Is a GTI PP good enough?

[gregozedobe]

Driven both very hard and the PP is good enough and the R only shines when it is very slippery. In a straight line the R is quicker but who cares about that.

Me ? You gotta take your fun where and when you can get it ....

Also when turning out at a T intersection on a wet day with traffic around it is nice to know my R will just grip and go, without worrying about carefully modulating the accelerator to avoid FWD wheelspin.

[Sharkie]

... and the R only shines when it is very slippery.

Actually that is not my experience at all. At anything more than a Stg 1 on a GTI, a vigorous application of the throttle ALWAYS overwhelms the grip available at the front wheels, even on dry roads. If it happened only on the track or strip you could live with it (albeit unhappily) but it happens on the road all the time. The reasons you would need to apply a bit of heavy throttle could be many, including exiting a round-about, starting quickly at the lights (without actually racing), trying to take a gap at low speeds that need quick acceleration .... etc etc etc. With the R you have grip ALL the time and not only is it safer and more comforting but also faster

So to go back to OP, if your budget stretches to a R buy it instead, and if it doesn't, the GTI PP is still a lot better than anything else FWD out there except a Honda Civic Type R.

[Ozsko]

The right foot controls the wheel spin or at least mine does.

[Sharkie]

The right foot controls the wheel spin or at least mine does.

Yup, and then you go slower .... don't have that problem with AWD.

[tigger73]

Yup, and then you go slower .... don't have that problem with AWD.

Which is why some people say the GTI is a more engaging drive as it’s not just mashing your right foot to the firewall. Also why purists prefer manuals as the joy of getting the gear change right yourself.

I understand both schools of thought. AWD is definitely quicker in the wet. On a roll in the dry it’s line-ball. GTI is lighter and you do notice the extra weight in the R.

Axle tramp is a pain in the ass and any honest GTI owner will agree so you really are into feathering the throttle out of corners especially until your wheels are straight. Tuned this is worse of course.


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[Sharkie]

Which is why some people say the GTI is a more engaging drive as it’s not just mashing your right foot to the firewall. Also why purists prefer manuals as the joy of getting the gear change right yourself.

I don't know though, I am a purist as I only drive manuals and thoroughly enjoy that, but I absolutely hate having to feather the throttle searching for elusive grip in a powerful 2WD car. Sure good tires and some "driver aids" can help, but it can't fix the inherent problem.

To be fair I don't necessarily like the extra weight a R carries, but I'd accept that every day for more grip.

[spellbound]

Until recently i had a TT AWD , and i would drive the B roads once a week alternating with my MK6 GTI .
Yes the TT out shone it on the corners and at launch , but now with the Mk7 CS its so much lighter on its feet , in the corners i just hammer it with no issues , it does make the TT feel heavy .
Agree that tramp is an issue on the GTI , but iam not a traffic light racer ,you learn to get out of the lower gears quickly and then press on .
When is was a damp day the TT was the preference , long live the manual .