When I was 20 years old in 1996, I bought a MK3 GTI. I really enjoyed driving it in Istanbul, Türkiye. My close friends had Opel Astra GSI and Honda Prelude. We were racing all the time. My nickname they gave me was ice man. Maybe it was because of my driving style. After then I owned a 2010 Mercedes C180 and 2018 Subaru Forester XT. Now I 'm living in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China which has a high altitude. I've been thinking to buy a Golf R and I really enjoyed your videos. Thank you so much

@Gonin60

17 сағат бұрын

Thanks for stopping by and I really appreciate your comment!

Fair assessment! I’ve owned mine for nearly 6 months and I couldn’t be happier. I opted for the DSG for the performance and because I live in a high traffic area in Virginia. The way the DSG fires off shifts under heavy throttle is amazing! Not sure about your area, but in my area Golf R’s are extremely rare since we hardly ever see snow. So Civic Type Rs, GTIs and Veloster Ns are a dime a dozen in the area. It does get annoying sometimes when you pull up to C&C and people always ask if it’s a GTI and you have to explain to them what the car is. 😒

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

DSGs are so rad!

My first car was a golf mk6 GTI, since then I’ve had an A250 sport, golf mk7R, 2x a45 amgs, bmw m135i and 2017 Audi rs3; amongst a few others, my favourite car was always the golf R. So much so, that I recently bought a mk7.5 R. It’s just such a great all rounder. For anyone on the fence. Go for the golf, there’s a reason it has the cult following it does

@Gonin60

8 күн бұрын

I agree with you!

Great video brother, I feel you on the timing but I think you did the right thing buying yours when you did, that's how I feel about my GTI I'm happy with it.

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

Thanks man!

@RaceCarFriends

Ай бұрын

@@Gonin60 You're welcome brother.

Just bought one in March 2024 under sticker price. Coming from a 2020 Dodge Challenger Scatpack. Wanted another Dodge but they went crazy with prices . Surprisingly this car is as fast as my scatpack plus it has 4 doors and all wheel drive. Handles so much better than the scatpack. Only thing not wild about is the infotainment center and haptic buttons. getting use to it. Nice that since I bought this car in March have only seen one other Golf R. Love having a car that is not at every corner. I think maintenance will be a little higher.You can tell the difference in quality of a German car. Happy so far that I bought this car

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

Right on! You feel it’s faster than your scat?

@blam9346

Ай бұрын

Give it one month MAX and you will get used to and begin to love the infotainment and haptic buttons. Only ones complaining about it are boomers and for whatever strange reason mk7 owners (who never touched a mk8).

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

@@blam9346 agreed

your feelings are valid! had a 2014 GTI until christmas eve 2022 when I tow truck smashed into it while it was parked... needed a car, wanted an R, got myself into a CPO 2019 R by February. for several months I would check the prices of Golf Rs and they just wouldn't go down.. they would even increase. but these days I check and I think wow, prices are just down from back then, maybe I could've waited. but I've had so much fun (still stock!!) in this time, I have no regrets. but at the same time, I'll probably drive it till the wheels fall off anyways, I wish I could try out more cars in the future but not yet hahah

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

I appreciate your comment. Maybe in the future!

It is a damn impressive car. I’ve come close to buying one several times. If I lived in a high population urban area, this would be my choice for a DD.

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

Right on! I hope you get one someday.

Good video brother. We gotta get together and talk cars soon.!

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

For sure!

Wow where is this the back is so beautiful love the mountain shot

@Gonin60

2 күн бұрын

UT

I’ve had a MK7 Golf R manual as my daily since 2018. It’s been a great do-it-all car for me. Fun with the short wheelbase, manual, and power level. Super practical and comfortable. The interior quality is excellent and has held up well. I actually prefer the leather quality over the BMW Dakota and Vernasca leather. Biggest gripe I have is no memory seats on the MK7 and 7.5. That annoys me as a manual transmission driver. Thought about upgrading to a MK8 but mine’s paid off and still under an extended warranty. Looks like a MK8 won’t be in the cards for me as I think this is the last year for the manual.

