RE: PH 2017: Road Test of the year
Discussion
^^ I think the moaning is about PH writers extrapolating Google data for page views/requests/whatever into stating that the Golf is therefore more desirable than the McLaren. Clearly that's just nonsense.
Just as claiming that more sales prove that a car is more popular. For instance, I'm sure that Golf L diesel sales outstrip Lotus Elises by 10:1. May even be 100:1, I dunnow. But it doesn't make the Golf better or more desirable than the Elise.
Just as claiming that more sales prove that a car is more popular. For instance, I'm sure that Golf L diesel sales outstrip Lotus Elises by 10:1. May even be 100:1, I dunnow. But it doesn't make the Golf better or more desirable than the Elise.
downsman said:
It amuses me that the Golf R is top, as it seems to me that it is a good example of where performance road cars have gone down a dead end.
It has far too much power and grip to be ever used to its full abilities on the road, well apart from being chased on Traffic Cops like its S3 relative!
Why build cars like this when a real driving enthusiast would much prefer the feedback of something like a GT86? Because lots of people buy them, obviously. Their drivers will never use more than 50% of the performance (apart from those mentioned above) but the stats do sound great standing by the bar in a pub.
Apart from that though, many people want power, grip, practicality and a little more drama than a wheezy, cheapy 2 door coupe. It has far too much power and grip to be ever used to its full abilities on the road, well apart from being chased on Traffic Cops like its S3 relative!
Why build cars like this when a real driving enthusiast would much prefer the feedback of something like a GT86? Because lots of people buy them, obviously. Their drivers will never use more than 50% of the performance (apart from those mentioned above) but the stats do sound great standing by the bar in a pub.
suffolk009 said:
Just as claiming that more sales prove that a car is more popular. For instance, I'm sure that Golf L diesel sales outstrip Lotus Elises by 10:1. May even be 100:1, I dunnow. But it doesn't make the Golf better or more desirable than the Elise.
Exactly. The reason there are more Golfs on the road than Elises is because most people need a car they can fit the kids in, plus luggage. I've got a Golf R, so I'll explain it to those of you who don't get it. I live less than a mile from PH HQ, in a terraced Edwardian house. I have to park on the street, as do all my neighbours. Finding a spot is competitive so I need a car which is as small as possible, yet big enough to fit the family into. I also want something that doesn't draw attention, partly because I park it on the street, and partly because I'm in my 40s and a car covered with unnecessary badges, vents and spoilers would make me feel stupid. I know some of you don't get that, but for some of us, penis extensions really aren't important. Yes, I do appreciate a good-looking car but there are few of those in the mid-sized hatchback market.
This does narrow it down a bit. The new Civic looks great, but is too shouty. Ditto the Focus RS. The BMW 1-series is too small. Ultimately it came down to the Golf and its VAG cousins, and the Golf won.
And it's an excellent car. You can drive it like an idiot, and can also make good progress without making the family puke. If you want, it can be just any other Golf, other than the smaller boot.
What a lot of you don't seem to grasp is that this isn't my ultimate car. It's a compromise, as most cars are and given I had to buy a practical car when the family came along, this was the best choice there was, and I have no regrets
On an empty winding B road in the summer, would I rather be in an Elise? Yes, but they don't have back seats and a boot. So I can't.
Is the Golf faster than it needs to be? Maybe, but I don't have an issue using the acceleration. OK, so I've never taken it to the speed limiter but that's hardy the point.
While many of us like drooling over expensive hypercars, there's a reason they're not "popular" and there's also a reason why cars we can actually afford are.
pppppppppppppppp said:
suffolk009 said:
Just as claiming that more sales prove that a car is more popular. For instance, I'm sure that Golf L diesel sales outstrip Lotus Elises by 10:1. May even be 100:1, I dunnow. But it doesn't make the Golf better or more desirable than the Elise.
Exactly. The reason there are more Golfs on the road than Elises is because most people need a car they can fit the kids in, plus luggage. I've got a Golf R, so I'll explain it to those of you who don't get it. I live less than a mile from PH HQ, in a terraced Edwardian house. I have to park on the street, as do all my neighbours. Finding a spot is competitive so I need a car which is as small as possible, yet big enough to fit the family into. I also want something that doesn't draw attention, partly because I park it on the street, and partly because I'm in my 40s and a car covered with unnecessary badges, vents and spoilers would make me feel stupid. I know some of you don't get that, but for some of us, penis extensions really aren't important. Yes, I do appreciate a good-looking car but there are few of those in the mid-sized hatchback market.
This does narrow it down a bit. The new Civic looks great, but is too shouty. Ditto the Focus RS. The BMW 1-series is too small. Ultimately it came down to the Golf and its VAG cousins, and the Golf won.
And it's an excellent car. You can drive it like an idiot, and can also make good progress without making the family puke. If you want, it can be just any other Golf, other than the smaller boot.
