Golf GTD vs GTI
Discussion
Hi all, I’m 19 years of age and I’m looking to get a new car. I really like the Golf’s and I’ve done some insurance quotes on a GTI and a GTD and they are both similar price with the GTD being a bit cheaper. I would like an automatic but I’m just not sure whether to go diesel or petrol. I probably do about 40-50 miles a day after work just messing around with my mates. Anyone have any tips what one I should go for ? Cheers.
Forkhandles2 said:
How much is the insurance on a Golf GTI at 19 out of curiosity?
In reality, not just the 'leading' quote you are given on a speculative car.I have found there is huge difference between speculative quote and real price the day you need to buy and insure exacerbated by young drivers.
The GTD -v- GTI is one of those classic questions and you're almost certain to be overwhelmed by "no brainer" responses about going for a GTI. But people make their decisions away from forum chatter and you will see that the GTD is popular for many reasons. Admittedly that appeal might be stronger for a 43-year old than someone of 19. 
I've had loads of performance cars and currently run a Mk7 GTD with DSG. It's a very satisfying car, not as light on its feet as a GTI but supremely good at what it's meant to be. On reflection maybe I should've gone with a GTD for around the last 15 years of motoring as everything else has given diminishing returns.
In fact, mine covers so many of my needs that it’d the car I kept if faced with a choice between it and my petrol performance car.
GTD Pro:
- Just an outstanding "jump in and drive" car, very accessible power, excellent on motorways, Euro 6 from 2014+
- Tasteful styling with silver / grey trim & tartan elements, all that Mk7 Golf charm with its own subtle identity, your mum will love it sort-of-thing
- The de facto model for a car you'd want to own and be interested in but can leave on the street & won't cost loads of money
GTD Con:
- Runs out of puff when pushed
- May be a bit mature for some, diesel drivetrain has gone out of fashion very quickly
I've had loads of performance cars and currently run a Mk7 GTD with DSG. It's a very satisfying car, not as light on its feet as a GTI but supremely good at what it's meant to be. On reflection maybe I should've gone with a GTD for around the last 15 years of motoring as everything else has given diminishing returns.
In fact, mine covers so many of my needs that it’d the car I kept if faced with a choice between it and my petrol performance car.
GTD Pro:
- Just an outstanding "jump in and drive" car, very accessible power, excellent on motorways, Euro 6 from 2014+
- Tasteful styling with silver / grey trim & tartan elements, all that Mk7 Golf charm with its own subtle identity, your mum will love it sort-of-thing
- The de facto model for a car you'd want to own and be interested in but can leave on the street & won't cost loads of money
GTD Con:
- Runs out of puff when pushed
- May be a bit mature for some, diesel drivetrain has gone out of fashion very quickly
Edited by The Cardinal on Tuesday 6th August 06:54
The Cardinal said:
Euro 6 from 2014+
This is an important point depending on the age car you're buying. I have the Euro 4 CR170 engine in my Octavia and there are several cities around Europe now with low emissions zone's where I'm not allowed, and I expect more cities to implement stricter LEZ's in the future. Plus as the rules get stricter the demand for diesels is going to decrease even more, meaning lower resale value.I'm a diesel fan (ZX Volcane, 306 dTurbo, Octavia vRS) but personally I'd go petrol now unless I was doing really big mileages, in which case a petrol hybrid may be nearly as good on fuel.
OP check insurance first. You're 19 years old and on performance cars like these it's possible that you'll be getting quotes around £8k.
You might be better off getting something else entirely like a Kia Pro'Ceed GT (3 door) which is nearly as good as a GTI but much lower insurance group.
You might be better off getting something else entirely like a Kia Pro'Ceed GT (3 door) which is nearly as good as a GTI but much lower insurance group.
I got out of a mk7.5 GTD, and into a mk8 gti, both dsg, and regretted it.
First brand new car I have bought for a while, in 2021, and absolutely hated it, quicker, yes, but how fast can you go today?
The GTD was a much better all round car, quick enough, very economical, and did not need constant software upgrades and stop dead for no reason.
If you like loads of gimmcks and no switches, and talking to your car, get a mk8, but I was so happy when the insurance paid out on it, how it was not cat b, I have no idea, but it went back on the road.
7.5 GTD would be my choice, though a GTI 7.5 is probably good too.
First brand new car I have bought for a while, in 2021, and absolutely hated it, quicker, yes, but how fast can you go today?
The GTD was a much better all round car, quick enough, very economical, and did not need constant software upgrades and stop dead for no reason.
If you like loads of gimmcks and no switches, and talking to your car, get a mk8, but I was so happy when the insurance paid out on it, how it was not cat b, I have no idea, but it went back on the road.
7.5 GTD would be my choice, though a GTI 7.5 is probably good too.
The Cardinal said:
The GTD -v- GTI is one of those classic questions and you're almost certain to be overwhelmed by "no brainer" responses about going for a GTI. But people make their decisions away from forum chatter and you will see that the GTD is popular for many reasons. Admittedly that appeal might be stronger for a 43-year old than someone of 19.
