RE: Driven: Golf GTI Edition 35
Discussion
Sir_Dave said:
Having owned a 5dr DSG Ed30 with all the toys, i can safely say that the only good thing about it was the way it held onto its value through 'scene tax'.
The derv ones make sense as a way of getting from A to B cheaply, but at no point did i want to go from A to B via C, D & E. Which is surely why you would buy a family hatchback with 230bhp.
We also own a 5dr Ed30 DSG with all the toys- as Beefmeister says, it is a brilliant allrounder, but I don't find it exciting. I wouldn't take it out for a blast throught the alps (have the Porsche for that!)- but maybe I should, and if I did, I'd grow to love it more! It feels safe, solid and a pleasant place to be, but I don't think it encourages you to push on. Certainly does hold onto it's value very well though, as Sir Dave says- part of the VW fan scene I guess. So if you were in the market for a Golf GTI, I would always go for one of the special editions (will there be a Pirelli special edition I wonder?) as they are alittle bit more special and keep their value much better. I do keep thinking that it seems a bit pointless owning a 230 BHP hot hatch when it is used for a daily short commute for the wife- we could pick something that is way better on fuel (the Golf isn't bad all things considered). But then we'd need a nice comfy barge and an additional garage space too!The derv ones make sense as a way of getting from A to B cheaply, but at no point did i want to go from A to B via C, D & E. Which is surely why you would buy a family hatchback with 230bhp.
I'd take the mk1 GTi, it's a legend. As for modern Golfs, quite possibly the most overrated car i can think of. Dull as a puddle & still living off a reputation of reliability that has long gone. That could also be said about the entire VW range, they are the automotive equivalent of Apple. Great advertising, but nowhere near the best product on the market. It makes me laugh when people pay a premium for a certain badge on a product.....the fools!
J4CKO said:
Always think people who buy new VW "Sporty" models are non petrolheads after something "a bit sporty" with a premium-ish badge, lets face it no self respecting petrolhead would lash the best part of 30 grand on a Golf with 230 bhp, sure its great "as a package" but it just says to me its a non petrolhead wanting to be one but missing the point to a certain extent, I dont think most real petrolheads buy new mid range stuff, if they are blessed with 30 grand they will scuttle off to the classifieds and buy a Noble or 996 turbo. All the VW performance stuff has a similar image to me, Scirrocco, even the Golf R it just looks like you tuck your jumper in your jeans and have immaculate nails.
I will take my "Dubs" pre aged, with the wrong engine in, i.e. a MK2 with a TT engine.
+1I will take my "Dubs" pre aged, with the wrong engine in, i.e. a MK2 with a TT engine.
Brilliantly put.
W00DY said:
Wait, did I miss the review? There was an introduction and a conclusion, but someone must have dropped a page in the middle where it describes the car/driving experience.
I did say it was a thoroughly unscientific test...If it helps, just follow the link at the start of the story to my original review of the Golf GTi, then add a little bit of extra speed and a teaspoonful or two more fun...
I hate to bleat on like this but how is it that the US market gets a slightly de-specced MKVI GTi for $23K on the road (about 14 grand) and the UK market gets to pay twice the price for a tarted up version of the same thing with largely similar performance and attributes?
Tax doesn't account for it all- VW's ability to overcharge for what's a really rather ordinary hatchback has to be at least 50% of the difference. It would seem there's a sucker born every minute.....
Tax doesn't account for it all- VW's ability to overcharge for what's a really rather ordinary hatchback has to be at least 50% of the difference. It would seem there's a sucker born every minute.....
J4CKO said:
Always think people who buy new VW "Sporty" models are non petrolheads after something "a bit sporty" with a premium-ish badge, lets face it no self respecting petrolhead would lash the best part of 30 grand on a Golf with 230 bhp, sure its great "as a package" but it just says to me its a non petrolhead wanting to be one but missing the point to a certain extent, I dont think most real petrolheads buy new mid range stuff, if they are blessed with 30 grand they will scuttle off to the classifieds and buy a Noble or 996 turbo. All the VW performance stuff has a similar image to me, Scirrocco, even the Golf R it just looks like you tuck your jumper in your jeans and have immaculate nails.
I will take my "Dubs" pre aged, with the wrong engine in, i.e. a MK2 with a TT engine.
Self respecting petrolhead? Your description is just your take of things, simply put a petrolhead is a car enthusiast! The type of car a petrolhead buys is simply down to his willingness/ability to spend and his preference, not that I have 30K lying around to spend on a car....I will take my "Dubs" pre aged, with the wrong engine in, i.e. a MK2 with a TT engine.
