Golf GTI or GTD? Which one would you have?

Golf GTI or GTD? Which one would you have?

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Discussion

white_goodman

Original Poster:

4,042 posts

190 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
quotequote all
I know the Golf R is a bit of a PH favourite but of the lesser performance models (GTI and GTD), which one would you have?

The GTD seems to have been elevated to the same status as the GTI now in the range. Obviously, the GTI has more power but the GTD counters with more torque. You can get an LSD on the GTI if you buy the Performance Pack but the GTD claims to be 40% more economical (I don't believe the claimed 47mpg for the GTI for one minute though).

Price-wise, there's very little in it new. The GTI has always enjoyed above average residuals for a hot hatch but new and used prices of Golf diesels have always been massively elevated over those of its non-premium rivals such as the Ford Focus. Is this for good reason? I don't know.

Four-pot diesels are rarely pleasant but get the job done and the GTI's engine is hardly the most charismatic engine either. I haven't driven a diesel Golf since the mk4/mk5 when they were still PD engines. My favourite diesel version was actually the GT TDI 140 and the GT TDI 130 on the mk4. The 170 and 150 engines respectively certainly ripped through the gears a bit quicker but I found them difficult to drive smoothly. Does this mean that the 150bhp TDI is the sweet spot in the Golf diesel range?

I guess this argument could also be applied to the Focus ST, Octavia vRS, 1-Series, Audi A3, A-Class and Seat Leon too. So, performance diesel or performance petrol?

SuperchargedVR6

3,138 posts

219 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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GTI. Diesel is diesel but the GTI engines have improved a lot since the MK4/MK5.

anothernameitist

1,500 posts

134 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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Let me think.... Skoda Octy Vrs.
Cheers

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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I for one am looking forward to another thread where PHers can espouse their hatred of four pot diesels, so thanks for giving them another platform OP wink

I'd buy whichever one I enjoyed driving the most, unless I did huge mileages in which case the diesel would probably work out as being more economical and that might tip the scales a bit. It's a radical and unusual position to take I know, but there it is.



iva cosworth

44,044 posts

162 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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I not D....wobble

kambites

67,462 posts

220 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
quotequote all
Definitely the GTi.

The TFSI is not a particularly great engine but it's not bad as turbocharged four-pots go - it's a bit laggy but it's got a nice flat torque curve and revs pretty well. The diesel is a typical mid-powered diesel; I find the early torque plateau and consequent lack of incentive to use what little rev range the engine has enormously frustrating. Ultimately the diesel is very easy to extract the performance from and I don't enjoy that in an engine.

Obviously the diesel will be more economical but if I was covering enough miles for that to be relevant I wouldn't want anything "sporty" at all.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 21st July 16:29

JockySteer

1,407 posts

115 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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Depends on what you want to use the car for really.

T.J.B

81 posts

106 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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I have a GTD (company car). If paying my own cash I'd choose the GTI.


white_goodman

Original Poster:

4,042 posts

190 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
quotequote all
anothernameitist said:
Let me think.... Skoda Octy Vrs.
Cheers
Diesel?... wink

Rutter

2,070 posts

205 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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I used to have a petrol VRS 220ps and now I have a diesel 184ps leon FR.

I would swap back to the petrol VRS in a heartbeat, the diesel is fine but its not a fun engine to drive.

GrumpyTwig

3,354 posts

156 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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Depends on the miles you do.

harrykul

2,770 posts

225 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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Sort of relevant but....
If you only want a manual then GTI. I don't understand why people want manual diesels with their powerbands: you're throwing gears at them constantly.

white_goodman

Original Poster:

4,042 posts

190 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
quotequote all
harrykul said:
Sort of relevant but....
If you only want a manual then GTI. I don't understand why people want manual diesels with their powerbands: you're throwing gears at them constantly.
Interesting. Yes, I would want a manual and that's kind of what I was getting at with the mk4 150 and mk5 170 TDIs, I had to change gear a lot! I don't like DSG much either with either of these high boost engines though (GTI or diesel).

Cyder

7,045 posts

219 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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My wife has a GTD as a company car.

Good
+ Gets 50mpg and is fairly comfy
+ Quick enough and responsive enough to be enjoyable on a B road

Bad
- Sounds like a diesel
- Is a bit softer than a GTI (not a bad thing on a commute of course)

I'd happily buy a GTD with my own money, but the GTI would edge it if I was going heart over head.

MattHall91

1,268 posts

123 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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Firstly, what makes you think the GTD will reach any way near its claimed mpg figure? The GTI won't do 47, but the GTD will be equally off the mark against its claimed number.

Sounds like you prefer diesel regardless of what comments should follow below. I personally would go GTI every single day of the week. However, I wouldn't consider either of those two if I was in the market for that sort of car. Meg 265 please or Focus ST please.

xjay1337

15,966 posts

117 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
quotequote all
kambites said:
Definitely the GTi.

The TFSI is not a particularly great engine but it's not bad as turbocharged four-pots go - it's a bit laggy but it's got a nice flat torque curve and revs pretty well.
Umm... laggy?

GTFO.

I test drove a Mk7 GTI and managed 38mpg average including a cold start and 130mph hoon.

rohrl

8,712 posts

144 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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GTI every time. I haven't owned a diesel car yet and I can't see that changing.

KTF

9,788 posts

149 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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What about the GTE variant wink

Joeguard1990

1,181 posts

125 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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Bit of a silly question really...
If you want to save money on fuel then the GTD.
If you want the car that's more fun to drive then GTI.

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
quotequote all
charltjr said:
I for one am looking forward to another thread where PHers can espouse their hatred of four pot diesels, so thanks for giving them another platform OP wink

I'd buy whichever one I enjoyed driving the most, unless I did huge mileages in which case the diesel would probably work out as being more economical and that might tip the scales a bit. It's a radical and unusual position to take I know, but there it is.
So you'd buy the car which was most fun to drive, unless the more boring car was more economic. Makes perfect sense.