Golf R stolen - what replacement?

[jm8403]

SWoll said:

troika said:

Depends what’s important to you, but if I had my house broken into and both motors stolen off the drive, the last thing I’d want are replacements which are attractive to thieves. Buy something dull and boring and sleep well at night, or move to a different area.

There's a big gap between a car that is very high on the list of thefts (Golf R) and something dull and boring.

Indeed, something like a 325/330/335 is going to be decent, but might not be high up thieves list as it's so common, they can't tell the difference with debadge.

[troika]

SWoll said:

There's a big gap between a car that is very high on the list of thefts (Golf R) and something dull and boring.

Maybe, although most cars are pretty good these days. Depends on your priorities and whether you want to actively attract the attention of the wrong sort I suppose, or fly under the radar.

[toffee]

troika said:

Maybe, although most cars are pretty good these days. Depends on your priorities and whether you want to actively attract the attention of the wrong sort I suppose, or fly under the radar.

Having exactly the same dilemma but I really enjoy my driving and many new cars are, in my experience, not fun to drive. It’s not about pure speed, it’s how they feel, the chassis and the steering feedback etc. I much preferred driving my Up GTI, to the golf R, but is not the best for long motorway journeys and too small for what we need.I am definitely not a badge snob so happy to fly under the radar - but I want a car that puts a smile on my face 😊

[J1990]

I had an original i30N Manual Hatch and loved it, so much so that when I last looked for a new fun car my post-test drive shortlist was down to either a DCT i30N facelift or a Jaguar F-Type... The fact that it was still a close decision just seems madness. In the end I chose the 2 seater.

The DCT i30N has 'grin shift' which is a stupid button that makes you smile, upon selecting it the car selects the lowest plausible gear and puts the car in sport/face mode for 30seconds. Effectively it's an overtake button, it's childish and stupid... I loved it! I still think the ride on these can be a little firm if you're in an area where your daily driving involes a lot of speedbumps and/or bad roads but I'd be willing to tolerate that for the sheer level of fun the car offers.

[AyBee]

I had a Scirocco R and when child number 1 arrived, wanted to replace it with a Golf R estate but decided against it because of their reputation for being stolen. I went for a Superb 280 in the end and it's been excellent. It's probably going in the not too distant future because I want to go electric, but if I wasn't, it would be staying. Looks just like any other Superb but goes very well when you want it to.

[AyBee]

troika said:

Depends what’s important to you, but if I had my house broken into and both motors stolen off the drive, the last thing I’d want are replacements which are attractive to thieves. Buy something dull and boring and sleep well at night, or move to a different area.

How does area help? I live in a nice area, which is why it's targeted for car theft. I have a mate whose RS4 was stolen from the middle of nowhere in France. Location doesn't matter.

[popeyewhite]

SWoll said:

There's a big gap between a car that is very high on the list of thefts (Golf R) and something dull and boring.

This.

Also there's some very advanced immobilisers on the market such as the Ghost from Autowatch. You have to put in a code to start the car. Also what some of you are describing borders on anxiety issues. My heartfelt sympathies to the poster who was carjacked - must have been terrifying and well done coming through that. But for most it's a simple risk/reward scenario....

[toffee]

maz8062 said:

This response amazes me. Do you have children? Separate the cars that were stolen and the fact that burglars entered your house to steal something. What would have happened if you were in, your kids, family? Having cars on your drive that attracts trouble, thieves, is not clever in my view, but each to their own.

I am a 59year old female with no children. Guess we all have a different view on risk, but thank you for your thoughts.

[sunnyb13]

340i not really a theft magnet... the M3 however is.

[toffee]

AyBee said:

I had a Scirocco R and when child number 1 arrived, wanted to replace it with a Golf R estate but decided against it because of their reputation for being stolen. I went for a Superb 280 in the end and it's been excellent. It's probably going in the not too distant future because I want to go electric, but if I wasn't, it would be staying. Looks just like any other Superb but goes very well when you want it to.

Hi, I have considered a Superb, but they do look very big. How do find them to park etc?

[bennno]

toffee said:

I am a 59year old female with no children. Guess we all have a different view on risk, but thank you for your thoughts.

How about an Audi SQ2 or a Porsche Macan T - less likely to get stolen by scumbags, but both have the same engine as your Golf R

Edited by bennno on Monday 27th March 17:46

[toffee]

Gio G said:

Sorry to hear about your car theft OP.

Many years ago, in the height of those super cheap lease deals on Golf R's, I was car jacked for mine, the whole held up with knives/cosh from masked scumbags in broad daylight. Mine was a 5 door, which was the perfect vehicle for committing further burglary. Over the period I remember many on here having theirs stolen too..

