Golf Mk5 GTI vs BMW 120 vs Mini Cooper S
Discussion
First time post, Hi.
I've got around £4-5k to spend on a car that'll mostly be used for a short commute to the station with the occasional longer A-road use some weekends.
Narrowed it down to the following options, but was wondering if I'd missed anything, or if there was anything major to look out for.
Golf Mk5 GTI - This is my favourite so far, anything in particular to look out for? I'd want a manual over the DSG and are looking at cars with 70-100,000 miles.
BMW 120 - Not sure if petrol or diesel is the better option on these, again looking at ones with 60-90,000 miles for the money. Anything to watch for? Girlfriend will be learning to drive in a few months and isn't over keen on a RWD car.
Mini Cooper S - Outsider choice, might be a bit too small in the long term. How reliable are these?
Any other cars to consider? Focus ST Mk2 could be an option, although I much prefer the look of the Golf. Leon Cupra R there doesn't seem to be many about, and I really don't want an Octavia VRS.
Thanks!
I've got around £4-5k to spend on a car that'll mostly be used for a short commute to the station with the occasional longer A-road use some weekends.
Narrowed it down to the following options, but was wondering if I'd missed anything, or if there was anything major to look out for.
Golf Mk5 GTI - This is my favourite so far, anything in particular to look out for? I'd want a manual over the DSG and are looking at cars with 70-100,000 miles.
BMW 120 - Not sure if petrol or diesel is the better option on these, again looking at ones with 60-90,000 miles for the money. Anything to watch for? Girlfriend will be learning to drive in a few months and isn't over keen on a RWD car.
Mini Cooper S - Outsider choice, might be a bit too small in the long term. How reliable are these?
Any other cars to consider? Focus ST Mk2 could be an option, although I much prefer the look of the Golf. Leon Cupra R there doesn't seem to be many about, and I really don't want an Octavia VRS.
Thanks!
Cheers for the responses, and the offers of having a closer look at a car.
Sadly I'm about as far from Scotland as possible, so can't take you up on the kind offer.
Renaults I don't really fancy, neither the Megane or Clio.
The Focus ST I'm sure is a great car, and I could yet change my mind - I've only ever had fast(ish) Fords, but haven't needed to own a car for almost 15 years. It just looks a bit lairy for my liking.
I've considered the insurance factor for adding a learner, we're both in our early/mid-thirties so not expecting insurance to be obscene.
I guess my main question is which of the three (Golf/120/Cooper S) will be most reliable. Also is the petrol or diesel 120 a better bet?
123/125/130 & Golf Edition 30 are all over budget, unless they've got space shuttle mileage- I can't stretch it.
Sadly I'm about as far from Scotland as possible, so can't take you up on the kind offer.
Renaults I don't really fancy, neither the Megane or Clio.
The Focus ST I'm sure is a great car, and I could yet change my mind - I've only ever had fast(ish) Fords, but haven't needed to own a car for almost 15 years. It just looks a bit lairy for my liking.
I've considered the insurance factor for adding a learner, we're both in our early/mid-thirties so not expecting insurance to be obscene.
I guess my main question is which of the three (Golf/120/Cooper S) will be most reliable. Also is the petrol or diesel 120 a better bet?
123/125/130 & Golf Edition 30 are all over budget, unless they've got space shuttle mileage- I can't stretch it.
ZX10R NIN said:
The Focus's do come in none lairy colours too & the engine is a real peach.
Thanks for all these, some food for thought in there... will check if any are local and perhaps have a look!Didn't consider the 3.2 A3 - is it generally a reliable engine?
Think I'll discount the 4-cylinder 1 series for now, heard some horror stories.
So I'm still looking, having discounted the BMW 1-Series and A3 3.2 (tax is £500 a year on them) and Mini Cooper S (too small), I'm now torn between
Mk2 Focus ST - you seem to get a bit more for your money with these, and after a couple of test drives it's nicer than the Golf to drive in my opinion. Is there anything I need to be aware of with these other than the obvious, oil, cam belt, tyres etc?
Volvo C30 - I've not driven one of these and to be honest it's an outsider
Golf GTI Mk5 - I liked it, but actually prefer the Focus. Had some decent feedback on them though, so not sure I need too much more info on it.
Mk2 Focus ST - you seem to get a bit more for your money with these, and after a couple of test drives it's nicer than the Golf to drive in my opinion. Is there anything I need to be aware of with these other than the obvious, oil, cam belt, tyres etc?
Volvo C30 - I've not driven one of these and to be honest it's an outsider
Golf GTI Mk5 - I liked it, but actually prefer the Focus. Had some decent feedback on them though, so not sure I need too much more info on it.
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