RE: Blood Brothers: Golf GTI vs Leon FR
Discussion
Gary2204 said:
"But this doesn't tell the whole story, because VW's GTI fights back with greater kudos, stronger residual values"
Mmm, how do you figure that out Mr PH?
According to Glasses Guide a 2009/09 Golf 2.0Gti 5 door would have been £21,490 brand new and the Leon 2.0 FR would have been £18,360, the Golf now books "Trade" at £12,450 and the Leon at ££9650, that means the Golf has lost £9,040 and the Leon has lost £8,710, the gap is even greater if you consider you could have bought the 245BHP Cupra for £19,720 which would now be worth £11,275 a loss of just £8,445 the gap gets even bigger if you go for the equivelant diesel models.
The myth still exists that VW's have better residuals than their Spanish cousins it is however simply that, a myth, for years Sharan owners have lost thousands more than Alhambra owners and not had the benefit of the higher spec levels, a similar situation to Polo/Ibiza.
The figures you quote would seem to suggest the VW is worth quite a bit more?Mmm, how do you figure that out Mr PH?
According to Glasses Guide a 2009/09 Golf 2.0Gti 5 door would have been £21,490 brand new and the Leon 2.0 FR would have been £18,360, the Golf now books "Trade" at £12,450 and the Leon at ££9650, that means the Golf has lost £9,040 and the Leon has lost £8,710, the gap is even greater if you consider you could have bought the 245BHP Cupra for £19,720 which would now be worth £11,275 a loss of just £8,445 the gap gets even bigger if you go for the equivelant diesel models.
The myth still exists that VW's have better residuals than their Spanish cousins it is however simply that, a myth, for years Sharan owners have lost thousands more than Alhambra owners and not had the benefit of the higher spec levels, a similar situation to Polo/Ibiza.
spats said:
I had a good play in a 07 170tdi Leon, a golf Gti 170tdi and a Skoda Octavia vrs 170tdi when I was selling cars a few years ago.
I found the Seat to feel the cheapest of the bunch. The steering wheel, gearknob and dash all felt nasty compared to the other two. It was also had a harsher ride than the other two cars. The A pillar is a awful design and the low rear roof line made it feel tiny in the back.
The Golf was slightly more compliant and generally felt well put together and had a premium feel to it. Generally better all round vs the Leon.
The Octavia felt the biggest and as you know it is the biggest of the 3, but it didnt translate to the drive. Not as soft as the Golf or as hard as the Leon. The dash felt quality and the steering wheel was a carbon copy of the golf, as was the stereo.
Overall I would have the octavia, mainly for the space and cost vs the Golf. But the Leon felt wrong. Maybe I'm not the target market for them but it just felt hastily put together and were the Golf was the trend setter, and the Octy better setup for carrying more gear and people round the Leon didnt "do" anything.
I'd love to get my hands on the newer versions, it looks like the steering wheel has changed, but the a pillar the same as before. I think I'd still want for a Octy again though.
The above echoes my thoughts exactly from late 2007 when I tried all three in petrol form. In the end I bought the Octavia with a heap of optional extras for £15.5k and put over 100k miles on it in four years. It remains to this day the best car I have ever owned and shows up my current Audi S3 in a number of ways, notably fuel economy, ride quality, interior space not only for people but oddments like a wallet, phone, sunglasses, a coffee etc.I found the Seat to feel the cheapest of the bunch. The steering wheel, gearknob and dash all felt nasty compared to the other two. It was also had a harsher ride than the other two cars. The A pillar is a awful design and the low rear roof line made it feel tiny in the back.
The Golf was slightly more compliant and generally felt well put together and had a premium feel to it. Generally better all round vs the Leon.
The Octavia felt the biggest and as you know it is the biggest of the 3, but it didnt translate to the drive. Not as soft as the Golf or as hard as the Leon. The dash felt quality and the steering wheel was a carbon copy of the golf, as was the stereo.
Overall I would have the octavia, mainly for the space and cost vs the Golf. But the Leon felt wrong. Maybe I'm not the target market for them but it just felt hastily put together and were the Golf was the trend setter, and the Octy better setup for carrying more gear and people round the Leon didnt "do" anything.
I'd love to get my hands on the newer versions, it looks like the steering wheel has changed, but the a pillar the same as before. I think I'd still want for a Octy again though.
If I decide to sell the S3 I'd happily make the same choice again.
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