Just road tested Mk5 GTI Golf (what car? thread)

[GetCarter]

Got any sensible alternatives chaps? This might take some time. Sorry.

Been looking for a motor for Mrs Get & dog & shopping (& mother in law from time to time), and was initially looking for a small 4 x 4 (as we spend most of our time living in the Highlands and our RWD dogmobile was pants on ice on hills - so now sold).

Read LOTS of reviews of the Golf 4Motion 4x4 and of the new GTI - and as I'd also drive the car for a bit of fun (PH after all), today test drove the TDI and GTI - to see what I thought of handling, engines etc. When driving at 'normal' speed, I can honestly say that there was no diffence at all, both feeling settled, well built and relaxed. When 'pressing on' the GTI was obviously better, stiffer, lighter, quicker etc (although it REALLY needs another 50+ BHP IMHO - but that's another post)... so to my point:

It was VERY wet during the test drive (which was good given my requirements) and having the GTI to myself I took it onto an industral estate and spent 5 mins trying to lose control of it. To be honest I'd have had to drive like a complete maniac to crash it - the (wait for it) ESP, EDL, HBA & ABS combined with front wheel drive make the car almost idiot proof (note to mates: just don't ok). I think it would be just fine for winter conditions up north, with the FWD and all the gizmos..

So: GTI then....?

My question...

what alternative could I buy to rival this new car?

Budget £20k.

GTI : 5 doors - great reviews - great build quality - good residuals - 192 bhp - 1330kg - - 5 star safety rating - quite a hoot to drive.

IMHO it's FUGLY... but hey, I don't have to look at it.

Any ideas of other £20k motors before I spend me' cash?

Ta in advance

Steve


>>> Edited by GetCarter on Friday 18th March 13:06

[toppstuff]

Saab 9-3 sporty estate thing is imminent.

Or a Volvo V50.

Audi A3 Quattro of some description ( local dealer has a 3.2 Quattro ex demo for about 20k I believe )

Mitsubishi Evo 260 ( take the spoiler off, you'd swear it was a shopping car ! ) but no hatch sadly for the pooch.

Ideal car would be a Seat Altea with 4wd. More interesting that Golf, but they don't make one with any intersting engines, or 4wd..

A3 Quattro 3.2 your best bet I think...

[GetCarter]

toppstuff said:

Saab 9-3 sporty estate thing is imminent. Or a Volvo V50. Audi A3 Quattro of some description ( local dealer has a 3.2 Quattro ex demo for about 20k I believe ) Mitsubishi Evo 260 ( take the spoiler off, you'd swear it was a shopping car ! ) but no hatch sadly for the pooch. Ideal car would be a Seat Altea with 4wd. More interesting that Golf, but they don't make one with any intersting engines, or 4wd.. A3 Quattro 3.2 your best bet I think...

Ta TS - just read your post in another place

A3 Quattro was the top contender... (about 3k over budget mind)... will go to the Audi boys on Monday for a comparison methinks. Reviews let it down I have to say.

[edc]

The older platform Leon R will save some pennies. IIRC there's an Evo group test with new GTI and whilst GTI 'wins' the LCR is not shamed. You can easily get 260+bhp out of it too.

Or perhaps wait a few months and wait for the same engine-chassis combo to filter down to SEAT and Skoda?

[agent006]

Front wheel drive will be even worse in snow and ice than your old 5 i would bet. Make sure you can turn off *all* the TC computers or you may find yourself with foot flat to the floor with the engine just idling on an icy hill.

I hate to be predictable but maybe somethign like this would be a good punt? A haldex 4x4 car (such as the A3 "quattro" or the golf 4motion) would still struggle if you need it for really extreme conditions (as you suggested on your other thread) compared to a proper quattro system as the bigger audis have. However the proper full time 4x4 does take a bite out of fuel economy though.

>> Edited by agent006 on Friday 18th March 13:54

[pwig]

Alfa 147 GTA

[GetCarter]

agent006 said:

Front wheel drive will be even worse in snow and ice than your old 5 i would bet. Make sure you can turn off *all* the TC computers or you may find yourself with foot flat to the floor with the engine just idling on an icy hill. I hate to be predictable but maybe somethign like this would be a good punt? A haldex 4x4 car (such as the A3 "quattro" or the golf 4motion) would still struggle if you need it for really extreme conditions (as you suggested on your other thread) compared to a proper quattro system as the bigger audis have. However the proper full time 4x4 does take a bite out of fuel economy though. >> Edited by agent006 on Friday 18th March 13:54

Now you see ... that's a really sensible suggestion - except of course I already have a 6 quattro and the 4 is just a bit too close. Maybe I should just give the missus the RS6 and buy a toy for myself.... oh god this is all going pear shaped I can see me going up and down the M74 in a Caterham - NOoooooooooooooooooo.

