When I clicked on this video, I definitely did not expect it to be apart of the Race to the Bottom series

As a Mk6 GTI owner with an intake, a catted down pipe, and a tune, I feel singled out! How dare you nail the stereotype that I am!

"You need to stop falling in love with 'falling in love'" a lot of people need to hear this

"Not every teenager knows Drake", the Roman is a G for that

Fry: So how I feel when I'm drunk is true! Nibbler: Yes, but the Dave Matthews Band doesn't rock.

"May not be the most influential car ever" Roman says about a car thats sold more units than the Beetle.

The MK7 and the MK7.5 specifically, is still a very handsome car.

I think the Roman needs to experience a mid 2000's Chevy Uplander to shake up the bottom 5

VW's are like Jeeps where the owners will whine and shake their fist at any changes the manufacturer makes to each new version, while simultaneously making hundreds of changes to their own unit.

I know someone who's got an addiction to Mk7 and Mk8 VWs. Every story about when they break down turns into a lecture about how the job "only" needs "a couple" special tools to rip half the car apart in a "clever" way. I think it's the crayon offgassing from the interior plastics.

Anybody: "what ca-" Me: "Toyota Corolla"

The real irony of the Golf/GTI is the extreme misunderstanding of what the car is between the states and Europe. In Europe that's a boring seen it everywhere car, with an older client base, tuned accordingly, and with enough of a good rep that the nicer versions get insanely (to us) expensive. It's every rental car I've ever gotten by default over there as well. In the states...it can be that, or it can be that weird other choice vs a base Camaro or Mustang. So your lawyer or doctor might have a nice and obsessively owned GTI here, OR it could be a sTAnCed, cat deleted, chassis notched, future nightmare trade in boys car. As a serial golf enjoyer myself I would like to point out that almost all of the common mods revolve around winding back that "seniors first" tuning aesthetic that the Europeans expect from this car. The absurdly linear power band, the little ball in the clutch hydraulic line that only exists to lengthen the shift moment, the suspension that is very nice but on the compliant side, etc... Drive a focus st back to back and it's fairly obvious that the ford was designed for a younger buying demo in the first place.

Hopefully, the shop also tells our man that those aren't even winter tires.

I drive a 2008 Golf Mk6 1.4 TSI. Officially the most average car ever. He 'll turn 16 in a couple of months, and I intend to keep him until the Mk9 comes out, which was confirmed by VW to be electric only. Golfs not only show status, they also show the exact opposite, indifference to status. No matter whether you're rich or poor, at some point in your life, you'll be able to afford one, whether it's new or used. It's the great equalizer. Just like death, but way less german.

no, i don't remember christina, stop fucking asking

Mr. Regular critiquing the engine bay layout shows he’s used to older vehicles. It’s tight but not that bad. Pulling a battery to replace a brake master is nothing.

To the Roman, I had no idea that you weren't being yourself, but I am glad you stopped, as I really like your shows. I have sat through hours of Corvette and Sabb etc videos. Your person is important with a key style man. Hey Roman, as a teenager in Australia, I was on my motorbike, a two-stroke, with a foul bikie next to me at the lights, with his BSA 650, He gunned his engine looking at me through his beard, and I did the same, like, you know politeness. He took off like a lunatic, and I passed him latter, with a police car talking to him about his speed I imagine?

You're the first person I have ever seen to talk smack about Michelin Cross Climate 2s.

I got a Polo GTI as a rental while in Switzerland. It was way nicer than I expected, and genuinely fun to drive. How fun? So fun that I wasn't even mad when a speed camera ticket showed up in my mailbox a month later. I was clearly smiling in the photo.

Look Roman. You need to review less 6 year old Golf’s, and more 2001 Suzuki Esteems if you want to start finding cars worthy of this series namesake.

Monday Morning Motorists' Musing: "What do people with lives do?" Thank you Roman!

I've had 2 of these over the years, the fact that a $500 tune and e85 gas can put this car at over 350hp is wild. Cheapest fun commuter car out there :)

I've owned three GTIs AND had two hernia surgeries and I took this personally 😂

2 minutes ago is crazy, the perfect video to BROWN to

The timing of this video is great. EuroTripper in Helen, Georgia, just ended. Thousands of modified VWs, Audis and Porches came together. I was there and I loved it. Your video is pretty accurate.

