sucked a bird. 

Looks like you made it to Minny before the rain came through. That's a good thing considering rain, darkness, poor headlights and 50 year old windshield wipers. 

Where’s the kaboom?

the golf hatch i have is never going to be a fast and furious type.  that’s the way it is and i’m fine with that.  my comment was more specifically about 2nd and 3rd gears which are quite fun.  my guess is that my idea of ‘spirited driving’ and yours differ.  i’m happy to have my fun in 2nd and 3rd and then return…

ya, those are not 3 i would expect anyone to be cross shopping.  the cayman must be fun. 

colors!  exterior and interior.  yet another reason to excuse the excess cladding. 

i cannot tell if the folks here who lust after the 2.0 in a sportwagen/all-trak are thinking of the 1 year gas 2.0 from 2009 or the 2.0 diesel of tdi infamy.

no. you just think you want it.

since the all-track arrived you have been able to order a sportwagen with a 5spd manual and 4 motion. however the only trim level it exists is s trim. no se or sel sportwagens with manual or 4motion.  

vwoa and vwoc are 2 different beasts.  they dictate what gets made and sold in each country. hint, try finding an engine heater in a vwoa car.  it doesn’t exist but i believe every vwoc car north of the border gets one. 

yes.  this is the answer.  if you can find a golf r in manual.  they are seasonally available (at least new). 

so what did you buy?  where exactly did you find a manual in a top trim level from another manufacturer?  or did you have to compromise? 

careful. cars.com absolutely sucks at mis-listing autos as manuals. check the dealer before you travel..........

you can configure a sportwagen with a manual *and* 4 motion but in s trim only. no manual or 4 motion options for the se or sel trims. those are only fwd auto options. the auto options are triptronic only, no dsg available.

interesting.  i drive a 2017 golf 1.8 w a 5sp manual.  i find 2nd, and esp 3rd gear, to be a lot of fun.  is it a gti or r beast?  no, but both 4th and 5th are considered overdrive gearing and that responds with really good mpg values. 

few years ago i was cross shopping mazda 3 hatch and vw golf bc both had manuals. i drove the mazda first (touring trim iirc) and found it was nice in all respects - seating position, driveability, interior components, space, looks etc. then i went and drove the golf se. the *only* way the golf lost was in cost - and…

And the other 164 comments are unnecessary. 

^^^ YES!!!

you can tell them but it doesn’t mean they will hear you.

i’m considering creating another kinja account just so i can add an additional star to your comment.