GTI to an R... worth it?

[Exonian]

Well, it's now a year since I bought my second mk6 GTI and it's that time of year again where I'm getting itchy feet and might need an autumn project.

The mk7 has finally surfaced and despite the obvious fact that it's going to be better than a mk6 it hasn't exactly set my pulse alight. The GTI is still a little way off and the R will be even further off and too much money for a mere mortal like me. And then we will have to wait for quite a while for the tuning options to start to filter through.

So, there have been a few of us now who have finally succumbed to R ownership now that the prices have started to drop a bit and I've noticed a few late 2010 models starting to appear a more realistic prices which would be far more appealing to me than the huge hit of a new car.

I know nobody is going to admit that they've just spent circa 25 - 30k and they'd made a mistake! But how do they compare on a daily basis?
The ED35 is of no interest to me, they're too similar in age and spec to my car to offer even the slightest temptation and with the simple addition of a downpipe and some stage 2 software I'm sure there would be nothing in the performance between my 'normal' GTI and a mapped ED35.

I didn't take too huge a hit on depreciation on my 09 GTI but this 11 plate one will no doubt more than make up for that so the car would have to be a huge improvement to make any sense in changing cars so soon. Otherwise I might as well just tile my bathroom as a project instead... but although that would get me brownie points at home - it's just not the same!! 

And before anyone says 'just go and drive one', I'll point out that there isn't one in a dealership within an hour of me and a test drive wouldn't give me as detailed opinion of long term ownership as the thoughts of a fellow GTI forum-ite.

[The Doc]

Buy one then map it 

[Neil gti]

Then map it somemore !! 
I too are getting itchy feet after 3 years 

[Ginge 35Edition]

I've only had mine a year and keep thinking about an. Personally I'm gonna hold out for the mk7.

[Damo66]

I have owned an R and am currently driving an Ed35 some may think I am mad and honestly maybe right, I have owned many VW's and couldn't wait to get my R. I ran it for 14 months and 8k and although I enjoyed it I can truthfully say a GTI is a better all round car, most of my driving is on B roads and the R suspension is totally different to the GTI, Map what you have and trust VW the mk7 in 12 months time will not disappoint, I certainly will order one the day they are released....... 

[KennyGTI]

If you can afford it and want it, then go for it!

I love my GTI, but the R was always at the back of my mind and I knew I was always going to get one, one day, especially after having a test drive! I personally did not notice the harsh ride and I doubt you will eithers as you are currently running 19s. You should make the treck and have a test drive in one, 4wd is simply amazing a great fun 

[dubber36]

I guess if you have the means to do it, they why not, but to me, changing an already good car so soon would be a monumental waste of money.

[Hurdy]

I guess ultimately only the OP can decide whether it is worth changing to an .:R from a GTI. I bought my .:R simply as it was an itch I needed to scratch and don't regret it one little bit. I came from a highly modified 61 plate Polo GTI and got a really good deal on the .:R and a good p/x as well.

The .:R is in a different league to a FWD car. Mated to a DSG box and 4WD with a few choice mods and there won't be many cars that can live with it. It is more comfortable than my ED30 was even though it is currently on 19's.

Negatives are few and limited to fuel consumption (don't expect more than an average of 22mpg) and high speed acceleration( to be addressed with stage 2+) otherwise it is a great car.

As Neil mentions, the MKVII .:R will be at least 18 months away and then there will be another year or so before any significant modifications will be available. 2.5 years for me will be at least the time I will be keeping my car and so getting an .:R now is probably the best time to do so for anyone thinking about it. New enough to be low mileage and have a warranty, but old enough to have dropped in price to a reasonable level.

[Exonian]

I guess if you have the means to do it, they why not, but to me, changing an already good car so soon would be a monumental waste of money.

Financially it needn't be as bad as you'd think, I don't rush into things and normally spend up to six months sussing out deals once I've decided on a car change. I don't have the luxury of a company car allowance or masses of disposable income but I'm flexible and have plenty of time so will make a salesman earn his keep!

What I want to know is the feel of the car in long term use, does the bigger turbo blunt the low end response, does the 4WD system make the car feel heavier to drive etc.

Unless I'm very sure an R would be the car for me I'll happily keep my GTI for a few years yet, maybe go stage 2 once the warranty is out and then eventually get a mk7 once they've been out a while (I won't rush in like I did with the mk6) or more likely a mk3 Leon Cupra.

I guess ultimately only the OP can decide whether it is worth changing to an .:R from a GTI. I bought my .:R simply as it was an itch I needed to scratch and don't regret it one little bit. I came from a highly modified 61 plate Polo GTI and got a really good deal on the .:R and a good p/x as well.

The .:R is in a different league to a FWD car. Mated to a DSG box and 4WD with a few choice mods and there won't be many cars that can live with it. It is more comfortable than my ED30 was even though it is currently on 19's.

Negatives are few and limited to fuel consumption (don't expect more than an average of 22mpg) and high speed acceleration( to be addressed with stage 2+) otherwise it is a great car.

As Neil mentions, the MKVII .:R will be at least 18 months away and then there will be another year or so before any significant modifications will be available. 2.5 years for me will be at least the time I will be keeping my car and so getting an .:R now is probably the best time to do so for anyone thinking about it. New enough to be low mileage and have a warranty, but old enough to have dropped in price to a reasonable level.

Nice one John, that's the same sort of thinking as me! 

[Edi35]

I guess the main question is do you really want/need 4WD? The other main question is are you definitely going to mod it e.g stage 2? If the answer is yes then R is the answer (just look at the performance of Hurdy's R) if not keep your GTI or buy an ED35 (has same engine as the R so feels faster than a GTI due to K04) until the MK7 is out and there are mod options.

Having driven an R on an extended two day test drive over the weekend and comparing with the ED30 which I had at the time the R was the better car but was really only fractionally faster, therefore not worth the extra if keeping it std.