Purchasing a T Roc - advice please

[Twentyfour7]

Hi All

I am looking to replace my old Golf with a second hand T Roc (only as T Roc has more comfortable sitting position and easier to get out of)

I am looking for advice on what spec to go for. I live in London and my Golf was an automatic but I have been advised against purchasing a car with an auto gearbox again, by a mechanic who fixes them, as he said that the new type of gear boxes (for all cars) aren't what they were and are very expensive to repair/replace. As my Golf auto gearbox was changed twice, I am thinking of going for a manual instead.

By buying second hand also wondering what age car would give me the most value . Not sure whether to go to a large dealer or elsewhere

I understand the T Roc is a decent car but I am a bit dissapointed by the interior which seems a little dull and have read that the media pad controls can be confusing

Your advice and tips would be very much appreciated

Thank you

[TooLateForAName]

Advice for anyone looking at a vw is to check seat and skoda versions of the same car - typically cheaper and better spec.

[Easternlight]

Have you sat in one?
When I tried one I couldn't believe how cheap a nasty the interior felt.
Hard plastic dash and door tops, just all came across as very low rent.
Look at Mazda's and Kia's they are leagues ahead in quality.
IMHO

[BlindedByTheLights]

Had one for three years, was fine and never went wrong. Build quality is not the same as a golf unfortunately and evidence of penny pinching is clear to see around the cabin. Paid £20k brand new, wouldn’t pay the £30k they are now.

[languagetimothy]

TooLateForAName said:

Advice for anyone looking at a vw is to check seat and skoda versions of the same car - typically cheaper and better spec.

This. I bought a new Ibiza FR a couple of years ago. Same chassis and engine as a Polo but better looking body and considerably high Spec for less money.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Twentyfour7 said:

I am looking for advice on what spec to go for. I live in London and my Golf was an automatic but I have been advised against purchasing a car with an auto gearbox again, by a mechanic who fixes them, as he said that the new type of gear boxes (for all cars) aren't what they were and are very expensive to repair/replace. As my Golf auto gearbox was changed twice, I am thinking of going for a manual instead.

I'd say you were very unlucky with your Golf. DSG autos aren't what they were, they're miles better. They are expensive to replace but they rarely go wrong. When I worked in fleet services, we probably oversaw 5000 cars with VW group DSG boxes and I don't recall any issues. I've had 2 auto VWs in recent years and had no issues.

I live in London too, who the fk wants a manual? The equivalent T-Roc in a manual will be slower and have worse fuel economy. I guess it will be cheaper though.

[trevalvole]

If you'd like a car without a gearbox, and your facilities/usage would suit an EV, then used EVs seem cheap at the moment e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285766153764

[loskie]

I was in a Seat Arona rental car a few weeks ago and quite surprised how I liked it. It had a DSG box.

Re your change from Auto to manual.

In London and you don't say your age but if advancing in years you'd be mad to make that change.

[Whataguy]

I’ve owned a golf mk7 for a couple of years and spent a few weeks driving trocs during that time - the golf was a much better car.

DSG gearboxes are generally fine, there were issues with the earlier ones but they have mostly been sorted out.

My golf was the 1.5/150dsg - I’ve driven the same engine in the troc but that was much noisier and less smooth.

[fourstardan]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

I'd say you were very unlucky with your Golf. DSG autos aren't what they were, they're miles better. They are expensive to replace but they rarely go wrong. When I worked in fleet services, we probably oversaw 5000 cars with VW group DSG boxes and I don't recall any issues. I've had 2 auto VWs in recent years and had no issues.

I live in London too, who the fk wants a manual? The equivalent T-Roc in a manual will be slower and have worse fuel economy. I guess it will be cheaper though.

Have you maintained or replaced a DSG box yet? £££

[The Cardinal]

The T-Roc is more Polo than Golf, which should explain difference in quality perceptions above.

[MYOB]

My understanding of DSG is that there are wet and dry versions. The dry versions, generally found on the smaller engines can be problematic if not maintained correctly.

The 2 litres engines tend to use the wet versions which are more robust.

I’m not stating this as fact but I’m pretty certain this is what I have read on numerous sites.

[chunkyjh]

In answer to the OP's question, I'd look for SEL or Black Edition.

