What car? A3/120d/GTI/VXR

[sebhaque]

Sorry for another what car topic (a what car forum might be well received by the folks who don't want to see these topics!), but I've been racking my brains all day trying to work out what to get.

My choices are of the following:
Audi A3
BMW 118d
Volkswagen Golf GTI
Vauxhall Astra VXR

I've got my eyes on specific cars for sale nearby, but it's probably worth explaining the background behind the choices. This is going to be my second car, my daily driver as such. I have a Vauxhall VX220 Turbo for weekends (which is staying), a Vauxhall Frontera (which I'll p/x or sell for the new car), and a Vauxhall Corsa (which used to be my daily drive, but my Mum needs a new car so I'm giving that to her and using it as an excuse to get myself something decent). I'm not a Vauxhall fanboy - they were just coincidentally the best cars for my needs!

Financially, I'm looking mainly at running costs; the cheaper they are, the better it is. I'm of the age where insurance is a real ballsache (more later) so the less I spend there, the better it is. As this will be my daily drive, and I'll cover 18,000 miles a year in it (motorway miles mainly, odd town trips too), mpg is an elevated concern to me. The cars all cost about the same to purchase (a grand between the cheapest and most expensive) so that's not of real concern.

The sticking point is whether to go for a sensible car, or to go with something that's fun. My VX provides enough smiles when I'm driving it, so I'm not missing out on that - but something in the back of my mind says I should go for something that's interesting. Conversely, that same voice tells me straight afterwards that financially it's a stupid idea (considering I'm planning on buying a house this year) and I'd be better off with something that'll save me money so I can afford to pay my mortgage/bills and run two cars while still having a comfortable life.

I spent a good few hours today compiling a data sheet of the cars I'm looking at (sad, I know), but I've come to this so far:

AUDI A3 3.2
Age: 2005/05
Mileage: 46779 miles
Insurance: £3738.11 f/c
Tech specs: 6.2s/155mph/246bhp
MPG: 28

BMW 118d
Age: 2007/07
Mileage: 49750 miles
Insurance: £1370.45 f/c
Tech specs: 8.6s/130mph/140bhp
MPG: 62

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI
Age: 2006/55
Mileage: 37000 miles
Insurance: £2440.40 f/c
Tech specs: 7.0s/146mph/197bhp
MPG: 35

VAUXHALL ASTRA VXR
Age: 2007/57
Mileage: 33712 miles
Insurance: £2360.60 f/c
Tech specs: 6.2s/152mph/236bhp
MPG: 30

I'm thinking the A3 is a no-go because it's the most expensive to buy, as well as being stupid money to insure and the worst on fuel. The BMW is by far the cheapest to insure and run, and the GTI and VXR are very similar in running costs (but the VXR is quicker). As you can see my insurance quotes are stupidly high (thanks, circumstances), but I don't want to be spending a lot of time in something I won't enjoy driving. I used to own a TT 3.2 and as a daily drive it wasn't bad (mine was a lemon though), I've driven a 116d and loved it, borrowed a Mk4 GTI for a while and really liked that, haven't driven a VXR although I'm hoping I can try and get a test drive in one as I'm genuinely interested.

I think my essay's gone on long enough - any thoughts? TIA for replies - I might doze off early so my replies might be in the morning.

[Steameh]

Test drove an Astra VXR about 4 months ago when I was looking to buy a new car.

Didn't get on with it at all, the power delivery is absolutely garbage. The interior is ok, but I didnt like how dark and cramped it felt inside either.

Never did get round to test driving a Mk V GTi, but my previous golf was pretty competent.

Have you any other considerations, such as focus ST?

[eltawater]

Taking into account the high mileage you will be doing, have you considered a Seat Leon TDI or the equivalent Skoda Octavia?

• flees before being lynched for suggesting a diseasal*

[al1991]

Obviously I'd test them all, but I think I'd find the BM quite appealing from that list.

[i remember]

eltawater said:

Taking into account the high mileage you will be doing, have you considered a Seat Leon TDI or the equivalent Skoda Octavia?

• flees before being lynched for suggesting a diseasal*

+1

Don't knock the badge, all VW underpinnings. Quality cars for cut price VW money

[sebhaque]

Steameh said:

Test drove an Astra VXR about 4 months ago when I was looking to buy a new car.

Didn't get on with it at all, the power delivery is absolutely garbage. The interior is ok, but I didnt like how dark and cramped it felt inside either.

Never did get round to test driving a Mk V GTi, but my previous golf was pretty competent.

Have you any other considerations, such as focus ST?

What's the delivery like? I used to own an Impreza STi, where all the power came in a nice big lump at 3500rpm, so I'm not averse to driving a car with massive turbo lag. I had a company Insignia for a bit and I found that really cramped inside, if that's anything to go by I'll be crossing the VXR off my list. I'll have to have a look at one in person though before I make my mind up.

As for the Focus ST - I'm not really a fan, I can't figure out why as I like the new RS, but the previous-gen ST never floated my boat.

eltawater said:

Taking into account the high mileage you will be doing, have you considered a Seat Leon TDI or the equivalent Skoda Octavia?

• flees before being lynched for suggesting a diseasal*

I was tempted by a vRS, not really something I'm looking for though. Brilliant car, no denying it, but again it's not of my personal preference. The same with the Seat, I'm afraid I've only ever seen chavs in them. Again, nice cars, but personally they're not my cup of tea. I'm not overly fussy with cars but it's a shame that the first couple suggested were the ones I didn't like!

Thanks anyway though chaps. I'll hunt around anyway to see if perhaps my dislike/disinterest is misfounded.

