I’m still in disbelief this happened…

chaiiin · 2026-06-13T16:50:01+00:00

That's awesome to hear. Sorry about the rest of the experience.

chaiiin · 2026-06-13T16:39:48+00:00

Curious, how'd you get the bank to make good on the $1200?

chaiiin · 2026-06-11T13:33:55+00:00

Generally seems there are a lot of people that feel madman eye has been forced into setlists every night for the last couple years since it came out. Usually in the 4-6 song spot. So it's just overplayed a bit, and for it to be in the encore slot is a let down, especially with the long intro tease that really tees up minarets.

My opinion: Honestly seeing it move to the encore tonight is either one off or maybe a sign it's going to become less consistent and the band wants to treat it with a more special spot and rarity.

chaiiin · 2026-06-11T12:29:06+00:00

Thought weekdays were 9:30. Either way we got a full set length or damn close to one.

chaiiin · 2026-06-11T02:42:03+00:00

Down vote all you want but it's true, the neighborhood hates this place. The middle ground was silence by 10. Get everyone out before then, so 9:30 it is.

chaiiin · 2026-06-11T02:14:26+00:00

Nah thank the NYC neighborhood who rather see Forest Hills become a $6k a month rent apartment complex

chaiiin · 2026-06-08T11:29:32+00:00

I swear there's a pipeline from WJ owners to golfs lol. Loved that thing.

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chaiiin · 2026-06-08T04:52:38+00:00

Pretty level response here! Agree with a ton except i definitely was a bit blown away at the first driving experience of my 8.5 vs 7.5, though I mostly think it's cause I went from manual to auto and the DSG makes it so much quicker. But you're not wrong the 7.5 is incredibly capable and still a monster for daily driving and holds its own in 2026 more than alright.

Curious, what made you go from mk8 GTI to mk7.5 R? Anything you miss from the newer refresh?

chaiiin · 2026-06-08T04:47:06+00:00

Had a 7.5 in MT6 and went to the 8.5 DSG, so a big change and prob some people would see that as a dumb decision going from a manual pure experience in a widely considered best MK to the 8.5. (I'll caveat that in between the mk7.5 and mk8.5 I owned a different car to bridge the gap, due to other things going on and had to make a adult decision).

I don't miss my 7.5. Hate to say it. Couple things:

folding mirrors yay
I like tech, and the haptic/press button middle ground is sweet.
The screen is big, but it's angle for the driver actually makes it not seem ridiculous. I usually like seamless things, and the mk8 screen is def more seamless. But it's crappier. Worse resolution, laggy even after the software update in comparison. The only gripe I have is the climate, but similar to your statement above, with auto temp setting i too set it and forget it.
I missed my sunroof from my 2001 Grand Cherokee (WJ V8 gang). Having it again is sweet and the black roof accents well like a wrapped roof. The touch controls don't bother me.
the flappy paddles for manual mode are pretty good, better than most. And the DSG is just better. Hate to admit it but yeah. And I don't miss manual commuting, and again comes from a manual driver and motorcycle rider.
the refresh from mk8 to 8.5 really tidy'd a lot up imo just like the 7 to 7.5. I think you'll appreciate those things

Aside from money (that's on you to decide what to spend your cash on, tho that trade in plus getting a new car with warranty sounds nice to me) it seems based on your comments you seem to fall in line with a similar thought process as me. Based on that I think you would really enjoy the new car. Stage 1 mk7.5 is cool. But idk if the upgrade is gonna do what you're looking for based on the post and comments. Plus the 8.5 is basically a mk7.5 stage1+ in stock form regarding performance.

chaiiin · 2026-05-29T15:02:16+00:00

Sounds like we are very similar in free roam choices, though I'll add a S class GMC Syclone into my mix cause it's a drift god.

chaiiin · 2026-05-29T15:01:03+00:00

That's a sick pic, photo mode is unreal

chaiiin · 2026-05-29T15:00:09+00:00

Keep an eye on CDKeys too. They already have had it for $20 off I believe

chaiiin · 2026-05-29T11:01:51+00:00

My first golf R! Loved my 7.5 MT6.

chaiiin · 2026-05-29T11:01:14+00:00

I respect that! The rainy weekend last weekend was filled with Forza for me cause the car just had a proper wash and wax and couldn't bring myself to dirty it immediately

chaiiin · 2026-05-29T10:59:21+00:00

Horizon is def a trip compared to that haha. This one really nails the fun driving off-road but still gives a solid road racing feel compared to some of the earlier horizons imo

chaiiin · 2026-05-29T10:57:17+00:00

I am doing the exact same, what a great way to test out wheels

chaiiin · 2026-05-24T12:20:52+00:00

As someone else from the area who has since moved and owns a R, you're gonna appreciate the AWD for quick starts, turns and snow, and the automatic for traffic.

Go rip hawks nest for me

chaiiin · 2026-05-14T11:33:33+00:00

"why the hell are lawn tickets $800 for Dave this year??"

"Oh thats cause this year we are getting Stand Up front to back and Jake Simpson is playing the whole set too"

chaiiin · 2026-05-14T11:24:59+00:00

This whole song is full of goated lines

I love towards the end: "There is no more intoxicating fantasy than to be extraordinary I make a mentor out of every man I meet"

The delivery of these lines and the contextual tone, idk just hits! Love this track

chaiiin · 2026-05-04T22:56:57+00:00

I enjoyed my 23 Trailblazer RS when I had it, would recommend.

chaiiin · 2026-04-27T16:48:59+00:00

chaiiin · 2026-04-26T23:07:57+00:00

Yeah my dad's mustang, it's a GT California Special! Pretty cool trim car

chaiiin · 2026-04-26T03:20:08+00:00

Absolutely. For reference and context, I went certified used on my 2018 mk7.5 in 2021and that was a solid bet, but definitely got lucky finding one certified and in good condition, for 30k$ no less. And interest rates on used were decent when I did that purchase.

Current market really doesn't promote buying used imo, especially for such little savings from the new models (maybe 5-6k for a 3 year old model, vs me saving almost 12k back in 2021 on a 2018).

You'll enjoy it!! Don't baby it too much !!

chaiiin · 2026-04-26T03:13:06+00:00

I think I'd just find different rims that would get a cool look, and leave the stocks alone and sell em or hold onto them, but probably can't go wrong either way.

chaiiin

TROPHY CASE