I just purchased a 2023 Golf R 20th Anniversary in manual. I am in my fifties so ride quality was important. This car, even in the Sport mode, is phenomenal. Once you select the R mode, or Custom/Special mode it becomes a totally different animal. I am amazed at how good this car is. BTW, I had an encounter with an FL5 and it wasn’t even close.
Good to know another 50 plus bought one 😆. I’m that age and want a R. Had a Jetta manual in my youth …fast forward the years of SUV ownership and I want one. Want a quick, light manual car. WRX nice ( but interior lacking) Civic S to boy racer… VW R/ GTI sweet spot I feel 👍🏼.
I am so incredibly in love with my '22 manual golf R happy I traded in my '21 manual Golf GTI for the R 🥰 The '22/mk8 Golf R by far is most favorite car I've ever owned, she'll be with me for life 🤣
I wonder about the quality of the vehicle. My wife had a GTI and the first 2 years it had 3 fuel pumps and 3 water pumps. So we traded it before the warranty expired
My 2015 GTI manual was fine for the first 180K miles than I had to put about 8K into it. Its at 220 now , so i feel I have to keep it till at least 230 to get my moneys worth. I guess its OK , its just expensive when things do break.,.
Sorry for the late reply my engineer brain makes me psychotic. But VW still does not know how to make a water pump interestingly enough. I’m curious to see what happens with mk8. But to be fair I never had any water pump issues with mk7.5 golf r that I had for 3 years. Now I will say I had three steering column lock failures and that was NOT fun to deal with at all
I know the transmissions are exactly the same from the 7.5 to 8. But whatever they did with the ratios from first to second. As well as the control systems with the clutch. Much better manual driving experience in my opinion versus the 7.5. Installed a short shifter and a weighted shift knob on the mk8. Other than clutch feel. Close to Porsche gt department territory, at least compared to a manual boxster spyder I’ve driven on track. Clutch upgrade is definitely next just in the event I ever decide to tune or go for more power. Really great daily driver. No complaints. You get used to the interior really quick. Is it annoying at times? Yes. But not a deal breaker for me.
I really like having a manual but speaking from experience here, they are featherweights, for above stock power levels if you are into modding. Wouldn’t mind getting a new R but having to factor in 2k or so to upgrade just for it to handle the power is a real downside. Makes the dsg seem like the smarter route in these cars
Love the car over all, great review as always ... VW did improve most of it really well, the volume control idea is super annoying and gotta admit it shows budget fell short when popin that hood ( holy spaghetti ) ... all and all the car is a well balanced hatch.
Drive the test cars somewhere else instead of the city. I like your videos, but you drive in circles. You never take a car out onto the highway or on a 2 lane twisty turning road. That Golf R needs to be DRIVEN!!!!
I test drove a Honda Type R. Mash the "go" pedal on that sucker and get the steering wheel ripped out of your hands. I much prefer AWD or RWD on a car with a strong engine.
Congrats. In my 10 months with it never had any steering buttons pressed unintentionally.
I just purchased a 2023 Golf R 20th Anniversary in manual. I am in my fifties so ride quality was important. This car, even in the Sport mode, is phenomenal. Once you select the R mode, or Custom/Special mode it becomes a totally different animal. I am amazed at how good this car is. BTW, I had an encounter with an FL5 and it wasn’t even close.
Was he even racing you? Or just a bad driver? Wondering because I have an FK8 stock, and I pull on golf Rs pretty easily on a roll
@@smittym6360 This was at a stop light, dont think it was a driver issue…
I got one, too. And it's really a beast.
Good to know another 50 plus bought one 😆. I’m that age and want a R. Had a Jetta manual in my youth …fast forward the years of SUV ownership and I want one. Want a quick, light manual car. WRX nice ( but interior lacking) Civic S to boy racer… VW R/ GTI sweet spot I feel 👍🏼.
