Mark Creese asked:


Since having single-hood dumped on me just over a year ago, I seem to spend far too much time chasing after women. It’s not really the whole dating thing that is the fun but the chase to get to the point where an attractive girl will say ‘yes’ to your proposal of a few drinks and a meal. The problem is that following this chase, the actual date seems mundane in comparison, I guess because the right girl hasn’t come along yet. My Volkswagen Cardiff salesman friend we encountered a few reviews back reckons “I don’t know what I want”. The problem is I do and it’s as deep as a puddle.

You see, try as I might I have to find the lady achingly beautiful before the personality gets a look in. I’m always happy to boast about my good points to you so in this instance I’m happy to admit my shortcomings and immense shallowness towards the opposite sex. Many people find the film Shallow Hal hilarious as should I as it stars Jack Black who tops my list of answers to the “who would you invite for a dinner party” question. Yet it’s too close to my real life for comfort.

In the film Hal, played by Black is an overweight loser who cannot envisage going out with an ugly woman. His friend is equally shallow, dumping his gorgeous girlfriend because her index toe is longer than her big one. Halfway through the film Hal becomes hypnotised and sees the inner beauty of women who society deem ugly - in this case Gwyneth Paltrow in a very large fat suit. Hal begins dating Paltrow’s character only to be snapped out of his trance by his incredulous friend to see her ugly exterior. Yet Hal is a changed character and after battling his former ways ends up getting married.

It’s a heart-warming film and I took stock of my situation and thought my ways should change too. If I’m being honest I’m struggling to make the Hollywood fairytale come true so I’m giving up on women and applying the inner beauty thinking to cars. Who doesn’t prefer the curvy, sleek car that’s rubbish to drive but turns heads to the box on wheels that never breaks down? Well I urge you all to change your ways following my visit to Volkswagen Cardiff and being shown the Golf R32.

To look at, the R32 is like the classic game ’spot the difference’ as you’d be forgiven for thinking someone had delivered the standard version rather than the range-topper. On closer inspection there are a few subtle features that set the R32 apart from its Golf brothers, most notably: multi-spoke alloy wheels, twin exhausts and a shiny front grill that offers some ‘bling’.

Remember though this lesson focuses on inner beauty and this is where the R32 becomes the supermodel of the hot hatchback world. Under the bonnet hides a 3.2 V6 engine that develops a whopping 247bhp. The numbers keep coming and all are impressive: 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds, a computer limited top speed of 155mph and 236 lb ft of torque at 2,500rpm. Best not to ask about fuel economy figures though. Oh you insist, well Volkswagen say 26.2 mpg combined but you and I know you’ll have your right foot firmly planted all the time so expect to drop into the teens.

Believe me you really will keep your foot planted too. The engine offers a testosterone-fuelled rumble when ticking over but the twin exhausts deliver all the fun sounds. Raucous doesn’t even begin to describe the amazing noise this car makes. Things don’t stop with the engine though. As with the Golf GTi, the R32’s handling is responsive and crisp, flinging you around twisty lanes as if you were rallying from Volkswagen Cardiff to the Welsh valleys.

The practicality of the car remains unchanged from the standard Golf too so the weekly shopping trip, football practice or drive to work can all be effortlessly achieved. When it comes to build quality, the Germans are in a different league - particularly Volkswagen. The R32 feels like a hammer and chainsaw couldn’t interfere with the high quality interior finish and exterior panels (although I don’t advise you try this at home).

Volkswagen also offers a flappy-paddle gearbox which unlike many car firms’ attempts works very well. This option will cost you an additional £1,330 but is a worthy consideration. All told, the car starts at £22,995 and rises to just under £26,000 for the five door version with flash gearbox. When you consider the calibre of car the R32 will trounce, this seems little money. The R32 is practical, reliable, subtle, handles well and has the ability to make the world go backwards when accelerating.

Inner beauty has never looked so good.



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David Riewe asked:


Golf is a game one can learn in no time. One way to become good in this game is to have enough determination and patience, and knowing which club to use and how to putt properly. This activity is very affordable and should that person want to get serious at it, one can easily join some tournaments then perhaps proceed on to the big leagues.

People who want to start playing the game will easily get the hang of it by just watching how others swing and putt the ball into the holes. The first thing that one needs is some equipment such as the different types of clubs, the proper shoes and the ball.

The most expensive thing that a person has to use money on are the clubs. The price depends on the brand the person wants to buy but since one is just a beginner, that is the least of the worries. If that person isn’t sure yet whether to invest in brand new equipment, then that person can either borrow from the club which rents this out to players or buy one that is second hand.

Used equipment can be purchased at the golf club or at specialty stores. This can also be seen on the Internet and ordered online. Some players who have played for some time may also want to sell the used one for a brand new one so it just takes some time to look around and get the best deal to start playing the game.

When everything is ready, one can start by working with friends who do know how to play or hire an instructor to teach the basics. The first putt can be practiced on driving ranges then when one gets good at it, on the actual course itself.

Playing golf early in the morning with people from work or friends is just one of the many forms of relaxation people can do these days. It is a time for bonding and a great escape from the pressures of the city.

Nobody can become an excellent golfer overnight. This will take a lot of practice. There are some public and private golf courses to choose from. Such facilities offer 18 hole and 36 hole courses and can be found by searching the web or by checking the local directory. This is usually advertised so it is kind of impossible to miss.

It doesn’t really matter if one wins or loses being in the golf course and playing the game. It is all about having fun.



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