Originally Posted by vader1

As for the manual in the GTI or the R, IMHO, the DSG is better suited to the car, and I am pretty much a manual or nothing guy. The reason I say this is that the manual is geared SUPER tall. I think they do 73 MPH in second gear. The redline is also pretty low on the engine, but the power comes on at the top of the rev range. Unless you are always driving it like you stole it, in first and second gear, you wait out the turbo lag, get a rush of power, immediately hit the limiter and shift. All the joy of working the gear box is taken away from the tall gearing and low redline. With shorter gearing it would not look as good on paper, but would be a lot more fun to work in traffic. The DSG just keeps the car in the powerband and shifts instantly. The manual shifts fine, and the feel is OK, but is pretty joyless the way it is set up.

Originally Posted by GTflyer0116

I own both a 2018 GTI S with the DSG and a 2002 Honda S2000. The GTI has been a perfectly daily. I went with the DSG just because my wife and I plan to use the GTI for long trips and I already get the fun factor of the manual out of the S2000. The GTI excels in everyday practicality and space, useable loads of torque on the commute, and the quiet and comfortable nature of the cabin. If you are looking for pure fun factor, then the MS3 might be your better option. If you want a warranty and a fun do-it-all car, get the GTI. I highly recommend the GTI as a daily.

Originally Posted by vader1

Nice choice. I was thinking about exactly the same car for a new daily. I have driven the manual R and it was not worth the extra coin over the GTI with a manual. Still need to try the DSG R before I decide.

As for the manual in the GTI or the R, IMHO, the DSG is better suited to the car, and I am pretty much a manual or nothing guy. The reason I say this is that the manual is geared SUPER tall. I think they do 73 MPH in second gear. The redline is also pretty low on the engine, but the power comes on at the top of the rev range. Unless you are always driving it like you stole it, in first and second gear, you wait out the turbo lag, get a rush of power, immediately hit the limiter and shift. All the joy of working the gear box is taken away from the tall gearing and low redline. With shorter gearing it would not look as good on paper, but would be a lot more fun to work in traffic. The DSG just keeps the car in the powerband and shifts instantly. The manual shifts fine, and the feel is OK, but is pretty joyless the way it is set up.

Originally Posted by CMK

The GTI looks great. I do really like the Mk7.5 facelift.


Spot-on. It is geared really tall, which does make it hard to keep the boost up. You really do have to wring it out to maximize power, but there's an awful lot of power on tap. This engine is definitely underrated.