What vehicle will be a worthy replacement for your sedan when it is time?
#5356
Registered Member
iTrader: (3)
Styling: Let's get it over with and talk about the elephant in the room. This car has rightfully received bad reviews about the styling. In pictures, the headlights and the C-pillar look decent and very similar to the sporty WRX concept they had years ago. The rest of the car looks like they had a fire sale on black plastic trim and Subaru thought they should try to make the WRX look like an suv. Fortunately, it does actually look better in person. Still not great, but better. I don't think too many people will be parking their WRX's and looking back saying, "Wow, that is a great looking car!" The black plastic trim has a lot of texture to it and would probably look ok in black or maybe gray. Good luck with white and red. It also looks better with the 18" wheels, but their style is not great.
I could live with this car, especially the new higher "performance version" that is coming out and getting Recaro's, Brembos, suspension goodies etc.
#5357
Just having the filter on the top still lets you pump the oil out via the dipstick tube. I'm totally team extractor and have been doing oil changes from the top for the last 5+ years.
I could live with this car, especially the new higher "performance version" that is coming out and getting Recaro's, Brembos, suspension goodies etc.
I could live with this car, especially the new higher "performance version" that is coming out and getting Recaro's, Brembos, suspension goodies etc.
The upcoming WRX TR is a bit strange to me. Brembos and Recaros are always nice, but it is rumored to cost about as much as an STI with stock WRX power and a firmer ride. Unless there is a ton of tuning potential in that engine, a WRX Premium seems like the sweet spot. I'm also not a fan of the style of the 19's on the TR, but then again the 18's are not great either.
#5358
@lego maniac or anyone else familar with Golf R's: I made an interesting discovery recently when I accidentally hit the wrong year group searching for 2nd gen (2015-2019) Golf R's: The 2012 & 2013's are ridiculously inexpensive for what you get. I love hatchbacks, I'm obviously a fan of VW's, and there is just something appealing about a dirt cheap hot hatch. (I've even been giving low mileage Volvo C30's some thought.)
Possible downsides: I get that 1st gen Golf R's are a bit down on power compared to the 2nd gen, but they are tuneable and pretty fun to drive from what I remember. The radio screen is ridiculously small, but fortunately the 1st gens are just old enough to be able to upgrade the entire unit (score!). Because it is an older car, an extended warranty is more expensive and does not cover as many parts compared to a 2nd gen Golf R that still has factory warranty left. There are also not nearly as many available compared to the 2nd generation. However, I have time on my side as I really don't want another car until an investment matures in early April and I really have until the middle of October when my Ariya lease is up.
Benefits: The interior is still very similar in layout to the 2nd generation (ie. nice) and it rides on 18's so my 18" snow tires would transfer right over. My lead VW tech said the 1st and 2nd gen are both pretty reliable. Kind of a shock to hear that about a VW, but puts me at ease a bit. I love the style with the blacked out headlights, headlight washers, LED DRLs up front, and in back the central exhaust pipes, and the neatly designed LED tail lights. I thought I remembered the Dynaudio system in this car sounding a touch better than the Fender units in the 2nd gens, but I could be wrong. I also think I still pine for a 1st gen Golf R a bit since I nearly bought a 2013 new, but ended up getting an E46 M3 instead. Thoughts?
@Legomaniac I was also trying to remember what year your Golf R was and if you went with 18's or 19's when you got new wheels. Thanks!
Possible downsides: I get that 1st gen Golf R's are a bit down on power compared to the 2nd gen, but they are tuneable and pretty fun to drive from what I remember. The radio screen is ridiculously small, but fortunately the 1st gens are just old enough to be able to upgrade the entire unit (score!). Because it is an older car, an extended warranty is more expensive and does not cover as many parts compared to a 2nd gen Golf R that still has factory warranty left. There are also not nearly as many available compared to the 2nd generation. However, I have time on my side as I really don't want another car until an investment matures in early April and I really have until the middle of October when my Ariya lease is up.
Benefits: The interior is still very similar in layout to the 2nd generation (ie. nice) and it rides on 18's so my 18" snow tires would transfer right over. My lead VW tech said the 1st and 2nd gen are both pretty reliable. Kind of a shock to hear that about a VW, but puts me at ease a bit. I love the style with the blacked out headlights, headlight washers, LED DRLs up front, and in back the central exhaust pipes, and the neatly designed LED tail lights. I thought I remembered the Dynaudio system in this car sounding a touch better than the Fender units in the 2nd gens, but I could be wrong. I also think I still pine for a 1st gen Golf R a bit since I nearly bought a 2013 new, but ended up getting an E46 M3 instead. Thoughts?
@Legomaniac I was also trying to remember what year your Golf R was and if you went with 18's or 19's when you got new wheels. Thanks!
Last edited by 4DRZ; 12-01-2023 at 03:10 PM.
