New car options...

[Mutley75]

Hi all, I have a budget of around £18k. I have narrowed my choice down to two cars. I know they're not directly comparable in terms of spec, but they are so far as price is concerned. So here are my options... which would you go for and why?

2012 VW Golf GTI.
Pros: Fast, classy, nice interior. Cons: Previous gen, slightly dated technology, Mk 6 GTIs with Xenons are rare, bit dull to look at.

2015 Seat Leon 1.8 FR
Pros: MQB so based on Mk7 Golf, masses of technology, eg: Xenons, touch-screen media, auto-wipers, adaptive cruise, lane assist, excellent value for money etc etc etc. Cons: Brand image, slightly cheap feeling interior, resale values likely to plummet.

Anything else out there (from VAG) I should be considering? 3 years old is the oldest I am prepared to go and DSG and Xenons are an absolute must. Audi A1, A3, Skoda vRS?

[the-photographer]

2015 Polo GTI 1.8T (LED lights with most Golf bits available except radar cruise)

[va1o]

Mk7 GTI could be in reach if you slightly stretched the budget. They can now be had from main dealers approved used for £20k so you're really not far away. If you'd buy from auction I'd imagine £18k would now be achievable for a 2013 car in the trade.

Otherwise I'd maybe look for a current shape Octavia VRS or Leon Cupra 265. Polo GTI worth a try as well if you don't mind the smaller size.

Wouldn't bother with the Mk6 GTI as they are coming down in price heavily now and its a little dated compared to the others. Good car in isolation but not the best for £18k.

[Mutley75]

Thanks, the new Polo GTI does look very nice. Size isn't a concern, I've had a Fabia vRS a few years back, which was fine. My only concern is the image it projects. 43 year old professional and driving a Polo? No such problems with the Golf, however. Not much wiggle room on the budget though. What about a sporty A1, has anyone owned or driven one of those?

[va1o]

We've got an A1 1.2 TFSI Sport, nice enough car but its even smaller inside than the Polo. Feels well built compared to my Mk6 Golf with lots of premium touches. They did offer it with the 1.4 TFSI 185PS up until recently but I think that's been dropped, and the replacement 1.8 TFSI (as per the Polo GTI) isn't offered in the UK. So you're limited to the 150PS 1.4 TFSI which is quick but not quite GTI fast.

Just as an example RE my Mk7 GTI auction suggestion, something like this will likely achieve £18k hammer price (and then go on to be retailed in the low £20s):

[Mutley75]

Interesting, I'd always thought of auctions as being places to flog crappy old cars that had something major wrong with them so no dealer would go near them. Still over budget though.

I think it's between an A1 S-Line and a Polo GTI. Speed vs quality...

Or a lease on a GTD which can be had for about £200 a month.

[Witchfinder]

Any particular reason why you want something from VAG specifically? It looks like you have picked out quite similar hatchbacks - is this something else you also specifically want?

[Mutley75]

Yes, I prefer VAG interiors and features such as their excellent DSG/S-Tronic gearbox. I also like the build quality (fit and finish as opposed to mechanical reliability which I know is average). The only other brand I would consider is BMW, but not keen on the 1 Series. 3 Series is nice and seems pretty good value for money though.

[va1o]

Go for the GTD then! I think that's what I'll be doing next too (having recently had a Leon, Mk5 Golf GTI and currently a Mk6 Golf along with access to an A1 ). I really think they've hit the nail on the head with the Mk7 Golf as nothing else touches it IMO.