Anyone test drive an R and GTi and still choose the GTi

[whit6402]

Hi,

Newbie to the site. Currently own MK6 GTi manual but placed deposit on new MK7 GTi PP DSG [unregistered showroom model] for September 1st pick up [64 plate].

I had initially fancied the R but chose not to pursue due to running costs [I know... touchy subject for most hot hatch owners... why buy a hot hatch etc etc...]. Anyway, unless it goes in the meantime, I could get a bog standard red 5dr R and for over £200 less per month on PCP . Over the two year period I could save over £3k even accounting for the lost deposit and the mpg.

My dilemma is, I love the GTi [though never owned a DSG] and it more than covers my needs. I have a wife and two young sons I occasionally ferry around, so am a little conerned about the ride / cabin noise with the R . Guess it would be a win, win either way but I am torn by GTi v R plus significant savings.

So, back to the question, has anyone chosen the GTi over the R after a test drive and what would you do?

Cheers

[CraigW]

It's really only something you can decide yourself. The GTI is a more than capable car but having driven the R after having the GTI, the R is on a different planet performance wise.

Have you ordered many options on the GTI? If so, what will bring you the most pleasure, performance or nice toys?

[whit6402]

Hi,

It's a dealer showroom car so is quite well spec'd... Santiago 19's, PP, Leather, Winter Pack and Dynaudio.. oh and the DSG box.

As I said in the inital post, it's not about the speed or spec of the GTi, which more than cover my bases, it's the financial element. If both cars were the same monthly cost I genuinely think I'd go for the GTi but I am being tempted away as the R is theoretically the higher model but is a third of the monthly finance cost .

Interested if anyone has driven both and whether there were any comments on the R refinement [ride/noise]. I realise the exhaust sound is seen as a big plus for the R but don't want to deafen the wife and kids or rattle their bones on the road!

Cheers

[mk7gti]

Am I reading this correctly the R is £200 per month less than the GTI? If yes buy the R its a no brainer. That will more than cover the fuel usage each month

[CraigW]

If it's the financial element then as mentioned above its a no brainer. The roadnoise in the R won't be any worse than the GTI. When you realise you can afford the R then there's really only one outcome.

[Jimble]

Buy the GTI and help me keep the value of my R up!! With all these lease deals flying around i'll be lucky if it's worth 20p in 2 years time!!


There is very little between the two in terms of road noise regardless of wheel size from my experience, i'd recommend DCC on either car though tbh if your worried about the ride, neither are bone breakers without but DCC adds that extra comfort from time to time, if your ferrying family around the cabin is plenty spacious but the boot on the R is quite a bit smaller, the running costs are higher in the R but not £200 higher! I can't believe how cheap  they're leasing them and tbh it makes them a bit less desirable to me if the cheap option.

[whit6402]

Hi Jimble, thanks for the reply.

Don't think it is lease as such, though appreciate doesn't make much difference to your point. It's the finance option where you pay off the guaranteed FVF at the end, give the car back or exchange for another car. I'd defnitely be changing car after two years, which is why this scheme works for me.

I'm a fairly sensible driver apart fom the odd moments where someone winds me up or I just feel the need. What am I likely to get MPG wise.. I have anticipated 28 though would hope to squeeze out a bit more. How noisy is tha R engine/exhaust compared with the GTi pin the cabin]? Also, the R is manual, what's the manual box like?

Agree with you, I don't understand why VW structure their finance solution like this. If I was prepared to wait, I could order a new R for less than £150/mth if I put down the maximum 30% deposit. It all revolves around the FVF, which is higher on the R.

Cheers

[Jimble]

Yeah i understand the options type finance deals work for a lot of people and it seems they're increasingly popular.
There is a difference in engine sound inside the cabin mainly when the R is in race mode, it sounds like some kind of mini V8! it sounds great imo but drop it into normal it sounds very sedate and doesn't drone at all.
MPG could be a lot worse tbh, my daily urban drive it'll do between 28-30 when driving miss daisy and will do 37-38 at a push on the motorway, if you have a heay foot you'll be lucky to get into the 20's urban and 30's extra urban! Having said that it's scary how quick the needle moves and it has a 5ltr bigger tank than the GTI!
My R is manual and generally the shifting action is excellent, a little notchy with a short throw for a standard box which is nice, i find it a bit tricky to shift from 1st to 2nd as smoothly as i'd like but others say they don't have that problem so could be me? I've also noticed some slight hesitation at 2500k which i will eventually ask the dealer to have a look at, i'm not the only one to feel this though, could just be a mapping thing though, not a massive deal tbh.

I have had both the GTI and now the R and for my driving style and taste i prefer the GTI.

[whit6402]

I sense a touch of sarcasm on your last point!!

[Mr Savage]

I sense a touch of sarcasm on your last point!!

I believe Jimble does genuinely prefer the GTI overall, correct me if i'm wrong.

I've driven both cars. My brother has an R on order. The R sounds better inside the cabin in race mode but it absolutely drinks fuel compared to the GTI. In my opinion it didn't feel much quicker than my GTI, maybe slightly. It felt heavier and more sorted/planted definitely due to the Haldex system.

GTI with Stage 1 gives the standard R a run for it's money as shown in APR's uploaded vid so I don't think you should worry about performance. The front looks better on the GTI and the back looks better on the R.

Just go for either, both are great cars and then change it for the R400 in a couple of years. 

I'm absolutely baffled by VW Solutions....just checked their finance site and it's £60 cheaper a month for me to have an R than a GTI. I feel well, ripped off? :/