VW Golf R

"Reigntastic" (reigntastic) 01/10/2014 at 15:39 • Filed to: None

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I've managed to find more than a few very clean examples of these, and they absolutely check all my boxes. The one pictured has under 8k miles, AWD (standard), two doors, and best yet, a manual. I am seriously considering test driving one, just because it seems to check all of my boxes.

I drove a 2010 Jetta Wolfsburg Edition for a while, and that was fun, but honestly my biggest complaint was that it was FWD, and this solves that, with (supposedly) the ability to even direct 100% of the power to the rear wheels; with modding I could possibly have a full time RWD hot hatch.

Really the only downside is the price tag.

Does anybody here have experience driving them or thoughts on them?

RaymondStantz > Reigntastic 01/10/2014 at 15:42

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Just drive it. Not as visceral as a WRX or Evo, but it's refined, has a good aftermarket, and a great community around it.

The Ghost of Oppo > Reigntastic 01/10/2014 at 15:45

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Don't consider test driving one, just do it! They are a lot of fun and finding ones that new is the way to go

maximillious > Reigntastic 01/10/2014 at 15:45

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This car was top of my list as a new car. Then I test drove it. While it is a comfortable and well equipped vehicle, the power it puts down is so restricted under the weight its not nearly as fast as you would anticipate. However, an AWD hot hatch is something I have always wanted and i knew that the weight of that feature would have a major factor on the car. All in all it was a good car, just wasn't enough there to justify the price. In a couple of years I think I will try to track down one of the incoming R's i hear they are going to be the pinnacle of VW Hot hatch history

Textured Soy Protein > Reigntastic 01/10/2014 at 15:45

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You don't want to try converting a Haldex awd car to rwd. Just, no.

Depending on the price I would probably take an STi or Evo over a Golf R unless you are particularly impressed with VW soft touch plastics and a somewhat smoother ride.

Jagvar > Reigntastic 01/10/2014 at 15:46

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Everyone I know who's owned one has loved it. And if you're buying pre-owned, then someone else is taking the brunt of the depreciation hit.

Party-vi > Reigntastic 01/10/2014 at 15:51

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Paging Saracen....

highmodulus > Reigntastic 01/10/2014 at 15:52

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Go ahead and get that extended warranty. . .

Stupidru > Textured Soy Protein 01/10/2014 at 15:53

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Considering Americans probably spend as much time in their car as they do in their living rooms, yes, give me soft-touch plastics. Subaru interiors are worlds better than Mitsubishi interiors, and VW interiors are worlds above Subaru interiors.

Stupidru > Reigntastic 01/10/2014 at 15:53

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Dammit! I thought I was so clever coming up with the perfect car, but now everybody seems to want one

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > Reigntastic 01/10/2014 at 15:53

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My mom wants one of these.

I love my mom :D

STAGGERED-6 > Textured Soy Protein 01/10/2014 at 16:14

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You can get a haldex controler if you want to tinker with the awd. I've been daily driving my 08 R32 for the last few years and believe me there's a ton of ways to make the R whatever you want it to be to suit your driving style. You'll be happy either way, I can assure you that. It'll def hang with the big boys through the tight and twisties.

STAGGERED-6 > Textured Soy Protein 01/10/2014 at 16:14

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You can get a haldex controler if you want to tinker with the awd. I've been daily driving my 08 R32 for the last few years and believe me there's a ton of ways to make the R whatever you want it to be to suit your driving style. You'll be happy either way, I can assure you that. It'll def hang with the big boys through the tight and twisties.

Newsboy > Reigntastic 01/10/2014 at 16:16

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Entered my first SCCA RoadRally last weekend, and a couple guys showed up in a a Golf R and matching VW Racing jackets...then took first in Novice class.

Textured Soy Protein > STAGGERED-6 01/10/2014 at 16:22

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A Haldex controller will change the front/rear bias of the awd but it's not going to make the car rwd.

Saracen > highmodulus 01/10/2014 at 16:22

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Not necessary =P

Saracen > Reigntastic 01/10/2014 at 16:24

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DO it. I did. 39k miles later I still love it and haven't looked back.

I'd take it over a WRX or Evo again.

Stage 2 upgrades and an HPA Competition Haldex controller + ESC defeat, you'll have a 350+ horsepower hot hatch with neutral handling.

STAGGERED-6 > Textured Soy Protein 01/10/2014 at 16:34

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True, you'll never get more than 50/50 and you'll be running the chance of overheating the haldex as well.

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > Saracen 01/10/2014 at 16:39

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Have you gone stage 2?

I'm still waiting patiently for my power train warranty to run out on my GTI... and waiting...

Saracen > Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger 01/10/2014 at 16:41

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My warranty has been out for a couple of months.

I am trying to decide on which exhaust, and letting my spending money recover from christmas. it might wait till APR's spring sale.

gabdere > Reigntastic 01/10/2014 at 18:36

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If the price tag is a downside, how about a 08 R32? Not very different from your Jetta (except touchscreen) and you save A LOT of $. Look for low mileage one, you could get a pretty good price on your Jetta so the R32 would be considerably cheaper than a R.

At the end of the day, its a 2.0T with 256hp vs a 3.2 with 255hp.

Agrajag > Newsboy 01/10/2014 at 21:32

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That is a happy car.

Saracen > gabdere 01/10/2014 at 23:20

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more importantly, flappy paddles vs a man pedal.

You also won't get a whole lot more than 250hp out of the VR6 without sinking tens of thousands into an HPA turbo system. A Golf R is 2k away from 300+whp.