up to £7-8k 5 door fast(ish) family car? Golf GTI?

[kambites]

The 2.0 TFSI isn't exactly a torque-monster. Unless she's the sort of person who actually uses the whole rev range, it'll probably feel slower to her than the diesel. Even if you do use the revs, I don't think anyone could find the Golf GTi hard to drive. My wife went from a 1.2 8v Punto to an Octavia VRS and has no problem with it; if anything I'd say she finds the Octavia easier to drive.

Edited by kambites on Monday 30th March 10:32

[LGriffiths88]

Well when I've been following her places when we have different destinations , I've noticed she can be a little heavy on that accelerator.

Do both models come with parking sensors? Something we both need haha

When I shown her a GTI for sale last night her reply was "why does it have to be that? Why does it have to be fast?" Some women?!

Is the mk 5 gt tdi worth a look at to trick her? Have they got plenty of poke? I think the mk6 gtd is out off budget

[kambites]

Just don't tell her it's fast. If she's used to a diesel, she'll never rev it above 4000rpm and below that, the GTi isn't particularly quick anyway.

My wife had no idea what VRS meant when we first looked at the Skoda, she just liked the two-tone seats. She appreciates the extra power now, though.



If you get one with parking sensors, don't go through the monkey enclosure at Longleat; we now have one parking sensor and three holes.

Edited by kambites on Monday 30th March 10:45

[d3llams]

Alfa Guilietta
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

Audi A3
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

Alfa 159
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

[LGriffiths88]

Yeah! Maybe get the GTI and play dumb with her? I think (only looking from pictures) that the gt tdi mK6, looks a better place to be. Especially with the touch screen radio. I like to think she'd prefer the newer mk 6.

Also have looked at alfas and the wife doesn't want one due to their history. I've tried telling her but she's sticking to her guns.

I do like the a3's too. Especially with sportback and roof rails. Feel like id Need an s line there though. Which may push price out of range. What are the a3 2 litres like?

Edited by LGriffiths88 on Monday 30th March 11:28

[LGriffiths88]

Yeah! Maybe get the GTI and play dumb with her? I think (only looking from pictures) that the gt tdi mK6, looks a better place to be. Especially with the touch screen radio. I like to think she'd prefer the newer mk 6.

Also have looked at alfas and the wife doesn't want one due to their history. I've tried telling her but she's sticking to her guns.

I do like the a3's too. Especially with sportback and roof rails. Feel like id Need an s line there though. Which may push price out of range. What are the a3 2 litres like?

Edited by LGriffiths88 on Monday 30th March 15:17

[kambites]

LGriffiths88 said:

What are the a3 2 litres like?

Assuming you mean the non-turbo, it's VAG's standard direct injection engine as used all over the place. Not enormously quick (it's only 150bhp in a car weighing 1300kg) and as you'd expect from a naturally aspirated engine, needs to be revved fairly hard if you want to extract what performance it does have.

There's nothing objectively wrong with it, but it's not a particularly good blend of performance and economy. I actually found the 2.0 TFSI to be more economical when I test drove both (although admittedly the N/A was the A3 and the TFSI was the Octavia, which is lighter and probably more aerodynamic). I believe there is a 2.0 TFSI A3 which isn't the S3; that might be worth a look?

Edited by kambites on Monday 30th March 11:38

[HJMS123]

LGriffiths88 said:

Yeah! Maybe get the GTI and play dumb with her? I think (only looking from pictures) that the gt tdi mK6, looks a better place to be. Especially with the touch screen radio. I like to think she'd prefer the newer mk 6.

Also have looked at alfas and the wife doesn't want one due to their history. I've tried telling her but she's sticking to her guns.

I do like the a3's too. Especially with sportback and roof rails. Feel like id Need an s line there though. Which may push price out of range. What are the a3 2 litres like?

Edited by LGriffiths88 on Monday 30th March 11:28

Same as the golf 2 litres .....

[LGriffiths88]

kambites said:

Assuming you mean the non-turbo, it's VAG's standard direct injection engine as used all over the place. Not enormously quick (it's only 150bhp in a car weighing 1300kg) and as you'd expect from a naturally aspirated engine, needs to be revved fairly hard if you want to extract what performance it does have.

There's nothing objectively wrong with it, but it's not a particularly good blend of performance and economy. I actually found the 2.0 TFSI to be more economical when I test drove both (although admittedly the N/A was the A3 and the TFSI was the Octavia, which is lighter and probably more aerodynamic). I believe there is a 2.0 TFSI A3 which isn't the S3; that might be worth a look?

