Picking up a '12 Golf R tomorrow

[emulous]

I've finally given up on driving an SUV as a daily driver. While I think my '10 Outlander GT is a great vehicle for what it is, it's just not right for me as a daily driver. I'm averaging 11 MPG around town.

So I was soul searching for what vehicle would be a great daily driver and that I wouldn't want another vehicle sitting in the garage because it was so limiting.

The three vehicles I truly considered were an '07-'08 Z4 M Coupe, a 2012 STI (hatchback) and the '12 Golf R.

The Golf R won out because it is the only available 2-door hatchback (which is a rare breed in itself) with all wheel drive and 0-60 under six seconds. I know it's a bit of a porker in terms of weight, but I think it will make a great daily driver, I can still throw my 100lb black lab in the back and it's so easily modifiable if I want more power.

Since the warranty includes maintenance for 3 years, I don't plan on doing any serious mods to it. Gotta get the European LED taillights (they are just so cool looking) and I will finally install all this high-end audio equipment I've been acquiring for the last 6 years [CDT Eurosport 3-ways, /a/d/s 8 channel amp, Pioneer DEX-P99RS. If I can get a good deal on some Audi RS3/ A3 sportline rims, I think those will look great on the Golf.

I'm getting a base Candy White 2-door (base meaning, no sunroof, navigation or passive key).

I couldn't find a Rising Blue or Tornado Red 2-door with navigation/sunroof within 500 miles of Austin, so I thought about it, and the base R will make a great basis for a weekend track car when the warranty expires. White will be good in the Texas sun.

I figure I can shave 300lbs removing things like rear seats, carpeting, a/c, etc. And APR Stage 1 easily makes 300hp, so it should be a fun amateur track vehicle.

In the mean time I have a feeling it will make a great daily driver. I decided against the M Coupe because I like it too much and would hate for it to get the beating that a daily driver would. The STI while a bargain, I wasn't happy with my '10 WRX Ltd in terms of refinement and handling, I doubt I would like it in the STI and I'm closer to 40 than to 30 and the STI is just a bit too boy racer to take to work every day (IMO).

I got a decent deal on the R (a few hundred bucks off MSRP), they gave me exactly what I wanted for my trade and they really tried to earn my business, where no other VW dealer wanted to do anything more than have me put down a deposit and wait 3 months for the car I wanted to come in.

I'll give a report on the vehicle on Sunday, as I have to drive 7 hours tomorrow one way just to get it and another 7 hours back.

I haven't been this excited about buying a new car in a long time.

[Ray]

You've had that audio equipment i think for more than 7 years... Maybe

Glad you're picking this up - cant wait to see pictures.

[Nickgt40]

I didn't realize they were out yet.

I guess not every company moves as slow as Ford when it comes to releasing hot hatches.

[emulous]

I didn't realize they were out yet.

I guess not every company moves as slow as Ford when it comes to releasing hot hatches.

In all due fairness to Ford, VW has been selling the R20 version of the Golf since 2010 in Europe. I don't think the ST version of the Focus is out across the pond yet. So 2 years is a bit of a wait.

[HotRodKristina]

Pics please!

[Apex clipper]

The Golf R..IS quick..real quick.

[ZXmurph]

dude.........awesome choice..........whatever happened to the Evo 10 touring anyhow?

[OmniFocus]

I'm jealous. The Golf R is the first "perfect" Golf for me since a Mk1.

Porky, but I don't care.

[focaljet-1]

Congrats. Can't wait to see pics.

As I mentioned in my 'next car' thread, the R is tempting. It's aforementioned BMI being the main thing holding me back.

[emulous]

dude.........awesome choice..........whatever happened to the Evo 10 touring anyhow?

When the company I was working for wanted me to move to Detroit, my insurance on it was going to go up eleven thousand dollars a year,so after six months of owning it, I traded it and my element for a WRX. The EVO 10 touring was an awesome car, and I looked in to getting another one, but they closed the dealership here in Austin and insurance was double that of an STI factor in maintenance costs this just isn't the right time to buy another EVO.

[emulous]

Congrats. Can't wait to see pics.

As I mentioned in my 'next car' thread, the R is tempting. It's aforementioned BMI being the main thing holding me back.

I'm not a stickler about weight as much as you are, I figure if it has the performance, the amenities and safety that makes driving fun, and the the fuel economy is better than the WRX and ralliart, then why should I worry about the weight. Besides, I still weigh 125lbs, so I'm not adding much to the overall weight. I'm not gloating, I wish I weighed more, just stating where my perspective is coming from.

Ron, if you can actually swing it, get the TT RS, I test drove one and a GTR in the same day, and I wanted to sell a kidney for the TT RS, while I still would want a GTR, I wouldn't sell a kidney to get one.

[Dracconix]

When the company I was working for wanted me to move to Detroit, my insurance on it was going to go up eleven thousand dollars a year,so after six months of owning it, I traded it and my element for a WRX.

$11,000 increase in insurance???? Really??? ... I pay $2200 a year for full coverage on 5 vehicles.... sheesh... Granted, I don't live in Detroit, but still.... when my wife and I lived in DC, we had 2 vehicles, each less than 3 years old and only paid $3500 a year.

[Johnny_P]

Nice choice, post some pictures!

I love my MK6 GTI.

[svtf02red]

Do you have it yet? Where are the pics? Huh? Huh? The Golf R is such a wonderful vehicle. I REALLY want one, but just can't bear the amount the payment would be. I saw a Golf R last week in that beautiful Rising Blue Metallic and was in love. I definitely see myself in another VW as my daily driver, but really want to wait to see what comes out of other manufacturers over the next couple years. I think my price range is more GTI than Golf R anyway.

Congratulations on the new ride! Still waiting for pics.

[focusownerskid]

If i understood his text correct he is making his way home now, he picked it up about 3 hours ago and has four hours of drive.

Can't wait to hear the review!

- Drew

[emulous]

I did get it today, overall I'm very happy with it. However I'm exhausted. My dog Noah and I left at 7:20AM this morning to drive to Lubbock to make the transaction, it took 6 1/2 hours to get there, 2 hours to complete the transaction (don't understand why it takes so long) and then drove home. Got home around 10:30PM so it's been a hell of a long day. I do have pics and will post them and my initial impressions once I get a good nights sleep. I have to say my dog was a trooper. So look for it tomorrow late morning.

[Ray]

Congrats. Let me know if you wanna take a little roadtrip.

And edit: Damn you! This is going on my list of potential new cars!

Argh!

[emulous]

Here are the pics at the dealership:

[jholso]

Hi, my name is Jon. And I am Jelly

[Nickgt40]

That steering wheel looks quite nice. Are the back seats not really back seats or am I missing something?