Unfortunately my incident shocked me to my core and didn't want to drive anything hot for a while. However I think you have the right idea, don't let them win and beef up your security. Just make it harder for them and they move on to something else...

G

So sorry to hear about the car jacking, that must have been horrid. Mine was a 5 door as well!

[flickyspinny]

toffee said:

Hi, I have considered a Superb, but they do look very big. How do find them to park etc?

Not the owner of the 280, but I have had the previous generation Superb estate for the last few years. They're fairly long but crucially not very wide so they fit in supermarket parking spaces much more easily than the equivalent length SUV. Yes, they overhang a bit, but nothing out of the ordinary.

I don't often need to parallel park in between cars, so have never really had a problem with finding a big enough space for it.

Would have loved a 280 at some point.

[JonDerz]

M140i? They do get stolen but not on golf R/S3 levels

[AyBee]

toffee said:

AyBee said:

I had a Scirocco R and when child number 1 arrived, wanted to replace it with a Golf R estate but decided against it because of their reputation for being stolen. I went for a Superb 280 in the end and it's been excellent. It's probably going in the not too distant future because I want to go electric, but if I wasn't, it would be staying. Looks just like any other Superb but goes very well when you want it to.

Hi, I have considered a Superb, but they do look very big. How do find them to park etc?

Not a problem and nor does my wife. They are big cars, but sensors front and back and camera at the back (it also has the parallel park thing but I've never used it) help. It's long, but not wide.

sunnyb13 said:

340i not really a theft magnet... the M3 however is.

My mate's FIL left his 340i on my mate's drive when they went away together. My mate's house was turned upside down while they were away and the police said they almost certainly broke in for the 340 and then realised they were away so scoured the rest of the house. The 340i is very desirable sadly.

[Square Leg]

whimsical ninja said:

toffee said:

-
Alfa Giulia Veloce - seem to have theft issues through the front radar

Yes. Yes they do. It's a massive issue. Can be stolen in about 30 seconds.

There’s a fix for it, although through a 3rd party and not Alfa.
I have one for my QV.

[RichFN2]

It seems anything quick from Volkswagen,Audi, BMW & Mercedes is the highest risk. Not only are they used as a quick getaway car but also aren't they then stripped for parts and end up in Eastern Europe?

I would be looking at something French, Italian, Japanese or Korean.

Fast Fords used to be an issue back in the day but not sure if that is still the case.

Can't imagine many RS Meganes or Civic Type R get stolen.

[Hub]

AyBee said:

troika said:

Depends what’s important to you, but if I had my house broken into and both motors stolen off the drive, the last thing I’d want are replacements which are attractive to thieves. Buy something dull and boring and sleep well at night, or move to a different area.

How does area help? I live in a nice area, which is why it's targeted for car theft. I have a mate whose RS4 was stolen from the middle of nowhere in France. Location doesn't matter.

I think it does to a degree in this country. A disproportionate amount of this sort of car crime seems to happen in and around the three biggest cities.

[ZX10R NIN]

toffee said:

Having exactly the same dilemma but I really enjoy my driving and many new cars are, in my experience, not fun to drive. It’s not about pure speed, it’s how they feel, the chassis and the steering feedback etc. I much preferred driving my Up GTI, to the golf R, but is not the best for long motorway journeys and too small for what we need.I am definitely not a badge snob so happy to fly under the radar - but I want a car that puts a smile on my face ??

I'd say take a good look at the last of the line 3.0 Jaguar XE S 380's as they're a very good steer ride well & are a nice place to be:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302284...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303175...

Last of the line Polestar V60:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303215...

Maserati Ghibli S now these are a true under ( the facelift 425 mobels are rare) the radar car & feel special too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303225...

Regular 350:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302254...

Not the best looking but the Kia Stinger is a very good steer & the V6TT is a peach:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302154...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208108...

Now if you want a proper sleeper then this is the one, no onw will suspect the performance on tap with one of these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303135...

All the above are interesting alternatives, or the i30N DCT fastback is a very good alternative.

[Square Leg]

RichFN2 said:

It seems anything quick from Volkswagen,Audi, BMW & Mercedes is the highest risk. Not only are they used as a quick getaway car but also aren't they then stripped for parts and end up in Eastern Europe?

I would be looking at something French, Italian, Japanese or Korean.

Fast Fords used to be an issue back in the day but not sure if that is still the case.

Can't imagine many RS Meganes or Civic Type R get stolen.

I’m on a Stolen Cars group on FB - it’s constantly full of ‘normal’ cars being nicked.
Anything from a 10 year old Hyundai to a shonky old van.

I often look at what’s been stolen and wonder why the fk someone would go to the trouble of taking it.