RE: VW Golf R: Driven
Discussion
Snobbery, reverse snobbery, inverse snobbery, patronisation, I think we'll be in a black hole of judgemental attitudes before long.
All this over a car that, for all intents and purposes, is a Golf, a quick one at that.
Amazing to think that something that by most estimations is a bit of an "everyman's" (or woman, duh) car can be so polarising.
It's a 4wd hatchback with just over 300 horsepower that can be had in manual form. Is that so awful? Maybe we're all projecting just a tad, maybe.
So let's see if I'm petrolhead enough, qualifications:
Yes, mine will be arriving tomorrow, it's a manual 3 door. Yes it is leased. I'm stepping out of a 2 year old Fiesta ST with a Mountune kit into one, that's leased too. Both are company cars. My previous daily driver is a satin black 1989 Passat GT wagon with a 8v Gti head and a 2.0 stroker bottom end that cost me £1000 (including the car and paint) to put together because I did a lot of the spannering myself. It's in storage currently (aka a farmer's yard under a tarpaulin).
Without the company car, I probably wouldn't be able to afford anything better or more interesting than my knackered, lowered old Passat. With the company car, I am able to indulge in crap like a 50cc moped scramble from Leicester to John O'groats later this year with some mates, and various classic/retro and modern motorsport events. I would have a multi-car garage if I could afford a garage in the first place, and I'd probably be able to fill it for the price of the Golf. But I don't get that choice, so for the per month budget I had, I got what I could that wouldn't bore me to death on a commute and might have some life in the corners. Other cars in budget were either diesels, autos or just didn't grab me enough dynamically (BMW lent me an M140i for a week). Also, I miss my old rusty turbo Saab 900.
So yeah, I'm definitely a yobbo, who got it on tick and isn't a real petrolhead because my R is my only car. I'll bear that in mind
All this over a car that, for all intents and purposes, is a Golf, a quick one at that.
Amazing to think that something that by most estimations is a bit of an "everyman's" (or woman, duh) car can be so polarising.
It's a 4wd hatchback with just over 300 horsepower that can be had in manual form. Is that so awful? Maybe we're all projecting just a tad, maybe.
So let's see if I'm petrolhead enough, qualifications:
Yes, mine will be arriving tomorrow, it's a manual 3 door. Yes it is leased. I'm stepping out of a 2 year old Fiesta ST with a Mountune kit into one, that's leased too. Both are company cars. My previous daily driver is a satin black 1989 Passat GT wagon with a 8v Gti head and a 2.0 stroker bottom end that cost me £1000 (including the car and paint) to put together because I did a lot of the spannering myself. It's in storage currently (aka a farmer's yard under a tarpaulin).
Without the company car, I probably wouldn't be able to afford anything better or more interesting than my knackered, lowered old Passat. With the company car, I am able to indulge in crap like a 50cc moped scramble from Leicester to John O'groats later this year with some mates, and various classic/retro and modern motorsport events. I would have a multi-car garage if I could afford a garage in the first place, and I'd probably be able to fill it for the price of the Golf. But I don't get that choice, so for the per month budget I had, I got what I could that wouldn't bore me to death on a commute and might have some life in the corners. Other cars in budget were either diesels, autos or just didn't grab me enough dynamically (BMW lent me an M140i for a week). Also, I miss my old rusty turbo Saab 900.
So yeah, I'm definitely a yobbo, who got it on tick and isn't a real petrolhead because my R is my only car. I'll bear that in mind
king bell end.I think the Golf R is a bit like that dopey kid from school who now is a bit of a buff ladykiller with loads of cash, still the same boring spod you know but somehow gets all this adulation and you cant reconcile that, Golfs in our heads are mid range hatches, Golf GTis were moderately quick hot hatches , the rest were dull but worthy, now it upsets the performance car applecart by being properly fast and very very capable.
Its a bit of a Swiss army knife that covers a lot of bases for so many people, its like Marks and Spencers, pretty good but not the absolute best so petrolheads with some more esoteric stuff dont like these upstarts telling them that the Golf R is the best as it is faster/better than theirs.
I think most, if given one would probably, love it, grudgingly maybe but I cant imagine choosing between one in favour of my last Saab, which was ok but light years behind these, things move on, I would, if I had the money have one in a heartbeat but I cant but I am not going to say they are crap, even if I am a bit sick of hearing it.