I recently purchased a 23 golf 20th dsg and loving it
“This thing rips!!!!” Driving 35 mph in the right lane
I am so incredibly in love with my '22 manual golf R happy I traded in my '21 manual Golf GTI for the R 🥰
The '22/mk8 Golf R by far is most favorite car I've ever owned, she'll be with me for life 🤣
My 22 mk8 Golf R by far is most favorite car I have ever owned
How can you determine if you like a car like this in straight lines accelerating to 40 to the next red light?
Great review! Compared to other car reviewers who don’t know the difference between an automatic and a 6sp MT.
I wonder about the quality of the vehicle. My wife had a GTI and the first 2 years it had 3 fuel pumps and 3 water pumps. So we traded it before the warranty expired
My 2015 GTI manual was fine for the first 180K miles than I had to put about 8K into it. Its at 220 now , so i feel I have to keep it till at least 230 to get my moneys worth. I guess its OK , its just expensive when things do break.,.
Sorry for the late reply my engineer brain makes me psychotic. But VW still does not know how to make a water pump interestingly enough. I’m curious to see what happens with mk8. But to be fair I never had any water pump issues with mk7.5 golf r that I had for 3 years. Now I will say I had three steering column lock failures and that was NOT fun to deal with at all
I know the transmissions are exactly the same from the 7.5 to 8. But whatever they did with the ratios from first to second. As well as the control systems with the clutch. Much better manual driving experience in my opinion versus the 7.5. Installed a short shifter and a weighted shift knob on the mk8. Other than clutch feel. Close to Porsche gt department territory, at least compared to a manual boxster spyder I’ve driven on track. Clutch upgrade is definitely next just in the event I ever decide to tune or go for more power. Really great daily driver. No complaints. You get used to the interior really quick. Is it annoying at times? Yes. But not a deal breaker for me.
I really like having a manual but speaking from experience here, they are featherweights, for above stock power levels if you are into modding. Wouldn’t mind getting a new R but having to factor in 2k or so to upgrade just for it to handle the power is a real downside. Makes the dsg seem like the smarter route in these cars
Probably wouldn't modify a new car due to warranty.
@@wed3k some not all lol depends how much they like to gamble
This car looks way better with only 2 doors… it’s a pity that variation is not offered in USA
I love this vehicle! Marvelous content Ben.
Will the clutch durability be better on the MK8?? Even stock they didn't last on the MK7.
This car shouldn't even come in automatic I love it in stick shift it feels good to drive.
In South Africa 90% of GTi are manual.. more fun cheaper to maintain
Manual Golf R has only 280 lb-ft of torque unfortunately. Thanks for the great content.
The Internet lied to me🥲
@@BenHardyCars No worries! Keep up the great work. I have a 7.5 Golf R. Looking forward to the comparison.
Manual,best transmision.
Sangat keren Manual ❤, sekarang jarang sekali mobil manual keluaran terbaru
1st! Lol nice review!
Is the Nissan GTR still made in the u.s.
Is that Keyfob cover custom? I have a regular VW key fob 😡
Love the car over all, great review as always ... VW did improve most of it really well, the volume control idea is super annoying and gotta admit it shows budget fell short when popin that hood ( holy spaghetti ) ... all and all the car is a well balanced hatch.
I did purchase the hood strut for $65. Since it already came with the attach point it took less than 5 minutes.
Manual is always good, keep it manual. hell with auto
Golf R is one of my Favs. I prefer the automatic, and yes I can drive a manual trans no problem.
Drive the test cars somewhere else instead of the city. I like your videos, but you drive in circles. You never take a car out onto the highway or on a 2 lane twisty turning road. That Golf R needs to be DRIVEN!!!!
The main issue is the main crank bearings.
All Wheel Drive
No
Infotainment system looks awful
Have you tried it? It's easy to use and really responsive.
I like this over the Type-R.
I test drove a Honda Type R. Mash the "go" pedal on that sucker and get the steering wheel ripped out of your hands. I much prefer AWD or RWD on a car with a strong engine.
Pretty sure there’s less torque in the manual.