RE: VW Golf GTD: Review
Discussion
stumpage said:
Can't understand it either (VRS Estate TSI waiting to be delivered). The badge was a bit of an issue (I know...shallow) but once test driven it was a no brainer. What also bugged me about the VW was that exactly the same options on the Golf were about 50% more than the Octavia, eg. Colour computer Skoda £85, Golf £135, it looks like the same computer.
Which is a fair point if you are buying but irrelevant if you are leasing. The Golf has tremendous residual values so it makes it far cheaper than you'd expect against the Skoda and Seat twins.But I liked the VRs a lot too, only went for the Golf as I have a yearning for a Golf GTi/D to tick a long standing itch.
Dblue said:
stumpage said:
Can't understand it either (VRS Estate TSI waiting to be delivered). The badge was a bit of an issue (I know...shallow) but once test driven it was a no brainer. What also bugged me about the VW was that exactly the same options on the Golf were about 50% more than the Octavia, eg. Colour computer Skoda £85, Golf £135, it looks like the same computer.
Which is a fair point if you are buying but irrelevant if you are leasing. The Golf has tremendous residual values so it makes it far cheaper than you'd expect against the Skoda and Seat twins.But I liked the VRs a lot too, only went for the Golf as I have a yearning for a Golf GTi/D to tick a long standing itch.
This was on my list after scoring the GTi and many other petrol hot hatches off due to their misleading stated economy figures and my high mileage. It felt well built and looks pretty good in my opinion. However, with a bigger discount being offered by BMW a 125d cost as much and it just seemed to piddle all over the golf in every department that mattered to me. More horses, more torque, RWD and averaging 52mpg no bother.... you also can't see the outside when you're sitting in it
St John Smythe said:
toppstuff said:
It is hard to buy a bad new car. I think it makes little difference now if you have a Skoda, VW, Audi, Seat or whatever. They are all essentially the same with only differences in fabric and plastic surfaces to judge them by. When driving them at 6/10ths on a busy road in the UK, I am not sure it really makes a difference which one you buy because chances are they will feel much the same.
So they are all white goods. May as well buy the one with the lowest cost and the best reliability record. That'll be the Skoda then.
How many of the critics here have actually driven one then? Or is it a case of damning it before it's even given a chance.
I can only imagine that everyone who says it's boring, or too heavy, must drive to work via Silverstone raceway, and on weekends spend their time on clear roads with no speed limits and incredible sweeping bends.
Of course here in the real world, people who buy a hot hatch want something that covers many bases, and isn't necessarily a Lotus Elise. I have found VW make excellent all-rounders, in fact, that is what made the Golf so popular in the first place, and any manufacturer's ignoring the performance diesel market are short sighted, although I guess everyone here drives a V8 and has a limitless petrol card.
Diesel is not dead, the market grows bigger every year, and despite not always achieving it's predicted MPG, that's nothing new, and petrol figures are just as skewed. Resale values are stronger for Diesels, and I bet the trend continues for the foreseeable future.
Having had a Golf, Audi, and a Passat, and also having had various other tin in my time, I have to say VW seem to hit the spot between producing a very good quality product, and doing it at a reasonable price. This looks like a very strong addition to the range, and I bet it proves as popular as the GTi, though obviously not with the Schumachers among us.
I can only imagine that everyone who says it's boring, or too heavy, must drive to work via Silverstone raceway, and on weekends spend their time on clear roads with no speed limits and incredible sweeping bends.
Of course here in the real world, people who buy a hot hatch want something that covers many bases, and isn't necessarily a Lotus Elise. I have found VW make excellent all-rounders, in fact, that is what made the Golf so popular in the first place, and any manufacturer's ignoring the performance diesel market are short sighted, although I guess everyone here drives a V8 and has a limitless petrol card.
Diesel is not dead, the market grows bigger every year, and despite not always achieving it's predicted MPG, that's nothing new, and petrol figures are just as skewed. Resale values are stronger for Diesels, and I bet the trend continues for the foreseeable future.
