The race team that had them sold un-used kits for 5k :P

Damn!

One of the members bought one. I forget who it was though.

Having owned a MK6 Golf R, and raced it in SCCA RallyCross and on frozen lakes, then switching to my 86 and using it for RX and AX, there's no way an 86 with a grand's worth of mods is faster. Especially in a straight line. The 86 is more communicative and handles worlds better, so they'd be about even on a tight circuit full of transitions. The extra 50hp and 100tq in a stock R is mighty.

fyi, on the MK7 Golf R, you can completely disable every traction control system by putting it in "race/track" (unofficial name) mode. And you dont even need to do some funky pedal dance. you can do it with just a couple presses of a button.

Nice writeup. My parents have a 2016 6 speed R on order, and my car is boosted, I feel that in terms of lap times it would be a far closer race.

I own both cars. 2015 BRZ and 2015 PreOrder Golf R.


You can compare these cars, so to speak. But you can't really compare these cars, they are very different except the fact that they are both fun to drive and capable in their own ways.


I have tracked and AX'd a lot in my BRZs. I have an AX session next weekend and the Golf R will be on the tarmac that day along with my BRZ. I will come back and try to give my best impressions between the two. But I would say that on the same day, same driver, same course.....the R is gonna take the twin. Even with my current setup on my BRZ with more than a $1000.00 invested, I wouldn't want to go up against my Golf R with any serious money on the line. The car is just too easy to drive fast, and very capable. Yeah it has some compromises, but its balanced performance/handling makes it a good competitor.


Either way I am just happy I can enjoy both vehicles:)


However, I will say that the BRZ is more rewarding to drive fast and rewards good driving. The Golf R, is easier and less engaging. Hence its my DD, and not the track toy.

Hola everyone. Not really a comparison post of the FT86 vs the Golf R, but I recently traded in my 2015 WRX (6mt, stage 1 tune, modified suspension, etc) for a white 2016 Golf R w/DCC+NAV+6MT.

Had the WRX for 19 months and really enjoyed the car but started looking into a Focus RS. Placed an order at MSRP for the Focus RS (which was hard to find considering that all Ford dealers but two within a 200 mile radius wanted $5-10K markup). Two things happened. First, my good friend sold his heavily modified STI for a Golf R and we traded cars for a few hours (his had 6MT+DCC+Nav). Second decided to once again sit in an ST and brought a couple booster seats with me to make sure it all works for the family.

The RS just was going to be too tight for my growing kids. This was the reason I had to sell the BRZ to begin with and my son just went on a huge growth spurt. As much as I love the idea of the RS (I know it will be a much better track car than a WRX or Golf R) I also factored in that I have been to the track exactly 3 times in 2 years. I loved the Golf R interior, DCC, and how much more mature the car felt vs the WRX. The car is just very sorted out in terms of engine, handling, functionality, comfort, features, etc. The RS, as fun as I am sure it will be, is going to lack in some of these areas.

I got lucky. I literally stumbled across the exact car I wanted 10 miles from me one night on a whim. White, DCC+NAV+6mt. I called the dealer and he told me it showed up unexpectedly that afternoon and just got unloaded from the truck. Told me they would sell it for MSRP but I better hurry because these cars don't last. Put a refundable deposit down to hold the car and went in the next morning. Got a crazy trade-in offer on my WRX (over KBB blue book private party) and about a $1700 trade-in tax incentive. All said and done (taxes, fees, etc) the WRX cost me about $1200 to drive for 19 months.

I really like the R. The modded WRX felt a little faster in the lower RPM range (twin scroll + 93 octane + a good tune) and it feels more raw. The R pulls much harder once the turbo kicks in and keeps pulling hard. It feels more refined in terms of power and less hair on fire as the WRX. The stock WRX tune is pretty bad so it is hard to compare to the Golf R if you want to talk stock vs stock. WRX builds torque much faster but has rev hang and not nearly as linear power delivery. Car falls flat pretty fast in lower gears.

In terms of handling, the Golf R is very good in Race mode. It is extremely planted and the limits are very high. You can carry speeds into tight turns with no problem. There is some understeer, but I would say about the same as the WRX prior to some of my suspension mods. I suspect with a beefier rear sway bar and a proper alignment and better tires the R will really feel sorted out.

There is not much to improve on this car. DCC is a dream come true here where I live where the roads can be punishing in the winter. Race mode is very firm but not beat you up firm. Normal is still responsive but very forgiving. I am in race mode about 70% of the time but I suspect in the winter will be using normal more. I don't see how springs or coilovers will really improve the car for me. So not much to do there. Brakes are very good. Linear, responsive, quick to stop. The 6MT is a bit on the vague side but not horrible. The adaptive lighting, rain sensing wipers, MIBII info system, seats, etc are very good. Carplay needs to be standard in all cars IMHO. Tons of room in the back for the kids, it has more legroom and headroom than my WRX. The car feels lighter and more nimble than the WRX too.

From a mod perspective I have already ordered a short shifter and better bushings for the tranny. I have all weather floor mats on order. I have winter wheels and tires installed. I am planning on a JB1 module soon which is a piggyback device that adds 5+ psi of boost. Most people see 40-50hp and 55-65tq on 93 octane. I don't want much more than that and since this does not modify the ECU and is undetectable by the dealer it seems like a safe mod. On a stock car this will drop about .7 seconds 0-60 and will result in high 12's 1/4 mile. You can easily push that closer to 60-70hp and nearly 100tq with additional mods (intake, downpipe, etc). I am not wanting that since I want to keep my warranty and the car is already fast as it is for a daily.

I think comparing the R to the BRZ is a little silly for me. They are just two very different cars with different purposes at different price points.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...psccjgsqwx.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...psrwxeebhe.jpg

I think you'll find if you read my original post we actually agree. Two different cars fulfilling different purposes.