Crunch Time - R?

[swayman]

So Guys,

After test driving a few things, my 2 choices are down to a Golf R, and a Holden SSV. Completely different beasts I know, but appeal to me for different reasons. Both obviously have their pros & cons, most notably size & fuel consumption.

I've test driven the SSV & thoroughly enjoyed it (may be the country boy in me), but VW dealers seem reluctant to offer test drives unless you have money on the table straight away (the cash is only a few weeks away).

I guess my question to you guys who own Golf Rs is, does the R have that "wow" factor? Even after owning one for months does it still make you smile when you drive it every day? And if you could go back & choose another car would you? Are you happy with your R?

Thanks guys!

[schoona]

So Guys,

After test driving a few things, my 2 choices are down to a Golf R, and a Holden SSV. Completely different beasts I know, but appeal to me for different reasons. Both obviously have their pros & cons, most notably size & fuel consumption.

I've test driven the SSV & thoroughly enjoyed it (may be the country boy in me), but VW dealers seem reluctant to offer test drives unless you have money on the table straight away (the cash is only a few weeks away).

I guess my question to you guys who own Golf Rs is, does the R have that "wow" factor? Even after owning one for months does it still make you smile when you drive it every day? And if you could go back & choose another car would you? Are you happy with your R?

Thanks guys!

Depends on the type of driving you like to do. Good solid shove in the back with a bit of tail, SSV will obviously appeal to the looser drivers.

For the R to really gie good punch and WOW, don't buy one with the idea of leaving it untuned ("stage 1" is a must). I havent driven tuned, but ridden in a what you must call a Stage 2+ S3 and it was mental and awesome. Driven stock and it's typical VW/Audi, very competent, bit of a rush and very effortless with good performance. For 1k with GIAC or Revo or bluefin etc, completely different beast.

HTH

[Leon]

Pros + Cons

Holden SSV
PROS: More power, tail-happy fun, guaranteed to be loved by at least 50% of the Australian population, goes well with beer and BBQ, V8 noise, makes you fit in well with bogans, cheap to modify, cheaper to repair/service.
CONS: Build quality that resembles a Vietnamese shanty, horrible fuel economy, depriciates faster than Julia Gillard's leadership, more common than herpes, ugly as sin.

GOLF R
PROS: Awesome German build quality, better fuel economy, AWD traction, holds value better, rarer than almost any Commodore, better looking (IMO), lower emissions (but who really gives a flying rats anus anyway?), better factory options.
CONS: Less grunt, immune to powersliding, more expensive to modify, more expensive to repair/service.

I would (and have) go for the R any day of the week. I was planning to but an Audi S5 (V8 grunt, like the SSV) but after taking the R for a drive I couldn't justify the extra cost. The R felt just as fast and was half the cost.

Go for the R. I'm a country boy too, but I'd never choose a V8 Holden over a German hot-hatch because in the long run, I know a German car will impress me more of the time than a Holden will. But that's just me.




P.S. -- I think this thread may cause a few arguments!

[DDTW]

If you do lots of city driving, Golf R's the way to go! Super zippy!

Exclusivity, Golf R. Throw a rock and you'll hit an SSV.

[SilvrFoxX]

I think Leon has probably nailed it.. but there is the sleeper facotr.. the SSV will attract all the wrong attention.. from both sides of the law.. the R just looks like any other.. I have come from the falcadore then moved into the Subaru which the quality uplift is staggering and now want to move to the German experience.

But for the record if you like big cars then the SSV is a tough one to beat though the XR6T is probably a better option but not going to list the pros and cons of that

[AdamD]

I've owned my Golf (GTI, not an R) for almost 12 months now, and it still feels as special as the day I picked it up. And I still look forward to every drive just as much a I did the first. The interior (virtually identical to the R) is a very special place to be. For me personally, no Holden could compare.

[QIK-R]

Vw drivers reluctant to give out test drives? My dealer gave me one, first without the salesman in the car! I told him straight up I'm at least a month away.

