RE: Golf R Performance Pack: Driven
Discussion
SidewaysSi said:
Has to be a Civic R over this. If you actually like driving, it's no contest surely?
But I fear more people are instead drawn to safe/boring styling and a few nice plastics.
They're utterly different. For those of us that want a family wagon with some oomph that doesn't look like a 14 year old's art project and isn't a pain in the arse to drive to Tesco, the CTR is no good whatsoever. Same with the Focus RS. That last 2% in driving dynamics just isn't worth the compromise, especially for those of us who are fortunate enough to own other vehicles. But I fear more people are instead drawn to safe/boring styling and a few nice plastics.
The reason the Golf is so popular and so good is that it is a fantastic car in every area, without any areas where it does things badly. To live with on a daily basis I've yet to find anything better, including top drawer stuff that's in an utterly different league in terms of performance and cost...
SidewaysSi said:
Has to be a Civic R over this. If you actually like driving, it's no contest surely?
But I fear more people are instead drawn to safe/boring styling and a few nice plastics.
Maybe, but then the Civic is new and the Golf is being replaced next year.But I fear more people are instead drawn to safe/boring styling and a few nice plastics.
The number of people who could put up with the challenging looks of the Civic is probably very few also.
It’s all very well saying people are drawn to safe/boring styling and nice plastics, but there’s a very good reason for that. Most people who have a hot hatch will need it to fulfill multiple roles, they’ll need it to be practical, comfortable on a 200-mile motorway trip, not look ridiculous when you turn up at a client meeting, and not upset the wife.
SidewaysSi said:
Has to be a Civic R over this. If you actually like driving, it's no contest surely?
But I fear more people are instead drawn to safe/boring styling and a few nice plastics.
For you maybe, not for me though. If i wanted a more engaging hot-hatch in this class, i'd go for the Focus RS or the new Megane 280.But I fear more people are instead drawn to safe/boring styling and a few nice plastics.
For a good all-rounder, however, the Golf R is hard to beat. It's a shame some people just can't appreciate that or get past the usual anti-VAG comments.
Original Article said:
After all, cars like the R are the main reason that the Evo and STI are no longer with us; its blend of 300hp+ performance and all-wheel drive with everyday comfort and practicality meaning that the days of rally-cars-for-the-road were numbered.
300hp+ performance and all-wheel drive with everyday comfort.Yes, that's nothing like a Subaru STI. It really is something never seen before.
Those VW marketing boys know a good Hollywood script when they read one.
Edited by Mandalore on Tuesday 12th June 08:42
SidewaysSi said:
Has to be a Civic R over this. If you actually like driving, it's no contest surely?
But I fear more people are instead drawn to safe/boring styling and a few nice plastics.
People can like driving and yet have different priorities to yourself. Isn’t life wonderful eh? But I fear more people are instead drawn to safe/boring styling and a few nice plastics.
ETA I also prefer the Civic and would choose it over the Golf, but I wouldn’t assert that anyone choosing the latter doesn’t “actually like driving”
Edited by Kenny Powers on Tuesday 12th June 09:06
22daz said:
Another hater for all the exhausts.
Shame as I like the Golf R, but there's just no need when more powerful cars in motorsport just have the one.
That speaks volumes with respect to their target market.
What do you think of the huge Aventador-esque exhaust on the new Megane RS?Shame as I like the Golf R, but there's just no need when more powerful cars in motorsport just have the one.
That speaks volumes with respect to their target market.
I can understand that a Golf R is not to everyone's tastes, but some of the stigma's that appear to stick with it don't half baffle me. I think we've had all of the standard anti-VAG remarks now, specifically for individuals that only have the ability to either relish or despise, with nothing ever in between the two.
Baldchap said:
SidewaysSi said:
Has to be a Civic R over this. If you actually like driving, it's no contest surely?
But I fear more people are instead drawn to safe/boring styling and a few nice plastics.
They're utterly different. For those of us that want a family wagon with some oomph that doesn't look like a 14 year old's art project and isn't a pain in the arse to drive to Tesco, the CTR is no good whatsoever. Same with the Focus RS. That last 2% in driving dynamics just isn't worth the compromise, especially for those of us who are fortunate enough to own other vehicles. But I fear more people are instead drawn to safe/boring styling and a few nice plastics.
The reason the Golf is so popular and so good is that it is a fantastic car in every area, without any areas where it does things badly. To live with on a daily basis I've yet to find anything better, including top drawer stuff that's in an utterly different league in terms of performance and cost...
