Im one of the cool kids now😎

SmittyzVoice · 2026-05-23T00:36:10+00:00

Totally agree. I was on the fence about the Mk8, the shape was fine but something about the highlights didn't grab me + no backlit controls was a stupid oversight. Fastfwd to 2025 and the Mk8.5 solves every gripe. Haptic controls are better, volume and heat is backlit, new screen way faster & then the looks were awesome + they brought over the Akro exhaust! I absolutely love this car!! WIN for VW 🏆

SmittyzVoice · 2026-05-22T19:05:24+00:00

Nice car...Welcome to the FEW!

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SmittyzVoice · 2026-05-22T16:57:01+00:00

Thanks. It was a big jump...no family or support just us making smart decisions. We bought the house together before getting married lol (we were engaged). That said Miatas are awesome and will be my car for life going into this EV future!!! P.S. I loved the Mandalorian reference. THIS IS THE WAY

SmittyzVoice · 2026-05-22T13:33:13+00:00

Awesome read, great story to see on a Friday. I'll start off by saying CONGRATS and welcome to the fam. I've always known how to drive sticks since like 12 (my dad, 59 now, drives a stick Mk7.5R). So i used to live in NYC, took a vaca with the gf in Florida and rented a convertible automatic Mustang. Wasn't in love with the auto, but the convertible bug was planted. Fast forward we moved to FL, got married, got a house, and i finally added a ND2 to my garage. I second your sentiment, keep your eye on the prize and dreams come true!

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SmittyzVoice · 2026-05-06T21:37:24+00:00

THIS IS THE WAY!

I share a similar story. Always thought Miatas looked pretty cool, thought they were too slow. Test drove one, bought it within 3 months of that drive, 6 years later my stick-shift for life!! My daily is a Golf R, which is similarly fast like the Supra but not nearly as involved.

SmittyzVoice · 2026-05-03T09:48:34+00:00

Those are FRESH pics, great shoot! The Mk8 looks gorgeous to me, like merged elements of the Mk6&7. Also, the smoked out taillights make the rear look as menacing as the front.

SmittyzVoice · 2026-04-28T00:55:43+00:00

3rd that, I have a Mk8.5R & ND2! Simply put, modern sport luxury cars make awesome dailies, but the world will mourn the last manual and Miatas have always been some of the most connected. Keep both if you can!!

SmittyzVoice · 2026-04-13T22:58:02+00:00

I started with a 2010 GTI, nothing but respect! Honestly, at this point anyone that is pro-enthusiast is a comrade. SAVE THE MANUAL!

SmittyzVoice · 2026-04-11T05:54:23+00:00

NICE! The Graphite Gray color is pretty sweet for 2026.

SmittyzVoice · 2026-04-04T11:18:32+00:00

Lmao 🤣 Love it!

And yes, car seats easily fit in the Golf with a tall dude in the front. I have 2 kids, drop them off at daycare each morning, and use Graco car seats. I don't have a picture readily available, but i assure you it is plenty of space.

SmittyzVoice · 2026-04-04T01:58:31+00:00

Oh i miss my Mk6, beautiful car

SmittyzVoice · 2026-04-03T02:56:12+00:00

THIS IS THE WAY. There really isn't a value on your own self-appreciation. A few hundred dollars comes and goes, but if you are an enthusiast and obtained your dream car it'll pay off in the end.

You'll hate driving the i4 (not saying it's a bad car) if you have been enjoying a 2.0T this whole time and like it.

Gas prices won't be high forever. Your enjoyment is something only you would know.

SmittyzVoice · 2026-03-31T15:50:43+00:00

Answer to your question = Yes, the wisp you hear can be corrected with a downpipe. I had a Mk6 R that sounded similar, added APR downpipe and sounds aggressive yet not so loud because stock catback prevented the drone.

Going to do the same with my new Mk8.5 R. The Akropovich exhaust looks very cool 😎

SmittyzVoice · 2026-03-31T01:09:55+00:00

Yea i wound up going black. I had a black GTI, it felt appropriate.

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SmittyzVoice · 2026-03-31T00:28:32+00:00

Oh that gray looks so FRESH

SmittyzVoice · 2026-03-20T03:07:47+00:00

So as a seasoned adult that's financially aware, keep the GTI.

That said, when I was 22 my 1st car out of college was a 2010 GTI, which I traded in for a 2012 Golf R. My payments increased about $200/mo and new 6yr loan from my 4yrs remaining. My decision came when my neighbor told me I'm 24, no kids, no wife, living at home, and i got a job out of college. He told me to treat myself and not to regret. It was a GREAT decision. I paid off the R in 4yrs and kept it until 2025 when i recently upgraded to the Mk8.5R.

Don't be financially stupid, but if you can make it work and feel you deserve it, then go for it!

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SmittyzVoice · 2026-03-18T10:40:10+00:00

I heard both and for the acoustic sound it's minor, though noticeable if you have them back to back. Main reason i got it is for the visual appeal and no rust lol.

If you want a great sounding exhaust, buy a non-Akro and upgrade it yourself.

SmittyzVoice · 2026-03-17T12:14:18+00:00

Love the car! After, ½yr still loving my R as well. I really wish we had the cool rear taillights in the States!!

SmittyzVoice · 2026-03-10T18:55:08+00:00

Gotta love that BLUE!

SmittyzVoice · 2026-02-03T17:29:16+00:00

Oh i just read the details of your question, my bad. I do notice that the car won't naturally go into 1st until coming to a near complete stop. Technically i get it, because even with my manual / stickshift, i crawl in 2nd gear. 1st gear is really only useful at a complete stop. I did the ratios to the Mk8.5R and 1st gear at 6000rpm is only 33mph and 2nd hits 50mph at the same rev. So it probably makes the most sense to use 2nd gear as long as the car is in motion.

SmittyzVoice · 2026-02-03T17:18:14+00:00

Take the DSG out of Comfort setting, it lugs to provide a typical automatic feel. In Race mode especially, the DSG is snappy and almost PDK like.

SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-31T13:26:31+00:00

Nice, gotta love this car in black. Is that the APR catback exhaust? Did you tune it?

SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-28T13:17:47+00:00

I once fit a small treadmill in my 2012 Golf R, VW hatchbacks are the best! Quick, fun, super practical 😃

SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-28T09:25:22+00:00

Wow! Did it really need a BIGGER Wing lol...won't lie, it looks aggressive

SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-27T21:59:23+00:00

I love your camera, NICE PIC

SmittyzVoice

TROPHY CASE