Hot Hatch Test-The Sydney Morning Herald.

[fasthonda]

This test had a number of hot hatches including the Type R and the new WRX.They liked the CTR but still relegated it to the bottom of the placings.:(
The review did not consider the new WRX as a hot hatch.:confused:

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=43058

[GupZ]

weird comment.....:eek:....

[JaCe]

1. Motor PCOTY also rated the CTR very poorly.
2. New WRX is so new they haven't had a chance to test it properly? Either that or they don't even consider it "hot" lol...

EDIT The new WRX doesn't look so bad. Looks like the final production model removed the drunken-look grille with bit of chrome.. and replaced it with what looks a bit like the current Evo IX grille (i.e. empty mesh). At <$40k, the features list (169kW, Xenon, bodykit, 17", rear diffuser, stability control, etc..) isn't too shabby. On the whole, it's alright, and they definitely improved the look since the original launch pics came out.

Grille: http://www.subaru.com.au/themes/subaru/tacticalPanel_dsp.cfm?height=100&width=350&highlight_id=AF4671E3-1372-5430-5B2122DF306930ED&site_id=13ADA39C-1254-137C-AA9B13F20A10F940&imageLoc=http://www.subaru.com.au/files/highlights/

[IAMVTEC]

Golf GTI again? How many times does these media have to run the same article, so damn predictable.

I dont care what they say the Type R is the best car there and the only one Id even remotely consider buying. Its the only one with proper styling and uniqueness.

[EG30]

Seems like the motoring press all over the world is playing the same old broken record for the past 3 years with the praises heaped onto the Mk V Golf GTi, but.....

They are certainly not wrong.

I wish I could say my Dc2r could easily keep up with my fren's 2007 golf gti in between gears but I can't. To keep up I have to be right inside the hig end of the VTEC zone and have my gearchanges absolutely bang on; whereas he can afford to be slightly off guard and the direct injected turbo engine with minimum lag would just whoosh the car along be it in the straights or between corners. Drove another fren's new S3 a few weeks back, with the same TFSI engine as the gti but with a bigger turbo/intercooler and full time 4WD and this thing was that much faster again! If I had this car I would leave my drivers lic at the police station prior to delivery of the car, so they don't need to pick it up from my house in a week's time.

I still like my Hondas, as the lightweight nature is not found in many cars these days and I enjoy the tuning process. But with new gen of cars ie the UK spec CTR tipping the scales at 1350kg which is about the same as a golf gti, not having a boosted or big capacity with the torque it's like pushing s**t uphill when faced with the stiff competition such as the golf gti, astra vxr, megane turbo, and the Mazda MPS. I sense that either Honda would have to go for turbo ( just like BMW who refrained for a long time and has now released the superb 335i/Ci 3.0 L twin turbo six ) or release a sub 1050Kg sub civic sized car ( Jazz/CRX/Beat ) with a frentic NA K series engine to reclaim the niche it had all to itself previously. If Madza can make the Mazda 2 small 5 dr hatch at around 1000Kg I'm sure Honda can too.

[fasthonda]

I had the opportunity a week ago to test drive the Golf GTI(manual).This was the second time only that I have ever driven a turbo car.I know that there are faster turbos but the pull of the car was smile inducing to me.I purposely went over railway tracks and roads(sealed) that are in poor repair and I have to say,the ride was very compliant and the handling was very good.
I have still to test drive the CTR,but I don't think the ride will be as compliant as the GTI.
In terms of style,the CTR does look more modern,I think the seats are better in the CTR,but I am not a fan of the dash.The GTI's dash may look boring however,I prefer it over the CTR's dash.
Reality is that not every road is smooth so that the CTR can take full advantage of it's handling and grip-
I have the Herald SUN review 24/08 on the two cars one of the reviewers
said:
"It(CTR) doesn't do anything the GTI can't do.And the GTI does it in a more civilised and ultimately,more enjoyable way"

How much does the above statement ring true? I suppose people that have driven both cars will have some idea.

I agree with EG30's statements in his last paragraph.Honda needs to rethink it's Type R philosophy you just can't have a 4 pot 1350kg NA car going up against forced fed cars of similiar weight!

[6ary]

I have the Herald SUN review 24/08 on the two cars one of the reviewers
said:
"It(CTR) doesn't do anything the GTI can't do.And the GTI does it in a more civilised and ultimately,more enjoyable way"

How much does the above statement ring true? I suppose people that have driven both cars will have some idea.

I agree with EG30's statements in his last paragraph.Honda needs to rethink it's Type R philosophy you just can't have a 4 pot 1350kg NA car going up against forced fed cars of similar weight!

Personally I have not driven a GTI (I was considering it though) but I do own a FN2, alot of "dc2 type" of drivers in general like to talk down the new CTR saying its not a true typeR, I kind of agree with that, it need brembos and LSD AT LEAST. But I let a friend have a test drive - he drove my fn2 and i drove his ap1. He admitted that he actually liked it, we both commented how the chassis rigidity was noticeably better, but of course the s2k's FR layout was more fun to drive. Unfortunately Australia didn't get the FD2R, but even if they did it would still be a really difficult choice for me as there are plenty of FD2R wannabes around, no offense, I owned a base dc5 and I was a wannabe typeR myself. I agree with you that the golf is more civilized, but fun to drive? I'm placing my bet that its no where near as fun/engaging. Performance comes first to me but a close 2nd would be looks and the golf is very understated and hardly gets any 2nd looks from me. To me it's a cross between a GTI and a FD2R. The FN2 might be not be the best typeR there is but its about the whole package.

[kraiye]

prolly better of pitting it against an ep3

for N/A honda is still doing pretty kick-arse

"I wish I could say my Dc2r could easily keep up with my fren's 2007 golf gti in between gears but I can't."

Yeah but of course put a hairdryer on the "OLD" itr and once again it's in front

[Pumped]

Captain drag up old thread.
Simple flash tune on a golf gti and its a whole new animal :p

[wynode]

I think we're talking stock for stock though.

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82462&highlight=wrx%2A (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82462&highlight=wrx&#37;2A)

The CTR is fun to drive however the real problem is the lack of torque down low compared to the other models. The WRX has plenty of torque on tap from 1,500RPM and max torque at 2,800rpm

All depends on what you are after too........Golf Gti just doesn't have enough power compared to the MPS and the WRX. Also the Satnav in the GTi is pretty piss poor compared to the WRX (that's if you're after it).

[Pumped]

Hands down IMO the golf gti is the best package, ive looked at them all.
ctr needs more torque, wrx seating position is probably the worst of any car ive sat in, try using the clutch if your over 6ft, you cant..
mps3 is nice but it feels cheaply finished i guess you get that if your basing it on a car that starts from 20g.

the golf feels the most polished/finished
Its not the quickest but it uses its power well and feels good doing so.