MK7.5 Golf GTI

[Acehood]

I'm thinking of getting a new or nearly new MK7.5 Golf GTI Performance - the 245bhp facelifted one. It will likely be priced at about £30k and I'll be financing via a PCP. I would consider a lease also but it's hard to get a car with decent options on a lease for a similar price. Quoted PCP monthly payments seem to be around £400, which is more than affordable but I'm also considering the running costs. The Golf seems quite reasonable for things like tyres, tax, insurance, etc. I've spoken to some dealers and have had mixed messages about whether I can place a factory order or if I have to find something in stock.

I currently have a Fiesta ST, which, while quite fun at times is becoming tiring to drive. Especially doing longer distances or having to transport passengers. It's just too fidgety and uncomfortable. 3 doors is getting annoying as well. It's time for something a bit more grown up.

I can't remember the last time I found myself wanting to "just go for a drive" but I think I'm more likely to do so in a more comfortable and powerful car. I could be wrong and be bored to death driving a Golf but I think I'd appreciate the DSG gearbox and slightly more refined experience overall. I have driven a few automatics recently and love them, despite the apparent lack of involvement. I spend a lot of time driving in peak hours at low speeds but also do quite a few long-ish journeys at the weekends.

I really think I have grown out of these hot hatches with back breaking suspension and would prefer something that has some power, can soak up the miles, yet still be able to do the school run, take stuff to the tip, transport various kid related stuff and be comfortable enough for passengers to not complain about the bumpiness within a few minutes.

Any opinions? Is this a good choice of car? Should I be considering anything else? I'm really not interested in the Civic Type-R by the way. Open to other options but not much is ticking so many boxes.

[Pistonheader101]

Are you after a hatchback or would you consider a saloon too? At the 30k price point there’s loads to pick from

The Germans:
Bmw: M140i/340i
Mercedes: C43, A45
Audi: S3, RS3, S4,
Volkswagen : MK7.5 GTI/ MK7.5 R

[Acehood]

Pistonheader101 said:

Are you after a hatchback or would you consider a saloon too? At the 30k price point there’s loads to pick from

The Germans:
Bmw: M140i/340i
Mercedes: C43, A45
Audi: S3, RS3, S4,
Volkswagen : MK7.5 GTI/ MK7.5 R

Hatchback - way more practical due to boot access.

I really like the M140i but for some reason, BMWs are impossible to insure in my area for a reasonable price. An M140i is returning quotes of over £1.2k whereas I can insure a Golf GTI for £300. I tried a 530D touring and got quotes in excess of £3k! Really weird.

I'll look into the others - hadn't considered things like the RS3. Guess it would be 2nd hand for a car like that.

[carface_837]

Great choice IMO. I have the manual version and it's great. I had a mk6 before and it's streaks ahead of that handling and performance wise. Maybe the most impressive thing is how composed it is on uneven roads at speed. It's just a great all rounder. Great fun when you want it to be but still comfortable for the school / supermarket run. Only thing I regret is getting the 3 door version, though I did get a decent deal on a lease because of that (1400 down and 240 / month over 2 years).

[Acehood]

carface_837 said:

Great choice IMO. I have the manual version and it's great. I had a mk6 before and it's streaks ahead of that handling and performance wise. Maybe the most impressive thing is how composed it is on uneven roads at speed. It's just a great all rounder. Great fun when you want it to be but still comfortable for the school / supermarket run. Only thing I regret is getting the 3 door version, though I did get a decent deal on a lease because of that (1400 down and 240 / month over 2 years).

I'm still looking around but have a test drive booked this weekend for a GTI & R. Also going to get in a Skoda Octavia VRS at some point for further comparison.

If I relax myself about the options I want (standard kit is actually really good) it looks like I can lease one for about £350 / month with under £1k deposit. Far cheaper than the PCP deals on offer, even with 0% APR!

[kurokawa]

Acehood said:

I'm thinking of getting a new or nearly new MK7.5 Golf GTI Performance - the 245bhp facelifted one. It will likely be priced at about £30k and I'll be financing via a PCP. I would consider a lease also but it's hard to get a car with decent options on a lease for a similar price. Quoted PCP monthly payments seem to be around £400, which is more than affordable but I'm also considering the running costs. The Golf seems quite reasonable for things like tyres, tax, insurance, etc. I've spoken to some dealers and have had mixed messages about whether I can place a factory order or if I have to find something in stock.