#5359
Registered Member
iTrader: (3)
@lego maniac or anyone else familar with Golf R's: I made an interesting discovery recently when I accidentally hit the wrong year group searching for 2nd gen (2015-2019) Golf R's: The 2012 & 2013's are ridiculously inexpensive for what you get. I love hatchbacks, I'm obviously a fan of VW's, and there is just something appealing about a dirt cheap hot hatch. (I've even been giving low mileage Volvo C30's some thought.)
Possible downsides: I get that 1st gen Golf R's are a bit down on power compared to the 2nd gen, but they are tuneable and pretty fun to drive from what I remember. The radio screen is ridiculously small, but fortunately the 1st gens are just old enough to be able to upgrade the entire unit (score!). Because it is an older car, an extended warranty is more expensive and does not cover as many parts compared to a 2nd gen Golf R that still has factory warranty left. There are also not nearly as many available compared to the 2nd generation. However, I have time on my side as I really don't want another car until an investment matures in early April and I really have until the middle of October when my Ariya lease is up.
Benefits: The interior is still very similar in layout to the 2nd generation (ie. nice) and it rides on 18's so my 18" snow tires would transfer right over. My lead VW tech said the 1st and 2nd gen are both pretty reliable. Kind of a shock to hear that about a VW, but puts me at ease a bit. I love the style with the blacked out headlights, headlight washers, LED DRLs up front, and in back the central exhaust pipes, and the neatly designed LED tail lights. I thought I remembered the Dynaudio system in this car sounding a touch better than the Fender units in the 2nd gens, but I could be wrong. I also think I still pine for a 1st gen Golf R a bit since I nearly bought a 2013 new, but ended up getting an E46 M3 instead. Thoughts?
@Legomaniac I was also trying to remember what year your Golf R was and if you went with 18's or 19's when you got new wheels. Thanks!
Possible downsides: I get that 1st gen Golf R's are a bit down on power compared to the 2nd gen, but they are tuneable and pretty fun to drive from what I remember. The radio screen is ridiculously small, but fortunately the 1st gens are just old enough to be able to upgrade the entire unit (score!). Because it is an older car, an extended warranty is more expensive and does not cover as many parts compared to a 2nd gen Golf R that still has factory warranty left. There are also not nearly as many available compared to the 2nd generation. However, I have time on my side as I really don't want another car until an investment matures in early April and I really have until the middle of October when my Ariya lease is up.
Benefits: The interior is still very similar in layout to the 2nd generation (ie. nice) and it rides on 18's so my 18" snow tires would transfer right over. My lead VW tech said the 1st and 2nd gen are both pretty reliable. Kind of a shock to hear that about a VW, but puts me at ease a bit. I love the style with the blacked out headlights, headlight washers, LED DRLs up front, and in back the central exhaust pipes, and the neatly designed LED tail lights. I thought I remembered the Dynaudio system in this car sounding a touch better than the Fender units in the 2nd gens, but I could be wrong. I also think I still pine for a 1st gen Golf R a bit since I nearly bought a 2013 new, but ended up getting an E46 M3 instead. Thoughts?
@Legomaniac I was also trying to remember what year your Golf R was and if you went with 18's or 19's when you got new wheels. Thanks!
I went 19s, 1/2" wider than stock in hopes the extra width would accommodate BBK without spacers (it did!).
#5360
I can't say I'm super familiar with the MK6 Rs, although it's a car I always thought was cool. Not sure why it wasn't on my list when I got my G37. I'd think if you could find a low mileage, relatively lightly modded example, it should be reasonably reliable. The big ticket items like engine/trans have been used on TONS of VAG cars and at this point are pretty well sorted out. I think your memory on the Dynaudi is correct, the consensus seems to be that each generations audio system is not as good as the prior. Hearing the same thing about the HK vs Fender. The seats in the MK6 were also more heavily bolstered IIRC than the MK7/8. I bet you could just swap out the head unit as it probably isn't as integrated as more modern cars.
Yes, now I remember those O.Z.'s. Did the tires come with the wheels? I have not seen S0-4's in a long time. Didn't you get the brakes off of a TT? Nice how VAG parts are so interchangeable.
#5361
Registered Member
iTrader: (3)
I just got off the phone with Cal at APR and he said the MK6 & MK7 Golf R's are pretty bulletproof too. (I'm still shocked to hear that about a sporty VW ) I know you favored some other tuners like Cobb, who I have used before, but they seem to start on the Golf R with the MK7. Any other tuners I should check out for the MK6? The Harman Kardon stereo on the MK8 GTI sounds awful until you change the listening mode to "dynamic" or something similar. Then it actually sounds pretty good. Not sure why that is not the stock setting. The head unit on the MK6 Golf R looks very simple to replace through Crutchfield and that would be a massive technology update for the car.
The Cobb AP opened up the MK7 to a bunch of other tuners. I'm not familiar enough with the MK6 to make a recommendation.
