Hard decision: Golf R vs Cupra 290

[Fmxvxx]

Was un impressed with the golf R 4wd system all haldex 4wd are pretty naff on the limit they seem to act like fwd cars, and if I want a fwd car the Leon is miles cheaper and better equipt.

Honestly I would wait to Test the new Focus RS I've spoken to a few people who've where able to drive it at the press event a few weeks back and I think it'll blow the golf R out of the water.

 

[sf04our]

Only problem with the RS is going to be getting hold of one initially. Speaking to a Ford dealer last weekend they've got plenty of orders already and not going to be able to supply them very quickly. With the £30k price and no discount or offers on them puts it into another bracket compared to a Cupra 290 to me

 

[Boj27]

If the Cupra had 4WD I'd take the Cupra hands down every time. I think it's a better looking car, better equipped as standard, you're talking 7 grand worth of extras to bring the car up to the spec my Cupra has and I got mine for 21k a year old. Mind you, roads are wet 70% of the time here in the uk, so the 4wd is going to benefit you a lot.

For me, it's either performance in all conditions vs a better looking, massively cheaper. The choice is yours.

 

[JDandCoke]

Thanks for the responses for far. I have driven both the golf r and cupra 280 but still cannot make my mind up with which one to go for. I personally do not think the price difference between them is justified but i am not very experienced buying cars (this being my first ever brand new car purchase).

What do others more knowledgable and experienced than me think? Does the price difference reflect differences in build quality and can this be recouped when selling the car after 5 years?

Cheers

Go with your heart also....don't forget you will be driving it for 5 years! I had the same dilemma as you 9 months ago but went for the Cupra. The golf looks so boring now...preferred the mark 6 which I had a GTI in. The Cupra is also a rarer beast and yes may lose a bit more than the golf but in the end it's all down to what you feel happiest in. The Cupra made me smile the moment I drove it and I think it's a nicer looking car all round than the Golf and better value pound for pound.


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[noel2014]

Picked 290 up today. Wow, what a car. It's extremely impressive and has a lot of character. Like others have said too - not many about so turns more heads.

 

[sf04our]

enjoy the car!! I also went for one with similar reasoning, just got to wait another few weeks before I can pick it up....

 

[JJ-Griff]

I'm biased (as many others probably are on this forum) but I'd go for the 290. The old man's black manual example should be arriving in the next month or so and I'm starting to get excited, naturally! As above though, the Golf R is the obvious choice so I'd go for the more exclusive choice personally

Not sure when the first Focus RS demos are arriving in dealer showrooms but we looked at one when replacing our first Leon and the interior is pretty grim IMO (don't seem to have changed from then tbh) - apart from that they do look mightily impressive, if not a bit yobbish haha.

 

[Chippo]

Test drove both, bought Cupra. Any regrets? No!

 

[cupraboss]

Test drove both, bought Cupra. Any regrets? No!

Out of curiosity what made you choose the Cupra over the Golf R?

 

[Chippo]

Basically it came down to the spec and the price. To get same spec with Golf was about 7.5K more than I paid for the cupra. As for driving, yes the VW has 4WD etc but for everyday driving there is very little difference in terms of performance.

 

[cupraboss]

Basically it came down to the spec and the price. To get same spec with Golf was about 7.5K more than I paid for the cupra. As for driving, yes the VW has 4WD etc but for everyday driving there is very little difference in terms of performance.

Exactly my assessment mate

 

[Chippo]

Go for the Cupra, you wont regret it.

 

[noel2014]

Amazing car love it

 

[Clazzer]

I like the VW R's, but there's just too many around, and I think the SEAT is a better looking car.
I know I'd struggle to choose one over the other, nice problem to have though!

 

[Wings988]

Basically it came down to the spec and the price. To get same spec with Golf was about 7.5K more than I paid for the cupra. As for driving, yes the VW has 4WD etc but for everyday driving there is very little difference in terms of performance.

+1 definitely have cupra over golf R. As for the focus RS, I'm sure it'll be a great drive but 5 door only puts me off I just don't like the look of 5 door cars especially the focus. Its a real shame they don't make a 3 door focus RS in the current model. All this world car crap has ruined it, every previous focus had a 3 door variant.

 

[Matt280]

Basically it came down to the spec and the price. To get same spec with Golf was about 7.5K more than I paid for the cupra. As for driving, yes the VW has 4WD etc but for everyday driving there is very little difference in terms of performance.

Exactly my thinking too! Same spec R was £10k higher when I got my 280.

 

[booncol]

Had the same situation. Ordered ST Cupra in dec 2015. Currently, after test drive in S3, I've canceled 290 order and waiting for good deal for the R. I realised that most of the time we accelerate in the range from 0 to 100kmh where FWD with 300hp is not the great option. And of course, for me R looks more mature what is important for 34yo "boy".

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[SteJP]

I had a golf r32, a real 'r' car. Not this one that's been giving away. I go for a 5 min drive and I see at least 2 or 3. Handing the cars out...going to destroy the 'r' image

 

[shadak]

Had the same situation. Ordered ST Cupra in dec 2015. Currently, after test drive in S3, I've canceled 290 order and waiting for good deal for the R. I realised that most of the time we accelerate in the range from 0 to 100kmh where FWD with 300hp is not the great option. And of course, for me R looks more mature what is important for 34yo "boy".

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Reasonable argument but the latter comment about golf being mature Im not sure in our country GTI's and R's are mostly driven by chavs and "street racers", not all of them but majority for sure.

 

[noel2014]

I've done 600 miles in my 290 so far since 26th January. Just drove from
Tamworth (staffs) to Peterborough and saw 2 golf R's. They are everywhere. The 290 is such a character it's unbelievable. It's a no brainer IMO.