I've been looking for a fun daily driver and was considering a new Golf R. I have never owned a VW vehicle and was hoping someone would have some advice especially with the R or VW reliability etc.

The local time-attack series I run in has two FWD classes. The fast one is littered with GTIs, series winner did a clean sweep in one. None broke IIRC.

I would guess it's one of the better fwd cars out there.

Are the GTIs still made in the homeland? If so, test drive one.

Now I know I give VW guys a lot of shit, but there's respect there, I just hate FWD cars.

I don't think it's worth the price premium over the GTI.

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
I don't think it's worth the price premium over the GTI.

That is definitely the prevailing opinion. The GTI is almost as good for 30% less.

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
I don't think it's worth the price premium over the GTI.

Definitely depends on your priorities. Soupin' shit up and making it last ain't cheap.

There's a reason the Camaro SS is 10K more than the base model, just an example. What are the differences between the R and the normal shmormal gitty?

ETA: HOLY SHIT 40 grand?? For a hatch?

Well it IS AWD. Looks like a focus RS cometitor. It will blow your skirt up, I'm sure.

I dunno for an only car for a driving junkie it could work if you aren't a save-the-manuals kind of guy.

Test drive one and let us know.

quote:

Originally posted by DoctorSolo:

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
I don't think it's worth the price premium over the GTI.

Definitely depends on your priorities. Soupin' shit up and making it last ain't cheap.

There's a reason the Camaro SS is 10K more than the base model, just an example. What are the differences between the R and the normal shmormal gitty?

ETA: HOLY SHIT 40 grand?? For a hatch?

Well it IS AWD. Looks like a focus RS cometitor. It will blow your skirt up, I'm sure.

I dunno for an only car for a driving junkie it could work if you aren't a save-the-manuals kind of guy.

Test drive one and let us know.

Exactly. If you want a fun to drive hatch for mid 20s, the GTI is hard to beat.

If are looking to drop $40k on a fun daily driver, the Golf R falls well short of other options.

That's why they say the GTI is better. A lot of people like the Civic Si more than the Civic R dollar for dollar.

If you do go GTI or R, the tuning is pretty great. Check out APR or some of the other guys. APR stage 2 R they claim is 377hp and 403tq. Depending on what you are looking to do, I agree GTI might be the better choice given the price difference. There's a real good forum with piles of info. Golfmk7.com

I would go GTI. My daily driver is a base 2016 GTI with a stage one mod. Unless you want the all
Wheel drive there’s not much of an upside to the R. Regardless of what you pick I would go manual. A base manual GTI which is very nicely equipped will run you right around $25k. With that you get IOS CarPlay and Android Auto so you basically get nav, Driving mode options, cold weather package, etc... for that money it’s hard to beat.

My GTi’s through the years



And my current one

GTI is a favourite of many of the mags, where the Golf R is not.
Plus, the GTI can be a 2 door. Me likey

Well not really looking to do a lot of mods. I am basically looking for a manual version that will be a daily driver.
I was looking at the WRX as well but I think the Golf R might be easier to live with. I'm in the Great White North so the AWD might be an advantage as well.
And yes the R is still German built so theres that.

Just buy the R. That way you will never regret not having AWD, etc. etc etc. God Bless

GTI is the perfect daily driver, I have one.
I baby it and get 40 MPG
Also has a bit f pep when need.
You can turn them into a screamer pretty easy if you desire

My local dealer was blowing out 2017 models for 6k off. Total steal

Look for an R32, instead. They're used, though. Average asking price is $16k.

quote:

Originally posted by kxc223:
Well not really looking to do a lot of mods. I am basically looking for a manual version that will be a daily driver.
I was looking at the WRX as well but I think the Golf R might be easier to live with. I'm in the Great White North so the AWD might be an advantage as well.
And yes the R is still German built so theres that.

For 40k, you can buy a Quattro Audi with a stick.

The Ford Fusion Sport is a good bit cheaper but no stick.

A FWD vehicle with winter tires will outperform an AWD vehicle with all-seasons. Just a thought.

I thought about the Audi but even the A3 only comes with their automatic transmission. Plus;at least here in Canada, they are quite a bit more than the Golf R.
I have a short commute and rarely have to drive in heavy traffic so I'm pretty adamant about getting a manual transmission. My last two vehicles have been automatics and I find a manual to be much more fun and engaging.

In US, the Audi A4 and A5 are available with manual. We've had a couple of VW's, still have a Jetta 2.0 Turbo with DSG - been very reliable. I think the Golf 'R' is a great choice for someone who wants a manual, since Audi doesn't offer the S3 in a manual.

I would get an R32 as well. Awd and V6.

I test drove a new GTI before I bought my last Mini Cooper S,
thought seriously about it,
car handled great, absolute dream to drive, and drive relatively hard for a test drive,

DSG 6spd auto,
black 4dr drivers edition,
not sure if it was German built or not (cannot remember)

only thing that turned me off was the dealership,

monkey fukking a football would be the best description for the 2 guys I dealt with,
one I was communicating with via email was apparently a ghost, he was never at work,
the one I test drove with with a complete moron, he acted like he was selling me a Ford LTD,,,


so I passed

The R will be made in Germany.
The GTI will be made in Mexico.

quote:

Originally posted by Wishbone:
I would get an R32 as well. Awd and V6.

He wants a new car not one that is 10 years old.