Road Test: VW Golf R Review

DannyITR

Administrator
Staff member
We had a review psoted ten days ago by Motor Trend. Let's see what Autoguide thinks of the Golf R. The Ford Focus ST seems to come up a lot in comparisons as a better value.

VW-GOLF-R-Main_rdax_646x396.jpg


A RARE V-DUB AND LOOKS IT

Halo car? Generally that term is reserved for six-figure supercars with uncountable horses underhood, but in the case of the Golf R, the idea fits. Production for North America is extremely limited; Canada sold out of its 500 allotted units within a few hours of being put on sale, while the United States might get five times that. So, say, 3,000 total for such a huge population means it’s just as rare as nearly any Porsche, Audi or Corvette.
And in the bright Rising Blue Metallic paint, enormous gaping air ducts, twin center-mounted exhaust and R-specific 18-inch wheels really help set the ultimate Golf apart from its more plebeian counterparts. Car-fans and VW nuts spotted it almost immediately.

Watching out for drivers piloting three-color third-gen Jettas and gently-aged Passats distracted by the R’s presence was a daily exercise. This car certainly turns heads, although they’re usually wearing flat-brimmed baseball caps perched at jaunty angles...
GTI ON STEROIDS

So what exactly are those fans excited about? Well, the R is the most powerful production Golf yet, offering 256 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque out of that familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Previous R models – dubbed R32 – used normally aspirated 3.2-liter V6 engines, but topped out at around 240 horsepower. Like those older generations, though, the new ‘R’ does get 4MOTION all-wheel drive, which gives it plenty of traction and stability, especially in messy conditions. It also helps the Golf R run the 0-60 mph test in only 5.6 seconds.


Read the rest here:

http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/volkswagen/2013-volkswagen-golf-r-review-2345.html
 
I hate reviews from Autoguide.com and it is not true the 500 for Canada were sold out in hours, that is total bs. Back in May you could still get the R in any color. However, as mentioned in a previous thread this car is not worth the $40k price tag and premium over the GTI.
 
I hate reviews from Autoguide.com and it is not true the 500 for Canada were sold out in hours, that is total bs. Back in May you could still get the R in any color. However, as mentioned in a previous thread this car is not worth the $40k price tag and premium over the GTI.

How many of each (GTI and R) have you driven and to what extent? The R trumps the GTI on every level, exclusivity + AWD are enough to justify the difference in price. It's interesting that things were "mentioned" in a previous thread, but by who?
 
How many of each (GTI and R) have you driven and to what extent? The R trumps the GTI on every level, exclusivity + AWD are enough to justify the difference in price. It's interesting that things were "mentioned" in a previous thread, but by who?

Pure fanboy response.
 
How many of each (GTI and R) have you driven and to what extent? The R trumps the GTI on every level, exclusivity + AWD are enough to justify the difference in price. It's interesting that things were "mentioned" in a previous thread, but by who?

Whether something justifies the price differs from person to person. It's an opinion. If the price difference is too high, some people won't even look at it.

People will never try ALL the cars in a given price range. Preferences and opinions matter to car purchases, people don't conduct scientific research. They pick 3-4 cars and feel them out.

"How many x and y cars have you driven?" Who cares? This is a random on a forum, not a reputable scientific reviewer. Most car reviewers only do a slightly more complex version of the "feel out" anyway.

I've tried a gti once and rode in an r once. Obviously the r is better in every way. But I would never consider paying that price for one. It's overpriced. Many others feel this way too. And no, I don't need to cite them, because its just my opinions agreeing with some other people's fucking opinions.
 
Pure fanboy response.

Because I'd buy an R over a GTI? Strong argument.

Whether something justifies the price differs from person to person. It's an opinion. If the price difference is too high, some people won't even look at it.

People will never try ALL the cars in a given price range. Preferences and opinions matter to car purchases, people don't conduct scientific research. They pick 3-4 cars and feel them out.

