...That small fractional slice where the limits of the GTI are exceeded but those of the R still hold are not likely to be something I frequently (if ever) experience and definitely not on public roads.
Not knocking the R - I think it's cool as hell and I don't doubt its owners are, or will be, well pleased.
For me, stepping up from the GTI would not be about the car at the limits, but more about the extra power, torque and control (AWD) available on a day to day basis. (At least, that's how I'd justify it to my wife.) Yes, one could rev the GTI a bit longer or drop down two gears instead of one, but you could probably make the same argument for the TSI vs. GTI. Just saying that the difference isn't necessarily just about the tenths of a second at the track.
Now, how about a Golf R vs STI comparison...
The GTI is a wonderful car..."with the performance pack" Real LSD...
I do track too, but coming from a FWD Car.. with a Real LSD and.. 290hp/320ftlbs..
you are limited with a FWD setup.. unless you go all out and have a strictly "track car"
I decided time for an upgrade... Drove the Focus ST, WRX, GTI...
All great cars..
ST is a great car, wasn't a fan of the interior.. It's leagues better than my cobalt.. I just didn't feel like it was an upgrade + elsd...
WRX excellent car, felt like my cobalt "budget inside" to many screens too looked tacky.. but excellent grip, nice engine..
brakes
GTI amazing engine and ride... excellent pedal feel "Didn't get a chance to actually try the brakes out hard enough"
At the end of the day... it came down to all still FWD, expect WRX.. but that was underpowered...
I'm sick of coming home, not being able to get up my drive way "so AWD is a must"
I don't live in the City..
But if your in the market for a new car, and you have a 30k budget get the WRX..
So the next stage... Focus RS, Subaru WRX STI and Golf R
Didn't care for the Golf R..
Sti Old engine...
Wanted the Focus RS.. now that's a beauty... until they announced the CDN pricing.. I just laughed... sure all pay 47K for a Ford Ecobox.. meanwhile I could get the m235i X-drive for 1k more.. or the CLA45 AMG for 3k more LOL
Should have been slotted between the Sti and Golf R, like in the states...I don't care for sunroofs, car covers, Pilot Sports Cup 2.. "Since I'm going to track it, I'm going to have another set of rims and tires anyways"
So then I was left with the STI, great car.. wasn't to pleased it had a 100 year old engine.. great brakes "needs better pads though", great drivetrain "REAL mechanical grip", horrible mileage, seats are blah...
Was about to put a deposit on one... But started to look at the options... wait no boy racer spoiler?! Unless I spend 2k for the next model... wait?! 6 speakers in a 37k car... unless I spend another 2k?! for a H/K system.. which is decent
US Base model.. has spoiler/led low beams.. can also get the option of h/k and keyless entry
So I took a step back... might as well check out the Golf R... got a price YIKES!!! Granted you get more options than the STI.. but that's in the 3k premium.. and a 5.9% Lease Rate doesn't help..
It was approx. $140/Month extra...
Thought it over for a few days, and said car is not worth $140 extra per month...
Even though, I get an Audi interior, Bi-Xenon Lights with Steering and Height Adjustments "would be nice, because the quickest way to the gym from my house is a backroad.. that's all curves and zero lights".. Great sound system.. and the new 2016's can play FLAC files!! I know you won't hear the difference in the car, but it would be nice not having to convert to mp3's..
Hatch would be handy, so would keyless entry and a built in nav...
So right before I was about to go pickup the STI.. VW Diesel crap happened... I emailed my sales rep at vw.. and said hey I know all this crap Is going on.. and there is a stop/sale on all diesels etc..
I said and any change, in the rates.. he said nothing... but I'm sure we can work with you.. as 35% of our business is diesels... a day later I get a call from the manager..
Price is now only $65 more per month than the STI!!!
Considering, I drive about 80-100km's a day.. I will make that up in gas mileage alone! Compared to the STI
It was a no brainer.. so I ordered a Silver Golf R 6-Speed "No tech"
Like others have mentioned, don't care for all that safety jazz lol
DSG is great.. but not for me... and the clutch is so light anyways.. so the odd time I'm stuck in traffic driving out of the city.... I can mange.. since I'm doing it with my 10lb clutch now anways lol