Having had a Golf, Audi, and a Passat, and also having had various other tin in my time, I have to say VW seem to hit the spot between producing a very good quality product, and doing it at a reasonable price. This looks like a very strong addition to the range, and I bet it proves as popular as the GTi, though obviously not with the Schumachers among us.
My company almost exclusively goes for VWs because of the deals we get on them.
Drove a colleague's Mk6 GTD for a day and i got over 60mpg! In fact, did better than i did in a basic diesel Golf thanks to the torque and extra gear.
The issue is, the delivery of the power makes you want to drive it economically, not fast! It has impressive pulling power, but is typically diesel-like in being unwilling to rev. In comparison, the GTI is no inertia-free race engine, but it wants to be used.
I'd intrigued to drive the new one; somehow doubt the Mk7 GTI will get much beyond 40mpg so believe the difference will be greater than is published. There's also the factor of range - it's nice to have to only fill up once a week when you're doing big miles. As a company car, the GTD will be noticeably lighter on the wallet, i'm sure.
Drove a colleague's Mk6 GTD for a day and i got over 60mpg! In fact, did better than i did in a basic diesel Golf thanks to the torque and extra gear.
The issue is, the delivery of the power makes you want to drive it economically, not fast! It has impressive pulling power, but is typically diesel-like in being unwilling to rev. In comparison, the GTI is no inertia-free race engine, but it wants to be used.
I'd intrigued to drive the new one; somehow doubt the Mk7 GTI will get much beyond 40mpg so believe the difference will be greater than is published. There's also the factor of range - it's nice to have to only fill up once a week when you're doing big miles. As a company car, the GTD will be noticeably lighter on the wallet, i'm sure.
I did a few k in various Mk6 GTD's and generally found them to be excellent - comfortable, well specced, fun to drive, very revvy for a diesel. also very much like my old GTi's it responded well to being driven as if it had just been stolen. However fuel consumption when driven normally was very similar to my current 330d for a lot less go, and we found them t be bloody unreliable. We had 5 in the organisation I worked for, and 4 were repeatedly back at VW for silly issues (like a fuel gauge telling you you had 1/4 of a tank left as you were coasting to a halt empty).
Overall they were quite hard to fault, there was always something missing in the drive for me though. It almost cornered a little too well, leaving you with the feeling it wasn't really you in control. The typically aloof VAG steering and pedal box didn't help either.
I was always very happy to get back into my E36 328i afterwards. Not sure what should be read into that.....
Overall they were quite hard to fault, there was always something missing in the drive for me though. It almost cornered a little too well, leaving you with the feeling it wasn't really you in control. The typically aloof VAG steering and pedal box didn't help either.
I was always very happy to get back into my E36 328i afterwards. Not sure what should be read into that.....
Got a 48hr test drive of this and an A3 Sportback TDI 184 S line in the next few weeks as potential next company car choice. One is significantly cheaper BIK than the other, just need to see if the VW can offer the same experience as the Audi for less cash. Or will they both be duds..
truck71 said:
Got a 48hr test drive of this and an A3 Sportback TDI 184 S line in the next few weeks as potential next company car choice. One is significantly cheaper BIK than the other, just need to see if the VW can offer the same experience as the Audi for less cash. Or will they both be duds..
I had a look at this too but the Audi in like for like spec was way more expensive and even though its fantastic residuals meant CH was not too dissimilar the BIK was much higher.Personally prefer the GTi looks and image, just as classy as cabin with similar high quality materials.
Its a bit "default" but the Golf is the class standard and there's a good reason it sells so well.
toppstuff said:
Yeah. All these cars are essentially just utility items these days though, are't they?
It is hard to buy a bad new car. I think it makes little difference now if you have a Skoda, VW, Audi, Seat or whatever. They are all essentially the same with only differences in fabric and plastic surfaces to judge them by. When driving them at 6/10ths on a busy road in the UK, I am not sure it really makes a difference which one you buy because chances are they will feel much the same.
So they are all white goods. May as well buy the one with the lowest cost and the best reliability record. That'll be the Skoda then.
