Originally posted by hooba
View Post
Good question.
I have been going over that in my mind last 24 hours as I have just finished detailing Mazda, and took it for a drive yesterday arvo to recharge battery etc.
Initial impression is that of quality. I thought my wifes Outback had a "european" feel to its interior, but this is another level above.
second- suspension. Golf has it in spades over the mazda. Anyone who has driven a MPS will know gow "crashy" its ride is, having said that I havent found a corner that the golf is faster around yet (in the dry), but the golf's ride is SO more compliant and dampened.
third- and this is the biggest difference. Steering in the R is the best I have driven. MPS feels too light at high speed and doesnt give the same feedback to driver.
fouth- Power. Both are very similar, as evidenced on paper, with the MPS a 50nm torque advantage. On the highway the mps pulls better in any given gear, and seems to throw you back into your seat a bit more, but the DSG negates that to a large degree by dropping a cog and using its horsepower to catch up. 0-100 the golf is king, over 100 the mps has a slight edge.
At the end of the day i'd give the MPS a 7/10, the R a 9/10.
Before driving the R i would have rated the MPS as a solid 8/10.
The R is such a well rounded car, offering good, not God (a few mods might solve that) performance. For a hot hatch its ride is superb, and now a benchmark for me.
I can understand why the waiting time is now 12 months.
Also to those wondering about DCC (adaptive Chassis Control), GET IT!
Tick the DCC option box. I use it all the time.
Took my Father for a spin yesterday. He is 76, and a motoring enthusiast. I'll admit getting my love of cars from him.
Anyway had it in comfort while we drove out to hills and it was comfortable, complient, quiet, relaxed drive.
In the twisty bits switched to Sport, and it was controlled, direct, flat, firm (but not crashy) and still comfortable.
It is like having two different cars.
It will be the best $1500 you will spend
So Hooba, thats the main bits.
remember guys- Drive Hard or Drive Home.
Comment