R32 test drive - Can't stop smiling...

[Mischa]

quick Q: is the mk4 r32 drive by wire?

[balkanac]

quick Q: is the mk4 r32 drive by wire?

Quick A: Yup

[balkanac]

I have driven a Mk4 R some time ago. It was a very very cruel tease, as i couldn't afford one at the time. Now, being that work pays for the car, i opted for a new model with warranty yadda yadda yadda.

I agree with the popular opinion that the drive is much more raw in the original R. As a daily driver, i think it'd start to bug me. The raw drive in the original doesn't make it any quicker, though. What gives with that? Maybe on a smooth European track it'd be spades over the Mk5, but again... i need a daily drive that engages me on the weekend, not a race car. IMO, they're both great cars and are both worth the asking price. I've yet to find any brand enthusiast that doesn't claim the old model - particualrly if they own one - is better than the new model.

In most cases, both models of the car hold different merits but the same ability to make an engaging drive and leave the owner with a massive smile on their face. Is there any other reason to buy a good car? That being said, is there really any point to dragging up inane arguements about which is better? I mean, if VW were still pushing the Mk4 Golf out the door of the factory, there's a 99% chance they'd be about to go bankrupt... just the same as they need to make a Mk6. Would you rather boast that you own the worlds best Golf as they never made another after it, or boast that you own a car from one of the worlds most respected manufacturers?

I agree with you. They are both good cars, MK4 does have a harsher ride, which i dont mind. But then, my car is not a daily driver.
I love everything about both cars, the ride, responsiveness, handling... but there are a couple of things i prefer on MK4s. First are the seats. Koenigs are much better than Recaros, i found them to be much more comfortable and easier to get in and out of. Second is the steering wheel, MK4's has a nicer feel to it.
I guess we could go on and on about this, but i just wanna say that i look at little things in a car, and in my books, MK4 has more of these that i like. As i said before, MK5 is a great car, and i will probably end up getting a blue or a black one in 2-3 years. But for now, im in love with MK4!

[gareth_oau]

Balkanac, looks are a personal taste thing, but I think the Mk4 looks a whole lot better than the Mk5 anyway.

I still dont think I could buy myself an automatic (DSG - whatever you want to call it)

I think the art of changing gears and getting the clutch pedal timing is part of the art of driving. (having sadi that, I dont ever have to sit in stop-start traffic jams) ("if I wanted an automatic, I'd buy myself a playstation")

[jb747]

Well, I've always been a manual person in my sporty cars, so I started the journey towards purchasing a VW intending to remain that way. Test drives of both manual and DSG R32s, and DSG equipped GTI and GT convinced me of the error of my ways...

If I were buying again, I wouldn't even consider a manual if a DSG were available. But, it's probably a good thing that we don't all like the same things, otherwise the car market would be as boring as Australian TV.

[mrx]

I've driven DSG a couple of times, and while there's no doubt it's technically brilliant, it still has the same lack of driver involvement/feedback as a traditional automatic. That's why when given the choice I ended up buying a manual, and I'm glad I did. I enjoy being a driver, rather than a passenger.

[balkanac]

Manual all the way!!!

[Mischa]

I've driven DSG a couple of times, and while there's no doubt it's technically brilliant, it still has the same lack of driver involvement/feedback as a traditional automatic. That's why when given the choice I ended up buying a manual, and I'm glad I did. I enjoy being a driver, rather than a passenger.

amen to that

[rabbitoh]

I've driven DSG a couple of times, and while there's no doubt it's technically brilliant, it still has the same lack of driver involvement/feedback as a traditional automatic. That's why when given the choice I ended up buying a manual, and I'm glad I did. I enjoy being a driver, rather than a passenger.

like the old argument surfers have against us bodyboarders - they call us all sorts of names (seaweed munchers is a good one) simply because we don't stand up. For me, as a bodyboarder, it has never been about whether your preference is to stand, lay prone or drop knee but the actual awesome feeling of speed and freedom that catching a wave brings. You feel that whether standing, laying down or body surfing.

Same for cars, you could set up a driving simulator, with everything setup to replicate a car, but without the sensation of speed, feeling the g forces as you take a tight turn, it just won't be the same. Whether you shift yourself or let the car do it, that is not the core of the experience, just a preference, just like some people like 4wd over rwd etc.

[mrx]

like the old argument surfers have against us bodyboarders - they call us all sorts of names (seaweed munchers is a good one) simply because we don't stand up. For me, as a bodyboarder, it has never been about whether your preference is to stand, lay prone or drop knee but the actual awesome feeling of speed and freedom that catching a wave brings. You feel that whether standing, laying down or body surfing.

Same for cars, you could set up a driving simulator, with everything setup to replicate a car, but without the sensation of speed, feeling the g forces as you take a tight turn, it just won't be the same. Whether you shift yourself or let the car do it, that is not the core of the experience, just a preference, just like some people like 4wd over rwd etc.

Each to their own, I want the full experience. I used to ride a booga in my younger days too.

[ROGUE]

Meh. I've driven manual cars for the last 15 years, and loved it all. But as soon as I experienced the DSG, I was in love.

[Treza360]

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55658

MkIV versus MkV R32 back to back.
MkIV 12 seconds faster at the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
MkV 0.4 seconds faster at the Hockeheim Short Circuit

"...Being 12 seconds slower than its predecessor is disappointing due to the heavy weight. Also the acceleration figures show absolutely no progress compared to the Golf IV R32, no improvement at the Hockenheim short track as well.

The Golf V R32 more is a grand tourer than a sports car. It offers perfect handling, always enough power as well as a lot of fun to the every day driver especially due to the permanent 4WD which on the other hand also contributes to the high weight.

Looks and sound wise, I'd take the MkIV any day. I also might be biased.

[Treza360]

Evo Comparison of the two

[rabbitoh]

Each to their own, I want the full experience. I used to ride a booga in my younger days too.

Ride at all anymore? I stopped when I moved to the UK, a dumb bimbo who borrowed my board never gave it back when I returned. Took it up again in 07 and loving it. Got my brother and a few mates into as well, and I am the youngest at 31

[VW Convert]

If I were buying again, I wouldn't even consider a manual if a DSG were available. But, it's probably a good thing that we don't all like the same things, otherwise the car market would be as boring as Australian TV.

And we'd all be driving Toyotas..........Yawn...................long live freedom of choice and different points of view!