Curious, how many car lengths (or not) does the R beat the 350HR in a drag race? As I recall, not much if anything could beat my un-modded 350HR under £50k (unless it was modified :/)
Totally agreed on looks. The Z looks like a sports car, feels like one and sounds like one. The Golf R.. looks just like another golf really. That is all well and good if you don't want to look like you have a sports car, but is that logic not so dissimilar to those old folk that buy a 4ltr only to do 30 mph everywhere. If it is fast, it should look fast - and sexy - and masculine! You don't see many girls in 350z's (no offence), but I see plenty of sales reps and estate agents in Golfs. I'd say, if you have dogs and kids, such restrictions merit consideration of a golf R, it has boot space and rear seats. Its not all about speed, you can obliterate a golf R by spending a little more money on the 350HR engine, but certainly, no where near what a new R costs.
The golf r is much quicker off the line than the HR. With a roll on from 30mph the HR level pegged the R then started to pass it around 120! All on track!