I've had a T-Roc Back edition from new on a lease for the last three years. Personally think its a good spec and one to look for if you're after a T Roc. It has everything I'd want which includes Apple Car Play, parking sensors and Xenon headlights. It also has great styling upgrades over the SE spec which include the LED indicators, 19" wheels, black trim and deeper bumpers. I'd agree that the interior plastics are cheap but the bits you actually touch (steering wheel, gearstick, door and window controls etc) all feel reasonable quality. The ride is good enough, economy is around 44mpg long term average for the little 1.0tsi which is suitable enough but a little lacking in grunt when loaded up with the family.

Its been almost faultless over 27K miles, aside from an issue with the aerial which required replacement.

I'd have no hesitation getting a DSG, I've had DSG in the past and if looked after then will do you well especially in London.

[SmoothCriminal]

How old do you want?

The first version of it the interior is st full of hard scratchy plastics horrible.

[Twentyfour7]

OP here, thanks for all your comments

I was considering a max £20,000 budget and was hoping might get a Life T Roc for this but following my searches think this might only be possible if it had a high mileage.

Concerned about buying a second hand DSG which would be better for me but concerned about the reliability and expense of repairs

Having to rethink... was considering a second hand Mk 7/7.5 Golf last night but think would have same issues

[Lester H]

A slight deviation from the Thead but tangential, is the perception on here that a recent Golf not electric of course, is still ‘a cut above’? After all,it was the go-to small car for years,Clarkson’s favourite, though that may put some off, if a little expensive. Recently it attracted criticism for over reliance on complicated distracting and incomprehensible screens and an absence of logical, common sense controls. It also looks a bit boring, but is it any good?

Edited by Lester H on Sunday 17th March 18:29

Edited by Lester H on Sunday 17th March 18:31

[georgeyboy12345]

Don't get a T-Roc, they are crap.

Do you have off street parking or somewhere to charge? What kind of mileages do you do? Depending on the answers you give, an electric car could suit London driving well, all automatic (they are usually single speed) and minimal servicing, just usually brakes, tyres.

Hyundai Kona
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403077...


Kia E-Niro
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403147...


MG 4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306148...


Vauxhall Mokka-e
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402266...


If you don't have off street parking, then what about a hybrid

Hybrid versions of the above - Hyundai Kona
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402146...

Kia Niro
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402236...


Lexus UX 250h - get it serviced at Lexus and it'll have warranty until 2030
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402226...


Toyota C-HR 1.8 VVT-h - get it serviced at Toyota and it'll have warranty until 2032
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402056...


Renault Arkana 1.6 e-Tech
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...

[Glosphil]

Twentyfour7 said:

OP here, thanks for all your comments

I was considering a max £20,000 budget and was hoping might get a Life T Roc for this but following my searches think this might only be possible if it had a high mileage.

Concerned about buying a second hand DSG which would be better for me but concerned about the reliability and expense of repairs

Having to rethink... was considering a second hand Mk 7/7.5 Golf last night but think would have same issues

Problems with the dry clutch 7-speed DSG are exaggerated. The problems were with early examples & mainly in hot climates, e. g. India, solved with a change of oil specification.

Myself & 2 friends have that version of DSG & have not had any problems. One owner is on his 3rd & his firsr 2 covered over 100k & 80k miles. All in Golfs & my Leon.

Yes, if they do go wrong it can be expensive, but plenty of models of cars have known expensive to repair faults.

I have my car, now out if warranty, covered by the £28/month 2 year VAG All-In-One scheme. Warranty, 2 services, 2 MOTs & breakdown cover.

[Whataguy]

Lester H said:

A slight deviation from the Thead but tangential, is the perception on here that a recent Golf not electric of course, is still ‘a cut above’? After all,it was the go-to small car for years,Clarkson’s favourite, though that may put some off, if a little expensive. Recently it attracted criticism for over reliance on complicated distracting and incomprehensible screens and an absence of logical, common sense controls. It also looks a bit boring, but is it any good?

Edited by Lester H on Sunday 17th March 18:29

Edited by Lester H on Sunday 17th March 18:31

Not really- I don’t think they are a cut above anymore, lots of people who had always bought golfs in the past stopped at the 7.5 and didn’t buy an 8. The salesperson actually told me that people had moved on to something else.

I could have had an 8 for the same price as the 7.5 I bought, but didn’t as 7.5 appears to be peak golf.

It’s quite a while since they were in the best selling charts.