Will think 147 Italian for a bit ... hmmmm

>> Edited by GetCarter on Friday 18th March 14:01

[toppstuff]

Audi Allroad TDi - a sensible shoes version of the RS6.

[Witchfinder]

GetCarter said:

Got any sensible alternatives chaps? This might take some time. Sorry.

New shape Octavia? It's the same car, only with more room, and without the outrageous pricetag. Even after you spec it up to the nines, you'll still be able to pocket a couple of grand change from your 20K.

>> Edited by Witchfinder on Friday 18th March 14:42

[thanuk]

Renault Megane 225 Trophy? - out very soon

[Vee-X]

Just nip down to local newsagent buy latest copy of Evo, then look about for second hand BMW M5 thats their recommendation. and wouldnt you prefer it?

[NiceCupOfTea]

agent006 said:

Front wheel drive will be even worse in snow and ice than your old 5 i would bet.

I don't buy that - Saabs have always been FWD and the Swedes seem to have their fair share of snow Plenty of weight over driven wheels.

Then again, Volvos were rear drive until the mid-90s.

I reckon the best car in snow is going to be something FWD, engine over wheels, and skinny tyres

[GetCarter]

Vee-X said:

Just nip down to local newsagent buy latest copy of Evo, then look about for second hand BMW M5 thats their recommendation. and wouldnt you prefer it?

well yes... but it's gotta have a flap at the back for the dog (which it hasn't), plus my last 5 (same E39 chassis) just couldn't get out on icy days (we are talking 1:3 hills here).

I need a Mrs & dog mobile (that might afford a bit of fun for me).

...but ta for the input

[chaparral]

Er...well, just about anything.

Try a Focus. Try a Civic Type R. Try a Clio 182. Try a Megane 225. Try a Corolla T-sport. Anything but that flabby, sloppy excuse for a GTI.

[GetCarter]

Not one to believe everything I read, but the GTI has been voted better than all those (bar the Toyota & Clio which wern't compared) in every review I've read..by some margin.

...allbeit more money spent.

..and I'd like to point out that this is not trying to compete with any of the cars I have on order - it's a car for the Mrs and the dog, which I might occasionally have a FWD blat in!

>> Edited by GetCarter on Friday 18th March 15:53

[polar993]

They are just too expensive for a hatchback (£20k FFS!) - sounds like you would be much better off with a standard Impreza WRX estate (I know they call it a hatch but to me, its an estate). Can pick those up for approx £18k, then there is a chip available from the dealer (warranty approved etc) for about £600 (not sure exactly), which ups it to approx 260 bhp.

Chuck the dog in the boot and then get practising the scanny flicks when it snows. Job done.

[nel]

NiceCupOfTea said:

agent006 said: Front wheel drive will be even worse in snow and ice than your old 5 i would bet. I don't buy that - Saabs have always been FWD and the Swedes seem to have their fair share of snow Plenty of weight over driven wheels. Then again, Volvos were rear drive until the mid-90s.

Have to agree with NCOT here - FWD is a distinct advantage on ice and snow (albeit less fun than RWD sometimes). Yes Volvos were RWD until mid-90s, but they were absolutely appalling in ice and snow without studded tyres. Was sometimes gobsmacked that they came from Sweden.

Re. subject of this thread - I'd certainly go and try "the farmer's friend", a Subaru. Estate for the pooch, competent in all conditions for the missus yet with the potential to be real hoot for when sir fancies a burn. No doubt it won't match the Golf on depreciation, but given your location it must be the more practical solution.

>> Edited by nel on Friday 18th March 16:54

[LuS1fer]

Honda are selling pre-registered 2005 "54" delivery miles only with air con and metallic paint for £16k which includes the road tax and number plates.

It may not be as cutting edge as the GTi but when we were looking, the saving of £4k had a lot to recommend it. Plus it retains 60% of it's value over 3 years which is as good as the GTi. Better gearchange too.

[Pigeon]

nel said:

Yes Volvos were RWD until mid-90s, but they were absolutely appalling in ice and snow without studded tyres. Was sometimes gobsmacked that they came from Sweden.

My Amazon was quite happy in snow. In fact it seemed to be able to get traction on pretty much anything. It would fly up Beggars Roost fast enough to beat a bike caning it up the A39. One hot day it conked out on a hill due to fuel vaporisation so I stopped in a gateway to let it cool off. That was fine until the farmer came along with his tractor needing to get through; to get out of his way I had to push it through the gateway and off the track where it promptly sunk up to its hubcaps in mud. The farmer offered to come back and pull me out when I got it going, but in the event it just drove straight out with no bother.

[alextgreen]

Subaru Forester - turbo available if you must