Golf Mk7 as first car?

[VS02]

Hello,

I turn 17 on Wed so started to look for a first car.

I have unusual requirements for a teenager including being able to seat 5 in comfort and being suited to motorway driving, also want something quite premium while being easy to drive, and nice enough for my parents to drive as well. My mum has an automatic only licence, so that is preferable but it’s not a dealbreaker.

I value driving pleasure as much as everyone else but right now it is not important. My main focus are practicality, economy, comfort, equipment and refinement. I would like to keep this car for a long time for it to be economically viable, but get a second interesting and fun car when insurance rates drop for myself such as a cheap MX5, Celica or similar.

I’m not that interested in loud exhausts or bodykits for a family hatchback unless I was buying a hot hatch so modification or a hard ride is out of the question



Which leads me to the family car class

and the following cars:


Volkswagen Golf 2013 - does everything well, cheap to insure, looks smart. Tech.
Audi A3 2013 - expensive
BMW 114i 2012 - butt ugly and unpractical
Mercedes A Class 2012 - very expensive. Basically unaffordable. And also cramped
Honda Civic 2012 - expensive to insure and starting to age, but extremely practical and perceived reliability, good steer and engaging engine
Seat Leon 2013 - looks nice but inferior to Golf.

My preferred choice is the 1.2 80bhp Golf in 5 door guise.

Anyone have any suggestions? Sat in loads of cars while looking so not at all interested in the Ford Focus, Fiesta, Peugeots and Citroens.

Im looking for under 10 years old with bluetooth audio and a head unit, for about £6-£6.5k


Is the Golf nice to drive?


Thanks!

Edited by VS02 on Sunday 15th December 19:29

[VS02]

Pizzaeatingking said:

Unless money is no object it'll largely come down to which is cheapest to insure.

Of the cars you've listed, they're all decent enough. The BMW will be a bit cramped inside, the VW and Seats are both nice cars, I really like the Seat but it's personal preference. Go and test some out I'd say.

Insurance on a 2013 Golf 1.2 TSI 80bhp was sub £1200 valued at £6250 which was cheaper than a 2010 Polo (£1400), Honda Civic 1.4 i-VTEC (£1450) Ford Fiesta Ecoboost Titanium (£1500), and the Volkswagen Scirocco 1.4 (£3425)

Largely because the Golf is in a very low insurance group.

Edited by VS02 on Sunday 15th December 21:15

[VS02]

Kawasicki said:

Yes, the Golf is a good drive. Precise steering, good grip, sorted handling, low noise levels and a fairly comfortable ride.

If you have the choice, try to get one with the comfort seats. I like them a lot.

What spec levels are comfort seats in? My budget only allows a very small amount of SE models. 90% are basic S spec models with steel wheels but they come with all the kit I need. But I would like comfort seats...!

[VS02]

Drive Blind said:

You'll get better value for money with the Leon compared to the Golf.

Yes, thats what I thought. But on the used market suprisingly there’s not much in it. They are both around the same price on the used market for similar equipment. I prefer the interior of the Golf but the Leon is a lot sharper looking exterior wise.

[VS02]

Didnt buy any of these in the end.

Picked up a 2016 Polo for 6k. It was more practical than I thought. But i took the 1 seat loss. Oh well. Im really happy with it! I mainly bought it because I believe I got a good deal on it.






£6000

20,000 miles
One previous owner
Urano grey (my preferred colour)
Full Volkswagen service history
12 months warranty
Franchised dealership.