It is hard to buy a bad new car. I think it makes little difference now if you have a Skoda, VW, Audi, Seat or whatever. They are all essentially the same with only differences in fabric and plastic surfaces to judge them by. When driving them at 6/10ths on a busy road in the UK, I am not sure it really makes a difference which one you buy because chances are they will feel much the same.
So they are all white goods. May as well buy the one with the lowest cost and the best reliability record. That'll be the Skoda then.
The truth of the matter is that I was genuinely more interested in the article about the Dyson car vacuum cleaner thingy the other day.
Iklwa said:
How many of the critics here have actually driven one then? Or is it a case of damning it before it's even given a chance.
Yep, I had one for a 4 day test recently and also on my shortlist was the 120d M Sport and the Octavia vRS. Needless to say I have ordered a Golf GTD. To me it was the best allrounder. By the time you have spec'd up either of the others any price saving is lost!Roll on next March!
Here we will stick with £1800 VW mk4 VR6 4 motion, ok its thirsty and had a few issues but at that price and 150k on the clock who cares, starts every time, pleasure to drive, almost zero depreciation and we can do lots/lots miles before the £28k saving on capital is squandered on petrol, alternators, clutches etc etc. Its well built, everything works and has good climate control, nice seats etc etc.
In my view well worth a low cost punt and a quality/1st vw car we have owned.
I am sure lots of posts here now to tell me what crap this model was. !!
p.s. its rather quick and dont take much to get to licence loss speeds, so wont be buying the new ones but do have a soft spot for skoda.
slightly off topic but when buying privately the capital/repairs costs require careful consideration
In my view well worth a low cost punt and a quality/1st vw car we have owned.
I am sure lots of posts here now to tell me what crap this model was. !!
p.s. its rather quick and dont take much to get to licence loss speeds, so wont be buying the new ones but do have a soft spot for skoda.
slightly off topic but when buying privately the capital/repairs costs require careful consideration
Iklwa said:
How many of the critics here have actually driven one then? Or is it a case of damning it before it's even given a chance.
Yep, I had one for a 4 day test recently and also on my shortlist was the 120d M Sport and the Octavia vRS. Needless to say I have ordered a Golf GTD. To me it was the best allrounder. By the time you have spec'd up either of the others any price saving is lost!Roll on next March!
Have driven a 150bhp Mk 7 Golf and can report that VW have definitely moved things up a notch in terms of quality .... although the leccy handbrake is just spookily horrible).
My current daily driver is a MK 5 Golf GT TDI 170 with the superb 6 speed DSG box. I have to say that I think that this car is just bloody brilliant. OK it has a narrowish power and torque band .... but that's why the DSG box is so well suited to it. The box just always has it on the sweet spot. Monstrously impressive car.
I imagine that the MK6 and MK7 improve the genre even more.
Handled pretty well in standard form .... the ride height is similar to a GTI .... but I just fitted a Bilstein B12 kit and the handling is much improved (although there is a price to pay in terms of ride quality). Now even more fun.
Helps that it's a big spec car with leather, sat nav, winter pack, parking sensors, dual climate etc etc ..... but I can't think what I would replace it with .... apart from another GTD.
My other car is an S1 Elise .... but the Golf gives me almost as much driving satisfaction.
Just for the record I get 43(ish)mpg mooching about .... as much as 60mpg on a long drive including motorways.
My current daily driver is a MK 5 Golf GT TDI 170 with the superb 6 speed DSG box. I have to say that I think that this car is just bloody brilliant. OK it has a narrowish power and torque band .... but that's why the DSG box is so well suited to it. The box just always has it on the sweet spot. Monstrously impressive car.
I imagine that the MK6 and MK7 improve the genre even more.
Handled pretty well in standard form .... the ride height is similar to a GTI .... but I just fitted a Bilstein B12 kit and the handling is much improved (although there is a price to pay in terms of ride quality). Now even more fun.
Helps that it's a big spec car with leather, sat nav, winter pack, parking sensors, dual climate etc etc ..... but I can't think what I would replace it with .... apart from another GTD.
My other car is an S1 Elise .... but the Golf gives me almost as much driving satisfaction.
Just for the record I get 43(ish)mpg mooching about .... as much as 60mpg on a long drive including motorways.
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