Tigger73's Scirocco R

[Dutch77]

Agreed, and so the list keeps growing and contracting as time goes by.

[Tobes_WIR35]

Is that a car swap or a wife swap???

Haha, I'd need to take that question on notice and do some enquiries

[Tobes_WIR35]

I think you'll find that the Golf options although quite competent are a little less inspiring.

The Scirocco is certainly more of an "event" to drive and a lot more special than a run of the mill Golf. It is also a bit more dated in terms of tech... but you can't have everything I suppose.

Totally agree. I loved my mk6 GTI, but the Scirocco is a much more emotive drive. Similarly, I test drove the mk7 R, and although it is faster, more refined, more tech etc, I still chose the Roc, largely because it had what the Golf didn't - uniqueness, sex appeal and a more raw driving experience. I will always have a soft spot for Golfs but unless they bring out a 3 door Golf R400 or something like that, I don't think I'll get another one, they are just a bit too vanilla.

[Dutch77]

Understand completely - although my Mk6 GTI was probably one of my favourites (and I'm not alone in this sentiment I believe). Maybe it was just my intro to Euro after a diet of Australian/Japanese cars.

I also know you're not alone with your thoughts on a Roc over a Mk7 R.

Right now in the world's most bizarre search for a weekend car that suits Dutch's needs I can say the Roc has survived to the next round, and as for Golfs it appears to be an ED30 or ED40. Yes this is the list that also has an RS5 on it, don't ask..

[Sharkie]

To go for a V8 that has (once the exhaust is upgraded) awesome sound, with what seems to be pretty bullet proof mechanicals with lots and lots of tuning options (relatively cheaply), I'd say ditch the Euros and go American ..... sounds like blasphemy I know, but for a guy who has had 13 VWs and 6 BMWs over the years, my Mustang GT has been a revelation.

I love it, it goes hard, sounds awesome and looks like car porn ....

Easy 400kw in it normally aspirated or 700kw with some forced induction. Lack of traction (even stock) is not a problem, it adds character and excitement.

No Sirocco will give you the same performance or thrills I dare say ....

[Dutch77]

Thanks Sharkie - I was actually tempted to reach out for your (potentially biased!) thoughts on the issue.

This will almost certainly be a weekend cruiser, so the V8 option holds appeal. Is your 2017 still the 'gen 1' version or the newer version? I'm lazy so I haven't got around to refreshing on the reviews, but some of the early cars that are well into the 40s are of interest to me, as this also is the price point now of some of the older German V8 metal (RS5/M3/C63).

I'm an original Commodore guy so grew up on a diet of six and eight cylinders, so swapping to 'the dark side' is an odd decision to make and I am not sure I am ready - but I always respect the Ford cars, especially the turbo six era, and think the Mustang looks great. Trouble is Camaro is way out of range, Monaro is too old and an SSV just a bit to run of the mill even if it became a great bit of kit by the time production wound up - the money is now sitting in Mrs Dutch's car.

Somehow the plethora of SEQ freeways seems tailor made for a Mustang though..

As the OP of this thread will attest, the umm short list.. is not short.

[Tobes_WIR35]

I test drove a Mustang GT when I was in the market for my Scirocco. To be honest it didn't do much for me. I didn't like the driving position and visibility over the bonnet was pretty bad. Not very nimble. Sometimes I borrow my in-laws FG XR6 ute, and to me the Mustang kinda felt like that. That said, I had one for a while when I was road tripping around the USA and found it a really good touring car, comfy, big, and cool. They are a very cool looking car. So I guess it depends what you're looking for. They are very good value compared to the offensively over-priced HSV Camaro.

[Sharkie]

As a point of reference, a 2017 GT (stock) is 2s a lap quicker around Winton (in the hands of a professional driver) than a Mk7 Golf R (in the hands of the same driver) ..... that sets the scene on what it is capable of.

For normal people it is harder to extract the extra 2/10ths as you have to get used to the weight it carries along and you have to learn how hard you can lean on the tyres which is incidentally much harder than what I have been comfortable with traditionally.

The long bonnet makes placement (on a track) hard, and in Brisbane the top corner at Lakeside is near impossible as you cannot see the bend properly. Its brakes (6-pot Brembos) are simply 10x better than the stock Golf R brakes. Once you warm the tyres up (the P-Zeros are a bit lacking when cold) traction is actually amazing.

I love my VW's and the R is amazing, but none (except maybe my turbo Mk1) gave me the same thrill as the Mustang. It is a true muscle car with a heart and soul. These are sometimes lacking in modern VWs .... I smile every time I get in the Mustang and I find that a rare thing these days, regardless of the cost of the car.

NOTE: This will probably be my last (and only)Ford, unless I can get a new GT500 Mustang or maybe for nostalgia's sake an old 65-67 Mustang as a project.

No offence, but a Scirocco always felt like a fit, but funny looking GTI to me. I have driven a manual R a number times years ago but decided to go another route then (Amarok).

Further Edit: Don't get me wrong, the Mustang is a terrible commuter, so best to get it for the open road or as a weekend toy. I originally commuted my GT daily for about 4 months then bought another Golf to do the job as the Mustang (and I in it) hated the commute. It needs room to move and make noise ....

[Dutch77]

Thanks for the feedback guys - very insightful, and always interesting to get competing points of view.

When I was a young chap my old man got a XF Falcon as a company ride (in cream no less with a gingerbread interior - they don't make 'em like this anymore) and I was so upset as a fan of the General I literally refused to open my eyes for about the first six weeks going in it. So the fact I have a Mustang genuinely now on my short/long list is a major thing.

I 100% get the feeling thing - there is something about a V8 (or an Audi five pot as it turns out for me) that makes each drive a bit of an event. I haven't got that from my last couple of Dubs.

Having said that I am still sitting on the fence between a bit of a smaller hot-hatch/coupe, or an old school V8 'GT'. Thus I've still got the R32, ED35, ED40, Roc and 135i coupe, M135i hatch, M235i coupe on one end of the list against the V8 brigade - RS5, M3, C63 and of course Mustang. Told you all it was a weird list (and yes I am well aware this group covers a spread of prices, I haven't firmed the budget just yet lol).

[Tobes_WIR35]

I'd be willing to give the Mustang another shot, I do love the look of them. A guy in my building had a slightly modded one, red with big black wheels and some extra fiberglass, lowered with a nice exhaust. It is a very horny looking (and sounding) car. A second hand GT manual can be had for low to mid $40k which is pretty good value!