Two problems - you can't get a stick. I would consider a lightly used Golf R, but it has to have three pedals.

I'm also a fan of the Focus and have considered one for a daily. Unfortunately, they're changing the front end styling this year to look like a Fusion. The face on the fusion is okay but one of things I like about the Focus is the current styling. I hope they don't mess with too much else.

I never said I wanted a stick.

In almost 30 years of driving, I've never owned an automatic, other than the car my wife drives. At this point though, my commute is bad enough that I'm willing to give it up.

Mazdaspeed 3 :--) Fun, practical, not boring, reliable.

My GTI is my first car without a stick. The DSG was one of the reasons I bought it. I love the DSG and don't miss shifting one bit. If I want to shift I can drive my 911 once and a while. The paddle shifters that come with the DSG are fun too if I'm in the mood to be more involved

id say to get a new wrx, the only downside is mpg though that is improved.

If you are set on 2 pedal it would be cool to try out a DSG. Too bad the only automated manuals in this segment are VAG at this point I think.

I dont trust the reliability of VAG products at this point. The evidence is anecdotal but there is enough of it to scare me off.

Love my 2013 Golf R 4-door daily-driver. Rs are only available with a manual. But you can't get a new one right now - there are no 2014 Rs. You have to wait for the (even better) 2015 model.

I stand corrected on the R, I was mixing it up with the R32 which has been DSG for a while. Worth noting though, a new R is about $10k more than a GTi.

It should ! I am just finishing my ownership experience with a 2007 Passat Wagon 3.6 4Motion.

It was expensive, the car always made me nervous. It was fun until the troubles started

It's getting a steering column lock sensor done for the 2nd time,right now. It's getting traded very soon. The treatment from the dealership was worse.

My 2013 R replaced my 2004 R32 (with 134k miles) - the 2004 R32 was a truly great car with a truly great engine. The original R32 (U.S.) was only available in 2004 (5k units) & only with a manual. The next R32 was also only sold for 1 year - 2008 (5k units) - & it was only available with paddle-shifters. I passed on it because I want a manual.

The Golf R was sold in both 2- & 4-door models in 2012 & 2013. I think they imported about 5,600 in the 2 years combined.

You are correct about the price difference between the R & GTI. In fact, I initially didn't consider the R because it was too expensive. The differences between the R & GTI are great. I did not want a FWD car, so the GTI (which is a great car) was not on the list. I also like that the R has 56 (28%) more horsepower than the GTI! Here is a link to a VW press release highlighting the many differences, including HP, IRS, firmer suspension, brakes, steering ratio & of course, AWD: Volkswagen of America Releases 2012 Golf R Specs and Pricing.

So far (11k miles) I love my R, although the turbo has to be driven a bit differently (revs!) than the VR6.

Here's a photo of my R with its winter boots on.



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1398270463.jpg

What is your location and commute like? I wouldn't consider a daily that isn't AWD in my area, otherwise I would support the Focus ST option.

As to the VAG hate - My B5 S4 was by far and away the best daily driver I've ever had... and the most expensive. Truly - even more than the 951. If I made more moola I would deal with it because when well maintained they are absolute bliss (actually, I would probably get a C5 Allroad and mod it a little). On the other hand, I had a MkIII Jetta with a 2.0l ABA in it, which was quite possibly the worst driving and worst constructed car in the history of time. VAG products vary, but as a rule I would only consider one made in Germany and well maintained. (But I wouldn't pay $35k for a Golf, R or not.)

To each his own, but I daily drove a 996 with snow tires all winter. A Focus ST, or any other FWD car, would be a breeze with snow tires.

I'm in upstate New York near buffalo and never had a problem with front wheel drive cars

The climate here is unique to say the least. Close to 100 days per year there is snow on the ground. There are a significant number of hills/slopes to negotiate. And during the winter there are likely 90 days where a 5"+ snowfall may occur (it generally only happens 2-5 times per year, but you have really no idea when).

*The day counts are scientific wild a** guesses, but at least scientific.

If I lived 100 miles SW in the Tri-Cities, or 200 mi W on the other side of the Cascades, I wouldn't be concerned with AWD either. But, I'm in a unique area and the places I have to be are far too important to wait a day for plows to come through (because I am super important - intentionally sarcastic).

When I went shopping last, I wanted a hatchback two door and a stick to go with something entertaining. I drove a Civic but couldn't get a stick. Drove a Mazda and was really close to buying as it was fast and felt well built but something was missing that I couldn't put my finger on. Would have gone with the VW but again no stick and no two door. Finally went with the Mini. Got what I wanted plus 40 mpg.