I've driven both, the SSV,good car, but build quality is nothing compared to a VW. Hard to see out of. The salesman I dealt with originally had an SSV, told me it went nowhere compared to the R.

I took a DSG for a drive on Saturday, and a manual today. Never have I taken a car for a drive and decided when I'm almost back at the dealership that I wanted to go for another drive.

[7R]

To the original OP - I have just come out of a 2009 Calais V V8 which I had custom tuned and an OTR CAI. That was a lively fun car and a real luxo cruiser, with sunroof, front and rear OPS, 19s, full leather, autowipers etc. My fifth or sixth commodore in a row and second V8 (I had an LS1 manual also) From that I have jumped into a GTI. After a week I love the GTI. It is very different from the big lazy V8 and its a lot of fun 0-60 which the Calais never really was (when you had fun you were already doing 120kph).

I think you would be very happy with the R - probably moreso than the SSV (I am and I went from Calais V to GTI). Drive them back to back. Also - I went to Barloworld Mascot and took two GTI for unaccompanied test drives last October with no pressure from the salesman.

Good luck !

[masev]

Had my R for around 4.5 months and I'm loving the car even more than when I first picked it up after a 6 month wait! Don't mind the SSV at all...quite a good car but not as great as the mighty R!!!

[Ideo]

I've had my R for 2 weeks and 2000kms. I also have a modified S3, that is pretty quick.

I prefer the R. Such a brilliant all rounder. But still a whole lot of fun.

I rocked up to test drive the R in manual and a DSG at another dealer. 25 at the time, wearing shorts and a scruffy t shirt and it was not an issue, through my the keys and away I go, both times without the dealer in the car.

[Leon]

As you can see everyone is recommending the R, however you have to understand that this is a VW-based forum, so we are going to be a little biased here.

Although I will hands-down recommend the R over the SSV, you might want to check out some forums related to Holden owners to see if you can get some advice from their end and see what problems/issues they might have had. Will probably help the decision making.

...or, you could just not do that and buy the R!

[7R]

There are a lot of ls1'ers coming to hot hatches. Go over to Australian LS1 and Holden Forums and have a sniff around... I'm on there also.

[Greg Roles]

I'll say the opposite. I had a BA FPV GT prior to my Golf, and whilst I would now consider an R over any Australian car, owing a big arse V8 will be a deathbed memory. In my opinion it is something you have to do once in your lifetime, and it's probably better to do while you are young, as when you get a "bit older" you start to appreciate quality a lot more, and realise you will look a bit "crisis" with grey hair in a red clubsport. I know you will have fun with either car, but of all the cars I've owned, I miss the big v8 the most. HUGE top end, glorious sound, added 2" at least every drive. I sure don't miss the bogan scene, the attention of the rozzers, or every fast and furious turbo wanting a drag at the lights, but on a back water road, with noone around, it's hard to beat a V8 on song. Period.

[Lazarus7]

Mate I can fully understand your dilemma, the R is great but it just doesn't have the real fun factor that you get from a high powered rear wheel drive car. Personally I'm lucky enough to soon be having the best of both worlds, I've got a HR (see avatar) that does a 13.1 quarter from a NA six and now I have my golf R on order (R is replacing my Getz). So now my daily will be quick as and handle great, then on the weekend if I want a bit of silly fun I can jump in the HR and get the tail out

But if was faced with your choice I would get the R as I love that there are hardly any of them out there...I work out in an industrial area and I reckon nearly every third car is an SS or a WRX. And as others before me have said the build quality is worlds apart.

[shakespeare]

For me I would never actually spend the money on an Australian built car, after having had numerous as company vehicles over the years (even current ones) the build quality doesn't cut it! Also you have the reminder every day that you're in a glammed up Taxi (albeit a quick one!)

Had the R for 5 months and 6,500kms and love it to bits, for me I get the "WOW" factor every time and I still turn back for a lingering glance when I park it

A friend made a comment to me the other day (and she has a 10 yr old Saab), once you've gone European, you can never go back!