Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI; Day 1

[greengs]

I still think this car is about $5k overpriced given that the WRX can be had with AWD for cheaper.  $37k on the WRX gets you the automatic Sport Tech with 48+hp.

It seems like a really, really nice car, but I'd be all over the Golf R, especially if it were $37k (the Subie wouldn't stand a chance...but as it stands, the Subie is still what, $8k cheaper than the R?)

8K difference is between a base WRX and Golf R?  The two aren't comparable at all.  Golf R is pretty much loaded even in base trim.  Also it has more power than WRX.  I think better comparison is a tech STI (similar power/performance) which is more expensive than loaded Golf R so looking at it that way the R is a decent deal.

$37k isn't the base WRX.  Base WRX is $29,995, whereas $37k is literally loaded with every possible feature (incl the auto tranny).

Correct, the Golf R is rated at 292hp vs the WRX's 268hp, but the STI is 6MT only and therefore out of my concern. But read the bolded area again - I would be ALL over the R (as the better car) if it were the same price as the AWD WRX, but it's not...it's $8k more comparably-spec'd and to me that's simply not worth it.

If auto is the only option the Loaded WRX CVT is $37,395 vs loaded Golf R DSG with tech pack is $43,410.  So that's $6k not 8.  6k is a lot of money for sure.  I still haven't sat in a Golf R (or driven one) but to me WRX still feels pretty cheap and CVT doesn't really compare to DSG either.  I'm hoping one of the dealers here have a demo Golf R soon to take for a drive.

[OliverD]

They presold tons of Rs so it could be some time before you are able to test drive one.

[greengs]

They presold tons of Rs so it could be some time before you are able to test drive one.

2 of my friends are getting them soon so if all else fails I will just drive theirs 

[Dante]

Hard to fault the GTI provided it's within the budget and you don't mind its clean, classic design.

I wish they offered more colour options (I'm having a hard time deciding on the colour) and perhaps different wheels (that's me), but I can live with what they have. Happy VW decided to keep the GTI plaid seats and as a matter of fact, cloth seats.

@ Wing:

Can you take a closer (then usual) look at the fit and finish, gaps, rattles, etc.? Maybe drive over some broken pavement at relatively high speed to expose any problems (if any) in this area? Made in Mexico vs Made in Germany an issue upon visual inspection?

[OliverD]

I wish they offered more colour options (I'm having a hard time deciding on the colour) and perhaps different wheels (that's me), but I can live with what they have. Happy VW decided to keep the GTI plaid seats and as a matter of fact, cloth seats.

They're adding silver and dark blue for '16.

[joyofriding]

Maybe the mulimedia has been updates but why no USB, only proprietary cables? Apperantly this is the same situation in Audi A3.

[rrocket]

I still think this car is about $5k overpriced given that the WRX can be had with AWD for cheaper.  $37k on the WRX gets you the automatic Sport Tech with 48+hp.

It seems like a really, really nice car, but I'd be all over the Golf R, especially if it were $37k (the Subie wouldn't stand a chance...but as it stands, the Subie is still what, $8k cheaper than the R?)

8K difference is between a base WRX and Golf R?  The two aren't comparable at all.  Golf R is pretty much loaded even in base trim.  Also it has more power than WRX.  I think better comparison is a tech STI (similar power/performance) which is more expensive than loaded Golf R so looking at it that way the R is a decent deal.

$37k isn't the base WRX.  Base WRX is $29,995, whereas $37k is literally loaded with every possible feature (incl the auto tranny).

Correct, the Golf R is rated at 292hp vs the WRX's 268hp, but the STI is 6MT only and therefore out of my concern. But read the bolded area again - I would be ALL over the R (as the better car) if it were the same price as the AWD WRX, but it's not...it's $8k more comparably-spec'd and to me that's simply not worth it.

Depends what is important to you and an owner and driver

http://www.motortrend.ca/en/enthusiast/feature/consumer/1503-2015-subaru-wrx-sti-vs-2015-volkswagen-golf-r/

The Golf has tons of understeer and ""All in all, the Subaru is a more enjoyable and satisfying driver's car due to the adjustability of the AWD system"

Subaru for me!