What a lot of you don't seem to grasp is that this isn't my ultimate car. It's a compromise, as most cars are and given I had to buy a practical car when the family came along, this was the best choice there was, and I have no regrets
On an empty winding B road in the summer, would I rather be in an Elise? Yes, but they don't have back seats and a boot. So I can't.
Is the Golf faster than it needs to be? Maybe, but I don't have an issue using the acceleration. OK, so I've never taken it to the speed limiter but that's hardy the point.
While many of us like drooling over expensive hypercars, there's a reason they're not "popular" and there's also a reason why cars we can actually afford are.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
X Factor and The Apprentice are simple yet effective examples of the truth in this statement! 
Would be interested to see how a mapped Golf R would drive but for me it really wasn’t special inside or out, just very numb and uninvolving to Drive even with foot to the floor in a manual.
I do get how some will probably like it - in standard form it’s luke warm but has enough grip and go to get you from A to B quick enough, look presentable without being in your face and shouty, and not rattle your fillings out whilst doing so. I don’t agree the interior is deserving of the praise it gets, although I do think the VAG in car setup with CarPlay is pretty solid.
What’s the Performance pack like?
All I see is a few very minor cosmetic changes and some bigger brakes in a car that isn’t quick enough to justify them. Why oh why didn’t they give it 350bhp to take the fight to Ford?
Edited by mrnoisy78 on Thursday 28th December 00:24
pppppppppppppppp said:
Exactly. The reason there are more Golfs on the road than Elises is because most people need a car they can fit the kids in, plus luggage.
I've got a Golf R, so I'll explain it to those of you who don't get it. I live less than a mile from PH HQ, in a terraced Edwardian house. I have to park on the street, as do all my neighbours. Finding a spot is competitive so I need a car which is as small as possible, yet big enough to fit the family into. I also want something that doesn't draw attention, partly because I park it on the street, and partly because I'm in my 40s and a car covered with unnecessary badges, vents and spoilers would make me feel stupid. I know some of you don't get that, but for some of us, penis extensions really aren't important. Yes, I do appreciate a good-looking car but there are few of those in the mid-sized hatchback market.
This does narrow it down a bit. The new Civic looks great, but is too shouty. Ditto the Focus RS. The BMW 1-series is too small. Ultimately it came down to the Golf and its VAG cousins, and the Golf won.
And it's an excellent car. You can drive it like an idiot, and can also make good progress without making the family puke. If you want, it can be just any other Golf, other than the smaller boot.
What a lot of you don't seem to grasp is that this isn't my ultimate car. It's a compromise, as most cars are and given I had to buy a practical car when the family came along, this was the best choice there was, and I have no regrets
On an empty winding B road in the summer, would I rather be in an Elise? Yes, but they don't have back seats and a boot. So I can't.
Is the Golf faster than it needs to be? Maybe, but I don't have an issue using the acceleration. OK, so I've never taken it to the speed limiter but that's hardy the point.
While many of us like drooling over expensive hypercars, there's a reason they're not "popular" and there's also a reason why cars we can actually afford are.
Very nicely summed up I've got a Golf R, so I'll explain it to those of you who don't get it. I live less than a mile from PH HQ, in a terraced Edwardian house. I have to park on the street, as do all my neighbours. Finding a spot is competitive so I need a car which is as small as possible, yet big enough to fit the family into. I also want something that doesn't draw attention, partly because I park it on the street, and partly because I'm in my 40s and a car covered with unnecessary badges, vents and spoilers would make me feel stupid. I know some of you don't get that, but for some of us, penis extensions really aren't important. Yes, I do appreciate a good-looking car but there are few of those in the mid-sized hatchback market.
This does narrow it down a bit. The new Civic looks great, but is too shouty. Ditto the Focus RS. The BMW 1-series is too small. Ultimately it came down to the Golf and its VAG cousins, and the Golf won.
And it's an excellent car. You can drive it like an idiot, and can also make good progress without making the family puke. If you want, it can be just any other Golf, other than the smaller boot.
What a lot of you don't seem to grasp is that this isn't my ultimate car. It's a compromise, as most cars are and given I had to buy a practical car when the family came along, this was the best choice there was, and I have no regrets
On an empty winding B road in the summer, would I rather be in an Elise? Yes, but they don't have back seats and a boot. So I can't.
Is the Golf faster than it needs to be? Maybe, but I don't have an issue using the acceleration. OK, so I've never taken it to the speed limiter but that's hardy the point.
While many of us like drooling over expensive hypercars, there's a reason they're not "popular" and there's also a reason why cars we can actually afford are.
Most of us have to compromise one way or another on our vehicle choice. Some of us have the space and budget to run multiple cars at the same time, the rest of us compromise
MrFQ said:
Very nicely summed up
Most of us have to compromise one way or another on our vehicle choice. Some of us have the space and budget to run multiple cars at the same time, the rest of us compromise
I bet even most guys with multiple cars will also have comprised on something. Most of us have to compromise one way or another on our vehicle choice. Some of us have the space and budget to run multiple cars at the same time, the rest of us compromise
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