I was in identical position Oct last year
shortlist down to the Golf and Mini
found the golf more versatile, it can be quite "warm" when you push hard, yet it could be very comfortable for carrying family.
I would always go for DSG, as it is the best auto box I have driven.

Clubman JCW on the otherhand is relatively "less compromise", even in comfort mode the ride is still firmer and the tail pipe would still be making some angry roar. on the contrary the aisin 8 speed in the Mini is disappointing, the responsiveness and smoothness cant even match the ZF8 found in BMW
at the end I pick the Mini over the Golf as I found it having more characters and I have another MPV for the family and kid

[CX53]

Insurance is particularly cheap on the Golf because they have a horrendous crash protection system where if it thinks you're going to hit something it'll slam the brakes on.

This can be quite annoying and you have to turn it off manually each time you start the car if you don't like it.

I had a manual Golf R and absolutely loved it. The perfect car for almost all situations. I test drove the GTI and its a lovely car, but IMO quite underwhelming and less of an occasion to drive. I would also be forever pulling up next to Golf R's and regretting my choice had I got the GTI, even though personally I prefer the GTI looks wise, the power and handling just wins it for me; people say there's not much in it but it certainly feels like there is to me having been behind the wheel of both cars. Admittedly while I pushed it as hard as I could, it was only a test drive so limited experience of the GTI.

A very capable car to cover ground very quickly. You can take corners at unbelievable speeds. My only complaint being that it is almost too good and too competent, which takes away an element of fun, but this is in part what you are looking for, the Golf is certainly a more grown up hot hatch than the ST.

[Martyn76]

i30 N?

[ZX10R NIN]

If it has to be Auto then I'd look at these, seeing as you don't want a true hot hatch I'd be looking at these.

A35

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

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

A250 AMG Line

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

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

[Acehood]

CX53 said:

Insurance is particularly cheap on the Golf because they have a horrendous crash protection system where if it thinks you're going to hit something it'll slam the brakes on.

This can be quite annoying and you have to turn it off manually each time you start the car if you don't like it.

I had a manual Golf R and absolutely loved it. The perfect car for almost all situations. I test drove the GTI and its a lovely car, but IMO quite underwhelming and less of an occasion to drive. I would also be forever pulling up next to Golf R's and regretting my choice had I got the GTI, even though personally I prefer the GTI looks wise, the power and handling just wins it for me; people say there's not much in it but it certainly feels like there is to me having been behind the wheel of both cars. Admittedly while I pushed it as hard as I could, it was only a test drive so limited experience of the GTI.

A very capable car to cover ground very quickly. You can take corners at unbelievable speeds. My only complaint being that it is almost too good and too competent, which takes away an element of fun, but this is in part what you are looking for, the Golf is certainly a more grown up hot hatch than the ST.

That sounds annoying but I guess could come in useful one day. Did you ever wish you'd got a DSG Golf R? It's interesting that your post is the direct opposite of the one I quoted below..

Marco-58 said:

GTi every time, especially if its got the dynamic chassis option. While the R is a great car, I did actually find it a bit dull, less playful than the 2WD car, and yet weirdly, on the wet roads I was on, the 4WD under steered more. Also, don't forget that for 95% of the time, you'll be carrying a really really fat geezer round everywhere, in extra weight of the 4WD system., which is not a permanent 4WD system, so you'll be giving fatty a free ride for nothing.

I'm going to give both a go tomorrow hopefully so will compare back to back. People rave about both of them but I won't know till i drive them

Martyn76 said:

i30 N?

It's an option. As above I'll need to drive one. Definitely cheaper. I reckon it's a more 'hardcore' hot hatch than I'd like though.

ZX10R NIN said:

If it has to be Auto then I'd look at these, seeing as you don't want a true hot hatch I'd be looking at these.

A35

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

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

A250 AMG Line

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

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

I did consider the A class but I am put off because I really just don't like how they look. I know it shouldn't matter that much but I personally think they are really horrible looking. I admit that they appear to be very fast though!

[ZX10R NIN]

As above definitely test drive your top 4cars before buying any of them.

[Belle427]

I do like the Gti myself but I can’t help thinking it’s madness to spend £30k on one.

[DoubleD]

For £30k you could get a used DSG GTI and something fun as well.

Best of both worlds, something nippy to do the boring stuff in and something fun for other times.

[Patch1875]

I’m looking at a 7.5 dsg at the moment you can get a 19 plate with upgraded wheels for 25k.