2012 VW Golf R in the USA

[Revelation1115]

So the pricing and specs for the Golf R is now out (http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/article_2983.shtml)

What do you guys think? Too expensive for a VW or just right? I am planning to buy a car next year and this car is just in the same range as a STI or Evo X!

 

[disinfected]

I can think of a multitude of things I'd buy new instead for 36,000. Not to mention with inflation and the way dealers work, nothing is ever the 'base price.' Hmm, Evo, STI, 370z, Mustang 5.0, average looking Golf?

 

[xNEVER-ONEx]

Ya, I mean its still a golf. For 36k, you could get a lot of car, especially if you look around. And you can stretch your money even more if you look into lightly used cars.

 

[disinfected]

Ya, I mean its still a golf. For 36k, you could get a lot of car, especially if you look around. And you can stretch your money even more if you look into lightly used cars.

And honestly it looks less sporty than a regular GTI.

 

[xNEVER-ONEx]

I would go for a 5.0 Mustang. Probably best value for that kind of money.

 

[Tornado]

>$36,000 for a Golf.
>Not a VR6.
>Ohwow.jpg.

 

[YSSMAN]

To be honest, it really doesn't matter what the general public thinks about the car. It will sell like hotcakes to the Volkswagen fans, just like the past R32s did. Have a look at the resale values on those, and they're still a hot commodity even today.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

And with a chip reflash it'll be running even with STi and Evolution.

 

[xNEVER-ONEx]

To be honest, it really doesn't matter what the general public thinks about the car. It will sell like hotcakes to the Volkswagen fans, just like the past R32s did. Have a look at the resale values on those, and they're still a hot commodity even today.

I agree, but that is still a lot of money for what really is a compact car.

 

[Mike0105]

I agree, but that is still a lot of money for what really is a compact car.

In the UK, every Golf is expensive from the 1.2TSI all the way to the R. But, this is a very good car. 270bhp, 4wd, more efficient than a R32 was. When it comes to hot hatches, the size is an advantage. It's practical, easy to drive for anyone but will still go very fast cross country.

I sometimes think why would I need a bigger car? A Coupe would reduce the practicality and to get 270bhp and 4wd from an estate or saloon it's going to be big money anyway.

 

[disinfected]

May have great potential in the mechanics of it, but I don't think they could have made it look any more bland than that.

Volkswagens have been far overpriced over the last six or seven years, so that part is expected. Case in point.

 

[C-ZETA]

In the UK, every Golf is expensive from the 1.2TSI all the way to the R. But, this is a very good car. 270bhp, 4wd, more efficient than a R32 was. When it comes to hot hatches, the size is an advantage. It's practical, easy to drive for anyone but will still go very fast cross country.

Thing is, the only reason you need to take an R over a GTI is if you wanna be safer in winter. Not that it'll matter, given that Britain would just force you into not travelling anyway on the roads in such 'terrible conditions'. So basically, the GTI renders the R a bit useless. Of course, if you want a little more room, the Scirocco is a good substitute.

 

[Azuremen]

Thing is, the only reason you need to take an R over a GTI is if you wanna be safer in winter. Not that it'll matter, given that Britain would just force you into not travelling anyway on the roads in such 'terrible conditions'. So basically, the GTI renders the R a bit useless. Of course, if you want a little more room, the Scirocco is a good substitute.

Um, or if you want to use that power you can make with that 2.0 with just a tune and exhaust. The torque quite easily over whelms those front tires, even very nice tires like Star Specs.

I do agree it is over priced, but I'd rather have this over an STi, which is currently a heavy, over priced, unreliable time bomb. And joke ugly.

But for this money I'd be looking at 2nd hand 1 and 3 series.

 

[disinfected]

Um, or if you want to use that power you can make with that 2.0 with just a tune and exhaust. The torque quite easily over whelms those front tires, even very nice tires like Star Specs.

I do agree it is over priced, but I'd rather have this over an STi, which is currently a heavy, over priced, unreliable time bomb. And joke ugly.

But for this money I'd be looking at 2nd hand 1 and 3 series.

You almost really don't even need to look at second hand for this price.

 

[Azuremen]

You almost really don't even need to look at second hand for this price.

You do if you want a *35i model, which is the only one I'd consider getting - the others wouldn't offer the speed upgrade over my current car much.

 

[Revelation1115]

Well it is AWD and the HP and TQ numbers are pretty good. All you would need to make these numbers jump is a chip and a turbo-back exhaust. But that would probably void warranty right?

 

[Jim Prower]

They need a gp. N package...

 

[Ibonibo]

It's a bomb of a car.
Drove my neighbors 2011 model.

Very good car.
Will keep a lot of resale value (which other cars won't).
Great built quality, not the cheap plastic in all the interior (it's a VW)
It's a rock solid engine (easily tunable beyond 350hp)

As for tuning it while in warrenty : Buy a ABT upgrade (you will keep the factory warrenty), ABT exaust, HPA (or Haldex) 4x4 upgrade.

That will give you a hell of a bomb.


the 2.0 is better than the 3.2 because it is way lighter on the front axle (the audi TT suffers from this for exemple).
The 4x4 is not only in the winter, you will accelerate much better out of corners, in rain, in snow or on reduced grip-level surfaces.
Lot of aftermarkets quality parts.

As for alternatives : Audi S3, BMW 135

 

[eSZee]

Ya, I mean its still a golf. For 36k, you could get a lot of car, especially if you look around. And you can stretch your money even more if you look into lightly used cars.

And STI is still just an impreza and an evo is still just a lancer.

Your argument is so old and so weak. You threw the whole used car and modding in there as well.
The car isn't for you, we get it.

Will keep a lot of resale value (which other cars won't).

The 2004 sti appraises for ~$2k more than the 2004 r32. The price difference of the cars when they were new? $2K...
It was a special VW and it was rare, but it was still a VW and so is the new one.

 

[xNEVER-ONEx]

I see I have struck some VW fanboy nerves.

 

[Dan_]

Holy freakin' price tag Batman!

It's a lot of money for a Golf, even though it is a rather special one.

 

[sumbrownkid]

In the UK, every Golf is expensive from the 1.2TSI all the way to the R. But, this is a very good car. 270bhp, 4wd, more efficient than a R32 was. When it comes to hot hatches, the size is an advantage. It's practical, easy to drive for anyone but will still go very fast cross country.

I sometimes think why would I need a bigger car? A Coupe would reduce the practicality and to get 270bhp and 4wd from an estate or saloon it's going to be big money anyway.

In the UK though...Doesn't apply over here stateside where we expect things to get bigger in size when the price tag goes up.

VW only sells a couple thousand anyway, so whatever they import will be sold without much fuss.

But at least my brother in law can laugh at Golf R's while he overtakes one in his Evo 10 while carrying a full load of groceries and his family.

And with a chip reflash it'll be running even with STi and Evolution.

That's true, but at that price, I would want this car to outrun or be even with those cars straight from the dealer.