"How many x and y cars have you driven?" Who cares? This is a random on a forum, not a reputable scientific reviewer. Most car reviewers only do a slightly more complex version of the "feel out" anyway.

I've tried a gti once and rode in an r once. Obviously the r is better in every way. But I would never consider paying that price for one. It's overpriced. Many others feel this way too. And no, I don't need to cite them, because its just my opinions agreeing with some other people's fucking opinions.

That's cute. I based my opinion on my experiences actually driving both cars pretty close to their limits, not by knowing someone who knew someone who once sat in the car. Regardless, doesn't matter if you think it's overpriced or if you know many people that think so too. The R didn't have a problem selling itself.
 
Jesus christ. The whole point is that you don't fucking have to. It's other people's opinions. "I drove these cars close to their limits". Good for you buddy. Go buy one. No need to get so damn defensive.

Point being: people who can't take discussions or the opinions of others without getting defensive and condescending are assholes who ruin the community for everyone.

What you are saying and the way you say it isn't getting "well the R is actually a good car" across. It's getting "R fans are assholes" across.
 
Jesus christ. The whole point is that you don't fucking have to. It's other people's opinions. "I drove these cars close to their limits". Good for you buddy. Go buy one. No need to get so damn defensive.

Point being: people who can't take discussions or the opinions of others without getting defensive and condescending are assholes who ruin the community for everyone.

What you are saying and the way you say it isn't getting "well the R is actually a good car" across. It's getting "R fans are assholes" across.

It's k, I'm already labeled as an asshole simply for owning a VW. It's not my attitude that's ruining the community, it's the hypocrisy. How am I being defensive when all I'm doing is backing up my opinions with actual experiences? The tone of this conversation needs to be brought down a notch. Sure it's a difference of opinions, but some opinions are baseless and misleading.
 
I'm still in love with the sound of the 3.2.
Its not fair to compare this car to an a4, its not the same market at all but I do agree that this car deserved a little more HP to fairly compete with the Evo and STi. They're always in the same price range but they fall short on HP. It is a German car so you get the quality you expect
 
Because I'd buy an R over a GTI? Strong argument.



That's cute. I based my opinion on my experiences actually driving both cars pretty close to their limits, not by knowing someone who knew someone who once sat in the car. Regardless, doesn't matter if you think it's overpriced or if you know many people that think so too. The R didn't have a problem selling itself.

Congratulations on your driving experience at the "limit" as if that is representative of a daily commute. The GTI does a fantastic job at that for everyday driving and even the occasional track day, if you want to blow an additional $12-$15K on AWD, leather seats and a badge it is our prerogative but the R is not worth the premium price tag over the very good GTI. At $40K + taxes + dealer prep + all other fees there are much better choices in terms of fun factor.
 
Congratulations on your driving experience at the "limit" as if that is representative of a daily commute. The GTI does a fantastic job at that for everyday driving and even the occasional track day, if you want to blow an additional $12-$15K on AWD, leather seats and a badge it is our prerogative but the R is not worth the premium price tag over the very good GTI. At $40K + taxes + dealer prep + all other fees there are much better choices in terms of fun factor.

I'm a VW fanboy and I totally agree with this...

Envoyé depuis mon SGH-I747M avec Tapatalk
 
Congratulations on your driving experience at the "limit" as if that is representative of a daily commute. The GTI does a fantastic job at that for everyday driving and even the occasional track day, if you want to blow an additional $12-$15K on AWD, leather seats and a badge it is our prerogative but the R is not worth the premium price tag over the very good GTI. At $40K + taxes + dealer prep + all other fees there are much better choices in terms of fun factor.

Sure, especially if you consider the fact that the VR6 was replaced by a first gen 2.0T. For that reason alone I wouldn't buy one. But you have to consider exclusivity as well as what the badge means to enthusiasts (or used to mean). For the price I still think it's absolutely worth it for someone who likes the entire package. I'm also sure that the resale value will remain very high as with previous generations of the R (r32)
 
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