Driving my GTI brings a smile to my face each day. That's how you know you got the right car:)

I owned a 2019 GTI s, this video couldn't be more accurate to how it felt owning the car. The first year or so you feel so good with the car and it hits all the markers. But once the idea of mods enter your head, it never goes away. Oh I can spend 2k to make 100+hp yes, please, MORE!!!

When my Dad bought his mk7.5 DSG, I genuinely didnt think that I would enjoy it for a multitude of reasons. His car is 100% stock but I honestly don't really feel like it needs anything more. As a 20 year old gear head it's really captured my heart and gives me much more joy than I thought any Volkswagen would. Any chance I get to drive it, I take. I love the turbo noises it makes and how engaging it really is. I love how well it takes corners and instills confidence in my driving abilities but also shows it's limits well. I used to not even look at GTIs as an option for my next car but I've been converted. Although if I get one I'll be getting the 6 speed manual.

Funny you said a BWW manager because this car takes me back to working at the Fogelsville Pizza Hut in 1995 where all the managers and shift leaders were PA DUBBERS.

Did not expect Roman to be slinging strays at Drake.

Didn’t know I’d be practicing a lesson in deep introspection this early in the morning 😭. Going to feel different getting into my mk7 everyday now.

Man the way you (and Mr. Reg in the past) describe PA DUBBERS remind me of how we have a specific variant of "Honda Civic F-boi" stereotype here too that essentially fits all the criteria, minus the Outback order lol Edit. That last part when you went "for a while, I wasn't sure of myself that I tried so hard to imitate Brian's style" was quite something to hear. Following that with "it's nicer to just surround yourself with people that let you be you/let you be vulnerable without worry" is quite something. Cheers, Roman.

I bought my girlfriend a 2012 GLI DSG when our kid was born. We love it. It does the job, the timing maintenance definitely was expensive, but we knew we were going to keep it, so it was worth it

I have been owning a Golf GTI Mk7 for 7 years, bone stock, and I genuinely thought I would get over it by now... but it is honestly good. Besides major issues with the cooling system, and maybe the timing chain, if you look after this car, it will look after you. You absolutely do not need to do any power mods at all to it.

I also noticed the change in quality when you (Roman) allowed your own personal style to come through. In the last year i have come to really appreciate and look forward to your reviews. Kuddos.

I had a girlfriend who had a 1986(?) Golf. It had the 1.8l engine with a stick. I loved driving that car. Crisp shifter, enough power to merge onto a highway. It was a jack of all trades, master at none sort of car. It was a fun car to "throw around". It had enough room to throw in a couple of friends and our beach crap and head to the shore.

Audio and video gold. Adapting Crash to the GTI is true artistitry. Thank you Roman

“Why does anybody need a hatchback that cries out for time attack tires” you leave my RS alone

I appreciate The Roman for being The Roman.

22:49 Roman, I’ve been subbed for around a decade, RCR videos being a regular part of my Monday for most of that time. I used to always skip your outro music, I wouldn’t watch video’s you narrated… But I’ve warmed up to you and your style, and viewers like me have really liked watching you come into your own. I look forward to your videos now, and I appreciate what you bring to RCR!

I think about the quote from your Camry review a lot: "cars reflect our idea of a great partner." While it's not always the case, more often than what we drive reflects what we want in our lives. I'm a young guy, and I like the idea of the golf, mostly because I like the idea of flexibility a lot. It might be bare ones, but there's a certain appeal to that as well. Great review as always.

Tuned TDI IS THE BEST DAILY PERIOID! It's the definition of "if you take care of it, it will take care of you" philosophy but always accessible and daily drivable without luggaging the prestige and attention of a porsche or an AMG. If you ignore whatever Pennsylvania has as a VW culture, there's a reason the SEAT Ibiza, Skoda Octavia, Audi RS3/TTRS, Golf R all share the same platform for a reason. From a perfectly sized medium sized family car for European and asian markets to daily driven track toys keeping up with porsche 911's while holding over 250k on the odometer. As a field technician, I put an easy 5k miles on my car per month and never worry about mechanical failure, average 50mpg, never brake much for on/off ramps all while making over 300lb-ft torque and flying under the radar. The Golf TDI is essentially a life hack imo

I live in the very central Midwest. VW hooligans is really not a thing. These are good cars because with the seats down and the hatch they’re very practical for moving shit for college students.

with silicat... Had one of these for ~100k miles. No issues, averaged closer to 40 mpg on highway drives, low 30s overall. Most comfy car and possibly the most fun modern car below 60 mph. Perfectly reliable, fun, efficient, comfortable... Best car I know of (get the Fender Audio pkg, it's great, too). It was better than the RL and Miata for which I traded it (except that the RL can carry my motorcycles, and the GTi can't).

