Comments by "Stephen Hendricks" (@stephenhendricks103) on "" video.

  1. If memory serves, virtually every new generation of Golf variants (e.g. GTI and Golf R) is met with cries of despair from the previous generation that the vehicle has been ruined. The MK8 generation is no exception. It might be worthwhile to consider that virtually every review I've seen of each variant points to significant improvements in power (including the benefits of lower RPM peak torque) and improved suspension and handling. Furthermore, the availability of eye candy in the form of the highly configurable dash and heads up display has drawn praise. It may seem obvious but apparently it's necessary to point out that those changes don't come at no cost either in terms of design or production, especially when the development and production costs of the previous generation have long since been paid for. Thus, to keep the MSRPs constrained, it's necessary to find cost cutting measures somewhere. It's clear that VW has done so by cheapening some controls and overall interior designs and materials. As an owner of a Mk7.5 (Autobahn) GTI I share some of those sentiments. And I'm unlikely to benefit greatly from more HP and torque or eye candy that doesn't tell me more than I already can access on my vehicle. On the other hand if I were using my GTI on the track frequently I suspect I'd be happy to make the trade VW has made available in the MK8. And if I felt I was at the upper limit or performance or handling on my current ride I'd look forward to considering the MK8 GTI or Golf R. And I'd be grateful that the price increase in the new models are no more than they are.
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  2. OK, Boys....(and I use the term intentionally), try recommending the MT while driving for hours in near gridlocked traffic in Seattle (or Toronto). Suffice to say you'll learn to appreciate the DSG, especially considering that you can put it in manual mode and hold the selected gear all the way to redline. (And with an APR tune hold it at and beyond redline.) A manual transmission is great fun on empty roads or a track (I have a VW CC with a rare MT.) but for those whose lives consist of dealing with the delights of urban traffic, a DSG has more advantages than simply better performance and greater fuel efficiency.
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  3.  @TheStraightPipes  Well, that's certainly an informed and persuasive response.
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