would be minor, maybe a nice exhaust and some intake mods, perhaps an ECU tune - which regardless of if its a an R32 or a GTI isn't going to give you astronomical gains. I know that I'd get more in a GTi but really I wouldn't care if it meant I could go 0.5seconds faster 0-100, those mods would only be so that the exhaust sounds better because honestly how fast can you really go on Australian roads these days with so many speed camera's?

[triode12]

I've got a chipped Pirelli and don't lose traction. Have a friend who has a Pirelli with an APR tune and he does lose traction if he is not careful. But when I drive his car, I don't lose traction. It is how you drive the car and how the tune is configured. Also some tunes come on strong at a certain RPM, while others are more linear in their delivery. You just have to learn how to control your right foot. If you can't then get the R32 and work harder for more petrol $$.

But all these opinions are just that. The best thing is to drive the cars concerned and make up your own mind.

God knows, I've read so many opinions on all the forums about things but nothing beats trying the stuff out for yourself. About 50% of the time, the opinions don't reflect my reality/experience.

Poyta has made some good points - if you want to show off - get the R32 (btw the R32 can be mistaken for a Jetta front on - a GTI can't). If you enjoy the pleasures of a good handling nimble car on on a twisty road and enjoy your drives, get a the GTI. Without the MKV GTI (and of course the MK1 and 2 before that), VW wouldn't be where it is today. This is because, the Mk3 and Mk4 GTI's were far from being hot hatches.

Ideally, the best of both worlds would be to get the R. It is as nimble as the MKV GTI but has 4WD. It just doesn't have the aural signature of the R32. But if all want from a car is the exhaust note, then you might as well buy a V8 Commodore.

The ironic thing about it is, when the Mk1 GTI appeared on the scene in 76/77, reviewers waxed lyrical about the sweet exhaust signature of it's 1.6L engine. Reviewers echoed the same sentiments when the MkV was first reviewed in 03/04. But here we have people saying that it sounds ordinary. Funny that!

[sabloke]

Ideally, the best of both worlds would be to get the R. It is as nimble as the MKV GTI but has 4WD. It just doesn't have the aural signature of the R32. But if all want from a car is the exhaust note, then you might as well buy a V8 Commodore.

Come on, R nimble? At over 1,500 kg and not much (if any) lighter than R32, nimble? None of the two a track weapon if we're honest, but at least the V6 has that LEGENDARY exhaust note and, in my view, tons more street presence than a GTI with smoky rear lights and special edition 19" wheels The last small car with big engine from VW... Beats a Holden V8 for soundtrack too, hands down. A turbo four is ordinary at best in comparison.
Add to that resale value. In 5 years from now R32 will fetch more than an R sold today. I'd bet $100 on it right now, any takers?

[triode12]

The R isn't front heavy like the R32 is because it doesn't have a heavy v6 out front. It is about the way that weight is distributed. The R also produces more power stock than the R32 and is capable of much more tuned.

If you like to pose and waste money on petrol, by all means get the R32. Most lay persons won't know the difference (or care) between an R32 and a low end Golf anyway.

When I first spotted an R32 for the first time, I mistook it for a Jetta. I only realised what it was when I passed it. You can never mistake a MkV GTI for a low end Golf due to it's honeycomb grills.

I recommend reading the following book before stating opinions regarding the GTI vs R32.

http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Volkswagen-Golf-GTI-James-Richardson/9781847970480

Like I said if all you want from a car is the exhaust note, you are better off buying a V8 Ford or Commodore or some American muscle car. Noone except VW nuts will take notice of a V6 note from a R32. Do you think the ordinary man on the street cares or knows the difference?

The MkIV R32 of which only 200 units arrived on our shores have not held their resale value, so don't expect the MKV R32 which has sold many times more to fare any better.

As a matter of fact, the Pirelli has a better resale value (percentage wise) than the R32. As some one has already mentioned, used R32s are selling for a just few grand more than used GTIs.

From a value of money perspective, I can see the attraction of getting the R32 since they retailed for $65-70K new while GTIs were $40-55K. To be able to pick one up for just a few grand more is tempting. But there are other factors to consider besides this tempting point.

[sabloke]

This is about R32 vs GTI Pirelli anyway, isn't it? I couldn't disagree more with the assumption that R32 drivers are posers. From what I read lately, the R is no fuel miser, either.

[FJ Steve]

we had the .:R32 in for some minor warranty work last year. They loaned us a MKVI GTI.