I think The Roman will always find some redeeming quality in every auto reviewed in R2tB. That says a lot about The Roman as a person. He can find a silver lining in any dark cloud. Even him talking about being “the most ourselves” is exactly that. Embracing what it is for what it is and the honesty of what it is for what it is, is exactly what a person of humbled character would do. The Roman is that humbled character.

Upset they didn’t get a clapped out mpi stage 3 xl turbo running e85 and methanol with 500hp and have the same 0-60 they had when stock. 😂😂😂😂

Grew up in the UK driving hot hatches but never owned a GTI. When I moved to the States, I went American owning 3 mustangs, the last being a GT 5.0. However, also owning motorcycles, I wasn’t driving the GT much and it was an awful commuter so bought a GTI a couple of months back. Man, it was like coming home. Taught suspension that you can chuck round corners. Enough power that you can join around in the canyons, but not so much that you can’t use most of it. I thought I’d regret selling the mustang for something a little more sensible, but not a bit of it! It’s also the first auto I’ve ever owned. The DSG is fantastic. Put it into manual mode, it changes quick, it holds the gear without the car taking over and it farts when you change up. It’s like the quick shifter on my motorcycle. Love, love, LOVE this car!!!

I'm an american who moved to the UK about 5 years ago, and my Husband already had a 2010 VW Polo 1.4 DSG 3door. As a guy who always drove mopars and a few GMs, it was interesting being behind the wheel on the wrong side and my first up close and personal interaction with a VW other than riding in friend's cars. It did change my opinion on them a bit...It drove really well and the 1.4 threw that little car around pretty swiftly. It felt screwed together well, and while 14 years old, it only had 70K on it when we sold it, it still needed quite a bit of work to get there...but thankfully here, the parts prices are no where near as bad as they would have been if we were in the US....a waterpump/T-Belt job only cost about 280 Pounds. Over here, the Golf is considered the "Family" car for a lot of people, but even now seems to be getting replaced by the T-Cross. We sold the Polo on Motorway recently, as we got a Brand new Peugeot 308GT, and I was a little sad to see the Polo leave, my first UK that I passed my Driving test in, drove to London and back, and as we moved out into the country in Scotland, served us well, but it was time, I still wouldn't ever suggest an high mile VW to anyone, but I understand more why people do like them.

I always get excited for a Roman video, RttB has been a little monthly treat that always has me excited. I don't keep up with the videos like I used to but running through the backlog for the last few weeks it's always a pleasant surprise when Roman takes over. Great job as always y'all!

Yeah, I'm running a MK7 and it is so stock that I just changed the brake discs and they were the originals. It's solid and it just works. But I can definitely see what people see them the way others do.

An anecdote about the tires: The Cross Climate 2's are a fantastic, *true all-season* tire. What we call "all season" tires here in the US are typically known as "3 season" tires in other parts of the world that see more severe winter weather. This tire, by comparison, is much more capable in the winter than most others in the category, but of course that comes at the expense of performance in non-winter weather. That's why I run pilot sport all season 4's (another "3 season" tire) in the colder half of the year, and PS4S's in the warmer half. I was really surprised to see this car featured because it's so similar to mine: another 2018 GTI autobahn, in seemingly almost exactly the same color as well

I drove one of these for the dealership I drive for and had an absolute blast!!.. I was able to locate and build the AMT 1/24 scale 78-( First Generation ) Golf GTI model kit...

