I've been encouraged by Exonian to share my views on my own version of a full, albeit petrol, house of a GTI PP, R and CS. Before I start a bit about my driving history. Despite now being the ripe old age of 51 I didn't actually learn to drive and pass my test until June 2013 having previously been an all year round motorcyclist. My first car was a 1.2 Fiesta that I bought to supplement my driving lessons by going out with a friend and practising, which worked by the way as I flew through the test with no minors. I then bought a Fiesta Zetec S for a bit more go and then an Astra GTC 1.4. Coming from bikes none of the above hit the spot for me on acceleration and fun so the search for a hot hatch began. I looked at many cars but kept getting drawn back to the GTI PP and after a test drive I was hooked! Seven weeks later this arrived with the only option being DCC
As you can imagine, the step up from my previous cars was quite large in performance and quality. It drove superbly, the diff seemingly pulling you around bends a highlight. I drove it to Bruge for the Christmas market with my Mother and Sister in the car and with the DCC set to comfort it just floated along. I also drove it down to Lake Constance on the Germany/Austria/Switzerland border and that was a delight too, set the cruise to 130kph on the Autoroute and just steer. It was great up in the Austrian mountains and I saw 150MPH on the clock on the Autobahn.
So, why would I change for an R with DSG? Well, it went in for a service and as a courtesy car they gave me a Golf GT with DSG. The car was ok, but I was very impressed with the DSG which I mentioned in passing to Claire my sales contact at my local dealer. Big mistake! She emailed a couple of weeks later to say they had an R with DSG on the demo fleet and did I fancy a go? Of course I did and boy did it blow my socks off! I had to have one but after much reading of this forum I went back a week later prepared with a Carwow quote of the spec I wanted. Lapiz, 5 door Prets, DSG and DCC. They undercut the quote by about £300 but the wait would've been 12 weeks or I could have a stock car minus DCC but with Navpro and a further £300 off. One week later this arrived
What a weapon the R is! I'd read how quick they are on here but wow! With the DSG just foot to the floor and go go go. In my opinion it is the pinnacle of Golf performance cars unless the R400 ever surfaces. Corners on rails and that acceleration
I would've quite happily kept it for a long time but come service time, see the theme developing here, this was in the showroom and my jaw dropped
It was fully loaded with £7,600 worth of options putting the list price up to an eye watering £38,500!
I had to have it but no way was I paying that so I said thanks but no thanks. Two weeks later I got an email from Claire with a fantastic offer for my car and a very large discount and it was mine. What a car, great looks, the fastest colour
, fantastic seats and that steering wheel
. It should be like a GTI with an R engine but it's more than that. It's hard to describe but it feels alive, the diff works its magic, it pulls like a train and I love it! It's been a mad two and a half years or so but I think this one will be a keeper
