Which VW GTI?

[Jader1973]

I’m looking for a car for my son. Plan is he’ll learn in it and then it will become his (although he doesn’t know that). Small hatches are a bit of a niche segment in Australia so the choice is a bit limited and we’ve ruled out everything except VW for various reasons.

Honda = CVT
Ford = no, just no.
Peugeot / Citroen = really low volume so hard to find.
Hyundai = don’t like them
Kia = don’t like them
Vauxhall = Holden = dead
Toyota = I just can’t
Mazda = the 3 is a car for women.

He wants to learn in an auto, so DCT for VW.

I’d have to get rid of one of my V8 toys so a GTI is an obvious choice

I checked insurance and with me as a named driver and him covered as a learner the annual cost is:
2020 Polo 85 TSI 3cyl 1 litre = $760
2019 Polo GTI = $820
2018 Golf GTI = $900

So it isn’t worth getting the 3 cylinder Polo given the tiny saving.

Obviously those jump when he passes his test but they are still not bad (about $2k a year for the Golf).

Polo would be newer / lower km (under 100k), Golf would be between 100 and 150k km.

So, the question is, Polo or Golf, and is there anything specific to look for?

I’m leaning towards a Golf (because it seems a bit more grown up) but I’m not sure of the differences between the 7 and the 7.5.

Polo has the (weird) advantage of a manual handbrake, which is a requirement if you want to use the car for the driving test (although he could use an instructor’s car, so no real issue).

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Its Just Adz]

If you're going Golf, I'd start by checking out this buying guide that PH did:

Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7 | PH Used Buying Guide - PistonHeads UK https://share.google/YU8U2OUDvqS2SJ4GP

I have a 2016 Golf GTI, so MK7.
Common faults to check are water pump / thermostat leaking water. It seems to be a crap design so it's a case of it will need replacing at some point.
Drainpipe in bootlid perished over time
Rear bumper seals will probably need resealing, boot floor gets wet.

They are really brilliant cars. I hope you find a good one.

[Maxym]

Mk 7 is peak Golf GTI IMO. I had one for seven years and, apart from needing new discs at 2 years and 20,000 miles (go figure…) nothing required apart from routine servicing. Very well rounded car and a great drive.

[the-photographer]

Jader1973 said:

I m leaning towards a Golf (because it seems a bit more grown up) but I m not sure of the differences between the 7 and the 7.5.

MK 7.5 facelift Europe models

230 PS 6-speed DSG or 245 PS 7-speed DSG
Minor front end update with LED lights
Interior update with digital dash and new nav units