MK5 GTI or MK1 Cupra R?

[SRStdi]

HI Guys

Ive read the specs and the cupra has more power and is faster.... but has anyone owned both?
Obvious the mk5 starts at a 55 plate... the cupra r finshed on a 55 plate so they are getting older.

Right now i could buy a Cupra R with partexing my Fabia VRS but im wondering if i should hold off?

Obvious ill get some bias opinions... i would expect anything else

Cheers
Scott

 

[Willie]

The MK5 Golf will be slightly better handling out of the box, remapped they will be very similar on power and acceleration.
The MK5 Golf will be better decked out inside. The braking systems will be similarly efficient. IMHO the Golf is Stereotype bland, if you look up bland in the dictionary you will find a picture of a 1.4 Golf. But the GTI is nicer but still a bit too bland for a fast family car. The Golf will give you slightly better MPG if drive carefully. The Golf will hold its price better but if i had to choose again and in your situation I would still choose the LCR, its a very nice looking car and I still say that after 5 1/2 years.
Each to their own, both very very good FWD cars.

 

[m0rk]

The MK5 Golf will be slightly better handling out of the box, remapped they will be very similar on power and acceleration.
The MK5 Golf will be better decked out inside. The braking systems will be similarly efficient. IMHO the Golf is Stereotype bland, if you look up bland in the dictionary you will find a picture of a 1.4 Golf. But the GTI is nicer but still a bit too bland for a fast family car. The Golf will give you slightly better MPG if drive carefully. The Golf will hold its price better but if i had to choose again and in your situation I would still choose the LCR, its a very nice looking car and I still say that after 5 1/2 years.
Each to their own, both very very good FWD cars.

I agree there with all the points.

Every time I see a Golf GTI I wonder if they only bought it because it was on a magazine.

What you really want is an LCR with the rear suspension & engine of the golf.

 

[stpete]

What you really want is an LCR with the rear suspension & engine of the golf.

Now that's a dangerous idea, good though, almost perfect car imo!

 

[DanGB]

I'd say the golf would be streets ahead in terms of handling and drivability. Its a fantastic step up on the mk4 chassis. Engine wise its a completely different story. The 2.0TFSI is a fantastic engine with plenty of potential. Lots of tuning options available now.

Interior wise the golf can have all the toys like bluetooth etc. A lot more modern inside.

They really are two completely different cars.

 

[AndyHazza]

As said above really. They are 2 completely different cars, best bet is drive both and see which you prefere. I have able to drive both kinds of car working here, and we have had both of those cars as demo vehicles, so have pushed both of them with the performance mods.

The LCR we had was a rediculously quick car for a standard turbo'd one. The ride was a little bit dubious on it though, if you were to get one i would normally recommend maybe some coilovers and at the very least a rear ARB for it. The LCR's, IMO, are still one of the best looking standard cars out there, straight out of the box they are a car that looks wise wouldnt need touching (ride height, wheels etc - not bodykits ). You will need to spend a bit of cash though to get them as quick as they deserve to be. Ideally looking at a full turbo back (with a 3'' downpipe and cat back), air filter, preferably an FMIC and stage 2 software.

The MK5 GTi's we have had (1 manual and 1 DSG) have been amazing cars. As Dan mentioned, the 2.0TFSI engine is an amazing piece of kit. From a remap it will go to a relatively similar level as the LCR straight off, but will kick out more torque. The chassis on the mk5 is again far better than the mk4/leon platform. Also the interior seems a lot better put together IMO. The DSG's are exceptionally smooth, but i still prefere the manual (unless i'm feeling lazy, in which case the DSG is great for tootling and in traffic ). With decent mods and mapping on the MK5 you will get a quicker car than with the LCR thats for sure.

At the end of the day though, the choice is yours. Drive a standard version of each car if you can, and see how you feel in both.

 

[robdf2]

it all depends on what u want from a car and what you want to do with it long term?

why not look at mk2 FR?
same set up as golf , probably pick it up cheaper and a well specced one ,
tbh the 2.0 tfsi engine is the way forward , have a test drive with someone and you will see straight away.

reason i got my cupra was suposedly 300bhp just from a remap !
still not done it yet though lol
just enjoying the power delivery as it is.

 

[AndyHazza]

Robdf2... Your right, the cupra's go to about 300bhp from a stage 1 map alone, and when you play with them they go like a ba^*@rd!! Come on get it mapped...... you know you want to

 

[robdf2]

Robdf2... Your right, the cupra's go to about 300bhp from a stage 1 map alone, and when you play with them they go like a ba^*@rd!! Come on get it mapped...... you know you want to

that an offer Andy?

 

[AndyHazza]

Why dont you take a journey up here mate and at least have the free trial done on it Would be a fun drive back for you

 

[robdf2]

Why dont you take a journey up here mate and at least have the free trial done on it Would be a fun drive back for you

free trial is no fun !
it comes off 2 quick lol

had Revo on my mk1 cupra , will get it on my new 1 soon

at santa pod tomorrow so want to run standard first see what its like then i have a bench mark for next time

 

[AndyHazza]

Have fun at the pod mate, dont rule out the APR though mate You should see a few cars down there tomorrow with the mapping on there. See what you think and let me know

 

[SRStdi]

Cheers for the reply guys, i have my heart set on a Cupra R.... always have.

Now heres the clincher, i have a cupra tdi and a fabia vrs... Now i love my Cupra tdi and want a petrol version hence looking at the Cupra R.

Can you own 2 leons??? LOL

You are right though the Cupra is more agressive out of the box, and those who own won know what they are all about. Anyone i see in a Golf gti bought it because its Top Gear and What car magazines all the time!

Cupra R it is.... but ill have 2 of them... what will the neighbours say

 

[Willie]

They'll be jealous, and so will I.
Perfect set up with the best of both worlds.
Just make sure you get the keys to the LCR first in the morning before the wife steals them

 

[SRStdi]

Ha ha ha thats the best bit about having a younger mrs, she wont go on the insurance for the LCR where ill be insured on both cars LOL i dont think that will last for long mind you!!!!

 

[Willie]

Make sure if you do get the LCR keep a bit of money aside and give us a shout

 

[Cupra Ross]

Have to say, I find the Mk5 Golf and Mk2 Leon utterly boring to look at. They're not good looking cars at all IMO. The Mk1 Leon was a beautiful design with stunning curves, all of that was lost on the Mk2. The Mk4 Golf was boxy and boring and the Mk5 did little to improve this.

Just my opinion but I think you'd struggle to own a better looking Standard car than a Cupra R.

Honest John seems to think so too:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=19
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=361

 

[johntheboy]

Agree with Cupra Ross the mk1 LCR was and is a stunning car. Mk5 is a good looking car, the edition 30 is alot nicer than the GTI... if a GTI goes past my head doesnt really turn but if an LCR goes past my tounge is out. Thing is you'd be able to pick up an LCR for a lot less money than a mk5 gti. Even if money isnt an issue spend that saving on mods and you'd have a great motor. Someone mentioned the FMIC on the cupra R and I dont think ive seen this done before. Ive seen iton the cupras leon & Ibiza but not the LCR.

 

[Nutkin]

5>1


nuff said

 

[Al]

Why not look at a MK2 Leon Cupra? They are almost as cheap as some of the earlier MK5 Golf GTi's now, and they are better than both the Leon Cupra R and MK5 Golf GTi performance wise with regard to straight line, corners and stopping. Downsides include like it or hate it looks, nasty centre part of dash and the fact that the edition 30 does everything the Cupra does (with the exception of the big brakes) but with the option of DSG.