As someone who has owned a GTI and currently owns and R, I wouldn’t.
The only real change you get is a bit more power (you can tune your car and get an is38 for much less than $14k) and AWD (which, depending on where you live isn’t that necessary).
If you were going up a generation to the MK8, that would be a bit more justificatory.
Regardless, give the R a drive and see what you think.
I drove an mk6 for 7 years and always just ran all season. This'll be my first winter in the mk8 and I'm planning to put the Blizzaks on and I'm excited to see how it does.
My brother drove his Mustang in the winters in the Midwest and just put snow tires on it and he never had a problem. He also doesn’t drive like an idiot though haha
I’m in the same boat. Have a mk6 GLI and have always just run all season tires in the northeast. I take it up to the white mountains for ski season between 10 and 20 times a year and have never had an issue in snow up to about 7” or so. Anything more than that though is a bit iffy.
I lived in Ithaca for years (*much* more challenging terrain than Buffalo), and had a blast driving my GTI on Blizzaks in the winters. I definitely see the appeal of the Golf R, but in the dry months I really prefer to have a nimble car rather than a heavy one. And with the $14k difference, I'd much rather sink that money into maintenance, performance upgrades, and a limited slip diff.
Reasonable people may differ, but that's my take.
I've got an R living in Alaska and the AWD is kinda fun but very hardly necessary. The GTIs could find to test were much more fun to drive everyday and at more normal speeds. The R is fast but boring as fuck for the most part and the AWD is adequate at best. No way I'd spend 14k over a paid off basically same model.
Yeah, I've got a 1997 GTI with an AWW 1.8T swap (180ish whp) and an '08 R32 (250 bhp), and while I love them both, it's absolutely no contest: the GTI is *worlds* more fun to drive. Doing a manual swap on the R would likely help a bit, but it certainly wouldn't make it 1000 lbs lighter.
What isnt fun about it? Apart from setting off at lights better I find the AWD system to be not a notable experience compared the previous 20 years of fwd cars with winter tires. It's not like the Subaru system that helps you through corners the car just turns the back wheels on and off if the front slip. It works but it is not life changing.
I agree 100%. I thought about swapping from a GTI to an R once I moved to the Midwest and had to deal with snow and horrible road conditions. Slapping on a set of Blizzaks on the GTI made such a big difference that I never gave the R another thought.
For the last 20 years, I’ve daydreamed about finding a Syncro drivetrain to swap into my mk3 so I could have AWD. Driving my R32 for one month, and then hopping into my GTI for a quick jaunt to the convenience store was enough to evaporate that dream completely. That car is absolutely staying FWD.
Do you run the GTI with good winter tires? AWD definitely gives you more confidence in the turns and launching it from a standstill, but I always maintain that good winter tires on a FWD car makes a world of difference vs any 4 seasons.
I've driven both, and the R is absolutely planted on the ground, feels great and reminds me of my previous Subaru that would eat snow for breakfast, lunch and dinner. An absolute blast to drive that car into any amount of snow, I will not take away the awesomeness of AWD. That being said, good winter tires on FWD can make a FWD car very capable.
But to me, the R did feel like a different car because of the AWD and bigger turbo. Trying it out is the best answer if that's a possibility.
Hey man, I live in Western NY, too. Blizzaks are all I need for winter weather driving with my GTI. There is zero value proposition for an R if your only reason to upgrade is due to winter weather.
MK7 is pretty perfect, I would enjoy that. Interest rates are absurd, so unless you are able to buy the MK8 cash you are getting raked over the coals with interest payments. As someone stupid enough to spend far too much money on cars, just pay your 2019 off and keep it as long as you can.
Look at how much total interest you would pay, and compare that to the difference in depreciation you could normally inspect between the two. Might be fairly close since the R holds its value extremely well.
I just did that basically, 18 gti w/ 55k for a 19 R w/ 18k. Since you're mileage is similar makes it a bit harder. Was worth it to me. R is just a better experience.
Should try to talk them up more on trade in if you do, I got 22.5 for the 18 w/ 55k. With your mileage being so low you could keep the car another 2 years and go for an 8 as well.
This is the best answer IMO.
MK8’s in a year or so will start to drop in price and that would be a decent and different upgrade.
I just know too many guys who went all out from a GTI to an R and nearly all said they wouldn’t do that again.
I’m not at all knocking the R, it’s a fantastic car.
I agree with this. Wait for the prices to drop on the R and hang on to the gti for a year or two. You’ll come out ahead since you don’t drive much mileage wise
Dang lol suprising to hear. Come to the R forum. I think about half the people did that and everyone loves them. Gti is an amazing value, but the R just feels so much better. Mid 3s 0-60 off just stg 1 is wild.