I think we should be glad we can get something so capable for the money, remember when 300 plus BHP 4WD cars were generally only for the very well heeled ? not the answer to every question, and perhaps a victim of its own success but still a very good car.
Its a bit of a Swiss army knife that covers a lot of bases for so many people, its like Marks and Spencers, pretty good but not the absolute best so petrolheads with some more esoteric stuff dont like these upstarts telling them that the Golf R is the best as it is faster/better than theirs.
I think most, if given one would probably, love it, grudgingly maybe but I cant imagine choosing between one in favour of my last Saab, which was ok but light years behind these, things move on, I would, if I had the money have one in a heartbeat but I cant but I am not going to say they are crap, even if I am a bit sick of hearing it.
I think we should be glad we can get something so capable for the money, remember when 300 plus BHP 4WD cars were generally only for the very well heeled ? not the answer to every question, and perhaps a victim of its own success but still a very good car.
wormus said:
I like the Golf R but it's not desirable because it's not scarce, too accessible to the masses and as a result, not aspirational. Now many don't care and enjoy it for what it is which is fine. This all started because I suggested a Saab with a bit of money spent on it would be just as fast in a straight line and l was branded a witch and now a troll and a snob it seems.
I'm off to do more dick swinging in my snob tinted spectacles
The Golf R not being desirable is of course your opinion rather than fact.I'm off to do more dick swinging in my snob tinted spectacles
wormus said:
No but you still have the potty mouth and poor vocabulary of somebody who does.
And yet you seemed to be wondering why I called you a snob? At least you have given us some evidence to suggest that's what you are, you have no evidence to suggest we are yobs, chavs, bruvs or neds.Edited by TomScrut on Tuesday 25th April 14:29
This is proving to be hard work, so let me try again, slowwwly.
1) I like the Golf R, it's a decent car, pretty swift and meets the needs of many punters who either choose or can only afford one car.
2) I am not a snob, how can I be driving around in an old Saab part of the time?
3) The Golf, in my opinion, is not a car people aspire to own, nor is it in any way a luxury product as it's accessible to the masses because of PCP.
4) I am one of the masses (as is everyone) and I don't aspire to own a Golf R, that's my choice.
5) I respect those that have chosen to drive a Golf R (on finance or otherwise) but they shouldn't look down on others because of points 3 & 4.
My comments about Neds, 4WD tumble dryers etc were for comedic affect mainly my own amusement. It made me laugh and that's all that matters.
I stick by what I said though - most Rs I've seen being driven on the road have been done so aggressively or with some point to prove, they should lighten up a little. Of course, I'm sure that's not everybody, just the ones I've seen.
1) I like the Golf R, it's a decent car, pretty swift and meets the needs of many punters who either choose or can only afford one car.
2) I am not a snob, how can I be driving around in an old Saab part of the time?
3) The Golf, in my opinion, is not a car people aspire to own, nor is it in any way a luxury product as it's accessible to the masses because of PCP.
4) I am one of the masses (as is everyone) and I don't aspire to own a Golf R, that's my choice.
5) I respect those that have chosen to drive a Golf R (on finance or otherwise) but they shouldn't look down on others because of points 3 & 4.
My comments about Neds, 4WD tumble dryers etc were for comedic affect mainly my own amusement. It made me laugh and that's all that matters.
I stick by what I said though - most Rs I've seen being driven on the road have been done so aggressively or with some point to prove, they should lighten up a little. Of course, I'm sure that's not everybody, just the ones I've seen.
TomScrut said:
wormus said:
No but you still have the potty mouth and poor vocabulary of somebody who does.
And yet you seemed to be wondering why I called you a snob? At least you have given us some evidence to suggest that's what you are, you have no evidence to suggest we are yobs, chavs, bruvs or neds.Edited by TomScrut on Tuesday 25th April 14:29
wormus said:
This is proving to be hard work, so let me try again, slowwwly.
1) I like the Golf R, it's a decent car, pretty swift and meets the needs of many punters who either choose or can only afford one car.
2) I am not a snob, how can I be driving around in an old Saab part of the time?
3) The Golf, in my opinion, is not a car people aspire to own, nor is it in any way a luxury product as it's accessible to the masses because of PCP.
