Downsizing

[anxious_ant]

I currently drive a 17 reg Volvo S90 Inscription with all the toys and it's brilliant. However I am looking to downsize to a smaller car.
Budget would be around £20k. It's mostly used by myself as we have a family car.

I am thinking the latest petrol Golf for refinement, and it fits most of my requirements except for the sound system.
I would be commuting 80-100 miles/day for 2-3 days a week. Mostly motorways or A roads.
My preference (in order are):

1. Comfortable (good NVH)
2. Good sound system (I need music to distract myself when stuck in traffic)
3. LED lights or Xenons for those dark winter nights
4. Cruise control (radar cruise control is a plus)
5. Automatic
6. Reliable and economical
7. Modern

Are there better options? I think it would be hard to fill the S90's shoes... those massage seats are amazing.

[James_33]

Seat Leon?

[anxious_ant]

James_33 said:

Seat Leon?

No experience with Seat so would appreciate some thoughts. Which model and what year etc.

Saying that we went from a 10 reg Audi Q7 to a 68 reg 1.5 petrol Kodiaq and never looked back. Yes, it lacked oomph but as it's 99% used for short trips in congested areas this makes sense.

[James_33]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022052862...

Not my car, but just an example seen as you mentioned the golf.

[VS02]

A late model

Volkswagen Golf MK7 GT Edition or Match edition

(2019-2020)

All the toys, probably the best Golf ever made in terms of all round ability, built a lot better than the new one and you get more for your money too. Cheap as chips to run. 1.5TSI engine is hugely torquey for its size and very economical. You can expect 50mpg in mixed usage and 60+ on the motorway, where it has more than enough shove for overtaking and can sit happily and very quietly indeed.

Kit:

1.5 TSI (150bhp, 250Nm torque)
Adaptive radar guided cruise control
LED self levelling headlights, foglights and taillights
DSG dual clutch transmission with 7 speeds and paddle shift
Electric folding mirrors
Sat-nav
Front and rear parking sensors
Automatic headlights and wipers
Ambient lighting (but not gaudy stuff)
Alcantara and cloth comfort seats with lumbar support
Electronic two-way climate control
Heated seats
Heated windscreen
Independent rear suspension and 10mm lower springs all round
Privacy glass
Stop-start
17 inch alloy wheels
8 speaker stereo
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto





All as standard

Good optional extras:

Dynaudio sound system (standard system is good but this is excellent)
Reversing camera
Digital driver’s display (Virtual Cockpit)
Keyless entry and start

Here’s one without the optional extras but all the standard kit. Just as a guide to what you can expect

Priced at £18,750

https://www.carsa.co.uk/vehicle/used/volkswagen-go...

Edited by VS02 on Sunday 12th June 23:11

[Glosphil]

I have a Leon FR 1.4TDI (150). The closest Golf is the Golf GT. Both now have the 1.5TSi engine.

I drove both before purchasing. The Golf has a better quaity interior trim but the Leon has a higher spec at lower price - over the Golf it has all LED lights (including headghts) & climate control (not just basic A/C).

I also prefer the Leon's styling, but that's just me. Have driven a Golf since & don't regret my choice. At 10 months old the Leon was also £4k cheaper.

[Ambleton]

Lexus CT200H would be my choice of a comfy,quiet higher end hatch.

[bennno]

anxious_ant said:

I currently drive a 17 reg Volvo S90 Inscription with all the toys and it's brilliant. However I am looking to downsize to a smaller car.
Budget would be around £20k. It's mostly used by myself as we have a family car.

I am thinking the latest petrol Golf for refinement, and it fits most of my requirements except for the sound system.
I would be commuting 80-100 miles/day for 2-3 days a week. Mostly motorways or A roads.
My preference (in order are):

1. Comfortable (good NVH)
2. Good sound system (I need music to distract myself when stuck in traffic)
3. LED lights or Xenons for those dark winter nights
4. Cruise control (radar cruise control is a plus)
5. Automatic
6. Reliable and economical
7. Modern

Are there better options? I think it would be hard to fill the S90's shoes... those massage seats are amazing.

We have a current v90, was bought as a stopgap thought a bit selling but can’t as it’s just too good.

Biggest things are comfort, ease of use, safety and autonomous driving.

I’d perhaps look at a v40, or a Mercedes a class or used Peugeot 508 seem to be a bargain.

Mini or mini clubman with right options and without the largest wheels can be a nice place to be.

[dvs_dave]

A late model Golf GTE, or it’s posher cousin the Audi A3 e-tron. Both PHEV’s so very economical, and with a decent turn of speed when needed.

[raspy]

dvs_dave said:

A late model Golf GTE, or it’s posher cousin the Audi A3 e-tron. Both PHEV’s so very economical, and with a decent turn of speed when needed.

Doesn't sound very relevant for the OP. Why would anyone choose a PHEV (especially those ones you mention with tiny electric range) over a normal petrol if they are doing 100 miles on a motorway regularly?

[stevemcs]

I’d be going for a 1 series, the gearbox is better, the seats are more comfortable too.

