Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[Danny]

As a Clio Renaultsport 182 Cup owner (well up until tuesday when she will be taken away by her new owner ), I died a little inside when WJ made the statement that my new R would not be as focussed to drive as the Clio.

Now, it's not that I didn't know this or expect it (in fact I knew that nothing would be as cheeky as the 182 cup, however it's very hard to hear it, when I have just sold mine). I bought the R for its acceleration, its class, its comfort and oh so spank me looks (and maybe it was time for me to grow up), and for me it felt that it handled great and shot around corners like it was on rails! Maybe I'm just a 7/10ths driver, I don't know, but if my golf feels the same as my 182 when driving at 7/10ths (and in my opinion, yeah it does, maybe even more fun due to turbo boost), then I am happy!

Did anyone read the TGA mag comparo of the GTI and R long termers? Apparently the reviewer wanted to take the GTI back and keep the R. Result.

[Converted]

Volkswagen would be very happy to hear all of this, everyone deciding between the GTI and R, and not other makes. Man have they got it right since the MKV!
Good to read the comparisons, but I guess there is no end to the GTI or R debate as each individual have different needs, priorities, use, limits and driving requirements/peculiarities hence their purchases.
Keep up the good write-ups guys.

[Corey_R]

Now, it's not that I didn't know this or expect it (in fact I knew that nothing would be as cheeky as the 182 cup, however it's very hard to hear it, when I have just sold mine). I bought the R for its acceleration, its class, its comfort and oh so spank me looks (and maybe it was time for me to grow up), and for me it felt that it handled great and shot around corners like it was on rails! Maybe I'm just a 7/10ths driver, I don't know, but if my golf feels the same as my 182 when driving at 7/10ths (and in my opinion, yeah it does, maybe even more fun due to turbo boost), then I am happy!

Don't worry mate. Anyone who thinks they drive 10/10th in any of these modern cars on Australian roads is either ignorant, lying, or an idiot (with no concern for law or life of themselves or others). This is an opinion shared by the advanced driving instructors at the VW track day I attended recently (although said in their own words).

I would like to think that we're all 7/10th drivers of these modern cars on our roads and leave the 8, 9 and 10/10ths to the race track

[MACCAA]

Don't worry mate. Anyone who thinks they drive 10/10th in any of these modern cars on Australian roads is either ignorant, lying, or an idiot (with no concern for law or life of themselves or others). This is an opinion shared by the advanced driving instructors at the VW track day I attended recently (although said in their own words).

I would like to think that we're all 7/10th drivers of these modern cars on our roads and leave the 8, 9 and 10/10ths to the race track

Correct.
I've done enough Driver Training to realise that people's ability v their PERCEIVED ability is a pretty wide gap.
I worry when I read about people turning off ESP[as opposed to traction control only] and the like on public roads.If you're activating these systems on the road I'd be concerned.
If you know what you're doing you can drive fairly quick on the track with all electronic aids on.So if you're driving faster than that on the road....
Other Advanced Driving Instructors I've worked with leave these controls ON for public roads.
Now on the Race Track...that's another proposition.
It's almost like it's an affront to manhood to drive with it on to some people I've seen.
Which brings me back to my first point re actual ability v perceived ability....

[Danny]

Don't worry mate. Anyone who thinks they drive 10/10th in any of these modern cars on Australian roads is either ignorant, lying, or an idiot (with no concern for law or life of themselves or others). This is an opinion shared by the advanced driving instructors at the VW track day I attended recently (although said in their own words).

I would like to think that we're all 7/10th drivers of these modern cars on our roads and leave the 8, 9 and 10/10ths to the race track

Yeah well thats what I reckon bud. I definitely do not feel like I have the skill to drive at 8 9 or 10/10ths, so for what I get out of the Golf R, it is PERFECT. The RSC was a car that was very difficult to out drive, without being taught at a track day, I've never done a track day, so therefore can't really make comment on the intricacies of a vehicles handling without the due experience. Bottom line is, as long as the car makes me smile, I'm happy.

[dave_r]

This is an opinion shared by the advanced driving instructors at the VW track day I attended recently (although said in their own words).

It's a shame VW don't do customer drive days for the R series like some other makes do. I was harassing my sales guy about it the other day as he went to Phillip Island with other sales people to drive the Polo GTI, R's etc. Even if there was a cost associated, I'd be happy to do it.

[G-rig]

It's a shame VW don't do customer drive days for the R series like some other makes do. I was harassing my sales guy about it the other day as he went to Phillip Island with other sales people to drive the Polo GTI, R's etc. Even if there was a cost associated, I'd be happy to do it.

R's are easier to drive, probably not necessary

[Fab_R]

Anyone read the latest November Motor with the Evo v STi v Golf R comparo?
A good read!

And guess who was head of the class!!!

[SilvrFoxX]

Anyone read the latest November Motor with the Evo v STi v Golf R comparo?
A good read!

And guess who was head of the class!!!

Which class..?

[Danny]

Anyone read the latest November Motor with the Evo v STi v Golf R comparo?
A good read!

And guess who was head of the class!!!

If the Top Gear comparo was anything to go by. Then maybe the evo??

Hmm, If the Golf R came out on top over the Evo and STI in MOTOR mag then I'd imagine it was for its value for money, build quality and interior niceties. Top Gear chose it's winner on track and conrnering abilities over the fact the the R was a nicer and better value car than the other 2.

[Banzai]

As a Clio Renaultsport 182 Cup owner (well up until tuesday when she will be taken away by her new owner ), I died a little inside when WJ made the statement that my new R would not be as focussed to drive as the Clio.

I would absolutely agree with WJ on this. The Clio is a much more involving drive with better feedback.

Volkswagen would be very happy to hear all of this, everyone deciding between the GTI and R, and not other makes. Man have they got it right since the MKV!

I would argue that the failure to release the Scirocco means they haven't. They should sell the 'roc instead of the 2-door GTI. If I was going to be buying in a couple of months instead of having bought a couple of months ago, the new Renaultsport Megane would be my choice unless the Scirocco was there to challenge it.

[Peteaussi]

Golf R vs GTI Shootout - Carsales.com.au

Hi Folks,

I know there is a Golf R vs GTI thread already but I thought that this would get lost in it, being some 60 pages long, so I am starting a new thread. See the below link.

Golf Tournament: R v GTI

Cheers,

Pete

[Corey_R]

Thanks Peteaussi. I merged the thread and left a thread redirect which will last for a week. That'll give enough people who are interested in the Carsales comparison time to see the discussion

[runningmanz]

Hi Folks,

I know there is a Golf R vs GTI thread already but I thought that this would get lost in it, being some 60 pages long, so I am starting a new thread. See the below link.

Golf Tournament: R v GTI

Cheers,

Pete

3.5/5 for the R? Killjoys! Sshould have got at least a 4! Hanging for my R cmooooooooon VW, build it!

[HPSOV]

Hang on, the 3.5 the R got was based on lost points due to lack of airbags in the Recaro seats. Fitted with normal seats the scores average to exactly 4.0.
Also the R gets 2.5 for safety with the Recaro seats (and their lack of side airbags), and 3.5 with regular seats. The GTi gets 4.5, how is a GTi safer than an R? Dont they have exactly the same airbag setup and NCAP rating?.

My personal contribution to this thread is that the GTi will suit far more buyers than the R, and as an all rounder is the better car. But I, like most R buyers, are happy to sacrifice some day to day comfort and driveability for the speed and handling of the R.