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

That surprised me on the memory seats. You would think they have them. Your review is spot on! Thanks for sharing.

I currently own a 2022 C300, and I'm thinking about trading that in when the new Golf R 8.5 comes out in 2025. Great review!

@Gonin60

7 күн бұрын

Thank you!!

You're definitely right about the car market cooling down. The value I got trading in my Camaro was a lot lower than what it was going for last summer. I don't know what the exact value is today, as the deal was made back in January for the MX-5, but I'm sure it's not that different. Luckily, the trade-in value more than covered the cost of the new car (which I got at invoice, plus an additional $500 off for a Mazda loyalty discount), so not only did I not have to pay any tax, I'm getting a check back from the dealership for the difference in value between the cars.

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

Hey you did great! So you got it for MSRP or under?

@saviordream

Ай бұрын

@@Gonin60 Got the car for invoice price (which was $1,508 below MSRP), plus the additional $500 Mazda Loyalty Bonus (since I own the Mazda3). Altogether a little over two grand in savings. Happy with that, and the sales department, and my salesman in particular, is fantastic, and it was a great experience (he was the same person that sold me my first MX-5 back in 2020).

Hey Austin! It’s been a minute! Just want to remind you that you’ve had a big impact on my car purchasing behavior. lol. I got my first Challenger RT through your assistance and I got a Mustang GT as a follow up. I still have my GT but I’m thinking about getting a VW GTI. I would say an R but It’s a little beyond my reach I think so I wonder about your thoughts of a GTI.

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

Jeff! Miss you man. So great to see your name pop up! I love the GTI but they are quite a bit different than a Mustang. What’s important to you on this decision and I can do the best I can to answer.

@dychejs

Ай бұрын

@@Gonin60 I just realized that my comment was sounding sorta pushy. Sorry about that man! I’m just looking for lower insurance and lower payments (but who isn’t? Haha!) I had a golf turbo 1.8 back in 2001 but that was a far cry from the mark 8 hatches. I love the Mustang GT tho. So may hold onto it but just starting to do research and think a hot hatch would be a good choice.

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

@@dychejs you weren’t pushy at all man! I hear you on lower payments and insurance. So it likes like you want something fun but perhaps cheaper. I think a GTI is an awesome choice. Fun, good power, better luxury than the ford. Gas milage will be amazing. I suggest you drive one and play around with the infotainment. So many hate the infotainment on the mk8. I actually really like it. If you do go check one out try doing it at night. Some of the buttons don’t light up like volume etc. I wouldn’t pay more for the Harmon Kardon sound system. It’s okay imo. If you are getting an auto they are amazing. The GTI in manual I have seen several have the small issue of the shifter popping off. I think the feel of the manual in the golf r is better than the GTI. Throw an intake on them and you will get a ton of turbo sounds. If buying an MK8 GTI at sticker. I know a lot of dealers have deals on them. If you’re an auto guy and just want even more luxury I would also cross shop a Mazda turbo 3 hatch.

I take work calls often while in my car. How is the cabin noise at highway speed? Currently in luxury suv (boring) and the people on the phone don’t even realize I am driving.

@Gonin60

29 күн бұрын

It’s pretty good imo

modded these MK8's are amazing... My RSB, CAI, Short Shifter and AWE Track Exhaust are on the way. We'll see how long my clutch lasts on the stage I APR 93 full torque tune.

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

Keep me posted!

If you could do it again - would you lean towards a Honda CTR or an Acura Integra Type S? Reason why I ask is bc it’s a hatch across both of them, no? Also - do you use the Golf R for your detailing or do you have a truck/van for detailing?

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

If I could get a ctr at sticker I would do it hands down. My golf I use as my detailing hauler

I picked up a GR Corolla Core in October 23', and I love it, but if I had the chance I'd pick up one of these. They're a bit more pricey than the GR though.

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

Thanks

@simonsmith582

Ай бұрын

As a owner of Golf R who loves his car, I can confidently say that you GR Corolla is an amazing car too. Enjoy it!

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

@@simonsmith582 I agree!

