Rachel Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 Two friends have approached me about buying my beloved R32. If I get the number I mentioned, I will let her go and if I don't, I won't... The dilemma is if she goes - what to replace her with? After some aggressive tyre kicking I have a local dealer who has a client ordered, maximally spec'd candy white Golf R arriving in 2 weeks or less, AND a beautiful R36 Avant in black... There is a 1 cent difference in the two quotes done at my "special" price. I'm leaning to the R36, but would appreciate some enlightened views from the local TSN boffins. Remember I still have something sleek, very fast and AWD as my toy... Discuss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 Can you get a cheap Jap import GTR your end of the world? On the basis that the prices are like the Pork prices, do you think the Golf R will really hit the mark? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted January 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 Hi Baz. To be honest I think the R36 is a better choice and a change of pace. It will also be the first car I've ever looked at the can be loaded to the gunnels for a holiday or ski-trip without resorting to roof racks. I can also put my MTB in the back - the first car I've ever considered that I could do that. Oh, and the great VR6 engine. The Golf R won't hold it's value over the next 5-7 years like the Avant will. Also, the Golf R is currently the well-heeled hooligan new car of choice here at the moment and you literally see them everywhere in Canberra. Very unlike the original R32 of which there are 5 in the whole city... As for your cheeky comment re glorified Datsuns - a R35 GTR would cost me much more than the 911 did, and I'd have to buy it in Sydney or Melbourne, and take it back there for it's services. No grey imports allowed here either - Nissan have that sewn up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 R36 every time. When you have the Porsche, I can't see what the attraction would be in a Golf R. If you fancied a blast around the backroads, why would you take the Golf? It would never be used whereas like you say, the R36 opens up a whole new area of motoring. We've been away in the A4 avant with 4 bikes on the roof and a huge amount of gear in the boot, piled to the roof. I can't see me buying the saloon version of any car for the foreseeable as estates are so much more useable and 9 times out of 10, they look better as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 As above. R36. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 (edited) R36 it is then, though with all that sunshine in Oz can you get the interior changed? From memory the R36 has a very shiny dash and you'll end up blinding yourself whilst driving! Edited January 22, 2011 by bazza_g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabby Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 Just had a quick look on ebay to see what these go for in the UK and there were only 3 of which 2 were avants. Both with the same dealer and both 2010 models although one is a 59 with 10k and the other a 60 reg. with 2k. The price difference - £10k :eek:. Seems like a crazy difference to me. Perhaps even odder is that it looks like they were circa £33k new. Are they appreciating already? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 (edited) Rachel I think you would be diasapointed with the Golf R. Yes it has the 4-motion if you often drive hard in the wet (in Aus?) or push it to its limits where power is switched to the rear by the required % (you have the Pork for fun drives). The R20 does not feel as special against the mk6 Gti unlike the R32 against mk4/5 Gti. yes the Tubo 4 pot pumps out good figures but it doesn't get the juices flowing like the 3.2 V6. If it were me I would go R36 because it still has great pace and 4 motion, yes it won't be as fun but you have your other car for that. The reason I said do you need 4 wheel drive was because you may want to look at mk6 Gti. FWD granted but still a good car and would save you a few $. It depends whats most important to you, pace and handling or pace and practicality. After owning mk5 Gti, R32 and now Pirelli, if I had my time again I would go Pirelli or Edition 30 then spend a few quid on Re-map, zorst and other goodies. For less money you will have better bhp than the R20 (but without 4motion) and as my Tyres say "Power is nothing without control". Its a tough one, dont rush in and make the decision that suites the majority of your needs. There is no car that covers everything. Edited January 22, 2011 by billy2shots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 A mother getting rid of her "baby" is wrong. Keep the R32 and in 5+ years it can go on the classic car insurance. If you need a load lugger, get a van or 3rd car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 Keep the MK4 .:R32...... you`ll only regret it! Riz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted January 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 The reason I said do you need 4 wheel drive was because you may want to look at mk6 Gti. FWD granted but still a good car and would save you a few $. It depends whats most important to you, pace and handling or pace and practicality. All the cars I have paid money for since 1991 have been AWD and I will continue