I have a 2019 GLI (same setup but with a trunk). Bought it new. I was actually looking at the Golf wagons at the time and glanced over at the GTIs. Like you I thought, well this is a car that Offspring would sing about. It was nice enough but I asked if they had something with a stick in it. The guy lit up and brought me the GLI. Same setup engine and transmission wise but with a spot to stick the golf clubs. I love how it can get me out of trouble but not necessarily get me into it. The six speed is very responsive and I have enjoyed driving it. It has good, tight steering and responds well to the throttle. The turbo spools up quickly and efficiently. And if I keep my foot out of it I can get 35mpg in mixed driving. It is an impressive little car. It has its faults like all cars do but I don't have any reason to want to get rid of it any time soon

Getting Golf R performance out of a GTI via parts cannon. BSG tattoo 🤓🤓

DAMn a race to the bottom AND a classic Roman intro card?? What a good first sip.

Roman is a gem! He puts his soul into these videos!

The GTI is the best single-vehicle option for people who need a car to do car things, but still want to have fun in it. The rear seats fit actual adults surprisingly well. If they're folded down, the cargo area is spacious to a genuinely impressive degree for its size. I've hauled things in mine that the store employee who sold them to me said I'd need a truck to move. It gets low-mid 30mpg range, and on one occasion in ideal conditions while actively driving for efficiency, I've hit 40mpg. Even the low-trim GTIs like mine accelerate quite hard, and even without the LSD and higher-trim sport brakes/suspension it's a blast to drive on twisty roads. And while not as much pure fun as a manual, the DSG transmission on mine offers a pretty good compromise of having full and quick shifting control at all times while not being annoying in commute traffic. I've had my 2016 GTI for almost 7 years and 90k miles now (second owner, was a leased vehicle before me). I've owned many cars, including a Miata, and this is by far the longest I've kept a single vehicle. I haven't had to do anything to it besides service so far, but I fully intend to keep Ship-of-Theseus-ing this car until I no longer can afford to. Part of that is that I don't like the looks or interior of the Mk8 very much when compared to my Mk7. Most of that is that it's my favorite car I've ever owned.

I had a manual one of these. It worked well enough driving across the country, auto crossing, towing, etc. Then had so many technical issues before it was traded in for a Model 3.

I’m one of those rare folks that has a 2020 GTI that is completely stock. And I love it that way.

i love your videos roman. always a welcome change of pace.

Hatchbacks and compact sedan based wagons all got killed because (I believe) it was more profitable to for a company use its resources to sell a similar platform as a CUV.

I’m only two minutes and 20 seconds in and I’m just cackling at the memories I have of PA dubs. Made me remember stuff I wished I couldn’t. Thanks guys 😊

I couldn't put my finger on the time but I did notice a point when I started to enjoy "Roman" videos much more. And that is as you described when you began to embrace your own style. Kudos good sir.

Dave Mathews Band, takes be back to my high school and college days where I, like every other guy, pretended to like them to get laid.

Haven’t belly-laughed like I did watching this in a long time - nice work, Roman!

What a weird take on VW Golf. I'm European, for me, Golf is just Golf. It's "das auto". Minimalistic, borderline boring, understated, just another car for getting from point A to point B, that happens to have a bit faster versions.

I had one for 3 years and loved every second of it. And yeah mine was fully tuned running E85 lol

Yo, the Michellin CrossClimates are _fantastic_ tires, if you don't want to swap summer/winter. They're not performance tires, but they are pretty good in the dry _with_ a real 3peak snow rating.

Brave words, calling the DSG an automatic. So many of their owners will insist again and again that it's not. I used to enjoy instigating on GTI forums when I owned my manual MK7.5.

I noticed when you adopted your own style Roman. And that's when I started actually watching your videos. Sorry but not really sorry, you're much better and actually really good when you do your own thing. Keep up the great work!

I had a 2008 passat with the GTI 2.0. It moved that wagon pretty swiftly so ive always wondered how crazy it must feel in the tiny golf

When a Volks runs right its brilliant. Its a great first impression. My first ride in a Volkswagen was a Mark IV Jetta with an interior that looked like shredded wheat and a supension that was nearly attached to the car. It was thrilling.

It's so weird to me as a European to hear Americans talk about the Golf as an overlooked car. You can't go anywhere on the continent here without seeing a bunch of Golfs. The Golf is the default car. Any potential purchase is measured against the Golf. Is it cheaper or more expensive than a Golf? Faster? Better fuel economy? Want a sports car? Why not GTI? No matter your choice, you end up measuring it against a Golf every time.

Go for it Roman! Really enjoy your videos!

