Picked up mine yesterday and then went back 2 hours later to pick up my sat-nav dvd that they had forgotten to give me... and there I saw it, looking pristine and eminently desirable - my old R32. Felt quite upset actually and my wife thought I was crazy.
I really didn't want to let go of that car having been to Gibraltar and back in it and despite the fuel economy - or lack of it - I absolutely loved that car. Best car I have ever had so far...
verdict's out on the Edition 30 though as I drove it home and promptly put it in the garage where it will remain for a month while I get stonechip protection, autoglym lifeshine, a personalised number plate (E3 OVW -> E30 VW), seat covers, carpet covers, new BBS alloys etc...sorted on it. However, from the initial 25 mile drive at below 3000rpm - below 2500rpm most of the way - it seems very promising. Certainly handles better than the R32 which I expected anyway and when I initially drove it it jumped forward with an urgency that wasn't there in the standard GTI -and no I didn't snatch the clutch
Its a diferent beast to the standard GTI. The tinted rear windows give a really menacing look to the all black GTI and it got a lot of stares. I think people clocked on to the fact that it wasn't an ordinary GTI and certainly doesn't look as civilised - more max-power, boy-racish, subaru impreza brigade type of ambience due to the rear tints, body kit and different alloys... not necessarily a good thing
In fact, I've been slagging of the aesthetics since I saw them, but actually in the flesh the Edition 30 looks the business and I think VW have pulled of a subversive look to it that somehow also remains subtle in the best traditions of the GTI. You look at it and think 'another GTI' but then think, hang on, it doesn't quite look right - a bit more in your face.
