What is the best new all-rounder that you can buy?
Discussion
Yes, a good all-rounder is usually compromised in some way, so a lot of PHers have multiple vehicles to meet all their motoring needs but what if you can only have one vehicle? What is the best new car all-rounder out there all things considered, when you take into account:
Performance
Handling
Fun
Comfort
Practicality (decent sized boot and ability to transport 4 in comfort)
Affordable running costs
Looks and image
Purchase price/value
I still think the VW Golf GTI still takes some beating. No, it's probably not as fast or exciting as some of it's rivals but it is a very good car and does most things well, whilst maintaining a respectable but not overtly flash image. I think the mk5/mk6/mk7 GTIs are even better all-rounders than their illustrious forbears in fact.
A 5 door manual GTI with Performance Pack is probably all the car that you would ever need 95% of the time and all for less than 30k, so fairly attainable for someone on an average income.
Arguably, for not much more, the Golf R offers more of everything but (cheap lease deals aside) it is over that 30k barrier, which seems like a lot of money for a Golf. I'm sure that if I drove one, I would find it fantastic but I have never really warmed to the Golf R models. To me, they never look as good as the GTIs (mk4 R32 excepted) and although it is unquestionably faster and more economical, it has lost some of its USP/appeal by dropping that snarly V6! Yes, it is also now available as an estate, which make its case potentially even stronger but not everyone wants an estate (although I like them).
I guess one could also make a good case for this as the best all-rounder but then it does cost 60k puttiing it out of reach of most people.
Did anything in the past (no longer in production) do the all-rounder thing better? With the exception of running costs and looks/image, my old WRX Wagon ticked most of the boxes for me and was the best all-rounder that I have ever owned.
Performance
Handling
Fun
Comfort
Practicality (decent sized boot and ability to transport 4 in comfort)
Affordable running costs
Looks and image
Purchase price/value
I still think the VW Golf GTI still takes some beating. No, it's probably not as fast or exciting as some of it's rivals but it is a very good car and does most things well, whilst maintaining a respectable but not overtly flash image. I think the mk5/mk6/mk7 GTIs are even better all-rounders than their illustrious forbears in fact.
A 5 door manual GTI with Performance Pack is probably all the car that you would ever need 95% of the time and all for less than 30k, so fairly attainable for someone on an average income.
Arguably, for not much more, the Golf R offers more of everything but (cheap lease deals aside) it is over that 30k barrier, which seems like a lot of money for a Golf. I'm sure that if I drove one, I would find it fantastic but I have never really warmed to the Golf R models. To me, they never look as good as the GTIs (mk4 R32 excepted) and although it is unquestionably faster and more economical, it has lost some of its USP/appeal by dropping that snarly V6! Yes, it is also now available as an estate, which make its case potentially even stronger but not everyone wants an estate (although I like them).
I guess one could also make a good case for this as the best all-rounder but then it does cost 60k puttiing it out of reach of most people.
Did anything in the past (no longer in production) do the all-rounder thing better? With the exception of running costs and looks/image, my old WRX Wagon ticked most of the boxes for me and was the best all-rounder that I have ever owned.
Anything not German? I thought about a Focus ST. Cheaper and more power than the Golf but challenging looks, a smaller boot, dubious image in some eyes and not as good as the Golf from what I've read.
Does the Golf R hatch lose boot space by being AWD? The loss in boot space in the mk5 R32 compared to the GTI was significant from what I remember.
Interesting choice in the C350e and a nice car but I'm not sure if it would be as fun and involving as the Golf on a B-road blast or on track, as no manual option and it's a considerably bigger car.
Does the Golf R hatch lose boot space by being AWD? The loss in boot space in the mk5 R32 compared to the GTI was significant from what I remember.
Interesting choice in the C350e and a nice car but I'm not sure if it would be as fun and involving as the Golf on a B-road blast or on track, as no manual option and it's a considerably bigger car.
Willy Nilly said:
The average person on an average wage with a mortgage to pay and 2.4 kids to feed doesn't have 30 grand to spunk on a car. Further to this, I put it to you that a 10 year old Golf GTi would still be too expensive to run for them.
I'm probably the person that you describe and definitely can't afford a new GTI but think that I could probably afford to run a 10 year old GTI!Whistle said:
I picked up a focus ST 3 estate last week and so far it's ticking all the boxes for me.
Cool. Unfortunately, Subaru has abandoned the fast estate market, which is why I keep coming back to the GTI. (Not wanting to sound like my dad) but what's your ST like on fuel? Fuel consumption was a notable weakness of my Subaru and my mate's mk2 ST.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff