What to buy? GTI or R20

[Corey_R]

If it was a bit too refined i'd get an exhaust as well which would probably fix that issue.

Yeah - probably would! It seems many people consider volume as part of the 'excitement' of driving, based on another thread where we've had similar discussions

[triode12]

I race karts in Clubman Light with S-motors and I can assure you J-class do not go 120km/hr, unless of course you've flashed the ECU
Ours run at a top of 110km/hr and on a 900m track we are 5-6sec a lap faster than the J-motors. Maybe sitting so close to the ground has distorted your speed perception!



I had a Clio Sport before the R32. Was a really fun car Just a shame it decided to randomly start shedding bits and pieces.........can't say the build quality was overwhelmingly good.

I've started looking at second hand R32's again..................

Well at least you got my point...small, light chassis with good power to weight ratio.

[triode12]

Yeah - probably would! It seems many people consider volume as part of the 'excitement' of driving, based on another thread where we've had similar discussions

If you think the MkV's standard exhaust is loud then, you would probably would not want to upgrade your exhaust.

[backdoc]

Well at least you got my point...small, light chassis with good power to weight ratio.

Sounds like you just described my perfect woman

[Lima]

Comparing our GTI to the S3, for the vast majority of the time the GTI ticks most boxes. It's an individual's choice if the times the S3's advantages come to the fore is enough to chose one over the other.

The lag in the S3 can be an issue, but planting your foot in 2nd gives a much better rush that the GTI does. Equally, which is more frustrating, having lag until about 3000rpm then full on holy-mother-of-god pretty much until redline, or having awesome low-down torque but no puff at all with over 1/3 of the rev range left?

Again, it's an individual decision.

Take the Mk6 and S3 for a spin a few times, in as many different conditions as you can and make your decision from there.

Ultimately, both will be/are damn nice cars.

[backdoc]

If you think the MkV's standard exhaust is loud then, you would probably would not want to upgrade your exhaust.

The exhaust of the MkV R32 was spot on! I'm pretty sure I read in the overseas R20 reviews that the sound was a bit of a disappointment. So yeah, maybe exhaust upgrade would do the trick. Plus around town, do you really need a car that can do 0-100 in 5.5sec to be any faster? The track is a different matter though

[triode12]

The exhaust of the MkV R32 was spot on! I'm pretty sure I read in the overseas R20 reviews that the sound was a bit of a disappointment. So yeah, maybe exhaust upgrade would do the trick. Plus around town, do you really need a car that can do 0-100 in 5.5sec to be any faster? The track is a different matter though

Some here think that newer = better and faster = better driving experience.

[ENERG1]

To the OP buy this months latest EVO magazine they took the R for a test

drive and gave it a big thumbs up

I will be eagerly waiting to draw my own concluions by going for my own

test drive and seeing if it lives up to all the hype.

[Corey_R]

If you think the MkV's standard exhaust is loud then, you would probably would not want to upgrade your exhaust.

It wasn't my opinion dude... but the fact that the MK6 is 'too refined and too quiet' is one of the reasons people are saying it's not fun! I'm talking MK6 GTI as well as R.

And btw... my MKV GTI had a 3" Quad APR exhaust

[triode12]

It wasn't my opinion dude... but the fact that the MK6 is 'too refined and too quiet' is one of the reasons people are saying it's not fun! I'm talking MK6 GTI as well as R.

And btw... my MKV GTI had a 3" Quad APR exhaust

Whatever floats your boat.
The OP wants to keep things stock btw.

[Timbo]

The lag in the S3 can be an issue, but planting your foot in 2nd gives a much better rush that the GTI does.

Not a problem once you flash the S3...and lots of torque..from 1500rpm

[dave_r]

Someone on GolfMKV took an S3 for a spin and didn't really like it over the GTI, however ordered a Golf R anyway (not that there is a price or any information on them here, the dealers are just holding the deposit I imagine).

That was probably me

Drove a S3 Sportback DSG with the intention of just buying it - I hate my current car hehe. But there just wasn't a connection if you want to put it like that. Some parts of the car were nice, including the performance but day to day the interior didn't do it for me. I couldn't get comfortable in the drivers seat and don't like that I can't have a 3dr DSG.

30mins later, I found myself in the seat of a 5dr DSG GTI. After sitting in the drivers seat for 20secs I knew I was in the right place, after a test drive, I was positive.

While chatting with the dealer, I looked at an R32 they had sitting there and said can I have a go to see what they're like. Loved the sound which I know is not being carried over, but I really liked the feel of the AWD compared to FWD. I had a lot more confidence chucking it onto the freeway onramp. GTI is definitely a very well sorted car but the AWD just made the car feel better.

So I thought, if I take the GTI which is already sensational, then add AWD, more power and subtle changes, what do I get?

An order for a 3dr DSG R with sunroof. I'll happily take one with the recaros and 19" wheels if the prices are right. I have a car until end of June so didn't want to wait too long and miss out on the first shipment.

These threads come up often from what I can see, and its all personal preference. The GTI is easily the best car under $50k available new so you can't do any wrong going with one. For me, the R is just one of those things that I have to have after seeing the first motor show press shots. I couldn't give you a why, it just is

[Corey_R]

Yeah dave-, when I was looking at a car 18 months ago, I took out a S3 and a GTI. The S3 was basically standard and they wouldn't budge below $60k (it was a demo too), the GTI was full optioned (except for metallic paint cause it was red) and had 8k on the clock and 8 months old for $46k.
But when it came down to it, to me, the GTI is a much nicer place to be, for comfort and interior design. The S3 was a nice car to drive as far as performance and handling, but I'd rather be sitting in a Golf.

I also tried the R32, but although the sound was sensational, I really wished it had the S3's engine.

So yeah... I can't wait for the Golf R

[astro]

well te golf R is going to be 72000 so that means it should be about 57,541.77 AUD??!?!?1/1 sounds good to me... my votes for the golf R

http://volkswagen.co.nz/publish/vwasia/new_zealand/en/models/the_golf/golf_r.html

why hasn't Aust relseased the same info like nz has its aprat of the asia department...??/

[KWICKS]

Taxes here are NOT the same. Expect to be hit a little harder than that I suspect. Plus our currency is awesome at the moment, even relative to the NZD, don't expect that to last, history says otherwise.