I've had loads of performance cars and currently run a Mk7 GTD with DSG. It's a very satisfying car, not as light on its feet as a GTI but supremely good at what it's meant to be. On reflection maybe I should've gone with a GTD for around the last 15 years of motoring as everything else has given diminishing returns.
In fact, mine covers so many of my needs that I'm currently in the process of selling my petrol performance car.
GTD Pro:
- Just an outstanding "jump in and drive" car, very accessible power, excellent on motorways, Euro 6 from 2014+
- Tasteful styling with silver / grey trim & tartan elements, all that Mk7 Golf charm with its own subtle identity, your mum will love it sort-of-thing
- The de facto model for a car you'd want to own and be interested in but can leave on the street & won't cost loads of money
GTD Con:
- Runs out of puff when pushed
- May be a bit mature for some, diesel drivetrain has gone out of fashion very quickly
GTD Cons that weren't included aboveI've had loads of performance cars and currently run a Mk7 GTD with DSG. It's a very satisfying car, not as light on its feet as a GTI but supremely good at what it's meant to be. On reflection maybe I should've gone with a GTD for around the last 15 years of motoring as everything else has given diminishing returns.
In fact, mine covers so many of my needs that I'm currently in the process of selling my petrol performance car.
GTD Pro:
- Just an outstanding "jump in and drive" car, very accessible power, excellent on motorways, Euro 6 from 2014+
- Tasteful styling with silver / grey trim & tartan elements, all that Mk7 Golf charm with its own subtle identity, your mum will love it sort-of-thing
- The de facto model for a car you'd want to own and be interested in but can leave on the street & won't cost loads of money
GTD Con:
- Runs out of puff when pushed
- May be a bit mature for some, diesel drivetrain has gone out of fashion very quickly
Edited by The Cardinal on Wednesday 24th July 15:53
- Clattery sound
- Smell
- Diesel engines aren't fun
Basically get the GTI
The GTD is a bit cheaper to buy, a bit cheaper to insure and quite a lot cheaper on fuel. It's 90% the same car but could save some people a fair chunk of money over a few years a driving. I get the appeal.
Having said this, if your annual mileage is not too high, I don't think the savings are worth it. The GTI is the better thing to own and drive.
Having said this, if your annual mileage is not too high, I don't think the savings are worth it. The GTI is the better thing to own and drive.
GTI.
I’ve owned a mk6 GTI and mk7.5 GTD and preferred the former by a mile despite being a generation older. The mk7 GTI is stronger, more flexible and surprisingly economical judging from owner figures online. The GTD just felt like any other 4 cylinder diesel to me.
Would double check on insurance as others have suggested though. A warm hatch might be better suited at your age, something like a Leon 1.8 TSI if you want to stay with VAG.
I’ve owned a mk6 GTI and mk7.5 GTD and preferred the former by a mile despite being a generation older. The mk7 GTI is stronger, more flexible and surprisingly economical judging from owner figures online. The GTD just felt like any other 4 cylinder diesel to me.
Would double check on insurance as others have suggested though. A warm hatch might be better suited at your age, something like a Leon 1.8 TSI if you want to stay with VAG.
I think it depends how much bhp the gti your looking at has, my friend had a mk7 & 7.5 GTD and they were really rather quick for a 2.0l diesel. The most basic gti had something like 217bhp so I can't see it feeling noticeably faster compared to the diesel. Slightly more bhp but then less torque.
If your able to get a performance pack then you get the slight power increase and the vaq diff which does work really well.
I briefly looked at a end of production gti performances, but the same year Leon Cupra was cheaper, better equipped (as standard) and much faster so could be worth considering.
Insurance was the same
If your able to get a performance pack then you get the slight power increase and the vaq diff which does work really well.
I briefly looked at a end of production gti performances, but the same year Leon Cupra was cheaper, better equipped (as standard) and much faster so could be worth considering.
Insurance was the same
anyoldcardave said:
I got out of a mk7.5 GTD, and into a mk8 gti, both dsg, and regretted it.
First brand new car I have bought for a while, in 2021, and absolutely hated it, quicker, yes, but how fast can you go today?
The GTD was a much better all round car, quick enough, very economical, and did not need constant software upgrades and stop dead for no reason.
If you like loads of gimmcks and no switches, and talking to your car, get a mk8, but I was so happy when the insurance paid out on it, how it was not cat b, I have no idea, but it went back on the road.
7.5 GTD would be my choice, though a GTI 7.5 is probably good too.
This reads more like a mk7.5 v 8 comparison. That isn’t the OPs question. First brand new car I have bought for a while, in 2021, and absolutely hated it, quicker, yes, but how fast can you go today?
The GTD was a much better all round car, quick enough, very economical, and did not need constant software upgrades and stop dead for no reason.
If you like loads of gimmcks and no switches, and talking to your car, get a mk8, but I was so happy when the insurance paid out on it, how it was not cat b, I have no idea, but it went back on the road.
7.5 GTD would be my choice, though a GTI 7.5 is probably good too.
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