VW Golf R

[DWBOX2000]

Anyone have one? Would you recommend?
Good/bad?
How would it be in the snow?
Is it a sleeper?
Thanks, a friend of mine was asking.

[Mike80911]

My son has a 2017 with a manual trans. the car is a blast to drive. He never seems to have an issue driving in the snow. He loves the car, On top of that he gets over 30MPG. I am thinking about buying it when his lease is up.

[Ziggythecat]

I just sold an ‘04 R32, that I’ve owned for 12 years.

It’s all wheel drive, so with winter tires it goes like a tank.
I enjoyed every minute in that car, and my other is a 997 S
The modern ones with the 6 speed seems like the way to go for a ton of fun.

I just bought a 15 BMW 228 AWD for my wife, and while it’s not as compact as the R32, it’s a great ride, and about the same price. Might be a bit less, depending on your options.
However, the AWD isn’t available with the manual..

[wildthing]

Was looking at this vs. Audi RS3 if I were to buy brand new... I would've gone with the RS3 only because I like the sedan and the leather...

[jhynesrockmtn]

My son just bought one after we looked at STI's and the Focus RS. He picked up a 2016 CPO car, 6 speed. So far he is very happy. I had a GTI for a bit, kinda wish I still did. Great fit and finish and interior quality vs the others

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by peteremsley

- Is the R really worth the $15k more?

There was a nice AWD R for sale for $19K and the GTI I bought for $7.5K and lower miles. It doesn't snow where I live, so it made no sense at all to get the R. The cornering of the 2WD GTI is nothing less than astounding. Of course it's a special edition Fahrenheit with suspension set up by Porsche, but still. It's plenty fast, too. Since it snows where you live, the AWD R might make sense. It's up to you.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by wildthing

Was looking at this vs. Audi RS3 if I were to buy brand new... I would've gone with the RS3 only because I like the sedan and the leather...

the angry squirrel that powers the RS3 sounds terrific and can be made to sound even better!

However, I’ll admit that spending a pile of money on a car powered by a prime numbered cylinder count will be a leap of faith for me.

[Deschodt]

In principle yes, love the concept of that car. Total Sleeper...
In actuality, I struggle with a low $40K Golf. This is Used Porsche/M-series/AMG territory.
Drove one a couple times, enjoyed it, crossed shopped it, but again at that price point, *New* I'd rather get something else CPO and more upmarket. *Used*, I'd be afraid it got beat up by the PO... In its class, it loses most comparos on performance or dullness, but is tagged as the more "mature" choice vs the cars it lost to... Still - I like the idea... if you can stomach paying that much for a Golf.

PS: friend of mine also cross-shopped it and ended up with an S3 instead for not too much more. To be fair the bloom is off the rose on the S3 as well (same car essentially), electronic glitches, gas pedal a bit laggy, sounds like a stressed out 4 banger.(his words)

[gtc]

My father has a manual 2013 R. It's a lot of fun to drive. Great in the snow.
My only beef is that the gearing seems short, however that means it is very quick.
I would like to have the ECU flashed by APR, but it would probably scare the crap out of my dad.

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by peteremsley

I'd be tempted if they put the GTI or R motor in the awd Golf wagon. That would make me happy.

They are avaliable here. Golf R Wagon

https://www.carsales.com.au/demo/details/Volkswagen-Golf-2018/OAG-AD-16016936/?Cr=2

[Ziggythecat]

You’ll have to move to Australia.
NFS here.

As a hatch, and with the seats folded flat, it’s holds a ton of cargo, as it is.

[sugarwood]

A GTI is more than enough.
They suck in the snow.

[Ziggythecat]

Any car that comes with performance tires will suck in the snow.

Too bad VW continues to force that cheesy plaid interior in the GTI.

[Jeff Alton]

We look after a few. Some are stock and some we have done some performance work to. Owners have been very pleased with the R's. Have done no "repair", only maintenance and upgrades. It is a great platform.

Cheers

[Tom '74 911]

I have a '16 Golf R 6 speed. I really like it so far. Wanted a manual, hot-hatch & looked at the Focus RS & Subaru and decided the VW had better rear seating than the RS (are room) and was more mature/less ricer, than the Subie.

I went with the R over the GTI for the AWD (I live where there is still snow in winter) but after driving on actual snow tires last year (Blizzak) I bet the GTI would work fine in snow too w/a set of those... Fun car... lots of skeptics/haters out there though for some reason. Every time I post how I like mine, there always seem to be many posts that follow stating how overpriced they are, not worth the $$, blah, blah, blah... I like mine... very much a sleeper, under the radar type ride. : ) : )

[targa911S]

my son Mike has a 2017 MK 7 GTI. Crazy fast! Fun to drive. Even he says the R package is a bit over priced for what it is.

[gtc]

Originally Posted by targa911S

my son Mike has a 2017 MK 7 GTI. Crazy fast! Fun to drive. Even he says the R package is a bit over priced for what it is.

How's the torque steer?
I'm sure WRX owners say the same thing about STIs.

[targa911S]

I think it has some kind of German rocket science compensation for that.

[DWBOX2000]

Mission accomplished guys. Your great salesman. Drove it yesterday. Sound was awesome. It's amazing that it's practical too.
Thanks.

[DWBOX2000]

Friend bought, not me. Thanks again.