Golf 7.5 v A5 Sportback

[MisanoPayments]

In the new year, it'll be time to bid farewell to my Mk1 TT 3.2 manual as it's not practical enough.

I'm considering either a Golf 7.5 or an A5 Sportback for the next car. This will be a second car that will occasionally spend time in a station car park and at other times to transport four. Other car's a Kodiaq so tip and Christmas tree runs are already handled by that.

Budget up to £17K. Not afraid of higher mileage - bought the previous car, a C7 Allroad, at 127K miles (ok, I don't have it anymore though :-))

A golf would either be a newer 1.5 or an older GTI (still 7.5) - with the stereo that still has the volume and tuning knobs - the Kodiaq doesn't have them! A5 would ideally be a 2.0T q.

Has anyone had experience of living with both?
Thanks!

[AI1601]

Had plenty of Golfs. A5 more of a cruiser and not as good in terms of steering. However, the looks, feel, build quality definitely a level above the Golf.

[Whataguy]

I currently have a 20 Mk7.5 1.5, 17k is almost within main dealer approved used budget - they were giving 2 year warranties away recently as well.

The 7.5's are good cars, the match editions have loads of kit as well.

[MisanoPayments]

Thanks both, will get on to this in the new year.

[Novexx]

7.5 Golf GTI all the way, Performance if budget allows.

The A5 is a far heavier car & not anywhere near as nice a drive, I would say built quality & reliability are equal if not slightly favouring the Golf. "Prestige" & space are all that the A5 betters the Golf on.

[MisanoPayments]

To update the thread, I found and bought on Saturday a very tidy Jan 2018 Golf 1.5 T R-Line with 39,200 miles on the clock. Pre-reg then one owner. Very happy with the car so far, it's really all you need.

The two cons of this purchase are not only now do I need to sell the TT (Mk1 3.2 manual) but as I used it to travel to the Golf, I've got to go and pick it up this week!