4) I am one of the masses (as is everyone) and I don't aspire to own a Golf R, that's my choice.
5) I respect those that have chosen to drive a Golf R (on finance or otherwise) but they shouldn't look down on others because of points 3 & 4.
My comments about Neds, 4WD tumble dryers etc were for comedic affect mainly my own amusement. It made me laugh and that's all that matters.
I stick by what I said though - most Rs I've seen being driven on the road have been done so aggressively or with some point to prove, they should lighten up a little. Of course, I'm sure that's not everybody, just the ones I've seen.
The only point I'd contest is number three. Plenty of everyday folks aspire to owning a Golf, not me personally mind, and being available to the masses doesn't instantly render something non-luxury unless your confusing luxury with exclusivity?1) I like the Golf R, it's a decent car, pretty swift and meets the needs of many punters who either choose or can only afford one car.
2) I am not a snob, how can I be driving around in an old Saab part of the time?
3) The Golf, in my opinion, is not a car people aspire to own, nor is it in any way a luxury product as it's accessible to the masses because of PCP.
4) I am one of the masses (as is everyone) and I don't aspire to own a Golf R, that's my choice.
5) I respect those that have chosen to drive a Golf R (on finance or otherwise) but they shouldn't look down on others because of points 3 & 4.
My comments about Neds, 4WD tumble dryers etc were for comedic affect mainly my own amusement. It made me laugh and that's all that matters.
I stick by what I said though - most Rs I've seen being driven on the road have been done so aggressively or with some point to prove, they should lighten up a little. Of course, I'm sure that's not everybody, just the ones I've seen.
gigglebug said:
wormus said:
This is proving to be hard work, so let me try again, slowwwly.
1) I like the Golf R, it's a decent car, pretty swift and meets the needs of many punters who either choose or can only afford one car.
2) I am not a snob, how can I be driving around in an old Saab part of the time?
3) The Golf, in my opinion, is not a car people aspire to own, nor is it in any way a luxury product as it's accessible to the masses because of PCP.
4) I am one of the masses (as is everyone) and I don't aspire to own a Golf R, that's my choice.
5) I respect those that have chosen to drive a Golf R (on finance or otherwise) but they shouldn't look down on others because of points 3 & 4.
My comments about Neds, 4WD tumble dryers etc were for comedic affect mainly my own amusement. It made me laugh and that's all that matters.
I stick by what I said though - most Rs I've seen being driven on the road have been done so aggressively or with some point to prove, they should lighten up a little. Of course, I'm sure that's not everybody, just the ones I've seen.
The only point I'd contest is number three. Plenty of everyday folks aspire to owning a Golf, not me personally mind, and being available to the masses doesn't instantly render something non-luxury unless your confusing luxury with exclusivity?1) I like the Golf R, it's a decent car, pretty swift and meets the needs of many punters who either choose or can only afford one car.
2) I am not a snob, how can I be driving around in an old Saab part of the time?
3) The Golf, in my opinion, is not a car people aspire to own, nor is it in any way a luxury product as it's accessible to the masses because of PCP.
4) I am one of the masses (as is everyone) and I don't aspire to own a Golf R, that's my choice.
5) I respect those that have chosen to drive a Golf R (on finance or otherwise) but they shouldn't look down on others because of points 3 & 4.
My comments about Neds, 4WD tumble dryers etc were for comedic affect mainly my own amusement. It made me laugh and that's all that matters.
I stick by what I said though - most Rs I've seen being driven on the road have been done so aggressively or with some point to prove, they should lighten up a little. Of course, I'm sure that's not everybody, just the ones I've seen.
gigglebug said:
The only point I'd contest is number three. Plenty of everyday folks aspire to owning a Golf, not me personally mind, and being available to the masses doesn't instantly render something non-luxury unless your confusing luxury with exclusivity?
Luxury is normally defined by scarcity. As soon as it's accessible to everyone, it becomes mainstream. Think iPhone etc.Doesn't make it a bad product just not as desirable to those that have more choice. Discounting, short term leasing (as opposed to owning and retained value) and an economy built on credit is not not a good thing longer term. Just look at the retail industry for evidence - it's a race to the bottom, but I digress.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 25th April 15:28
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