My wife couldn't wait to get the .:R32 back. (She actually refused to continue driving the GTI)

Says it all.

As for getting a V8 Bombadore (over a .:R32) for the exhaust note....you need to get back on your medication Triode. That is just plain stupidity. If a Bombadore lit it up at a green light....and an .:R32 went ballistic at the same intersection....guess which one would have the crowd going "What the f*ck is that?"

The .:R still draws a crowd, always will. And would only be surpassed by some Italian exotica for exhaust aural pleasure.

[triode12]

we had the .:R32 in for some minor warranty work last year. They loaned us a MKVI GTI.

My wife couldn't wait to get the .:R32 back. (She actually refused to continue driving the GTI)

Says it all.

As for getting a V8 Bombadore (over a .:R32) for the exhaust note....you need to get back on your medication Triode. That is just plain stupidity. If a Bombadore lit it up at a green light....and an .:R32 went ballistic at the same intersection....guess which one would have the crowd going "What the f*ck is that?"

The .:R still draws a crowd, always will. And would only be surpassed by some Italian exotica for exhaust aural pleasure.

I don't blame her, I too would've returned the MkVI GTI. It isn't as exciting to drive as the MKV. They have refined it just a tad too much. One no longer feels the sense of urgency/eagerness in the car IMO.

I happened to be in such a situation one day standing at the lights as a pedestrian. This guy in his grey R32 sitting at the lights with lots of uni students (both girls and guys) waiting at the lights waiting to cross. He floors it,his R32 growls sweetly (as it does) and he roars away.
The uni students didn't bat an eye or give his car a second look. I was going 'what the'!? and wondered if I was the only person who thought that sounded good. Apparently, ordinary most folk don't give a sh*t. Perhaps if they were all car nuts, the reaction might've been different.

So buy the car for yourself not what you think others will think of you for owning it. Unfortunately, one can only hear the exhaust note with the windows wound down. It is muted in the cabin otherwise, with the windows up.

[Brendan_A]

I happened to be in such a situation one day standing at the lights as a pedestrian. This guy in his grey R32 sitting at the lights with lots of uni students (both girls and guys) waiting at the lights waiting to cross. He floors it,his R32 growls sweetly (as it does) and he roars away.
The uni students didn't bat an eye or give his car a second look. I was going 'what the'!? and wondered if I was the only person who thought that sounded good. Apparently, ordinary most folk don't give a sh*t. Perhaps if they were all car nuts, the reaction might've been different.

That's because most people see it as just another "Golf". I wouldn't buy an R32 because of the 6 cylinder rego, more fuel cost and higher servicing cost. I'd have more fun in a GTI turbo. But the OP needs to buy a car that suits his needs and gets the most enjoyment from.

[Stalker]

If you like to pose and waste money on petrol, by all means get the R32. Most lay persons won't know the difference (or care) between an R32 and a low end Golf anyway.

Since when does having a german luxury hatchback make you a poser? Irrespective, buy the car for yourself - not what other people think. As for the fuel consumption, please refer to my above posts - it really isn't all that bad. As for it being a waste, well buy a Prius!

When I first spotted an R32 for the first time, I mistook it for a Jetta. I only realised what it was when I passed it. You can never mistake a MkV GTI for a low end Golf due to it's honeycomb grills.

Good old honeycomb grill....that's a true sign of distinction for a quality car right there. ...and once again, who cares if other people don't know what car it is. So long as you know what the car is, and you are happy with it, does it really matter if a bunch of uni kids don't give a crap? Why would they? They are probably more focused on sex and drugs!

[schoona]

If you want a light, flexible, throwable and cheap to mod car with good resale (so you can just fob it off after a few years), get the Pirelli.
If you aren't all about the numbers game, don't mind paying a bit more overall, want to nial it in all conditions, love the soundtrack and are keeping it for a while, get the R32. MkV has a much better chassis and better haldex. Mk4 looks a thousand times better (IMO) and is way more impressive a car overall. But ultimately the MkV is the much better starting platform.

[triode12]

As predicted, the thread would decend into childish insults. Seems to happen on the Aussie forums alot. At least the Brits are a more self effacing lot and don't take criticism of the cars they own as a personal insult.

Which makes it very sad really because you can't discuss pros and cons of each car in a sensible manner.

So as I have written previously, the OP has to test drive both cars and make up his mind. It is of little use asking for opinions on these forums as any opinion given would somehow insult one or both parties.