Alternatives to the Golf GTI around £12-13k?
Discussion
J1990 said:
Before anyone can chime in with any suggestions, what is your friend's requirements?
Thanks!- Will this be their only car?
- Requirements? Family, long drives, dogs, midlife crisis?
- Doing mainly motorway, B roads or city driving?
- Priority is on looks/badge/space/hatchback?
- Limit on age?
Yes only car
Late 20's no family, the odd long drive but nothing frequently..
I'd say 60% A/B roads, 40% motorway
Nothing really in particular, he's fairly open to anything that's not horrendous on MPG's 30ish plus
In terms of age, he has said less than 8 years but closer to 5 would be ideal
Dare I say it.....a more practical Golf GTi and more spec as standard.....Octavia VRS.
£13k will get you into a 5/6 year old car from a reputable dealer....30-50k on the clock. You'll get something even new privately.
That's where my money would be. If he can push the budget and get one from a Skoda dealer with manufacturer warranty (say £14/15k), even better....
£13k will get you into a 5/6 year old car from a reputable dealer....30-50k on the clock. You'll get something even new privately.
That's where my money would be. If he can push the budget and get one from a Skoda dealer with manufacturer warranty (say £14/15k), even better....
MattyD803 said:
Dare I say it.....a more practical Golf GTi and more spec as standard.....Octavia VRS.
£13k will get you into a 5/6 year old car from a reputable dealer....30-50k on the clock. You'll get something even new privately.
That's where my money would be. If he can push the budget and get one from a Skoda dealer with manufacturer warranty (say £14/15k), even better....
DSG or manual? or have I just swore at you..£13k will get you into a 5/6 year old car from a reputable dealer....30-50k on the clock. You'll get something even new privately.
That's where my money would be. If he can push the budget and get one from a Skoda dealer with manufacturer warranty (say £14/15k), even better....
Where does he sit on the petrolhead spectrum?
If he likes a nice car but isn't overly fussed on driving dynamics, I'd second Octavia vRS - brilliant car and great value for money. I'd favour the manual option - nice gear change, and I found DSG to be a bit hit and miss in that car.
If he's all about lap times and flinging the car by the scruff of it's neck down a back round, that budget will get a nice, low mileage Megane RS - less practical than the Octavia, but a lot more fun.
If he likes a nice car but isn't overly fussed on driving dynamics, I'd second Octavia vRS - brilliant car and great value for money. I'd favour the manual option - nice gear change, and I found DSG to be a bit hit and miss in that car.
If he's all about lap times and flinging the car by the scruff of it's neck down a back round, that budget will get a nice, low mileage Megane RS - less practical than the Octavia, but a lot more fun.
Fiisch said:
Where does he sit on the petrolhead spectrum?
If he likes a nice car but isn't overly fussed on driving dynamics, I'd second Octavia vRS - brilliant car and great value for money. I'd favour the manual option - nice gear change, and I found DSG to be a bit hit and miss in that car.
If he's all about lap times and flinging the car by the scruff of it's neck down a back round, that budget will get a nice, low mileage Megane RS - less practical than the Octavia, but a lot more fun.
Definitely the first option, likes value for money, enjoys a good car and likes a bit of practicality If he likes a nice car but isn't overly fussed on driving dynamics, I'd second Octavia vRS - brilliant car and great value for money. I'd favour the manual option - nice gear change, and I found DSG to be a bit hit and miss in that car.
If he's all about lap times and flinging the car by the scruff of it's neck down a back round, that budget will get a nice, low mileage Megane RS - less practical than the Octavia, but a lot more fun.
Well at the price range any hot hatch would fit the bill. So i guess depends how dynamic a drive he wants.
The Golf GTI is a surefooted answer to the brief. It does everything well. Just not the sharpest tool in the box. There are definitely alternatives out there. Not drawing on any of the options already mentioned. Here are a few more.
If RWD is something that your friend fancies, then purchasing the BMW m135i has to be on the list. Can be had in either manual or auto guises in budget. Hotter than the golf, quicker, a little more exciting but also a little harder to handle i guess. It will be a harsher ride than the golf around town, MPG isn't as great as the golf but the engine/noise and the overall package i think is a little more desirable.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102279...
If its driving that is top of the list then its hard to beat the Megane RS at this kind of price.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102058...
Not as much space or as nice as either the Golf or BMW but makes up with it in engagement and feel and overall drivers package.
In terms of getting a lot for your money its hard to beat the Peugeot 308 gti at this price bracket. You are getting a much newer car and all the bells and whistles that come with that compared to something a little older.
The 308 is a departure for Peugeot back to a time when they really made some great cars. The 308 ticks a lot of boxes. Great interior, comfortable, reliable, fairly cheap to run and rarer than a golf gti by some margin. Certainly something to consider
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104211...
If your friend is sold on the VAG side of things. Then they could do far worse than the Seat Leon 280 Cupra -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101147...
Just an overall nicer package than the Golf Gti albeit sharing much of the same platform. I just find them a bit nicer to drive - sharper and there aren't as many about. I also like the fact they run under the radar that bit more than a golf GTI/R
More warm than hot but a lovely design the Merc A-Class A250. Offers a warmer 211bhp but as said, its just a step up from the others in my opinion in terms of driver comfort, interior and exterior styling. No the last word in dynamics but certainly a car to consider at the budget.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104030...
Just a few to mull over i guess. Hard to answer properly without knowing exactly what the buyer is wanting from the car.
The Golf GTI is a surefooted answer to the brief. It does everything well. Just not the sharpest tool in the box. There are definitely alternatives out there. Not drawing on any of the options already mentioned. Here are a few more.