I'm gonna stick my head above the parapet now. I have critised the Golf R in the past but will confess to:
1) Never driving one
2) Too ubiquitous for me rally
3) If I just wanted a fun HH I'd have the CTR but,
4) I do like the look of the Golf and,
5) I do get the 'Jack of all trades' appeal so,
6) As there are likely no deals on a CTR now or in the future and no estate version, when the PCP is up on our M Sport Gran Tourer I will seriously be looking at the Golf R estate. Probably with DSG for all those bloody road works it'll be stuck in.
1) Never driving one
2) Too ubiquitous for me rally
3) If I just wanted a fun HH I'd have the CTR but,
4) I do like the look of the Golf and,
5) I do get the 'Jack of all trades' appeal so,
6) As there are likely no deals on a CTR now or in the future and no estate version, when the PCP is up on our M Sport Gran Tourer I will seriously be looking at the Golf R estate. Probably with DSG for all those bloody road works it'll be stuck in.
JMF894 said:
I'm gonna stick my head above the parapet now. I have critised the Golf R in the past but will confess to:
1) Never driving one
2) Too ubiquitous for me rally
3) If I just wanted a fun HH I'd have the CTR but,
4) I do like the look of the Golf and,
5) I do get the 'Jack of all trades' appeal so,
6) As there are likely no deals on a CTR now or in the future and no estate version, when the PCP is up on our M Sport Gran Tourer I will seriously be looking at the Golf R estate. Probably with DSG for all those bloody road works it'll be stuck in.
I think that individuals can happily criticise any car, whether they have driven one or not. Although, if it is the case that you haven't actually driven one or at least passengered in one, your responses should really be limited to anything that does not involve the way the car drives or handles, obviously.1) Never driving one
2) Too ubiquitous for me rally
3) If I just wanted a fun HH I'd have the CTR but,
4) I do like the look of the Golf and,
5) I do get the 'Jack of all trades' appeal so,
6) As there are likely no deals on a CTR now or in the future and no estate version, when the PCP is up on our M Sport Gran Tourer I will seriously be looking at the Golf R estate. Probably with DSG for all those bloody road works it'll be stuck in.
The thing that gets my goat specifically are those kind of comments that insinuates that the Golf R does not have any kind of place in the market, which is usually the result of someone's to personal prejudice. We're currently in hot-hatch nirvana and there's literally something for everyone.
Whoa the Golf R seems to get people wound up on PH.
Frankly, I care not one jot what it's current leasing status is or how many exhausts it has.
The general consensus (from around the world) is that it is a brilliant all-rounder and decent value.
Sure there are harder, faster and harsher cars out there (Focus RS and CTR), but the Golf has always been a car that you can drive for any occasion, 365 days a year. And truthfully, maybe the Focus and CTR are more driver focused, but they have flaws which make them less rounded overall.
Frankly, I care not one jot what it's current leasing status is or how many exhausts it has.
The general consensus (from around the world) is that it is a brilliant all-rounder and decent value.
Sure there are harder, faster and harsher cars out there (Focus RS and CTR), but the Golf has always been a car that you can drive for any occasion, 365 days a year. And truthfully, maybe the Focus and CTR are more driver focused, but they have flaws which make them less rounded overall.
SidewaysSi said:
Has to be a Civic R over this. If you actually like driving, it's no contest surely?
But I fear more people are instead drawn to safe/boring styling and a few nice plastics.
If you have poor eye sight and can live with a car that looks like it was designed by a group of 11 year olds, the CTR might be an option But I fear more people are instead drawn to safe/boring styling and a few nice plastics.
Having owned a Golf R and a Focus RS (a closer rival for the CTR) side by side I would say that the Golf R has a LOT of qualities that you would want if you only had access to one car.
Pluses of the R over FRS:-
- Fuel Consumption: 24-28mpg versus 18/19mpg
- Technology: Radar cruise, front parking sensors, DSG box makes everyday life easier
- Mundane Looks: No one really bats an eye lid at the R's, the RS on the other hand gets a LOT of attention. Think boy racers nailed to your rear bumper everywhere you go!
- Easier to drive sedately. The RS feels like it always wants to be driven hard and the temptation is difficult to resist
- Tyre wear is much, much better on the R
- The ride quality is a lot better in the R
- Reliability: 28k miles in the R, no issue. 13k miles in the RS on my second engine, various little niggles still
- Value, my DSG Golf R was £29k compared to £34k for the RS.
IMO the Golf R is the best "do it all" hot hatch on sale today, bar none.
Baldchap said:
Those of us who've owned (actually owned, too!) them find the Golf R an excellent handling car. The swathes of journos who rated it as the best all round car on the planet agree.
I've had an extended test drive, and you cant power oversteer with them like an evo, because haldex.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff