Need Some Expert/Professional Advise, Opinions and/or Review/Suggestions

[GotTurboInside]

Hey guys, I'm in a terrible dilemma  in deciding which car to get. Thus I kindly seek your opinions and suggestions. I've narrowed down to a few listed below.

1) 06 or 07 R32
2) MK 5
3) Evo 9
4) WRX or STI

Needless to say my heart's leaning towards the R32 more followed by the MK 5. If the MK6 was up I'll take it for sure in a heart beat!

Now, option 3 and 4 yield more BHP but nowhere near the luxuries. of option 1 and 2! My gut and heart tells me the R32 is better! I'm really lost and confused! help me pls! LOL

I'll take every comment, view and criticism with a pinch of salt and open mind  as we all feel and have different views on stuff.Thanx alot guys! appreciate it very much!

[JonnyG]

An R32 or ED30 for me.

Both great cars, in a different way 

Here's an old comparison I wrote just after getting my R32 last year :-

Well I've just switched to a new R32 after owning an ED 30 GTi, and before that a Mk V GTi, so feel I should share my experience with you 

All cars were standard with no remaps

1.  Pace - The R32 is still running in and feeling quicker each week.  Nevertheless the ED30 "felt" more punchier after 3500rpm, especially in 3rd and 4th gear.  In comparison the R32 just oozes low down power and delivers smooth accelaration all the way to the red line with no turbo "punch".  I reckon performance is very similar in a straight line on a dry road.  So 8/10 for both cars.  The standard GTi felt slighty less powerful at higher revs and a bit slower at motorway speeds so 7/10.

2.  Guzzling gas     

The ED30 managed an overall 27.36mpg average for me (with plenty of city commuting) over 12500 miles

The R32 is managing an overall 24.12mpg so far (and steadily improving) after 1600 miles (same roads etc as ED30)

The standard GTi managed 28.9mpg overall

So 6/10 for the ED30, 4/10 for the R32 and 7/10 for the standard GTi 

3.  The driving experience is completey different between the two cars, but both very enjoybale.  The R32 with it's Haldex 4wd is just incredible for traction - you can boot it out of side roads, exiting roundabouts and away from the lights with no fuss or wheelspin.  On the move the R32 feels heavier and less "chuckable" than the GTi but with awesome amount of grips around  corners.   The GTi by comparison feels lighter and more nimble, but tractions can be a problem at times and you have to learn to feather the throttle to avoid wheelspin.  Uphill in the wet or even damp I could still get a little wheelspin in 3rd (no remap either).

Have to say this is difficult to score, the R32 scores best for traction & grip but the GTi  scores better for chuckability and fun.  Both cars are fantastic to drive so 9/10 for both   

4.  The R32 sounds superb and running it on V-Power and Tesco 99 everyone says it sounds like a rally car     

My ED30 did'nt sound so bad either ... nothing like the V6 but it had a nice deep rasp at idle and sounded quite purposeful when pressing on.  In comparison my 1st standard GTi sounded like a tractor at idle    and never sounded as good as the ED 30. 

So 10/10 for the R32  ,   8/10 for the ED30 and 6/10 for the GTi.
 
R32 Plus points :

1.  Getting away from a standstill with 4WD and DSG   :  it's just TOO easy 
2.  The sound of the exhaust
3.  The "catapult" feel you get as you boot it away from corners and roundabouts

Minus points

1.  MPG
2.  Vehicle Tax
3.  Weight
 
ED 30 plus points : 

1.  Handling is more fun (lighter and more nimble)
2.  The turbo "punch" after around 3250rpm
3.  Cheap to remap

Minus Points

1. Traction
2. Traction !
3. Not much else

My conclusion :  I would be happy with either a ED30 or R32, they both edge out the standard GTi IMHO. 

[DanoGTI]

Well, I've had 2 Scoobies, and currently have a mk5 gti.

The Subaru has had its day - they were fantastic motors. Both of mine were modded and were monsters. They screamed at you "DRIVE ME, DRIVE ME, DRIVE ME!!!".
The downside? Expensive to run compared to the VAG stuff. Poor image now. Cheap/plasticy interior.
Pros? The sound. Ballistic performance and handling that leaves them all for dead apart from the Evo. Sorry guys. They are also BULLET-proof unless you mistreat it.

Try the new ones - meh. Unimpressed.

IMHO, the next best thing that is a better all-rounder is the R32. or if you have more money than you know what to do with, the Evo

If you need to know anything about the Scoobs, gimme a PM - I was heavily into them for 10 years!

Dan

[GotTurboInside]

An R32 or ED30 for me.

Both great cars, in a different way 

Here's an old comparison I wrote just after getting my R32 last year :-

Well I've just switched to a new R32 after owning an ED 30 GTi, and before that a Mk V GTi, so feel I should share my experience with you 

All cars were standard with no remaps

1.  Pace - The R32 is still running in and feeling quicker each week.  Nevertheless the ED30 "felt" more punchier after 3500rpm, especially in 3rd and 4th gear.  In comparison the R32 just oozes low down power and delivers smooth accelaration all the way to the red line with no turbo "punch".  I reckon performance is very similar in a straight line on a dry road.  So 8/10 for both cars.  The standard GTi felt slighty less powerful at higher revs and a bit slower at motorway speeds so 7/10.

2.  Guzzling gas     

The ED30 managed an overall 27.36mpg average for me (with plenty of city commuting) over 12500 miles

The R32 is managing an overall 24.12mpg so far (and steadily improving) after 1600 miles (same roads etc as ED30)

The standard GTi managed 28.9mpg overall

So 6/10 for the ED30, 4/10 for the R32 and 7/10 for the standard GTi 

3.  The driving experience is completey different between the two cars, but both very enjoybale.  The R32 with it's Haldex 4wd is just incredible for traction - you can boot it out of side roads, exiting roundabouts and away from the lights with no fuss or wheelspin.  On the move the R32 feels heavier and less "chuckable" than the GTi but with awesome amount of grips around  corners.   The GTi by comparison feels lighter and more nimble, but tractions can be a problem at times and you have to learn to feather the throttle to avoid wheelspin.  Uphill in the wet or even damp I could still get a little wheelspin in 3rd (no remap either).

Have to say this is difficult to score, the R32 scores best for traction & grip but the GTi  scores better for chuckability and fun.  Both cars are fantastic to drive so 9/10 for both   

4.  The R32 sounds superb and running it on V-Power and Tesco 99 everyone says it sounds like a rally car     

My ED30 did'nt sound so bad either ... nothing like the V6 but it had a nice deep rasp at idle and sounded quite purposeful when pressing on.  In comparison my 1st standard GTi sounded like a tractor at idle    and never sounded as good as the ED 30. 

So 10/10 for the R32  ,   8/10 for the ED30 and 6/10 for the GTi.
 
R32 Plus points :

1.  Getting away from a standstill with 4WD and DSG   :  it's just TOO easy 
2.  The sound of the exhaust
3.  The "catapult" feel you get as you boot it away from corners and roundabouts

Minus points

1.  MPG
2.  Vehicle Tax
3.  Weight
 
ED 30 plus points : 

1.  Handling is more fun (lighter and more nimble)
2.  The turbo "punch" after around 3250rpm
3.  Cheap to remap

Minus Points

1. Traction
2. Traction !
3. Not much else

My conclusion :  I would be happy with either a ED30 or R32, they both edge out the standard GTi IMHO. 

Hi thanx a lot for the awesome write up. Well I guess the "punch" in the R32 could be settled with a remap? Possible to fetch about 310HP from a Stage 1? Wild guess lol 

IMHO, the next best thing that is a better all-rounder is the R32. or if you have more money than you know what to do with, the Evo

Dan

I agree with you! Since I'm gonna have to keep this car for another 5 years or more, I'm thinking the R32 would be a safe bet, plus a remap! 
And yea, the current production of Subaru's are not very impressive. I was expecting better actually.

[JonnyG]

No real gains from a remap alone on the R32 I'm afraid (non turbo) ... maybe 260bhp at best 

http://www.r32oc.com/general-chat/5023-whats-needed-300bhp.html

but don't let that put you off the R32 as every bit of the available bhp is useable all of the time with the AWD. 

If you want a good all rounder, either Golf is a great choice. 

[Chris MKV]

My brother has a wrx and he has made it very clear that he thinks our golf gti pirrelli is a better allround car. The wrx is more hardcore the golf is a lot more refined and stylish. At the end of the day that is the choice.

[GotTurboInside]

No real gains from a remap alone on the R32 I'm afraid (non turbo) ... maybe 260bhp at best 

http://www.r32oc.com/general-chat/5023-whats-needed-300bhp.html

but don't let that put you off the R32 as every bit of the available bhp is useable all of the time with the AWD. 

If you want a good all rounder, either Golf is a great choice. 

My goodness, no turbo? I'm truly disappointed now! I was thinking it was turbo'ed!
Well, in my place here, if you're caught with a turbo or supercharger in your car when its factory NA, the car will be confiscated. And you will get a jail term and a hefty fine as well.

So the only way I can "live" happily is to get a Turbo'ed car.
Sadly, it seems that the R32 is out now 

[Primus84]

Why does it *have* to have a turbo?

[Jkctr]

I suggest you go do some proper research if you though the R32 was a turbo 

[Jimp]

I went for a test drive in an R32 before and to be honest, who needs a turbo when you have all of your power available all the time! It was amazing. Put your foot down and it goes from quietly trundling along to roaring down the road instnatly. And that engine noise  The DSG box is fantastic too. It's my dream car for sure.
Besides, you cna always get the R32 turbo'd for a few grand more