What should I buy?

[kane_tools]

Hi everyone,
First post, here goes!
It's been a while but I want to come back to the VW fold after nearly 20 years!!
Back on my P's I used to own a baby blue 76 two door Golf. After that I went on a steady diet of Commodore V8's and now drive a Ford XR6 turbo. Towards the end of the year I want to get a Golf and am tossing up between R32 or GTi MkV.
So I really want some help deciding.
I also want to know what things go wrong.
I want DSG and 5 doors (I have kids)
Do the R32's have too much potential for issues compared to GTi?
And will it be thirsty? My main motivation to get out of the XRT is it's love of petrol.
I'm not ready to drive a boring car hence the Golf (plus I find nothing else appealing) but I'm no longer willing to pay $90 a tank for maybe 400 km.
Thanks guys..

[Russ59]

I would think that the R32 would still be cheaper to run than the XR6 Turbo, but having said that it might be difficult to drive it economically due to the phenomenal sound they make when you give them the boot The GTI's are a great bang for buck and with a basic ECU upgrade your standard XR6 Turbo would have fun keeping up with it from a standing start. There are plenty of model choices with the Golf and a selection of different engines as well, if you have a bit of a search on the forum I'm sure you will be able to draw your own conclusion as to what might suit your needs best. I owned a BA MKII XR6 (non turbo) prior to buying my Golf, I test drove several models and once I drove the GT TDI I knew what I wanted. It wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea but if the idea of being able to get around 1000k's to the tank on a trip and still being able to shock XR6's and V8's at the lights appeals to you then test drive a diesel as well, you'll be very surprised. Happy hunting

[jazd]

Second the GT tdi suggestion. Give it a try, fun and cheap to run. Welcome back to the VWs!

[thezoneR32]

The R32 is buy far the best car on the road for the money. It looks good, it sounds wicked, it has heaps of low down torque, super responsive and very quick. It has awd and the interior quality/finish is superb (way better than the cheapish mkvi imo). It doesnt use that much fuel. I drive mine quite enthusiastically and I'm getting 11-12 L/100km. For 0-100 in around 6 secs thats not bad. I drove a brand new 6l v8 calais recently and my R32 would kill it in every way, power, brakes handling, finish etc.

Buy a diesel if you are thinking of retiring, buy an R32 if you love to drive.

[triode12]

I'm afraid asking the question is going to get you very biased answers. It's best you test drive the respective cars youself and make up your own mind.

FWIW The R32 has that lovely exhaust sound but drinks fuel (avg 13-15L) and is nose heavy. The GTI is a better balanced and more nimble. It avgs abour 8-10L per 100 but is still nose heavy compared to a mid engined car. Both cars will need an upgrade of their Front and Rear sway bars to prevent the cars from diving into corners and understeering.

If you are into modding, you'll be able to wring more power out of the turbo GTI easier and cheaper than you would the NA R32.

[kane_tools]

Thanks triode, that's all the info I needed R32 nose heavy and thirsty. The heart was always with the GTi but started getting other ideas when I realized what R32's go for! GTi hold value well for a reason.
So now to keep saving the coin!

[thezoneR32]

drive both, the R32 is more expensive because it is better.

[MariusGT]

drive both, the R32 is more expensive because it is better.

too funny.

if up front (purchase price) and long term (fuel cons) costs were no issue i would have bought an R32 all day long.
i did however have other concerns when buying and ended up with a compromise. and happy with my GT Sport.

end of the day: welcome back to the VW fold.

[Mattg81]

GT TSI!! Understated & very zippy. Plus the Supercharger whine

...I could go on for a while......ha!

[maca]

You have to spend big for the R32 to go faster.

I've spent $1,500 on an APR tune to go faster than an R32, yet nothing beats the R32's exhaust noise.


Just something to think about.

[jazd]

Isn't it great that you get so many engine options in the Golf.. Makes life more interesting.

[poyta]

Second the GT tdi suggestion. Give it a try, fun and cheap to run. Welcome back to the VWs!

Third that. GT TDi is your choice if you want good economy and decent performance. Having said that I've rather have an R32 over my GT TDI but thats because I'd be happy to pay the extra 5l/100kms just for the sound it makes.

[bwen]

Everyone is going to back their vehicle of choice so asking in the MKV forum might get some bias answers. The R32 is a great car no doubt about it but the only thing going is what everyone has echoed in this thread. The 'sound'. It's heavier and uses more fuel, hence why it was superceded by the current R. As an NA car its no doubt the best hot hatch out there but if you're looking for something cheaper and more nimble like a hot hatch is suppose to be a 1.4 TSI is probably the best bang for buck, if you put a bit more money you can pick up a GTI and it's a tad more punchy and quicker. I can't comment on the TDI models as I haven't driven one.

[maca]

Third that. GT TDi is your choice if you want good economy and decent performance. Having said that I've rather have an R32 over my GT TDI but thats because I'd be happy to pay the extra 5l/100kms just for the sound it makes.

Totally agree. My 103TDI Jetta with a tune was fun, a tuned GT TDI would be amazing!

[Nathan_B]

Things I considered when in your shoes 24 months ago..

FWD Vs AWD (install Haldex upgrade and 500% better)
T4cyc Vs torquey 6
Standard brakes Vs 345mm BBK
Stock suspension Vs lowered

Then depends what the GTI was optioned with as R comes with leather / bi xenons etc

I get between 10-11L / 100kms and only drive on weekends.

Plus I wanted the deep blue Pearl

RACV also don't consider me to be a sports car hence a very low premium on a high agreed value = yearly savings!!

I was playing with a MKV GTI @ winton few months ago & he wasn't keeping up (both flashed)