[anxious_ant]

VS02 said:

A late model

Volkswagen Golf MK7 GT Edition or Match edition

(2019-2020)

All the toys, probably the best Golf ever made in terms of all round ability, built a lot better than the new one and you get more for your money too. Cheap as chips to run. 1.5TSI engine is hugely torquey for its size and very economical. You can expect 50mpg in mixed usage and 60+ on the motorway, where it has more than enough shove for overtaking and can sit happily and very quietly indeed.

Kit:

1.5 TSI (150bhp, 250Nm torque)
Adaptive radar guided cruise control
LED self levelling headlights, foglights and taillights
DSG dual clutch transmission with 7 speeds and paddle shift
Electric folding mirrors
Sat-nav
Front and rear parking sensors
Automatic headlights and wipers
Ambient lighting (but not gaudy stuff)
Alcantara and cloth comfort seats with lumbar support
Electronic two-way climate control
Heated seats
Heated windscreen
Independent rear suspension and 10mm lower springs all round
Privacy glass
Stop-start
17 inch alloy wheels
8 speaker stereo
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto





All as standard

Good optional extras:

Dynaudio sound system (standard system is good but this is excellent)
Reversing camera
Digital driver’s display (Virtual Cockpit)
Keyless entry and start

Here’s one without the optional extras but all the standard kit. Just as a guide to what you can expect

Priced at £18,750

https://www.carsa.co.uk/vehicle/used/volkswagen-go...

Edited by VS02 on Sunday 12th June 23:11

Many thanks, this is indeed very helpful!
Most of my commute are in heavy traffic, with perhaps a few miles where I can expect 60-70 so not much overtaking required.
These days I prefer to just sit back and chill.
The S90 is perfect but it's too big for my needs nowadays, especially with parking now being a little tight.

I will keep an eye out for one with the elusive Dynaudio installed. I could stretch my budget up to 25k if it's a good example.

ETA : Is this 1.5 TSi engine the same as my Kodiaq? It's a nice little engine, surprisingly torquey at lower speeds although lacking on the top end (maybe due to Kodiaq's weight) but doesn't bother as as the Kodiaq is mainly used around town.

Edited by anxious_ant on Monday 13th June 08:50

[anxious_ant]

James_33 said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022052862...

Not my car, but just an example seen as you mentioned the golf.

Oooh, Cupra with 290bhp! Tempting but not too sure if I need a hot hatch Are Seat's reliable? Never had one.

[anxious_ant]

stevemcs said:

I’d be going for a 1 series, the gearbox is better, the seats are more comfortable too.

Had the 15 reg 135i few years back. Brilliant little car, but I want to try something new

[anxious_ant]

Ambleton said:

Lexus CT200H would be my choice of a comfy,quiet higher end hatch.

Did think about Lexus, however personally I cannot gel with the CVT. Perhaps I need a longer test drive.

[anxious_ant]

Also does anyone know if there are any common issues withthr Golf at this vintage? e.g mechatronic etc?

[VS02]

anxious_ant said:

Also does anyone know if there are any common issues withthr Golf at this vintage? e.g mechatronic etc?

DSG DQ200 tends to be a bit iffy. You might have to check if it is fitted to the Golf you are looking at indeed if your Kodiaq already has it fitfed.


And yes the Kodiaq probably has the same engine fitted if its the 150hp.

I would recommend you get both cars sensibly remapped once they are out of warranty and adjust for a more linear power delivery, this will keep the same amount of low down oomph due to increased power but also give it more urgency higher in the rev range.

[VS02]

By the way OP, if you ever give up on trying to find a car fitted with Dynaudio (they are very rare) VW offer an OEM+ Focal stereo which is very reasonably priced (around £500 iirc) and doesn’t affect your warranty. It is probably even better than the Dynaudio. It is made specifically for the Golf 7. The disadvantage is that if you have a spare wheel fitted then that has to be binned off for your subwoofer.

[anxious_ant]

VS02 said:

DSG DQ200 tends to be a bit iffy. You might have to check if it is fitted to the Golf you are looking at indeed if your Kodiaq already has it fitfed.


And yes the Kodiaq probably has the same engine fitted if its the 150hp.

I would recommend you get both cars sensibly remapped once they are out of warranty and adjust for a more linear power delivery, this will keep the same amount of low down oomph due to increased power but also give it more urgency higher in the rev range.

The mechatronic unit on our Kodiaq had a failure but luckily was repaired under the one year approved used warranty.
Not sure what went wrong as we drive the car gently and haven’t had any mods or remap.

I will have to keep this in mind about the golf and I presume is the same with Leon.

I prefer automatic due to the traffic but might consider a manual if that is a safer option.

[anxious_ant]

VS02 said:

By the way OP, if you ever give up on trying to find a car fitted with Dynaudio (they are very rare) VW offer an OEM+ Focal stereo which is very reasonably priced (around £500 iirc) and doesn’t affect your warranty. It is probably even better than the Dynaudio. It is made specifically for the Golf 7. The disadvantage is that if you have a spare wheel fitted then that has to be binned off for your subwoofer.

Ooh thanks for this. Focal system are pretty good as I had them retro fitted to my cars in my younger years when I was into modding. £500 fitted at VW doesn’t sound too bad. Might have to check with my insurance if this is ok.

As for the spare wheel, I suppose I can get one of those gunk thingies as temp measure.