Hey, the Michelin Crossclimate 2 are the best all season tires you can get in the mid range market. Great tires if you don't want to switch tires on your daily every 6 months, and 3PMSF are mandatory where you live. Of course they don't belong on a hot car like the GTI though. With that you'd go with a set of Pilot Sports 4+ and another of Alpine 6+.

Dave Matthews Band is a jam band for people that contribute to their 401k

I hope all the Canadian fans of RCR had a great Victoria day long weekend. Great video as always, a great critique with honestly and satire as always. I played Forza Motorsport 6 while waiting for Mafia 3 when I first got my XBOX ONE and the first car I chose was a 2014 Golf R. The parents of a friend of mine also drive a red Golf Mk3 over 25 years ago.

Came across a mk6 that needed a little love to get back on the road, after solving mostly electornic issues alongside new tires and fresh Liquimoly oil, the gti runs like a dream, and my goal is to put it OEM+, get some modern features first like car/apple play and reverse camera, and a few adjustments towards suspension for it to feel a little tighter in feel, afterwards, i would be extremely satisfied and keep it as my competent daily driver. Ive definitely hit the VW bug after first driving this car.

I think a Mk6 Golf GTI would be a better candidate for race to the bottom. My experience with those cars wasn't great. In 60k miles it blew a head gasket, began to rust, the windshield adhesive began to deteriorate, its heater core clogged, the headliner came unglued and dropped down to the back seat, and it developed leaks in the weather stripping and sealing. It was fun to drive, and comfortable, and the dash materials have held up, but oof, did it fall apart quickly. I hope the Mk7's like this one don't suffer from similar issues.

I've got a 2016 GLI, which let's face it, is just a GTI in a sedan body, and I love it. With a 6 speed manual it's as fun or as boring as I want it to be. Only downside is it's too damn practical, I'm waiting for when I graduate and am forced to start making full time money to trade it for my quarter life crisis GR86, C6 vette or 5.0 Mustang so I can really start screwing up my criminal record with traffic violations

I owned a couple of GTIs, they are great cars.

A critique I have: the owners of modified GTI’s tend to ONLY care about what other people think. I am the owner of a basically stock mk6 GTI and have many friends with heavily modified VW products and what they care about is getting props from other drivers, getting thumbs up at red lights, and complements at meets.

I had a 2016 GTI Autobahn in this same color, Carbon Steel Grey. I thought that maybe it had been repainted on the driver's side, but after seeing this one, I'm now wondering if they all look that way...

choco starfish is an incredible album imo that is

I thought about Roman this Morning and this video dropped....also over the weekend I've been rewatching all of the Golf videos from RCR.... I'm new to the understanding that the Golf is a very important car especially the first gen....The Mini also is an important car. Without these cars I wouldn't have my Civic.

my wife's GTI is physically 100% stock- 2017 sport. running EQT stage 1 ECU and DSG tunes, she loves it.

Roman reviews are still my favorite type of RCR vids

Man, I love this channel.

mit Silikat ... mit... Sylycat... 🤣🤣 Really laughed at this as a german :D Thank you for the cool and funny review!

Loved this one!!! Keeeeeeep em coming. BTW as an EU Fan: Hurts me a bit that i cant take part in the giveaways

I always look forwards to the Nick videos. They’re hilarious.

yoo this was the best Roman episode ever

We worked together at the ERL! How funny he got on RCR twice.

Love how I am literally trying to find a 2018 Autobahn AND GUESS WHO UPLOADS RIGHT ON TIME. Now if one would show up in my area, that would be GREAT.

Thanks Roman, 100% agree with that Saab being at the top of the 'top' list, you should hunt around for a Chinese brand next for race to the bottom, a Great wall, Geely or BYD if you can find one.

I had a MK3 VR6 that I loved to pieces. If it hadn’t been succumbing to Midwest rust i like to think I might still have it today.

Cross Climates are NOT winter tires. All seasons? Sure, but not winter tires. They're actually a pretty premium all season tire as well...

cross climates are litterally thed best all season tyres, just dont expect them to be the best in the summer or the winter they are the best compromise which means they excel at noting but do very acceptable at both

I love how the top comments don't care about the car but just about the video. It's a Golf, it's fine, who cares. No way it could make the worst list. Great video as always.

My knowledge of cars and car culture comes almost exclusively from y'all, it's a fun ride