The new type r - is it a sales flop?
Discussion
andrewparker said:
jamieduff1981 said:
kambites said:
EnglishTony said:
How are Golf R sales bearing up now the Focus RS is within sight of being delivered?
Do they really appeal to the same people? I'd have said the Focus and Honda probably have similar target audiences but the Golf is somehow just more... sensible. I'd have thought the Golf's average buyer was 10 years older. MrBarry123 said:
I've seen probably 10 or so, 3 on the same day last week.
I like a bit of a chav in a car's design (big spoilers, wide arches, A45 Aero Kit) so the look doesn't put me off however the standard wheels are awful; the design is s
t and don't fill the arches properly.
I think the problem the car has from a competition perspective is that a) it's not as fast as other uber-hatches e.g. A45 AMG, RS3, FRS, M135i etc. b) not as sharp to drive as a Megane Renault Sport 275 and c) not as subtle as the Golf R or S3 - leaving it in a bizarre middle ground.
I accept that they didn't go AWD however if you're wanting to make an obnoxious [this is good] car and you're not going to give it a fk load of power, you have to make it sharp and it sounds, from the reviews, like they've missed the mark in this respect. In hindsight, what I would have hoped for - accepting that I'm in the minority here - is that they chose to release the Type-R as a competitor to the Trophy-R and really went for the track-day special hatch segment.
Where are you getting all of the points in your second paragraph from? Not as sharp to drive? Not as fast etc? Have you seen any of the reviews? Maybe you have driven all of the cars so you know first hand? The reviews I have seen contradict your points above so a bit confused.I like a bit of a chav in a car's design (big spoilers, wide arches, A45 Aero Kit) so the look doesn't put me off however the standard wheels are awful; the design is s
t and don't fill the arches properly.I think the problem the car has from a competition perspective is that a) it's not as fast as other uber-hatches e.g. A45 AMG, RS3, FRS, M135i etc. b) not as sharp to drive as a Megane Renault Sport 275 and c) not as subtle as the Golf R or S3 - leaving it in a bizarre middle ground.
I accept that they didn't go AWD however if you're wanting to make an obnoxious [this is good] car and you're not going to give it a f
k load of power, you have to make it sharp and it sounds, from the reviews, like they've missed the mark in this respect. In hindsight, what I would have hoped for - accepting that I'm in the minority here - is that they chose to release the Type-R as a competitor to the Trophy-R and really went for the track-day special hatch segment.I really liked the new Type R - Until I went to a dealer to look at one up close.
It's very chavvy. Not in a bad way, but in a tatty way. I like the rear end. And the front end, but the 3/4 front / rear view, it just looks a bit odd in my opinion.
I could forgive it but the tyres are genuinely too small for the wheels IMO (archgap is ridiculous) and all of the vents and gills on the side of the car are fake.
Inside, aside from the seats and steering wheel it feels very cheap.
These days you can buy the Renault Megane which is arguably a better "drivers" car for less money, and for similar money you can buy a Golf R which is just as quick in the real world, maybe not quite "as nice" to drive (talking about the last 5% of enjoyment here) but far nicer inside and to live with day to day.
I do see a fair few around, maybe for every Civic Type R I would see 3 or 4 Golf R - Considering the lease deal push on these, assuming all the Hondas are PCP or actual purchased vehicles it seems to be fairly popular?
It's very chavvy. Not in a bad way, but in a tatty way. I like the rear end. And the front end, but the 3/4 front / rear view, it just looks a bit odd in my opinion.
I could forgive it but the tyres are genuinely too small for the wheels IMO (archgap is ridiculous) and all of the vents and gills on the side of the car are fake.
Inside, aside from the seats and steering wheel it feels very cheap.
These days you can buy the Renault Megane which is arguably a better "drivers" car for less money, and for similar money you can buy a Golf R which is just as quick in the real world, maybe not quite "as nice" to drive (talking about the last 5% of enjoyment here) but far nicer inside and to live with day to day.
I do see a fair few around, maybe for every Civic Type R I would see 3 or 4 Golf R - Considering the lease deal push on these, assuming all the Hondas are PCP or actual purchased vehicles it seems to be fairly popular?
ukaskew said:
Plenty here in Wiltshire, possibly the 'supporting local' effect playing a part though. The car park at Castle Combe events usually has 10+ of the things and there were quite a few in the car park at Silverstone for the 24hr earlier this month too.
Go to the Honda factory car park, you'll see many more... I believe the staff deal used to be something like 1% of the list price every month. Although at 17k that made for a cheap deal, 30k less so. Perhaps it's changed now.
actually. Saw another a few weeks backed parked up at Maccie D's 
EnglishTony said:
How are Golf R sales bearing up now the Focus RS is within sight of being delivered?
Focus RS's are already being delivered, saw one go to a customer on Sunday with another still in its cover next to it. Also another at the other end of the showroom with a fourth being used as a demo car! The Civic woukd have to be a very very good car to persuade me to buy it over the Focus, especially considering the looks!
hornetrider said:
The sort if person who might want it can't afford it and those that can afford it might see it as a tragic bodykit (badly modded thread) mashed into a middle life crisis?EnglishTony said:
How are Golf R sales bearing up now the Focus RS is within sight of being delivered?
I went into the Lincoln ford dealership yesterday, the focus rs is lovely but I was told there's an 18 month waiting list and NO wiggle on price at all. Straight over the road is a vw dealership, they let me and my wife take one for a test drive there and then. Even offered the demo car. Huge spec £38k new for £32k. If I had to choose I would probably take the golf r. It was really enlightening to drive. Not really what I expected.
hora said:
The sort if person who might want it can't afford it and those that can afford it might see it as a tragic bodykit mashed into a middle life crisis.
I wonder whether they aimed it those who grew up in the Max Power era? They'll be your 30-40 somethings now, maybe with a bit of cash! or....The concept car went down so well that they stuck with idea but the accountants took over and now it looks like a cheap replica based on a standard Civic!
Markbarry1977 said:
I went into the Lincoln ford dealership yesterday, the focus rs is lovely but I was told there's an 18 month waiting list and NO wiggle on price at all.
Straight over the road is a vw dealership, they let me and my wife take one for a test drive there and then. Even offered the demo car. Huge spec £38k new for £32k. If I had to choose I would probably take the golf r. It was really enlightening to drive. Not really what I expected.
Thirty two grand for a midsized hatch back?!?!Straight over the road is a vw dealership, they let me and my wife take one for a test drive there and then. Even offered the demo car. Huge spec £38k new for £32k. If I had to choose I would probably take the golf r. It was really enlightening to drive. Not really what I expected.
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