Johnboy Mac said:
Me? I'd pass thanks until I see the price of the same spec 328i M Sport (with it's missing two cylinders).
You're barking up the wrong tree - the new 1-Series is the competitor to this car. Given that the current 330i M Sport (the car the 328i is replacing) costs £37,600 it'll be a dair chunk more expensive.There'll be a 128i using the above 4cyl turbo engine, and I'd wager it'll still cost more than this Golf...
Yeah, yeah - its too heavy/expensive/dull/unreliable etc etc. Yawn.
I bought a black Mk5 GTI (manual, fair few toys) new in 2008. Perhaps I could've gone for an older one, but then I wanted Xenons, leather, no nav, 3 door and a manual box. Couldn't find that spec, so ordered it.
It has returned 32-34mpg or thereabouts provided I am sensible, hasn't broken down and has cost £200 in servicing (with the VW service pack) in that time. Why did I choose it? I don't want a stripped out track car, I want something understated and discreet (unlike a Focus or Leon) that is spacious (can carry 2 bikes with the seats down, no problem), refined, quick enough and won't lose too much of my money.
Do I care about the badge? Yes, not because of its image (does it have one?), but because it means my cash is safe (or far safer than in a Ford, Seat etc at least)
Like the look of the 35. I'd consider a lightly used one as a replacement for mine. Not in white, and manual perhaps.
I bought a black Mk5 GTI (manual, fair few toys) new in 2008. Perhaps I could've gone for an older one, but then I wanted Xenons, leather, no nav, 3 door and a manual box. Couldn't find that spec, so ordered it.
It has returned 32-34mpg or thereabouts provided I am sensible, hasn't broken down and has cost £200 in servicing (with the VW service pack) in that time. Why did I choose it? I don't want a stripped out track car, I want something understated and discreet (unlike a Focus or Leon) that is spacious (can carry 2 bikes with the seats down, no problem), refined, quick enough and won't lose too much of my money.
Do I care about the badge? Yes, not because of its image (does it have one?), but because it means my cash is safe (or far safer than in a Ford, Seat etc at least)
Like the look of the 35. I'd consider a lightly used one as a replacement for mine. Not in white, and manual perhaps.
Moo828 said:
J4CKO said:
Always think people who buy new VW "Sporty" models are non petrolheads after something "a bit sporty" with a premium-ish badge, lets face it no self respecting petrolhead would lash the best part of 30 grand on a Golf with 230 bhp, sure its great "as a package" but it just says to me its a non petrolhead wanting to be one but missing the point to a certain extent, I dont think most real petrolheads buy new mid range stuff, if they are blessed with 30 grand they will scuttle off to the classifieds and buy a Noble or 996 turbo. All the VW performance stuff has a similar image to me, Scirrocco, even the Golf R it just looks like you tuck your jumper in your jeans and have immaculate nails.
I will take my "Dubs" pre aged, with the wrong engine in, i.e. a MK2 with a TT engine.
Self respecting petrolhead? Your description is just your take of things, simply put a petrolhead is a car enthusiast! The type of car a petrolhead buys is simply down to his willingness/ability to spend and his preference, not that I have 30K lying around to spend on a car....I will take my "Dubs" pre aged, with the wrong engine in, i.e. a MK2 with a TT engine.
A Petrolhead is not just a car enthusiast, there are people who are enthusiastic about cars but know little about them and tend to buy based on reputation and image, nothing wrong with it but a true petrolhead will given the money and no other practical constraints wont buy a 30 grand hatchback with 230 bhp, its nice but its too middle of the road and a significant part of the price is because its new and has a VW badge, its a car that may pique the Petrolheads interest due to the GTI badge and the heritage but will quickly be dismissed as too slow and compromised for that outlay.
Though a Petrolhead may buy one to appease a partner who wants a car with some image, they will then get a sneaky remap done so its better when they have to drive it.
johnpeat said:
I'd take a Mk2 'small bumper' 8v please - better car than the Mk1 in every way and they've not fully rebounded in value yet meaning running it sensibly will cost you little.
Mk1s are now either knackered or have had lots of work hence their prices are a bit silly really...
Yep, would agree, a sorted mk1 can be a fine thing but the MK2 was a better sorted car from the factory, the brakes worked for a start, have had two MK1 GTI's and Four MK2's.Mk1s are now either knackered or have had lots of work hence their prices are a bit silly really...
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