[wing]

Maybe the mulimedia has been updates but why no USB, only proprietary cables? Apperantly this is the same situation in Audi A3.

Yup next year finally USB!   Even the PR guy made a joke about it.

[CAS]

I got my self one without the performance pkg and stick. I had considered the WRX but couldn't put up with the noise and harshness on daliy long drives - it's still a great car but not what I needed.

[Blueprint]

Maybe the mulimedia has been updates but why no USB, only proprietary cables? Apperantly this is the same situation in Audi A3.

Yup next year finally USB!   Even the PR guy made a joke about it.

This bothered me at first, but in the end you just insert your music on an SD card and you have the same result, without the "bulk" of a thumb drive sticking out like a sore...thumb. Cables are supplied for both type of iPlugs, taking care of the work phone, so the absence of USB only comes up for my personal Droid. With SD cards, Sirius, FM, CDs and the iPhone, if I REALLY need the tunes on the Droid, well there's Bluetooth. And to power it up, just plug-in a 12V-to-USB gizmo in the storage console power socket, and voilą!

[Noto]

Maybe the mulimedia has been updates but why no USB, only proprietary cables? Apperantly this is the same situation in Audi A3.

Yup next year finally USB!   Even the PR guy made a joke about it.

This bothered me at first, but in the end you just insert your music on an SD card and you have the same result, without the "bulk" of a thumb drive sticking out like a sore...thumb. Cables are supplied for both type of iPlugs, taking care of the work phone, so the absence of USB only comes up for my personal Droid. With SD cards, Sirius, FM, CDs and the iPhone, if I REALLY need the tunes on the Droid, well there's Bluetooth. And to power it up, just plug-in a 12V-to-USB gizmo in the storage console power socket, and voilą!

yes, but if we don't b!tch about it, then proprietary cables will continue

I really like the GTI, but even with the PP, it wouldn't be ideal in the snow.  Golf R is where I want to be, but I'd be pushing my pricing boundaries.

[Blueprint]

Maybe the mulimedia has been updates but why no USB, only proprietary cables? Apperantly this is the same situation in Audi A3.

Yup next year finally USB!   Even the PR guy made a joke about it.

This bothered me at first, but in the end you just insert your music on an SD card and you have the same result, without the "bulk" of a thumb drive sticking out like a sore...thumb. Cables are supplied for both type of iPlugs, taking care of the work phone, so the absence of USB only comes up for my personal Droid. With SD cards, Sirius, FM, CDs and the iPhone, if I REALLY need the tunes on the Droid, well there's Bluetooth. And to power it up, just plug-in a 12V-to-USB gizmo in the storage console power socket, and voilą!

yes, but if we don't b!tch about it, then proprietary cables will continue

I really like the GTI, but even with the PP, it wouldn't be ideal in the snow.  Golf R is where I want to be, but I'd be pushing my pricing boundaries.

More expensive than free family cars, yes? 

[Blueprint]

Maybe the mulimedia has been updates but why no USB, only proprietary cables? Apperantly this is the same situation in Audi A3.

I think in the A3 you get the privilege of paying an extra 250$ for the connection pkg. Not sure what's included in there though - hopefully more than base VW spec. Audi's website or brocures aren't, ahem, clear.

[Noto]

More expensive than free family cars, yes? 

DON'T YOU START!

[OliverD]

This bothered me at first, but in the end you just insert your music on an SD card and you have the same result, without the "bulk" of a thumb drive sticking out like a sore...thumb. Cables are supplied for both type of iPlugs, taking care of the work phone, so the absence of USB only comes up for my personal Droid. With SD cards, Sirius, FM, CDs and the iPhone, if I REALLY need the tunes on the Droid, well there's Bluetooth. And to power it up, just plug-in a 12V-to-USB gizmo in the storage console power socket, and voilą!

I believe you can also get an MDI to USB adapter cable.