That is a benefit to an older car, you could swap the head unit for something more modern and gain carplay/android auto and have a HUGE upgrade for a DD.
The S-04s lol. I had those as my first upgrade on my G after the RE050As wore out. I got a flat with like 5K on the OE tires and needed 2 new tires, because AWD, and that is what was in stock. Running PSS now.
#5363
I like the look of the center exhaust and as I read old reviews it supposedly sounds good on the MK6 Golf R. I just cannot remember if part of the noise comes through the rear speakers like the MK7 Golf R. At least the fake sound through the speakers on the MK7 Golf R sounds pretty decent. The Type R Civic still has a central exhaust, but good luck finding one. It has been nearly a year since my Honda store even had a Type R.
#5364
Registered Member
iTrader: (3)
I like the look of the center exhaust and as I read old reviews it supposedly sounds good on the MK6 Golf R. I just cannot remember if part of the noise comes through the rear speakers like the MK7 Golf R. At least the fake sound through the speakers on the MK7 Golf R sounds pretty decent. The Type R Civic still has a central exhaust, but good luck finding one. It has been nearly a year since my Honda store even had a Type R.
Technically it's a speaker, but it doesn't come through the speakers. It's a tiny resonator mounted inside the engine bay on the firewall, it can be unplugged if you want, or disabled via OBDEleven. I found it to be too bassy and vibrated my radar detector so I turned it off. The Rs that sounded really good were the 1st and 2nd generation R32s with the narrow angle V6.
#5365
Super Moderator
Still can't believe that none of you guys have considered the Cybertruck
Love the engineering that went into this thing, such as using ohms law to boost the voltage and lower the current, enabling smaller conductors. 0-60 in 2.6 seconds is mind boggling, and the body panels appear to be invincible. I also love how Tesla took the Apple approach and controls the entire ecosystem and user experience. But I can’t get over the looks.
Love the engineering that went into this thing, such as using ohms law to boost the voltage and lower the current, enabling smaller conductors. 0-60 in 2.6 seconds is mind boggling, and the body panels appear to be invincible. I also love how Tesla took the Apple approach and controls the entire ecosystem and user experience. But I can’t get over the looks.
Last edited by socketz67; 12-04-2023 at 10:35 AM.
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SupraOfDoom (12-04-2023)
#5366
Technically it's a speaker, but it doesn't come through the speakers. It's a tiny resonator mounted inside the engine bay on the firewall, it can be unplugged if you want, or disabled via OBDEleven. I found it to be too bassy and vibrated my radar detector so I turned it off. The Rs that sounded really good were the 1st and 2nd generation R32s with the narrow angle V6.
The 2nd generation R32 sounds absolutely amazing. It's just a shame it never came with a manual and was not great to look at.
Still can't believe that none of you guys have considered the Cybertruck
Love the engineering that went into this thing, such as using ohms law to boost the voltage and lower the current, enabling smaller conductors. 0-60 in 2.6 seconds is mind boggling, and the body panels appear to be invincible. I also love how Tesla took the Apple approach and controls the entire ecosystem and user experience. But I can’t get over the looks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6WDq0V5oBg
Love the engineering that went into this thing, such as using ohms law to boost the voltage and lower the current, enabling smaller conductors. 0-60 in 2.6 seconds is mind boggling, and the body panels appear to be invincible. I also love how Tesla took the Apple approach and controls the entire ecosystem and user experience. But I can’t get over the looks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6WDq0V5oBg
Last edited by socketz67; 12-04-2023 at 10:35 AM.
#5367
Administrator
iTrader: (9)
Thanks for the video, Socket.
I don't care for the Cyber Truck, and I'm not too keen on Tesla any more. But it is enlightening to understand some of the evolutionary tech, and that's cool.
I don't care for the Cyber Truck, and I'm not too keen on Tesla any more. But it is enlightening to understand some of the evolutionary tech, and that's cool.
The following 2 users liked this post by Rochester:
Lego_Maniac (12-02-2023),
socketz67 (12-03-2023)
#5368
Registered Member
iTrader: (3)
The "soundaktor" right? That's what I thought it was, but one of the reviews I was reading said it came through the rear speakers on the MK7 Golf R. I rolled the front windows down on the MK7 Golf R we had and it actually sounded like it was coming from behind me. Strange, my mind is playing tricks on me. I'm pretty sure the MK6 Golf R also has a soundaktor. So do the MK6 & MK7 Golf R's have exhausts that change tone or is it all from the soundaktor? Does your Golf R sound exactly the same in all the different drive modes?
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4DRZ (12-04-2023)
#5369
Super Moderator
This video is actually pretty nicely done. I have solar on the house now, I will will likely replace my wife's Pilot with a Tesla as she is not as emotionally attached to her cars as I am....The price is right as Tesla keeps dropping prices while everyone is raising them.