Is the Golf GTI really the ‘every car’?

[WestyCarl]

My wife, who knows everything, disagreed.

The Golf was OK but lacked character, hence she went for the Focus ST. For her it drove the same had more character and more kit.

[daemon]

DoubleD said:

The word "ok" keeps coming up.

Keeps coming up?

"ok" was only said originally by the O/P then only referenced to the original post by the next two posters?

I'm reading a lot of "great all rounder" type comments.

[johnwilliams77]

daemon said:

Keeps coming up?

"ok" was only said originally by the O/P then only referenced to the original post by the next two posters?

I'm reading a lot of "great all rounder" type comments.

Ffs , stop arguing over nothing

[nickfrog]

Having briefly driven an early current one with the "proper" diff, I would say the expression "OK" doesn't particularly describe how balanced and tractable the car is. Very sweet handler and very impressive all rounder. A bit more than "OK".

[culpz]

I had an MK7 GTI on order a few years ago but i had to cancel it, as it was working out too expensive with my immanent move from home. I was pretty gutted tbh. I was really excited to be getting myself into a hot-hatch but, unfortunately, it was not to be.

They are very capable cars, great all-rounders and daily hot-hatches. Some people just don't get them or the VAG brand and think they are numb and leave you cold. There could be some truth to that but that kind of fits in with what they get used for, really.

[Glosphil]

The Golf GTi may be an all-rounder for the enthusiast but a Golf with a 1.4/1.5 petrol or a diesel engine would suit the motoring needs of far more drivers. I know at least 10 people who drive a Golf and none are a GTi.

[daemon]

johnwilliams77 said:

daemon said:

Keeps coming up?

"ok" was only said originally by the O/P then only referenced to the original post by the next two posters?

I'm reading a lot of "great all rounder" type comments.

Ffs , stop arguing over nothing

It was an observation, not an argument.

No need to get outraged.

Edited by daemon on Wednesday 27th December 10:10

[johnwilliams77]

daemon said:

It was an observation, not an argument.

No need to get outraged.

Edited by daemon on Wednesday 27th December 10:10

I’m not
Crack on with your wonderful observations

[daemon]

nickfrog said:

Having briefly driven an early current one with the "proper" diff, I would say the expression "OK" doesn't particularly describe how balanced and tractable the car is. Very sweet handler and very impressive all rounder. A bit more than "OK".

Ageed. I very much liked the mk7 i drove just before Christmas. It had a lot of merit.

An issue for me was how well it holds its money - good news of course when you're selling, bad news if youre looking to buy...

Edited by daemon on Wednesday 27th December 10:21

[daemon]

johnwilliams77 said:

daemon said:

It was an observation, not an argument.

No need to get outraged.

Edited by daemon on Wednesday 27th December 10:10

I’m not
Crack on with your wonderful observations

Now whos looking an argument.

[greenarrow]

With the Mk7, the elephant in the room has always been the Golf R. With previous generations, whilst the hotter variants held some merit, the GTI was usually the best all rounder. With the Mk7, the R version does almost everything better and isn't that much more expensive, hence why I think you see so few petrol GTIs. Tons of bloody GTDs everywhere normally driven foot to the floor and three inches off your tailgate..... The Mk7 GTI is a fairly rare car really, compared with the GTD and the R.

..Interested to note that Autocar preferred the GTi 7.5 with performance pack to the new (and raved about) Hyundai N30 in their handling day article last month.........

[Welshbeef]

But the “R” version has been around decades

Mk6 R
Mk5 R32
Mk4 R32
Mk3 VR6
Mk2 G60 (effectively the Racing variant).

None have been drastically more than the GTI - it’s interesting that this time the R is so popular.

[johnwilliams77]

Welshbeef said:

But the “R” version has been around decades

Mk6 R
Mk5 R32
Mk4 R32
Mk3 VR6
Mk2 G60 (effectively the Racing variant).

None have been drastically more than the GTI - it’s interesting that this time the R is so popular.

That’s what happens when they are cheap to lease

[andrewparker]

johnwilliams77 said:

Welshbeef said:

But the “R” version has been around decades

Mk6 R
Mk5 R32
Mk4 R32
Mk3 VR6
Mk2 G60 (effectively the Racing variant).

None have been drastically more than the GTI - it’s interesting that this time the R is so popular.

That’s what happens when they are cheap to lease

It does of course help that it’s a very good car. I doubt the MK6 R would have been so popular if VW had decided to make them as affordable to lease.

Thing about the R is that it’s never been a car normal people aspire to own, whereas I think the GTI still holds a certain amount of appeal to non-car people. Personally, I still look at the GTI and think it probably does 95% of what I need from a car. As it is, Golf R estate and 987 Boxster S will do nicely

[nickfrog]

johnwilliams77 said:

That’s what happens when they are cheap to lease

Indeed, brilliant news indeed although they haven't been cheap to lease for a good 18 months now. Cupra R on the other hand...

[ncjones]

For me, it very nearly meets the brief as a sole car that needs to be up to family duties. Unfortunately the boot is too small and I really didn't take to the R estate, so I went with its cousin with a bigger arse; an Octavia vRS 245 hatch.

[Sa Calobra]

It has safe looks, safe to drive and reasonable space. I don't see anything wrong with it and on that basis I'd say yes, You could own daft cars and have this as a everyday car.

It's not exciting, it's not a character. It's a car for people who like to one where they are and feel good.

I'd have one.

Before that though I'd have a Subaru. Again and again.

Just because Clarkson on a light entertainment show says something scripted doesn't mean it's gospel.

It's a capable car. I'd have a GTI all day long over the R. That's just too dull.

Don't get me wrong, I'd have a R on lease. Not my own money though.

[Welshbeef]

johnwilliams77 said:

Welshbeef said:

But the “R” version has been around decades

Mk6 R
Mk5 R32
Mk4 R32
Mk3 VR6
Mk2 G60 (effectively the Racing variant).

None have been drastically more than the GTI - it’s interesting that this time the R is so popular.

That’s what happens when they are cheap to lease

Out of that list of Golf “R”S what is the best?
I’ve always liked the VRS personally

[LG9k]

I've recently picked up a Mk 7.5 "boggo" version to replace a 208Gti.

It's my winter and every day car (the Honda S2000 is SORNed for the winter).

I chose it over the R because (it was a bit cheaper to buy and run) I need neither 300 horsepower nor 4WD as I live in the horribly busy SE of England, and commute on foot/train. There's also the R theft factor to consider.

It came with all the kit/toys that I wanted, has more than enough power for any "real" situation, and with the DSG and DCC options, is easy to drive, & extremely comfortable.

It has 5 doors so is practical enough for ferrying elderly parents around from time to time, and does all the normal hatchback stuff extremely well, too, of course.

It's very nice to drive, too.

Then again if I want fun and "real" driving, then I'll take the Honda.

[DoubleD]

Well the sound of the R32 is more than just ok