to aim for such cars as I do spend a lot of time in the colder months down in snow country. The R32 replaced a custom built Audi A4Q which replaced a Subaru Liberty GX... Oh, the Porkas have also gone snow bashing, lots of fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 Looks like I'm on my own when I say golf. R36 was never rated here in the uk which is why there see so few about. Smaller cars are always more fun and if the golf r is anything like my rock r it's a riot. Ok it dosent make the noise but it's much faster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 I'd rather use the Golf R on a daily basis and the porka for weekends or special days. Keeps the miles down and the car in good condition. The R36 Passat is a thirsty, lump of a car that IMHO would get tiresome. It's not exactly a drivers car is it? If you wanted an estate car I'd go for something more economical after all if you're lugging around loads of gear you're not going to be going thy fast anyway. Depends how often you'd need the extra space. Think the R in White looks great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 I like the R36, short of a Subaru Legacy, there isn't a great deal that meets your requirements of 4wd, good looking, able to carry a reasonable load and fun. I suspect economy isn't particularly high on the agenda given the other cars you own/owned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt R Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 I've had both, I would go with the R36 over the Golf as you already have a Porker as a Sports car, R36 is pretty competent car and much more practical in estate format! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted January 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Well by a peculiar twist of fate it got settled at high noon... I'd rung the dealer to ask they notify me if anyone got seriously interested in the R36 while I waited for my friend to stop faffing about and make up his mind. At 11:40 this morning one of the sales guys rang me back - he had been looking to buy a mint Porsche 996.1 GT3 with his brother (in law?) but his wife put her foot down as she wants a new house... So he rang me and said "Rachel, what if I buy your car?". I said "sure, as long as it makes the numbers work", and arranged to meet him about 13:00. I rushed home and grabbed the cheque book and spare key and cleared out the R32 and went to meet him. 1 and a bit hours and a pretty good coffee later I drove off in the R36... I'll miss my blue baby, as she was an excellent and fault free companion for almost 7 years. Times and circumstances change (I never dreamt of owning a Porsche when I bought the R32 - and now I'm on my 2nd!). I think it only fitting that a real car enthusiast gets to have some of the joy and fun I've had with her. Now for the next 7 years... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Sometimes you just have to let go and move on. Hope you enjoy the R36 as much as you did the R32. It will be fun in different ways, smile as you shock people away from the lights.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 RIP Baby Blue. Youre miss her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulboy Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Hi Rach! I think you made the right decision. I have a Golf R now and absolutely love it. But, as you have already got your Porsche, the extra practicallity of the R36 makes far more sense than either Golf IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4ttm4son Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 So how long do we have to wait for some pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Traitor!!! Riz :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted January 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 (edited) Traitor!!!Riz :D Yes and no. It has gone to a young family and the guy who bought it phoned me this morning gushing about it. They put the baby seat in it last night and went screaming off to his wife's parents to show it off. Strangely this morning he said the baby seat was still firmly fixed in there and his wife was not letting him drive it! He also said it will be a keeper for them for a few years and is glad he bought it now and not the GT3. As they live just over in the next suburb I'll be keeping my eye out... :D Pix will be done once my detailed has come and worked the same magic on it as he has the 911. So hopefully tonight or tomorrow... The drive in to work today was a completely alien experience -with the 12 way adjustable seats, sound system plugged into my iPod Touch and a/c on "dual". Loved it and it now has 180km on the clock! I'm still not a DSG fan, but rather than use the paddles do enjoy pretending the box is a sequential shifter with the gearlever. Edited January 24, 2011 by Rachel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 You don't hang about do you girl! Nice, I rate those Passat R's. Lovely V6! Yum yum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4ttm4son Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 I assume you've also got first refusal if they have a few more kids and need a bigger car? Looking forward to the pics, haven't seen any of these IRL yet. Like a baby RS6 really Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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