[OliverD]

They presold tons of Rs so it could be some time before you are able to test drive one.

2 of my friends are getting them soon so if all else fails I will just drive theirs 

presold tons??  what constitutes tons?   maybe there's hope for the golf R wagon after all.

The number I heard was around 800 in Canada.

[Blueprint]

More expensive than free family cars, yes? 

DON'T YOU START!

yes, but if we don't b!tch about it, then proprietary cables car non-ownership will continue  

[Triple Bob]

I still think this car is about $5k overpriced given that the WRX can be had with AWD for cheaper.  $37k on the WRX gets you the automatic Sport Tech with 48+hp.

It seems like a really, really nice car, but I'd be all over the Golf R, especially if it were $37k (the Subie wouldn't stand a chance...but as it stands, the Subie is still what, $8k cheaper than the R?)

8K difference is between a base WRX and Golf R?  The two aren't comparable at all.  Golf R is pretty much loaded even in base trim.  Also it has more power than WRX.  I think better comparison is a tech STI (similar power/performance) which is more expensive than loaded Golf R so looking at it that way the R is a decent deal.

$37k isn't the base WRX.  Base WRX is $29,995, whereas $37k is literally loaded with every possible feature (incl the auto tranny).

Correct, the Golf R is rated at 292hp vs the WRX's 268hp, but the STI is 6MT only and therefore out of my concern. But read the bolded area again - I would be ALL over the R (as the better car) if it were the same price as the AWD WRX, but it's not...it's $8k more comparably-spec'd and to me that's simply not worth it.

If auto is the only option the Loaded WRX CVT is $37,395 vs loaded Golf R DSG with tech pack is $43,410.  So that's $6k not 8.  6k is a lot of money for sure.  I still haven't sat in a Golf R (or driven one) but to me WRX still feels pretty cheap and CVT doesn't really compare to DSG either.  I'm hoping one of the dealers here have a demo Golf R soon to take for a drive.

I would definitely pay $6K for the much nicer interior (careful Vman)  and the DSG over CVT.  I'm assuming the price difference is less with the manual Golf.

[OliverD]

BTW, the Performance Package doesn't just add logos to the brake calipers. The brakes are also larger. I think they're the same brakes that the Golf R has.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I still think this car is about $5k overpriced given that the WRX can be had with AWD for cheaper.  $37k on the WRX gets you the automatic Sport Tech with 48+hp.

It seems like a really, really nice car, but I'd be all over the Golf R, especially if it were $37k (the Subie wouldn't stand a chance...but as it stands, the Subie is still what, $8k cheaper than the R?)

8K difference is between a base WRX and Golf R?  The two aren't comparable at all.  Golf R is pretty much loaded even in base trim.  Also it has more power than WRX.  I think better comparison is a tech STI (similar power/performance) which is more expensive than loaded Golf R so looking at it that way the R is a decent deal.

$37k isn't the base WRX.  Base WRX is $29,995, whereas $37k is literally loaded with every possible feature (incl the auto tranny).

Correct, the Golf R is rated at 292hp vs the WRX's 268hp, but the STI is 6MT only and therefore out of my concern. But read the bolded area again - I would be ALL over the R (as the better car) if it were the same price as the AWD WRX, but it's not...it's $8k more comparably-spec'd and to me that's simply not worth it.

If auto is the only option the Loaded WRX CVT is $37,395 vs loaded Golf R DSG with tech pack is $43,410.  So that's $6k not 8.  6k is a lot of money for sure.  I still haven't sat in a Golf R (or driven one) but to me WRX still feels pretty cheap and CVT doesn't really compare to DSG either.  I'm hoping one of the dealers here have a demo Golf R soon to take for a drive.

I would definitely pay $6K for the much nicer interior (careful Vman)  and the DSG over CVT.  I'm assuming the price difference is less with the manual Golf.

I definitely wouldn't. The interior differences are imperceptible to me and the CVT is much smoother around town than the DSG, which still has difficulties at low speed.