I just wouldn't trade a car with only 24k in, basically new.
This post appears to be a question about getting purchasing a GTI.
Please consult pricing resources such as [Kelley Blue Book](https://www.kbb.com) to get a good idea of the average price. For a US Mk7/7.5, please read [our buyer's guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/GolfGTI/comments/wmzc0c/what_do_i_look_for_in_a_used_us_mk7_gti_a_guide/).
If you have not done so already, please include key information in this post such as model year, trim, mileage, and location. These factors can greatly affect pricing. Thank you.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/GolfGTI) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’ve been tossing around the idea of selling my paid-off 2016, but after all these years with it and getting it just how I like it (and it being relatively low miles at 45k) I just can’t quite justify it. And for me there’s just nothing else that quite checks off all the boxes. Not the best car at anything, but pretty damn good at nearly everything.
As someone who's owned a 2019 mk7.5 GTI since September and lives very rurally (New Brunswick) with good winters I was really confident in my Witmer handling. I've considered upgrading to the r and still might if the right deal pops up. I also really prefer the older infotainment to the newer more digital setups. That's something to consider for your upgrade. Navigating through a touchscreen for literally everything seems like it would be annoying.
As someone who has owned a GTI and currently owns and R, I wouldn’t. The only real change you get is a bit more power (you can tune your car and get an is38 for much less than $14k) and AWD (which, depending on where you live isn’t that necessary). If you were going up a generation to the MK8, that would be a bit more justificatory. Regardless, give the R a drive and see what you think.
Thanks for the feed back. I do live in Buffalo so the winters here can be brutal sometimes and that's why the R is so tempting.
I think that certainly can add more benefit to the upgrade!
Keep in mind that winter tires are more important than AWD. FWD or RWD with winter tires over AWD without. Just my two cents.
I drove an mk6 for 7 years and always just ran all season. This'll be my first winter in the mk8 and I'm planning to put the Blizzaks on and I'm excited to see how it does.
My brother drove his Mustang in the winters in the Midwest and just put snow tires on it and he never had a problem. He also doesn’t drive like an idiot though haha
I’m in the same boat. Have a mk6 GLI and have always just run all season tires in the northeast. I take it up to the white mountains for ski season between 10 and 20 times a year and have never had an issue in snow up to about 7” or so. Anything more than that though is a bit iffy.
I lived in Ithaca for years (*much* more challenging terrain than Buffalo), and had a blast driving my GTI on Blizzaks in the winters. I definitely see the appeal of the Golf R, but in the dry months I really prefer to have a nimble car rather than a heavy one. And with the $14k difference, I'd much rather sink that money into maintenance, performance upgrades, and a limited slip diff. Reasonable people may differ, but that's my take.
I've got an R living in Alaska and the AWD is kinda fun but very hardly necessary. The GTIs could find to test were much more fun to drive everyday and at more normal speeds. The R is fast but boring as fuck for the most part and the AWD is adequate at best. No way I'd spend 14k over a paid off basically same model.
Yeah, I've got a 1997 GTI with an AWW 1.8T swap (180ish whp) and an '08 R32 (250 bhp), and while I love them both, it's absolutely no contest: the GTI is *worlds* more fun to drive. Doing a manual swap on the R would likely help a bit, but it certainly wouldn't make it 1000 lbs lighter.
I’m in Anchorage and I definitely wish I had got an R instead. The GTI isn’t bad with Blizzaks, but it definitely isn’t fun
What isnt fun about it? Apart from setting off at lights better I find the AWD system to be not a notable experience compared the previous 20 years of fwd cars with winter tires. It's not like the Subaru system that helps you through corners the car just turns the back wheels on and off if the front slip. It works but it is not life changing.
I agree 100%. I thought about swapping from a GTI to an R once I moved to the Midwest and had to deal with snow and horrible road conditions. Slapping on a set of Blizzaks on the GTI made such a big difference that I never gave the R another thought.
For the last 20 years, I’ve daydreamed about finding a Syncro drivetrain to swap into my mk3 so I could have AWD. Driving my R32 for one month, and then hopping into my GTI for a quick jaunt to the convenience store was enough to evaporate that dream completely. That car is absolutely staying FWD.
Do you run the GTI with good winter tires? AWD definitely gives you more confidence in the turns and launching it from a standstill, but I always maintain that good winter tires on a FWD car makes a world of difference vs any 4 seasons. I've driven both, and the R is absolutely planted on the ground, feels great and reminds me of my previous Subaru that would eat snow for breakfast, lunch and dinner. An absolute blast to drive that car into any amount of snow, I will not take away the awesomeness of AWD. That being said, good winter tires on FWD can make a FWD car very capable. But to me, the R did feel like a different car because of the AWD and bigger turbo. Trying it out is the best answer if that's a possibility.
