Used automatic: Golf or A-Class?

[JBlogs]

I'm looking to get a used automatic to replace my late lamented Jazz.

While I loved the Jazz, it's a magnet for Cat theft and have personally been hit by this so don't want a Jazz again.

I'm considering either an A-class (160/180) or Golf .

Looking for 2009-12 petrol models, under 70K miles run. Car will be mostly for city driving and will do only about 10-12 miles a day with 1-2 long trips a year. It will be mostly used by my wife, and will carry 2 kids in the back.

Autotrader has a few good ones but I'm looking for advice on which one is better for my situation.

I'd really appreciate any advice, suggestions, warnings on the A-class vs the Golf.

Edit - Also noticed that Golfs seem to be around £2000 more expensive than A-classes of similar miles and vintage. Is the premium justified?

Edited by JBlogs on Thursday 9th January 08:12

[blueST]

I can’t speak for the Golf, but I own a w169 A Class which is what you are looking at. They are very nicely made, quiet, comfortable and huge inside. Handling is rubbish, but that not what they are about. I can’t imagine a more practical or functional car at this size.

However, the unusual design brings some drawbacks. The engine is tilted over forwards and extends back from the engine bay under the floor of the car. This makes even routine maintenance tasks a pain. Hassle if you do it yourself, increased cost if you get a garage to do it. Changing the aux belt or the spark plugs are two examples of normally routine jobs that are serious pain on these cars. The auto is CVT which I understand can give some problems.

[JBlogs]

Thank you BlueST

[WaftyCranker1]

If you are between these two and it must be an auto, the VW group is surely the only way to go. The auto boxes in those cars have been up there with the best on the market for a long time now. (In this segment anyway)

[nmd87]

I've said this on a few threads, but Nissan Note will be a good option here.

[LosingGrip]

I've got a auto Golf (although diesel not petrol) and it's the best auto I've driven (although only a small sample, Merc can, bmw mainly).

I've not found anything bad about it yet. Does what it needs to.

Its also a nice place to be. I recently did 1,500 miles over a week, mixture of roads. Including 350/400 miles on the last day mostly sat on the motorway in traffic and no back pain!

[JBlogs]

Thanks WaftyCranker1, nmd87 and LosingGrip. This is very helpful.

Still wondering whether to pay the £2000 premium for the Golf though - while it's clearly a great car as you attest, wondering whether such a steep difference is justified. At the prices these cars are available at, this is effectively a 40-50% premium for the Golf

[stevemcs]

I would not touch any Golf with a DSG box, certainly not one from 2010. You need a long test drive to geet used to the quirks of the gearbox. You want something with a proper auto gearbox. Personally I would look at an Astra, Kia or Hyundai, normally I would say a Focus but the Powershift isn't without its issues.

[ZX10R NIN]

How much are you looking to spend?

[joropug]

If the body shape suits you check out the Mercedes B Class - same car underneath as the a class but much cheaper

[ZX10R NIN]

The older style A Class had issues with it's gearbox & due to it's layout it can be awkward/expensive to work on which is where the price difference lies.

If you look at the newer 2013 onwards A Class they're generally more expensive than the Golf, is the B Class an option?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[JBlogs]

ZX10R NIN said:

How much are you looking to spend?

Upto £6500-6700..

[JBlogs]

ZX10R NIN said:

The older style A Class had issues with it's gearbox & due to it's layout it can be awkward/expensive to work on which is where the price difference lies.

If you look at the newer 2013 onwards A Class they're generally more expensive than the Golf, is the B Class an option?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I'm even less familiar with the B-Class than the A-Class so haven't considered it so far, but looking at Parkers for a comparison, here's how they seem to stack up:

https://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/compare-car...

(have made the Jazz my benchmark, since I'm familiar with it)

The negatives of the B-Class as per Parkers are "Ungainly styling, wooden to drive, only five seats, expensive options". I don't min the styling too much and don't need more than 5 seats.

[JBlogs]

joropug said:

If the body shape suits you check out the Mercedes B Class - same car underneath as the a class but much cheaper

Thanks Joropug, will check this

[ZX10R NIN]

With that price point in mind I'd take the Golf out of the two but I'd also look at some other worthy options:

Astra Elite very hard to beat VFM wise & with a traditional auto & N/A engine it'll be cheap to maintain:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mazda3 Tamura

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Civic ES

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Giulietta Veloce/Lusso

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

My leftfield option would be the Lexus IS250 it's a smooth super reliable option plus it's a nice place to be:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[LosingGrip]

stevemcs said:

I would not touch any Golf with a DSG box, certainly not one from 2010. You need a long test drive to geet used to the quirks of the gearbox. You want something with a proper auto gearbox. Personally I would look at an Astra, Kia or Hyundai, normally I would say a Focus but the Powershift isn't without its issues.

What quirks are there? I've not noticed any.

[joropug]

With reference to the B Class I was referring to the next generation which is totally different.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The A class you have in your parkers comparison I'd be avoiding it's a very dated looking thing.

[stevemcs]

LosingGrip said:

What quirks are there? I've not noticed any.

Hesitation when pulling away, that it wants to get in top gear as soon as. I never have and never will like or love vws dsg

[LosingGrip]

stevemcs said:

Hesitation when pulling away, that it wants to get in top gear as soon as. I never have and never will like or love vws dsg

Can't say ive noticed that before (other than when in Eco mode for getting into the highest gear).

[edc]

W169 A class has a higher seating position that my wife likes. Big on the inside too for the size of car. I haven't tried one of the auto smaller engine ones but we have a 200cdi and it isn't exactly fast. More than ok once off the line but you won't win any traffic light grand Prix in this car. Boot is not huge but the roller top parcel shelf is useful. Diesel seems a bit noisy and clattery but there is no standard bonnet sound insulation so I'm going to add some. The short wheel base is gold for city driving and parking too.