Advice please...Golf R32 alternatives

[VRO6MO]

Hi guys,

I'm planning to change my car after 6 blissful years, but thinks nothing will come close to it, but from knowingly this forum; what would be the ideal alternative to exchange with??

Many thanks

[Tipex]

Ultimately I guess it depends what you want out of a car, if you are looking for a similar package, I don't think you'll do any better than the new Golf R.

It is (imo) the best hot hatch currently on the market.

[Mook]

If you want used, then a Mk5 Golf GTI Edition 30 with a full Milltek and a remap - 330bhp and about the same torque.

Or an S3, again with a full Milltek and a remap - same results.

Or brave it out and get a Feckus RS. In orange.

Or be very sensible and buy one of the best-handling FWD cars I've ever been in - get a brand new Renault Megane 250 RS. Awesome toy, and only £25K fully loaded (instead of the lunatic prices of new Golf GTIs).

All depends on your budget mate

[Biscuits]

If you want used, then a Mk5 Golf GTI Edition 30 with a full Milltek and a remap - 330bhp and about the same torque.

Or an S3, again with a full Milltek and a remap - same results.

Or brave it out and get a Feckus RS. In orange.

Or be very sensible and buy one of the best-handling FWD cars I've ever been in - get a brand new Renault Megane 250 RS. Awesome toy, and only £25K fully loaded (instead of the lunatic prices of new Golf GTIs).

All depends on your budget mate

What he said...

[Cuprabob]

I agree with Tipex on the Golf R is you have the budget but also worth considering the Scirocco R too if you don't need 5 doors and are not too bothered about the haldex.

Again if budget allows a Mk6 ED35 is a nice car too.

if you are looking a few years old a S3 would be a good choice.

From experience, it's unlikely you will get something that will fully replave that V6 burble :-)

[shao_khan]

New Astra VXr isnt a bad machine, and Vauxhall are getting the hang of curing the torque steer problems. As said above Megane is a great car, I've also recently spent some time in the smaller variants Corsa and Clio and they were fantastic cars but obviously smaller than the R32.

Depends on budget, but if the new Golf R is in budget then look at a used RS3? Go slightly bigger and look for a S4?

[Mook]

Disagree on the VXR - it's a torque-steering pig and depreciates like a stone as well.

[Tipex]

Of the VXR's, I think the Corsa is probably quite a fun little pocket rocket, but I hate the interior, the Astra just doesn't make sense to me on any level, it's not just torque steer, it's the chronic understeer too, but then given how much power the front wheels have to cope with (without any chassis developments like the Revo-knuckle) it's hardly surprising.

Great engine though, just needs a chassis to do it justice.

[shao_khan]

Disagree on the VXR - it's a torque-steering pig and depreciates like a stone as well.

Well I'll reserve judgement on the new one until ive had a go. THe Corsa and Insignia VXr have both had massive improvements made in this area, so I think its unfair to write off the Astra just yet.

As for depreciation - I think the Renault suffer a similar fate.

[VRO6MO]

Thx for the replies.

One car that been on my mind is the Abarth 500 (yes its on the another side of the spectum), but what's everybody thoughts?

[Tipex]

Great little car, holds value well too, not particularly quick but good fun.

[Luke]

Love the 500 Abarth.

[Busby]

Megane RS 265 - big discounts at autoebid at the moment too

[stooH]

Blimey 25% off list! :D

[Mook]

500 Abarth - not that quick, but bloody good fun. Rev the nuts off it and it's a fizzy little engine.

You'll also double your fuel consumption over the R32

[Mac]

I assume you meant half your fuel consumption or are the Arbarth's that bad?

[NewNiceMrMe]

I fear that a VW R32 driver will have a fit when they feel they inards of a Renault.

I sat in a yellow RS whilst in the Lake District recently and it was awful. I'm sure they drive brilliantly, but I could live with that interior and quality (lack of it).

[Mook]

I assume you meant half your fuel consumption or are the Arbarth's that bad?

Oh bollox - yes. R32 24ish mpg - Abarth 45+ mpg

Thank you kindly for your correction Mac

[Mac]

Ha, sorry, didn't mean to be so short, was on the phone - was a genuine question.

[Mook]

You're not going to get any taller, Mac

[Mac]

Oh.

//padding.

[Woppum]

Why has none mentioned an m3? One for every budget from e46-92 and far more fun, and nice inside than all the options listed so far. I had the rocky r for 18 months , never got on with it really. The m3 on the other hand!

[theduisbergkid]

No idea of budget ?

My 2p on the ones suggested:

Megane 250/265 RS. Best FWD car I've ever driven, really goes like stink, well equipped too. I had one at Bedford and loved it. But... it's French, and I'm quite sure it will be 'spares or repair' 10 minutes after the warranty expires.

Abarth 500. Makes great financial sense, they look ace too (in the right colour), but the driving experience is a bit bouncy and the power delivery is a bit old school.

Golf R. You'll be comparing it's 4 pot to your current 6 pot, and you'll be disappointed by the lack of character, I reckon. No idea how they drive and they're rather dull to look at.

Astra VXR. It's 1987 again ! Let's go joyriding in an understeery thing.

M3 sounds good, but we don't all have Wopp's budget for new (er) stuff, the 335 (petrol) looks fantastic and had a RWD advantage over the rest.

Focus RS, I like these, a lot.

Thought about a MINI of some type ?

Used Evoras are utter bargains at the moment, worth a look ? I would...

[Luke]

I love the look of the MkVI golf R. Would be quite tempted at rhe right price. Wouldn't buy French after the Mrs 206 cc thingy literally fell to pieces after 3 years (from new). Focus RS still look great, saw a white one this am. I still love the 500 Abarth, in that matt finish. Just looks like fun motoring without too much outlay.

[Mook]

Agree about the MK6, but I'd choose a GTD and get Shark Perfomance and Darkside Developements to carry out some, ahem, major upgrades :D