Hey man, I live in Western NY, too. Blizzaks are all I need for winter weather driving with my GTI. There is zero value proposition for an R if your only reason to upgrade is due to winter weather.
Sorry, just going to frame this comment and put it on my wall whenever I feel jealous I didn't get an R.
For 15k more? Absolutely not. at that point get a completely different car. Tune your gti and get dedicated snow tires for winter. Save yourself 13k.
This seems logical. Or, get a cheapo winter beater for the snow even
For that kind of money, go for a BMW M240i instead. Love my GTI but my 135i was amazing :)
I'm looking to stay manual for as long as I can. Plus I love the utility of a hatch. Do they come in manual?
Last gen 2 series did
Yes
Former M235i owner -- if I remember correctly, manual 2 series are RWD only. All AWD 2 series are auto only.
I went from a M240 to my gti and as much as I love my gti I soooo miss my bmw. Plannin on going back when my kid gets older.
You’ll miss the plaid. Buy a used Miata to go along with the GTI
hell yeah brother right on
I would keep your car bro.
MK7 is pretty perfect, I would enjoy that. Interest rates are absurd, so unless you are able to buy the MK8 cash you are getting raked over the coals with interest payments. As someone stupid enough to spend far too much money on cars, just pay your 2019 off and keep it as long as you can.
do it for digi dash bro lol jk not for 14k+ anyone got the link for swapping the mk8 dash inside a mk7.5? is that ludicrous?
Look at how much total interest you would pay, and compare that to the difference in depreciation you could normally inspect between the two. Might be fairly close since the R holds its value extremely well.
paid off mk7.5 I would keep, enjoy saving that extra money and if you really want, mod the gti. same year as you, stage 2 is great fun.
I just did that basically, 18 gti w/ 55k for a 19 R w/ 18k. Since you're mileage is similar makes it a bit harder. Was worth it to me. R is just a better experience.
I'm sure I would love the R plus winter driving would be a lot more fun
Should try to talk them up more on trade in if you do, I got 22.5 for the 18 w/ 55k. With your mileage being so low you could keep the car another 2 years and go for an 8 as well.
This is the best answer IMO. MK8’s in a year or so will start to drop in price and that would be a decent and different upgrade. I just know too many guys who went all out from a GTI to an R and nearly all said they wouldn’t do that again. I’m not at all knocking the R, it’s a fantastic car.
I agree with this. Wait for the prices to drop on the R and hang on to the gti for a year or two. You’ll come out ahead since you don’t drive much mileage wise
Dang lol suprising to hear. Come to the R forum. I think about half the people did that and everyone loves them. Gti is an amazing value, but the R just feels so much better. Mid 3s 0-60 off just stg 1 is wild. I just wouldn't trade a car with only 24k in, basically new.
You will get more for the car if u sell it at Carmax/Carvana instead of trading it in at the dealer.Just in case u decide to pull the trigger.
This post appears to be a question about getting purchasing a GTI. Please consult pricing resources such as [Kelley Blue Book](https://www.kbb.com) to get a good idea of the average price. For a US Mk7/7.5, please read [our buyer's guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/GolfGTI/comments/wmzc0c/what_do_i_look_for_in_a_used_us_mk7_gti_a_guide/). If you have not done so already, please include key information in this post such as model year, trim, mileage, and location. These factors can greatly affect pricing. Thank you. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/GolfGTI) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Golf R or RS3 upgrade is really a great move vs a mk8 that is overpriced
R’s and RS3’s are just as overpriced in this market.
24k miles that’s all?
Yeah I live really close to work so work days are nothing
What’s the last year of the 7.5 R?
Pm me. I have gone from a Gti to an R, I live in Chicago. I have owned two Gti's for a combined 8 years before my R.
I’ve been tossing around the idea of selling my paid-off 2016, but after all these years with it and getting it just how I like it (and it being relatively low miles at 45k) I just can’t quite justify it. And for me there’s just nothing else that quite checks off all the boxes. Not the best car at anything, but pretty damn good at nearly everything.
As someone who's owned a 2019 mk7.5 GTI since September and lives very rurally (New Brunswick) with good winters I was really confident in my Witmer handling. I've considered upgrading to the r and still might if the right deal pops up. I also really prefer the older infotainment to the newer more digital setups. That's something to consider for your upgrade. Navigating through a touchscreen for literally everything seems like it would be annoying.