[Ozzie Osmond]

You've got a fun car for the weekends, why waste thousands on insurance premium for any of those daily hacks? Just get a snotter and do something more fun with your money.

[Vic Cooper]

Insurance, MPG, RWD = Diesel BMW from the list
(as You'll be doin 18 k miles a year)

VW PD-TDI = big NO-NO

Funny from me to suggesting a diesel, but there are some cases when that's the only reasonable choice.

Otherwise go for the Golf. At least it has proper windows (VXR=zero visibility) which is a good thing if You'd like to drive it I guess the same costs annual as the VXR (mpg + insurance) but I think the Golf keeps its price a bit better - when it has to go.

Edited by Vic Cooper on Sunday 2nd January 00:16

[Steameh]

I've had relatively brutal turbo cars before, but it was just something else, they some how managed to make the power delivery seem really disconnected from the driving experience and if the road was slightly slick (which it was when I was driving) there was no way of getting any decent power down or doing anything decent with any small power input

I really really wanted to love it because I think they look pretty damn good, but after I got out I felt so disappointed.

I know how you feel about the ST, I do prefer the look of the facelift ST's, the earlier ones do nothing for me.

Edited by Steameh on Sunday 2nd January 00:18

[menguin]

Out of the list I would be most tempted by the BMW, but I'd go for the 123d. I know a few on here have them and from what I understand the performance increase is substantial over the 118. Not sure fo the increase in price though!

[insanojackson]

menguin said:

Out of the list I would be most tempted by the BMW, but I'd go for the 123d. I know a few on here have them and from what I understand the performance increase is substantial over the 118. Not sure fo the increase in price though!

I would imagine the cars listed will be a lot cheaper to buy than any 123d available.

[V8A*ndy]

BMW 118d (120d if you can) in Msport guise.

Nice set of wheels, darkline rear lights and performance grills.

Sorted.......

Just watch out for the clutch judder.

[frosted]

You seriously think any of those petrol cars would give you 30+ mpg ?

Edited by frosted on Sunday 2nd January 01:06

[terzo]

why are you comparing a 118d with these? don't understand how it's paired with a 3.2l audi, golf gti etc?

[hardcorehobbit]

Vic Cooper said:

Insurance, MPG, RWD = Diesel BMW from the list
(as You'll be doin 18 k miles a year)

VW PD-TDI = big NO-NO

Funny from me to suggesting a diesel, but there are some cases when that's the only reasonable choice.

Otherwise go for the Golf. At least it has proper windows (VXR=zero visibility) which is a good thing if You'd like to drive it I guess the same costs annual as the VXR (mpg + insurance) but I think the Golf keeps its price a bit better - when it has to go.

Edited by Vic Cooper on Sunday 2nd January 00:16

Whats wrong with a VAG PD engine? They go on forever. I've seen taxis clock up 200 or 300k with decent maintenance. The power delivery is much of a blob around 2-3k rpm, but a majority of diesels do that.

What you said makes it seem like they're all going to explode in the next 10 minutes.

OP, what about a 159? Can you get one for your budget? Or the good old fashioned Mondeo ST (220 or STTDCI if you must)

[Vic Cooper]

hardcorehobbit said:

Whats wrong with a VAG PD engine? They go on forever. I've seen taxis clock up 200 or 300k with decent maintenance. The power delivery is much of a blob around 2-3k rpm, but a majority of diesels do that.

There's an issue about 1-3 litres average oil consumption on 10k miles (the manual says if it's less than 0,7 liter on 1000 km, then it's OK - seriously, that's just ridiculous) , high percentage PD unit failures from around 80k miles. Passat B6 has the worst (VW) user reviews ever equipped with PD-TDI engines. There is a reason (reliability issues) why PD-TDI has been dropped and why common rail technology is used instead (so not only because of the relatively high manufacturing prices of PD units).

Edited by Vic Cooper on Sunday 2nd January 04:23

[H_Kan]

As a daily driver, it's got to be the Beemer out of the list you've put down.

Good mpg, imo nice looking, decent enough interior, rwd, lowest insurance from your list and best MPG. In addition to that, you've driven the less powerful version and loved it!

I'd also perhaps consider an e46 derv if you want to save on purchase price a little.

[Wilfko]

Civic Type R FN2?

[TotalControl]

Seb, what's your budget?

[martin mrt]

Vic Cooper said:

hardcorehobbit said:

Whats wrong with a VAG PD engine? They go on forever. I've seen taxis clock up 200 or 300k with decent maintenance. The power delivery is much of a blob around 2-3k rpm, but a majority of diesels do that.

There's an issue about 1-3 litres average oil consumption on 10k miles (the manual says if it's less than 0,7 liter on 1000 km, then it's OK - seriously, that's just ridiculous) , high percentage PD unit failures from around 80k miles. Passat B6 has the worst (VW) user reviews ever equipped with PD-TDI engines. There is a reason (reliability issues) why PD-TDI has been dropped and why common rail technology is used instead (so not only because of the relatively high manufacturing prices of PD units).

Edited by Vic Cooper on Sunday 2nd January 04:23

What utter codste, the VAG PD lump in 1.9 Guise is a cracking engine, and one of the most reliable 4 pot diesels in it's class(es).
The PD was dropped predominantly for CR technology as the emission regulations get tighter, and the 1.9 being of an aged design was going to struggle to meet the criteria. Hence the current crop of 1.6 and 2.0tdi engines

Out of the OPs list it goes without saying the 118d wins hands down from me, we had an ED model earlier this year, a cracking steer, and it cost buttons to run. Just don't expect 62mpg from it, ours never managed it, and it wasn't driven hard.