Golf Mk7 - Sweetspot for price, spec, performance?
Discussion
andrewparker said:
Are you saying there is a difference in the "overall feel in quality" between a MK7 R and a MK7 GTI/D?
Going off historical precedent, not sure about the latest R/GTD. I had an S3 SB at one point and the overall perceived quality was higher than the A3. It's hard to put a finger on it, but seemed to ride better (on German roads), their was real harmony between the chassis, the performance on tap, and the response of the controls. Nothing rattled or squeaked. Some ofthe interior and exterior bits were also upgraded just enough and in just the right places to elevate the car to a different level and make it feel a bit special. I know they spend years sorting these details, but I was more impressed with the S3 in that sense than I thought I'd be. In reality, the only purely objective quality differences are likely in some of the mechanical and rubber bits in the drivetrain and suspension, but there is really a psychological component here, too.
ORD said:
There is simply no justifying £30k for a diesel Golf. You can try, but it just isn't going to happen! VW pricing is lunacy. VW is the middle brand with the VAG and yet demands prices that are on a par with the higher end marques.
It's the bit I'm struggling with. With the CT200H it's weird as it costs less than the equivalent Prius despite Lexus being the "premium" brand.
How many times...... you dont pay £30,000 for one. Have a look in what car target price and thats what you will pay.
The GTD has most things on it. Standard wheels look great. Its a fine allround package as it is.
Have you driven one yet....... I was impressed by the GTD having driven lots of fun fast cars this is certainly a nice car to drive and own.
The GTD has most things on it. Standard wheels look great. Its a fine allround package as it is.
Have you driven one yet....... I was impressed by the GTD having driven lots of fun fast cars this is certainly a nice car to drive and own.
ORD said:
There is simply no justifying £30k for a diesel Golf. You can try, but it just isn't going to happen! VW pricing is lunacy. VW is the middle brand with the VAG and yet demands prices that are on a par with the higher end marques.
Out of interest, what other cars that list at around that are so special?andrewparker said:
Out of interest, what other cars that list at around that are so special?
The point is more how many cars are £5k or more cheaper and at least as good, if not better. For example, the Mazda 3 is quite a lot better dynamically than the Golf and otherwise very similar.
Fair enough, like I say, I don't really know much about the Mazda brand and I'm pretty sure I've never even seen one of these latest 3s. On paper the 2.2d Sport compares almost identically to the 2.0TDI GT. Spec and power outputs are nearly inseparable, but the difference in target price of the two is only £215. I imagine you'd more than recoup that at resale time by buying the Golf.
I am genuinely interested though why if this car is so good we don't hear more about it? I know not to trust the likes of What Car and Auto Express but the former gives the Golf 5 stars and the Mazda 3 stars. Are we supposed to believe that is due to bias towards VW?
I am genuinely interested though why if this car is so good we don't hear more about it? I know not to trust the likes of What Car and Auto Express but the former gives the Golf 5 stars and the Mazda 3 stars. Are we supposed to believe that is due to bias towards VW?
Autocar rates the 3, especially in diesel form.
A careful reading of the reviews suggests that the Golf is only preferable because it is a bit quieter on the motorway (!)
I have driven pretty much every current cooking hatch and none of them is as good as the 3 in terms of driving experience. Mazda isn't very fashionable in England. We have an obsession with VAG products and overpay for them for that reason. As for whether or not the automotive press has a love affair with VAG, are you serious? Try to find a bad review of a VAG or BMW car that isn't extremely apologetic and watered down (with all the flaws disguised as just 'differences'). See, for example, the pretence that the E Golf is a credible choice or the desperate attempts not to say that the new Active Tourer isn't b
ks.
A careful reading of the reviews suggests that the Golf is only preferable because it is a bit quieter on the motorway (!)
I have driven pretty much every current cooking hatch and none of them is as good as the 3 in terms of driving experience. Mazda isn't very fashionable in England. We have an obsession with VAG products and overpay for them for that reason. As for whether or not the automotive press has a love affair with VAG, are you serious? Try to find a bad review of a VAG or BMW car that isn't extremely apologetic and watered down (with all the flaws disguised as just 'differences'). See, for example, the pretence that the E Golf is a credible choice or the desperate attempts not to say that the new Active Tourer isn't b
ks.
MC Bodge said:
Hmm, are you more interested in the cars or in the subjective views of a focus group about its position in the social hierarchy of uk consumerism?
I'm a designer, so I'll let you make your own mind up on that one 
Seriously though I think ORD is correct in saying they are deeply unfashionable. I personally think their brand positioning is very confusing and I don't believe the "alternative-to-premium" status (a premium product without the premium price tag) is achievable.
Either way, I'm pretty open-minded and I wouldn't mind giving one a try.
andrewparker said:
I'm a designer, so I'll let you make your own mind up on that one
Seriously though I think ORD is correct in saying they are deeply unfashionable. I personally think their brand positioning is very confusing and I don't believe the "alternative-to-premium" status (a premium product without the premium price tag) is achievable.
Either way, I'm pretty open-minded and I wouldn't mind giving one a try.
I'm an engineer.Seriously though I think ORD is correct in saying they are deeply unfashionable. I personally think their brand positioning is very confusing and I don't believe the "alternative-to-premium" status (a premium product without the premium price tag) is achievable.
Either way, I'm pretty open-minded and I wouldn't mind giving one a try.
The question is, Could you own/drive an "unfashionable" car, even if it was good?
If it appeals to me visually and fulfils my practical requirements then I'd try anything. We're looking at ordering an XC60 next year and I don't think they're particularly fashionable (?), but I like the look of them, and I nearly bought a Yeti a few years ago. I don't think they've ever been fashionable.
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