[Artmasterx]

Here are the details:
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car...hotos_and_info

Basically, 256 HP, 243 lb-ft in stock form, though I would imagine this could easily go to 275-300 HP with a simple tune. The 3-door is sort of a base model, where the 5-door forces you to get a sunroof and nav and is $2k more off the bat.

The interior looks great IMO, and the seats look very nice.

I threw up a little bit in my mouth when I saw the 5-door price... I was expecting around $35 though.

Regardless, it is now officially off my list, at least until it depreciates a lot.

When you can get a WRX from $10k less, it's hard to justify the VW, even if the interior is way better.

I suppose if someone must have a European hatch, it probably is the nicest European hatchback (available in the US) until (and if) we ever get a S3 or RS3.

Anyway, I figure someone would be interested because it has been discussed on here a bit.

[Mx736]

I was gonna get one of these last year when everyone thought they were coming to the US. I got a 335 instead, but after having so many problems with it, im looking for something else.

[GreasyGinzo]

I was waiting for this car to but I got impatient and bought an M3

[Silver-Bolt]

Had an 08 R32. Won't go down that road again.

[lcrain]

I currently drive a MKV GLI and I really have enjoyed it a lot. Upgrading in the near future and want to love the R...but having a hard time. I want an "upgrade" and while the R has awd (don't really need it), more hp (I have a giac tune which puts my hp around 250), bigger wheels, updated styling, there is a lot that is too similar to my GLI. Seats are exactly the same, engine is a variant of mine with a bigger turbo...I just don't think I can justify 35k for one. As that article mentioned, there are many other cars that come into play in that price range. I will have to drive one, but will likely get something else.

[jaco]

Why wouldn't you just get a $800 APR tune to make the same power?

[chuxdelux]

Im in the same boat. I just parted and sold my 04 r32 in preparation for the Golf R. Ive been a vw enthuiast for years, but Volkswagen are getting more espensive and less apealing. I mean $40k for a vehicle with 256hp. They(vw) are always behind the power curve...disappointing.
Not to mention, the dealers here in HI have astronomical markups. This is why I have been looking at M3s for a replacement vehicle. If Im gonna pay these kinda prices for an "economy car" I might as well get what I really want.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by jaco

Why wouldn't you just get a $800 APR tune to make the same power?

Because you'd be missing on out some half-ass Haldex "awd". I test drove the original R32 and it was fun, for the $25k price, but still felt really nose heavy and fwd. The second R32 was a pig with a silly gearbox. This one seems like a move in the right direction, but forcing 5-door buyers into a fully kitted up model just seems dumb. I had mild interest in this car, but will be taking it off the list completely.

[mdosu]

or you can just buy an Evo and STi.

[Raja Ventureshield]

why do so many poeple say that they would never own vw again or go down that road again? Is it that bad? I never owned a vw. My sister had an older jetta, which was pretty solid for us.

[Silver-Bolt]

Originally Posted by Raja Ventureshield

why do so many poeple say that they would never own vw again or go down that road again? Is it that bad? I never owned a vw. My sister had an older jetta, which was pretty solid for us.

I have no issues with the VW brand. The R32 I had was a major let down. It drove much more like a FWD than an AWD. Gas mileage was horrible. 14-15mpg in town and 20mpg on the hwy if you kept it under 70mph. A car that size should not weigh 3600lbs. Road noise was terrible.

VW has some fun products on the horizon which I will likely explore.

[TEAM SLO]

I can't believe they are trying to justify either of those prices for the Golf R?!?!?!

[ragingclue]

Hmm, I hate to say it but at that price, I'd rather step up to the STi.

[abisson]

It is way too much... but I have to say, I haven't had any problems with my GTI so far... (only one at the beginning, but was quickly fixed).

And my parents have been long time VW customers and same deal. No problem. But 36k for that when you can get an STI... hard to justify.

[yakev724]

I'm not very experienced with VW (have driven only a few cars, owned none), but it seems that they're good at base golf, base jetta, gti, and diesel engines (which are good in the EU, but still a bit pointless here).

I'd take a GTI but would want little else with the brand. $35k buys a lightly used 135i, a car which, imo, BMW does better.

[mmm def]

Too much $. I'll take a 135 with snows for that $. My MK6 was overpriced at $29k.

[KingOfJericho]

Whoa - a solid $5k more than I was anticipating. I would get an STI before this without hesitation. Nice interior but questionable reliability. When you drive a BMW hard, it feels like it wants more. When you drive a VW hard, it feels like it's begging you to stop.

[Rs-S4]

nice car by way overpriced. a $22,000 cobalt ss turbo had the same numbers

[ALPINE6SPD]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Whoa - a solid $5k more than I was anticipating. I would get an STI before this without hesitation. Nice interior but questionable reliability. When you drive a BMW hard, it feels like it wants more. When you drive a VW hard, it feels like it's begging you to stop.

How could you come up with that when the average GTI goes for high 20's and this car adds AWD, more power and even more equipment. You expected it to be 30k???? Also how could it cost less than the previous R32's? I never understand some peoples thinking.

[yakev724]

Originally Posted by ALPINE6SPD

How could you come up with that when the average GTI goes for high 20's and this car adds AWD, more power and even more equipment. You expected it to be 30k???? Also how could it cost less than the previous R32's? I never understand some peoples thinking.

I don't think it's an unreasonable expectation when the new R adds only 10hp/tq to the previous R32.

This is what, imo, makes the difference. They could (should) have used the 2.5 TTRS block, pushed 135 numbers for a -$5k+ difference. Then they'd have business and the car would be respected.

It's hardly surprising when you have audi behind their new S3/RS3. I'm sure VAG is limiting the power of this car substantially, and would prefer to have Audi's cars competing directly with BMW. As a result, everything fast from VAG is overpriced and we all stick to BMW

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by ALPINE6SPD

How could you come up with that when the average GTI goes for high 20's and this car adds AWD, more power and even more equipment. You expected it to be 30k???? Also how could it cost less than the previous R32's? I never understand some peoples thinking.

Some of us occasionally make mistakes like thinking that car companies might actually learn something. The last shit box R32 didn't sell, largely due to the price and the lame DSG, locally they had $5k incentives and still sat on the lot.


While many GTI's sticker for close to $30k, most don't sell for sticker. Aside from Haldex, what does the US Golf R add over an Autobahn package GTI? There certainly doesn't appear to be $7k worth of difference. Our version doesn't get the seats, LED tail lights or suspension of the Euro version, so why is it so expensive? If the base were around $32k and the fluffed up versions were closer to $34k, this might make sense, but the current pricing totally misses the mark.

[TEAM SLO]

Originally Posted by ALPINE6SPD

How could you come up with that when the average GTI goes for high 20's and this car adds AWD, more power and even more equipment. You expected it to be 30k???? Also how could it cost less than the previous R32's? I never understand some peoples thinking.

I thought those were over priced as well. Having had quite a few cars all in the similar price range, none of the VW's have ever been a top 10 choice for me. Just my opinion though, some others will disagree.