Closest VAG cars to a MK5 5 door GTI

[Tommie38]

Just doing a bit of research.

What are the equivalents?

Skoda Octavia VRS - basically the same car with a boot?

Seat Leon? Not sure how the Sport / FR / FR+ / Cupra / Cupra R stack up

Audi?

Do any have the same engine and suspension? In other words basically the same car, minus the badge?

[ManicMunky]

Any on the same PQ platform, so A3/Golf/Octavia/Leon

[anonymous-user]

A 3 door MK5 Golf GTi

[anonymous-user]

ManicMunky said:

Any on the same PQ platform, so A3/Golf/Octavia/Leon

PQ35. So MK2 TT too.

[matchmaker]

Tommie38 said:

Just doing a bit of research.

What are the equivalents?

Skoda Octavia VRS - basically the same car with a boot?

Seat Leon? Not sure how the Sport / FR / FR+ / Cupra / Cupra R stack up

Audi?

Do any have the same engine and suspension? In other words basically the same car, minus the badge?

Octavia is a hatch. A very big hatch compared to the Golf.

[Tommie38]

Thanks all.

Aware that the platforms are shared but actually that doesn’t mean that much. In the sense, a MK5 GTI shares the same platform as a MK5 <insert low powered engine and granny spec>, but that isn’t really relevant.

What is closest overall?

For example, I can see that an A3 Sportback might be a similar car to drive but I am guessing not. Is the Seat closest and if so, which one?

I think the Cupra models tend to be a bit more powerful. Is it the FR?

[anonymous-user]

8P A3 would probably be closest. They did the same engine in 2L turbo spec. And also the S3 which in effect the ED30/Pirelli used the same KO4 turbo engine (minus haldex). You could say that the the ED30/Pirelli was a FWD S3.

[AI1694]

The Mk5 handles better than the 8P A3. They’re pretty much the same car so wonder why.

[Tommie38]

AI1694 said:

The Mk5 handles better than the 8P A3. They’re pretty much the same car so wonder why.

I guess that is the question. So if the 8P A3 doesn’t handle as well, it’s not that close.

I am still thinking Seat Leon FR.

[Evolved]

I have to ask, why?

[Tommie38]

Ignoring for a moment that markets effectively set price (so you can’t argue with the values that cars sell at), I just think that Golf GTIs seem to cost too much.

When you are looking at 15 year old 100k cars, it just doesn’t stack up.

For me, cars lose a big part of their appeal as they get baggy and unless you get into the never ending cycle of replacing bushes, suspension, springs etc they are just never that tight.

So I was wondering if a change of badge would give access to more attractively priced cars, and by that I mean lower mileage.

[anonymous-user]

A lot of the GTi enthusiasts would have replaced what you say above with updated items. So probably won't need doing for another 10 years anyway.

[shtu]

Tommie38 said:

So I was wondering if a change of badge would give access to more attractively priced cars, and by that I mean lower mileage.

Yes. With two caveats,

- The "other" models are different. Trim quality, noise insulation, std. equipment., etc., etc. Don't fall into the trap of "it's a Golf GTI just cheaper".

- The "attractively priced" part works in your favour at a later date, both in value, and desirability.


Up to you if you are OK with the alternatives.