New Golf -Petrol/Derv for Mrs Get?

[GetCarter]

I've been looking for a small 5 door 4x4 for Mrs Get (cos of where we now live and the amount of times we HAVE to go off-road the rear wheel drive beemer 5 tourer just had to go (I was getting bored of towing it out of the mud).

I've seen that the new Golf now has the 4 motion 4x4 - and with 5 doors (one for the dog) and good reviews, it's looking the part.

So - I'm off to dealers to test next week and have been looking at the two (2.0 ltr) engine specs... and I have to say with virtually no difference in acceleration/top speed and with the TDI giving so much more torque (and LOADS more MPG)... I'm assuming I should be avoiding the petrol engine???? (I guess you guys have experience of both these lumps).

Thanks for any advice or opinions.

Steve

[GetCarter]

I should add that I'll drive it from time to time (which is why I have any interest in it's performance!)

[edc]

Isn't this 4motion still the same Haldex type system that is front wheel drive in all scenarios till the front wheels are overwhelmed?

Although you can get controllers to fix and adjust the bias.

[GetCarter]

edc said:

Isn't this 4motion still the same Haldex type system that is front wheel drive in all scenarios till the front wheels are overwhelmed? Although you can get controllers to fix and adjust the bias.

I think it is... but it kinda' sounds the part as there are plenty of times when we find ourselves with 2 or 3 wheels off road (or on ice on 1 in 3 hills -and as I understand it, power is diverted to the wheel with most grip.

It's not like she/we need to drive the Dakar or anything, but the Highlands need a bit of thought when you need to do a 150 mile trip to Tescos....

Steve

[agent006]

Haldex diverts power to whichever axle has most grip and then lets the wheels sort themselves out. Hence if you've only got one wheel with tracktion, yer knackered.

New Skoda octavia 4x4 estate is out soon. Same thing but bigger, cheaper and with higher ground clearence as it's aimed more for the thing your'e after rather than performance which the golf is. Only got the 1.9tdi though, but should chip up to the same power as teh 2.0.

[GetCarter]

Cheers Mr6... I'll look into that.

[adrianr]

On a pic I saw, the propshaft and driveshafts to rear looked about as thick and sturdy as a drinking straw.

Did your BMW have an LSD? Probably at least as much use as 4x4 unless you get it grounded, in which case a winch on the front and a groundspike is required :-)

AdrianR

[GetCarter]

No slip diff in the 5 we had (525td) ... but I have to say I've sat in a Caterham Seven with an LSD completely stranded between two steep hills that were covered in ice.

LSD was helpful getting the power down on circuit at croft, but no use whatsoever on an icy hill in Warwickshire in Feb!

[toppstuff]

Steve, You are ignoring a much better option.

More performance, much better reliability ratings from all the surveys ( Number 1 in the JD Power surveys ), and more fun to drive.

I've had a go in one of these, and they are terrific cars...



Go to your Subaru dealer now !

Step away from the Golf !

edited to add : apologies to VW fans - only just realised this is the VW forum..

>> Edited by toppstuff on Thursday 17th March 18:03

[GetCarter]

Ta for that TS ... actually that's the first place I looked - but: bit too big - fugly inside - worth squat after 3 yrs etc. Just can't bring myself to do it.





>> Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 17th March 20:04

[toppstuff]

GetCarter said:

Ta for that TS ... actually that's the first place I looked - but: bit too big - fugly inside - worth squat after 3 yrs etc. Just can't bring myself to do it. >> Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 17th March 20:04

I know what you mean.

First Legacy I saw was beige metallic with beige leather interior and fake wood. Not nice....

Second one ( and the one I had for the weekend ) was dark grey with black leather interior and , to be frank, the general style of the car was completely teutonic. Could have been a German car !

Subaru are a bit misunderstood in the UK, hence soft residuals. But they are bulletproof and great fun to drive.

Flipside of the residuals issue is that you can get a great discount. An ex-demo will have a lot of the initial depreciation priced into it I would suggest.

Subaru also offer extended test drives. I had the grey/ black 3.0 litre for a whole weekend, and the dealers seem to be genuinely nice people who are often from farming backgrounds selling agricultural equipment rather than cars !

Certainly, the local Subaru guys are a far cry from the sharp suited hair gelled oiks that normally try to sell you a car ! Quite refreshing I think...



Having said that, a 3 litre type B Subaru is not unlike a scaled down RS6 ! Maybe more than is required !

[GetCarter]

This post has kinda' moved on to:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=163886

Ta chaps.

Steve