Probably a silly question….

[dunk_01]

Thanks in advance PH. I’m looking to buy a ‘fun-ish’, but easy to live with car and hadn’t got much further than a 3/4 year old Golf GTI. Budget wise those are starting to be comparable to some 2017 Audi S5s. (and maybe at a squeeze a few Merc E400 coupes).

I totally appreciate these are quite different cars on paper, but with a budget of £25,000-£30,000 they are all potential options.

Keen to get a few opinions really. What would you go for? A slightly newer/lower mileage GTI or ‘upgrade’ to an Audi/Merc Cruiser?

cheers
Duncan

[Mr Tidy]

dunk_01 said:

Keen to get a few opinions really. What would you go for? A slightly newer/lower mileage GTI or ‘upgrade’ to an Audi/Merc Cruiser?

cheers
Duncan

I think you've summed it up in that sentence!

How would you use the car, for commuting or a drive just for the sake of driving ideally on empty roads?

How do you like to drive? Wafting on a Motorway with connectivity or ragging around some twisties?

Your answers might point you in the right direction!

[Al U]

I'd probably go somewhere in the middle and give the Golf R a try. Your budget will have no trouble getting a decent one. I do like the S5 as well, it's probably the more "grown up" car but depends what you want from the car really. I expect the Golf will feel a bit lighter on it's toes.

[105.4]

I haven’t driven the Audis or Mercs that you mention, but have extensively driven one of the newer Golf GTIs and was left highly impressed. I can’t see how a Golf R could offer a great deal more real-world, usable performance.

My money would be on a Golf GTI. I doubt you’ll be finding yourself lacking in performance. It’s refined enough, but also I suspect considerable lighter on its toes than the Audi or the Mercedes, which I suspect would be more cruiser than hot hatch.

[jrock78]

You should be able to get an Alfa Guilia Veloce for that money. Great on twisted roads and equally good as a motorway cruiser. Looks the business too and dare I say it super reliable.

[Super Sonic]

Honda Civic

[resolve10]

For the balance of cruising/dynamics you are after, I'd be looking at an early G80 3-series. Doesn't even need to be a 6-cylinder version, I had a 330i for a couple of days once and really enjoyed it.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203023...

[dunk_01]

Thanks for the responses. Hadn’t thought about the BM or Alpha. More interesting options! I’ve never been that drawn to the Golf Rs over the GTI. Just prefer the looks really. cheers.

[ZX10R NIN]

Giulia Veloce:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202172...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112060...

E400 Coupe AMG Line Premium Plus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203043...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...

Slightly leftfield but a car that fits your brief is the 3.0TT Infiniti Q60:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202022...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201281...

Jaguar XE-S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201271...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201091...

[dunk_01]

Just finishing off the topic. Thanks for the replies above. Just picked up a 2019 GTI PP today. Not the exciting left field choice, but will hopefully do me for a good few years of happy motoring. Thanks again PH.

[georgeyboy12345]

Still a decent motor, nice one!