VW golf 1.4 e vs Audi A2 1.4 SE
VW golf 1.4 e vs Audi A2 1.4 SE
Author
Discussion

ILoveCorners

Original Poster:

181 posts

165 months

Friday 1st November 2013
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Hi guys,
So basically the time has come to invest into another car which will be my second car now. I have narrowed the choices down to a mk4 golf 1.4 3dr or a 2002 Audi A2 1.4 SE 5door, the insurance is about the same on both however running costs on the golf are better tha the A2 in every aspect. The test-drive showed the golf to be quite sluggish and the a2 to be more on point and engaging to drive. However in my point of view I prefer the look of the A2 as its more classy and it holds its value really well unlike the golf! I really like both cars but its time to make a decision and would love to hear from you guys
thanks
haaris

Blakewater

4,555 posts

187 months

Friday 1st November 2013
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The Golf E is a very basic car, it even has manual windows. I've had a Mk IV and Mk V Golf 1.4. The Mk V seemed more underpowered than the Mk IV to the point of seeming dangerously underpowered at times. I had to get rid of it due to an untraceable metallic grinding sound and I think it was a dog from the word go. The Audi is a lighter car so should be better on performance and I reckon it has a cooler image. I've had no experience of the A2 but I like my current A3.

johnnyBv8

2,482 posts

221 months

Friday 1st November 2013
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If that's genuinely the only two options you're considering, I'd go for the A2 just to avoid such a low spec on the Golf.

AnotherClarkey

3,698 posts

219 months

Saturday 2nd November 2013
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The Golf in that spec., with that engine is just dismal. Not even particularly reliable either.

stick100

7,017 posts

198 months

Saturday 2nd November 2013
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There both the same car underneath but as you say the Audi is better specked and will hold its money better

anonymous-user

84 months

Saturday 2nd November 2013
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stick100 said:
There both the same car underneath but as you say the Audi is better specked and will hold its money better
Not even similar

wemorgan

3,583 posts

208 months

Saturday 2nd November 2013
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If you like the A2 but less so the Golf, buy the A2. Life's too short to drive a car you don't like.

As above, the A2 platform is not the same as a Golf. The A2 is aluminium, the Golf steel.
Join http://www.a2oc.net/ for lots of A2 information.

ILoveCorners

Original Poster:

181 posts

165 months

Saturday 2nd November 2013
quotequote all
i could get the spec S of the golf, but id be looking at the mileage of around 100k which i dont really fancy im scared if i buy the a2 the bills will be high. The golf will be cheap because there are so many around! Is the mk4 golf really that bad? I mean i can live with it being slow i had a 1.0 corsa for my first car so anything bigger than that will be like a ferrari to me

wemorgan

3,583 posts

208 months

Saturday 2nd November 2013
quotequote all
Service and maintenance bills for the A2 are nothing to be scared of. There are always quite a few being scrapped on Ebay if you need to go down that route. If you have an accident in one, that's another story, but that's unlikely and also that's what insurance is for. The A2 is clearly the more interesting of the two cars.

johnnyBv8

2,482 posts

221 months

Saturday 2nd November 2013
quotequote all
ILoveCorners said:
i could get the spec S of the golf, but id be looking at the mileage of around 100k which i dont really fancy im scared if i buy the a2 the bills will be high. The golf will be cheap because there are so many around! Is the mk4 golf really that bad? I mean i can live with it being slow i had a 1.0 corsa for my first car so anything bigger than that will be like a ferrari to me
I had a Mk4 Golf GTI (1.8T) as a runabout for a while - was reliable except for the electrics...interior lights and locking always playing up. They're decent enough, but dull.

Body panels etc aside, the A2 must have a lot of parts shared with other VW/Audis. What have you identified that will be paricularly expensive?

Consensus of recommendation is to go for the A2 - much more interesting than a ratty old wheezy Golf. It sounds like you want a Golf regardless!

Mr. Magoo

686 posts

258 months

Saturday 2nd November 2013
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Just bought an A2 1.4 D se. Smashing little runaround and very we'll designed given it is over 10 years old. What's more I think they still look up to date against other micro cars.

va1o

16,117 posts

237 months

Saturday 2nd November 2013
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Golf E is comically basic, go for the Audi. Will cost you less to run also as well as retaining its value better

ILoveCorners

Original Poster:

181 posts

165 months

Saturday 2nd November 2013
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I'm scared because of the Audi badge it's a luxury brand of cars it self remember I only know I have no experience of owning one and if you say it's average that's ok. It's got 100k+ mileage which makes me even more scared as the golf only has 47ksmile

Urban Sports

11,321 posts

233 months

Saturday 2nd November 2013
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I was given a new golf 1.4 match as a demo when I worked at a VW franchise years ago.

I left shortly afterwards.

johnnyBv8

2,482 posts

221 months

Saturday 2nd November 2013
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ILoveCorners said:
I'm scared because of the Audi badge it's a luxury brand of cars it self remember I only know I have no experience of owning one and if you say it's average that's ok. It's got 100k+ mileage which makes me even more scared as the golf only has 47ksmile
Ok, take the badge off it and hide it in a drawer so you're not scared any more.

Or buy the car you want to buy! You didnt give information on two specific cars with condition and mileage etc, so the responses have just been on comparing two models.

rallycross

13,757 posts

267 months

Saturday 2nd November 2013
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1.4 Golfs are are very under powered and an E is low spec, just not a car you'd have any pleasure from driving, made even worse by the fact a mk4 golf 1.4 drives like a jelly on wheels. I've driven loads of them and really suggest you avoid one of these a 1400 Polo of same year drives so much better.

A2 an interesting choice they are nice little cars have only had a 1.6 version, thought it was nice to drive and nice inside, as with any old Audi budget more for fixing stuff as Audi's can be expensive on repairs ( typical old car things like window mechanism/exhaust/c locking etc will be more tricky/expensive than on a golf or polo)

Also look any seat Ibiza 1.4 cheaper than a polo drives nicely.

ILoveCorners

Original Poster:

181 posts

165 months

Monday 4th November 2013
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I thought about it long and hard and have opted to go for the golf 1.4 s I took everyones advise but the audi turned out to have a drastic affect on my insurance so the golf is ok. I need to control myself anyways because thats the reason I had my first crash so a slow will do me good. Pictures soon to follow once i collect the car on wednesday smile

wemorgan

3,583 posts

208 months

Monday 4th November 2013
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You originally said the insurances were roughly the same. What happened?

johnnyBv8

2,482 posts

221 months

Monday 4th November 2013
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wemorgan said:
You originally said the insurances were roughly the same. What happened?
He wanted the Golf....

ILoveCorners

Original Poster:

181 posts

165 months

Monday 4th November 2013
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The insurance was 8 grand the insurance guy called me and told me there was a mistake the golf is a grand for the year and is comprehensive. I know the golf is dull but it is a good project for me I will take inspiration from the euro scene.