I got spanked

[CTRnutter]

...as for the ride and handling, I have never been more disappointed in all my life. I don’t feel any real connection with it, it is so bland and neutral that even when driven at top speed on the Autobahn or round the Nürburgring it still leaves me decidedly cold. ...the Scirocco is just soulless.

Why did you buy one?

I think its one of those things, I share the same opinion too, the scirocco by all accounts is a lovely car, bland inside but very functional and feels like a quality product (even with the parts bin in full swing and the corner cutting), the car outside is visually stunning albeit its because it is something new and different, the power in stock form is decent enough but isnt going to set your hair on fire, with a re-map and few bits and bobs you can easily achieve enough power to match the looks, but the handling and feedback will leave you feeling a little disconnected. Everybody harps on about the lower centre of gravity and the wider track but still the golf feels more planted and as such gives you the confidence to push it a little harder. The understeer on the scirocco is dreadful I appreciate many wont push their cars hard enough to experience this but for those of you who want to push it on a trackday will find it very irritating.

Mine was sold because of other commitments and it will be missed but honestly as soon as the chance had come along for me to make the change for the golf I would have taken it, as it stands I cant afford to make that change, but I wont return to the scirocco it needs a little more excitement to back up the looks

[jonallen628]

Shame you had to sell it on mate CTRnutter, but it sounds as if you weren't totally happy with it anyway. Judging by your chosen mods and appearance at the Pod it's fair to say you are a spirited driver as am i. This is probably the root cause of some of your dissapointment as you obviously bought the Roc GT expecting a lot from the performance & handling but in all honesty the GT model was never going to be as focused as some would like / expect. I don't even think the R model will be good enough, too much style and not enough substance for those after a sharp turn in, communicative steering, heaps of feedback etc... I hope VW prove me wrong. There is little or nothing between the MKV GTi and the Roc in terms of handling, the GTi seems a little more composed in terms of putting its power down but the exit speeds in the Roc seem to be a little quicker.

I had a Clio 197 prior to the Roc and i have to say on a clear, twisty B road when giving it the beans i would choose the Clio over the Scirocco everytime. The Clio was so more planted and confidence inspiring, if you don't believe me checkout the Video on Autocar. The Clio easily keeps pace with the new Focus RS! Powerful FWD cars are always going to be a compromise, the RS understeers massively when driven hard and the setup on the Megane R is bone jerking and the compromises (plastic windows etc) are silly anywhere but on the track. (Hence they haven't sold them all yet). If you want a proper handling car you need RWD or 4WD.

However in all other respects the Clio and other cars of that Ilke (Civic type R) IMO cannot touch the Scirocco which is why i bought it, the 2.0 TSI GT is a fantastic all rounder IMO.

Just out of interest what tyres did your Roc have? I have to say i think a large amount of the handling sloppyness on mine can be put down to the tyres, Pirellis. I have to say that are crap both in the dry & wet. The Conti 3's i had on the Clio were immense. If i keep the car long enough i will go for some different tyres for sure.

I agree the cost cutting on the Scirocco interior is poor. I don't however see how you can say the Roc interior is bland then lust after a new Golf so much, the Seats and door trim in the Golf are so run of the mill you could be sitting in a Polo. The 10My Roc wins hands down IMO interior wise against the MKVI Golf, granted the 09My Roc is less cohesive inside because of the parts bin specials thrown in to the earlier cars.

Best of luck with the wedding planning, i am getting married later in the year too. Hope you don't find my comments rude / abrasive as that's not the intention, just some friendly debate.

[wigit]

good thoughs as always john, mine is on pirellis and i prefer them historically to dunlops, they are not as soft as the pirellis on the GTI which are better imho, i quite liked sport contacts 3 on my audis and may have some on roc soon

mark if you had revo you may have been in with a chance

i'm too on the wedding countdown so good luck chaps