Edited by kambites on Monday 30th March 11:38

Think That's what I'd look at, the 2.0 TFSI Audi. Would be nice if Quattro was available. Another question is, is the premium worth the difference in terms of golf vs a3. Both being from the same "family" and all

[kambites]

LGriffiths88 said:

Another question is, is the premium worth the difference in terms of golf vs a3. Both being from the same "family" and all

IMO, no. And I don't think the Golf is worth the extra over the Leon and Octavia either. Ultimately though, I suppose it comes down to your priorities, the main differences are in the quality of sound proofing (the A3 and Golf are appreciably quieter than the Octavia and Leon) and the quality of the plastics on the bits of the interior that I, personally, never touch or look at.

Obviously there's a few options available on some cars but not others, for example you can't get a 2.0 TFSI Octavia (or Leon, as far as I know?) with 4wd. I'm not sure about the mk5 Golf.

[LGriffiths88]

Good point. I'm not one who goes into a car and feels the need to touch all the plastic. I think as long as the cockpit has some pleasing aesthetics then that's good. Decent Soundproofing is a must. I find that the mondeos soundproofing isn't all that great. I can't hold a conversation with rear passengers.

Will be a while before I go look at models. The wife is happy for us to petrol as we
Don't warrant 2 diesels with the miles she will be doing. GTI could be winning? Or maybe a modern TFSI golf? The 1.4 engine is it with 150 odd bhp?

[talksthetorque]

She'll not lose this in a car park....
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...

[kambites]

If you want decent sound-proofing avoid the Octavia, it's one of the places Skoda really seem to cut corners. I don't know how the Leon compares.

[johnnyBv8]

LGriffiths88 said:

Think That's what I'd look at, the 2.0 TFSI Audi. Would be nice if Quattro was available. Another question is, is the premium worth the difference in terms of golf vs a3. Both being from the same "family" and all

I gave you my view on this on page 1, having owned both. The Golf GTI cabin felt much nicer/more driver focussed than my A3 TFSI...the Golf was a 3dr with leather and the A3 was a Sportback with leather/alacantra seats. Perhaps something to do with the shape of the Golf's dash, alumiunium inserts, square-bottomed steering wheel, chunkier gearknob etc?

The Golf GTI felt nicer to drive - can't put my finger on why, but it definitely felt sportier.

That said, it sounds like none of the things I preferred about the Golf would register on your wife's list of what she wants in a car!

Edited by johnnyBv8 on Monday 30th March 23:01

[LGriffiths88]

At the moment our mondeo has leather/alacantra seats and must say they feel very nice. Don't think the cupra would be my wife's cup of tea. Maybe a bit to fast.

2 litre will be the max we can go for. 200bhp max. I had a 2.5 litre z4. But sold it not long after meeting her so she never got to drive it.

I guess the golf seems like the better all rounder of them all. Practical, spacious. Think I've just got to get my wife to try a GTI... Need a lot of luck. Knowing my luck, whichever has the biggest boot out of the cars we look at will win!

[kambites]

Have you considered spending a bit less on the car and getting your wife some driving tuition so you don't have to worry about the car being "too fast" for her?

[ZX10R NIN]

Out of the GTI & GTD you mentioned as being the two your OH is condiering the GTD will feel the quicker of the two the GTI will handle better. So go to a dealership that doen't have a GTD avalible for a test drive.

[LGriffiths88]

kambites said:

Have you considered spending a bit less on the car and getting your wife some driving tuition so you don't have to worry about the car being "too fast" for her?

"Here you go love... I've bought some driving lessons for you so you can drive faster cars..."
"Ohhh thanks.... I've got something for you too.... (Slap across the face)"

Best not, as the old saying goes... Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned

After having a chat with her last night she's now under the impression we need something bigger as when it comes to us wanting to replace the mondeo (due to age) it will have to be an s max size as we will have a bigger family then. Can't afford a car that size now. So that now means I may have to get a bigger car than a golf. A diesel too. As the s max would be petrol as it won't be doing the miles.... S-Max titanium x sport... But haha that's a few years away yet....well 3-4

[kambites]

Surely the answer in that case is to buy an MX5 for now, then replace the Mondeo with an S-Max.

I've never really understood the need for two big cars unless you plan to have four kids.

[cbgt3]

I have an A3 2.0 TFSI Quattro S Line Sportback, its a great all round car, lovely to drive but I agree it doesn't feel like a 200 bhp car when you drive it.
VRS I think would be a better all rounder for wife and kids as a family car to be honest.