Saving up for a VW Golf GTD... good move?

Saving up for a VW Golf GTD... good move?

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redrabbit29

Original Poster:

1,276 posts

132 months

Monday 2nd May 2016
quotequote all
I currently have a very old Ford Focus, a Y reg to be precise. It's a 1.8 petrol with 106k miles on the clock. It runs well but, I am now 31 and have known for years I need to upgrade my car.

I've been saving up. By the end of the year I hope to have saved up around £9000. I will get a loan of about £6k, to take my total up to £15000.

The cars I have considered so far are:

- Seat Leon FR 184bhp one
- BMW 120d
- Audi

However, I really like the look of the VW Golf GTD. I've read a few different articles and forum entries where people are saying that the BMW 120d is a far better car than the Golf GTD and you get more for your money.

Is that true do you think?

My own feeling on BMW 1 series is there are so many of them on the road, and I don't like the look of them as much as I do the Golf. I could be persuaded though and I'm only just starting to properly look.

The car will be used for driving to work and back - round trip of 50 miles on the motorway.

Thanks everyone

MrBarry123

6,025 posts

120 months

Monday 2nd May 2016
quotequote all
50 miles of motorway a day so around 10k a year, plus of course whatever you do which isn't commuting.

In my opinion you don't do enough miles to justify a diesel and as such, I'd look at a petrol instead.

Gruber

6,313 posts

213 months

Monday 2nd May 2016
quotequote all
Some thoughts:

1. a £15k Golf diesel is still depreciating at a fair old rate. Personally, I wouldn't rush to take out a £6k loan just to see it disappear in depreciation when £9k would buy you a perfectly good car.

2. the BMW will be a more engaging drive than the Golf, but it's really up to you which you prefer.

3. personally, I'd choose petrol over diesel for those miles.

So in your situation, I'd be looking for a nice Mk5 Golf GTI (you could get an edition 30 with your £9k, which would be my pick). What you save on interest payments on the loan will roughly cover the extra fuel cost. And you won't lose anything like the same amount of depreciation.

Edited by Gruber on Monday 2nd May 20:11

redrabbit29

Original Poster:

1,276 posts

132 months

Monday 2nd May 2016
quotequote all
I will do around 15-18000 a year I think

12000 of which is commuting

I didn't think my mileage would directly effect whether a diesel would suit. I know people who don't drive that much yet still opt for diesel

The_Burg

4,845 posts

213 months

Monday 2nd May 2016
quotequote all
106k is nothing for a Focus. Keep it and spend the money on a fun toy. £9k gives many choices.

MrBarry123

6,025 posts

120 months

Monday 2nd May 2016
quotequote all
redrabbit29 said:
I will do around 15-18000 a year I think

12000 of which is commuting

I didn't think my mileage would directly effect whether a diesel would suit. I know people who don't drive that much yet still opt for diesel
The reason for thinking twice about a diesel is that you'll pay more for a diesel car which is extra expense you probably won't recoup in fuel savings given the majority of your driving is complementary to any car's mpg.

lee_fr200

5,476 posts

189 months

Monday 2nd May 2016
quotequote all
The golf is a very lovely place to be!

I also looked at the 1 series but didn't like it compared

I've got the golf gti performance pack and tbh the mpg isn't great 26/29 round town and most I've seen is 39 on a run

If it's about mpg and less tax go for the gtd the looks the comfort everything imo is awesome

sjg

7,444 posts

264 months

Monday 2nd May 2016
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redrabbit29 said:
The car will be used for driving to work and back - round trip of 50 miles on the motorway.
Buy a secondhand Leaf, and something more fun than a diesel Golf for the weekends.

Tom_C76

1,923 posts

187 months

Tuesday 3rd May 2016
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I've got a Leon FR 184, and it seemed to offer everything good the Golf did, plus a real handbrake and better headlights, all for a lower price.

Drive Blind

5,076 posts

176 months

Tuesday 3rd May 2016
quotequote all
I asked the same question recently

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

decided I would probably stretch to the 184. However there aren't as many 184's about to choose from so I've yet to change car. Loads of 150's though....

va1o

16,029 posts

206 months

Wednesday 4th May 2016
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I love my Mk7 GTD as it's a superb all-rounder and effortless to drive. But in your situation I would probably settle for a Leon or maybe a normal Golf GT. Yes the GTD is nice but you do pay quite a premium.