I'm looking for 24 Golf R in Blue 6MT. Please show me the dealers that have under MSRP because I can't even find msrp and I only want blue with stick

@Gonin60

21 күн бұрын

There was one local to me but looks like they are back to mark ups over MSRP

Golf R is a great car, but it's overpriced IMO.

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

I agreed!

@thebrassbandit

Ай бұрын

$41,500 is what I paid for the car in Canada. DSG model with the sunroof and carbon etc etc... That's a USD number converted from CAD. And that included a bunch of little extras... I wonder why it's so much cheaper up here

@kobewibowo4855

28 күн бұрын

The mk7/7.5 is a bargain right now!!

@secpozz

2 күн бұрын

In Turkey, I’ve paid more than 100k usd for this car. We have some crazy taxes.

@kobewibowo4855

2 күн бұрын

@@secpozz 100k is crazy 😭

I haven't drove my SP Widebody to work after car thieves stole my boss's Ram 3500 (w. Cummins Diesel, etc.) during the day, nonetheless. I've also been shopping for more of a sleeper replacement. I've not liked anything I drove that much. How do you compare your Golf R to your Scat Pack? Would it be a worthy replacement? Would you have regretted trading your Scat Pack for a MK8 Golf R?

@Gonin60

21 күн бұрын

Two polar opposite cars. So hard to even compare. You seem like a diehard Dodge guy so I would say no.

@FrankMopar

21 күн бұрын

@@Gonin60 I grew up with Mopars, mostly Plymouths. But they're too easy to steal, so I'm looking elsewhere. I was just wondering if the Golf R feels anywhere as fast and as fun to drive as a Scat Pack. I called a VW dealership today that had a Golf R manual, and was told that I can't test drive it for more than a mile because it's a limited production car.

@Gonin60

21 күн бұрын

@@FrankMopar they are completely different cars. It will feel numb to you based on your scat

@FrankMopar

21 күн бұрын

@@Gonin60 First, thanks for replying thus far. One last question: based on all the cars you've owned and driven, what car do you think would be a worthwhile replacement for my scat pack widebody 6MT that will still be there when I park it somewhere?

@Gonin60

21 күн бұрын

@@FrankMopar I grew up loving V8s and JDM cars. Having all that HP and torque I think you will miss having a v8. Fast cars not in a V8 are the Kia Stinger but those are autos. The Supra is the fastest car I have owned. Golf rs are quick but in an auto.

I would never buy the mk8. The mk7.5 is too good, better. 🤞they do something awesome with the mk8.5 so I can upgrade.

@Gonin60

11 күн бұрын

To each their own

Do you still have the camaro

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

Sadly I don’t

is this faster stock for stock then lets say a 2024 M340i?

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

This is a manual so BMw is faster

@backtoshallabal6662

Ай бұрын

@@Gonin60 what if it was the DSG?

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

@@backtoshallabal6662 still the BMW

@karmahunden

Ай бұрын

@@Gonin60 "User: Is this faster than a lambo? Gonin60: Well, this one is a manual, so no. User: Oh! so a DSG would be? Gonin60: Also no 🫠 "

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

@@karmahunden haha just being honest haha

I got my mk8GTI in early 2023 cars been fantastic love it but i got a SE and i just would of done the purchase different not get extended warranties all in all i financed 42k for a gti putting 4500 down. I got my extended warranties returned and most my money back but still. Knowing if i waited a month or so for a GTI S trim put 4500 down no extended bullshit. I would prob be sitting at 24k owed instead im upside down. But first new car purchase and learned alot would do it way differently looking bad.

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

I hear you man. I have been there before. Live and learn

I got my black metallic Golf modified, VW did the stock ugly front bumper and grill are puke, even mk5, mk6, mk7.5 modified are a better looking pieces. That's not hating, I think many can agree. They produce them rounded like some alien looking ships.

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

Okay

@richurro20

28 күн бұрын

mk8 is the best looking golf r they ever made imo.

I mean I would it’s a Volkswagen.

@Gonin60

Ай бұрын

Ha

This video was a waste of my time

@Gonin60

8 күн бұрын

Have a nice day

@joed3613

7 күн бұрын

What forced you to watch it?