If RWD is something that your friend fancies, then purchasing the BMW m135i has to be on the list. Can be had in either manual or auto guises in budget. Hotter than the golf, quicker, a little more exciting but also a little harder to handle i guess. It will be a harsher ride than the golf around town, MPG isn't as great as the golf but the engine/noise and the overall package i think is a little more desirable.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102279...
If its driving that is top of the list then its hard to beat the Megane RS at this kind of price.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102058...
Not as much space or as nice as either the Golf or BMW but makes up with it in engagement and feel and overall drivers package.
In terms of getting a lot for your money its hard to beat the Peugeot 308 gti at this price bracket. You are getting a much newer car and all the bells and whistles that come with that compared to something a little older.
The 308 is a departure for Peugeot back to a time when they really made some great cars. The 308 ticks a lot of boxes. Great interior, comfortable, reliable, fairly cheap to run and rarer than a golf gti by some margin. Certainly something to consider
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104211...
If your friend is sold on the VAG side of things. Then they could do far worse than the Seat Leon 280 Cupra -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101147...
Just an overall nicer package than the Golf Gti albeit sharing much of the same platform. I just find them a bit nicer to drive - sharper and there aren't as many about. I also like the fact they run under the radar that bit more than a golf GTI/R
More warm than hot but a lovely design the Merc A-Class A250. Offers a warmer 211bhp but as said, its just a step up from the others in my opinion in terms of driver comfort, interior and exterior styling. No the last word in dynamics but certainly a car to consider at the budget.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104030...
Just a few to mull over i guess. Hard to answer properly without knowing exactly what the buyer is wanting from the car.
Renault Megane 2.0 RENAULTSPORT NAV S/S 3d 275 BHP - £13,995
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11211635
The only issue with anything French is that he will almost certainly need something new enough that it can be bought with a extended manufacturers warranty.....and/or budget for the inevitable repairs. Yeah yeah I know lots of you Megane owners "havent had issues" with yours.....but lets not be naive here, if the purchaser is not an out and out B-Road terrorist and the vehicle will spend a big chunk of its life on the motorway, i'd suggest the dynamics that the megane will offer are simply wasted.
Octavia for me. Leon a close second.
Octavia for me. Leon a close second.
Edited by MattyD803 on Wednesday 28th April 16:14
MattyD803 said:
The only issue with anything French is that he will almost certainly need something new enough that it can be bought with a extended manufacturers warranty.....and/or budget for the inevitable repairs. Yeah yeah I know lots of you Megane owners "havent had issues" with yours.....but lets not be naive here, if the purchase is not an out and out B-Road terrorist and the vehicle will spend a big chunk of its life on the motorway, i'd suggest the dynamics that the megane will offer are simply wasted.
Octavia for me. Leon a close second.
all good points, well made Octavia for me. Leon a close second.
What about an S3 - is that in budget?
stevekoz said:
Well at the price range any hot hatch would fit the bill. So i guess depends how dynamic a drive he wants.
The Golf GTI is a surefooted answer to the brief. It does everything well. Just not the sharpest tool in the box. There are definitely alternatives out there. Not drawing on any of the options already mentioned. Here are a few more.
If RWD is something that your friend fancies, then purchasing the BMW m135i has to be on the list. Can be had in either manual or auto guises in budget. Hotter than the golf, quicker, a little more exciting but also a little harder to handle i guess. It will be a harsher ride than the golf around town, MPG isn't as great as the golf but the engine/noise and the overall package i think is a little more desirable.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102279...
If its driving that is top of the list then its hard to beat the Megane RS at this kind of price.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102058...
Not as much space or as nice as either the Golf or BMW but makes up with it in engagement and feel and overall drivers package.
In terms of getting a lot for your money its hard to beat the Peugeot 308 gti at this price bracket. You are getting a much newer car and all the bells and whistles that come with that compared to something a little older.
The 308 is a departure for Peugeot back to a time when they really made some great cars. The 308 ticks a lot of boxes. Great interior, comfortable, reliable, fairly cheap to run and rarer than a golf gti by some margin. Certainly something to consider
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104211...
If your friend is sold on the VAG side of things. Then they could do far worse than the Seat Leon 280 Cupra -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101147...
Just an overall nicer package than the Golf Gti albeit sharing much of the same platform. I just find them a bit nicer to drive - sharper and there aren't as many about. I also like the fact they run under the radar that bit more than a golf GTI/R
More warm than hot but a lovely design the Merc A-Class A250. Offers a warmer 211bhp but as said, its just a step up from the others in my opinion in terms of driver comfort, interior and exterior styling. No the last word in dynamics but certainly a car to consider at the budget.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104030...
Just a few to mull over i guess. Hard to answer properly without knowing exactly what the buyer is wanting from the car.
Great post thank youThe Golf GTI is a surefooted answer to the brief. It does everything well. Just not the sharpest tool in the box. There are definitely alternatives out there. Not drawing on any of the options already mentioned. Here are a few more.
If RWD is something that your friend fancies, then purchasing the BMW m135i has to be on the list. Can be had in either manual or auto guises in budget. Hotter than the golf, quicker, a little more exciting but also a little harder to handle i guess. It will be a harsher ride than the golf around town, MPG isn't as great as the golf but the engine/noise and the overall package i think is a little more desirable.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102279...
If its driving that is top of the list then its hard to beat the Megane RS at this kind of price.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102058...
Not as much space or as nice as either the Golf or BMW but makes up with it in engagement and feel and overall drivers package.
In terms of getting a lot for your money its hard to beat the Peugeot 308 gti at this price bracket. You are getting a much newer car and all the bells and whistles that come with that compared to something a little older.
The 308 is a departure for Peugeot back to a time when they really made some great cars. The 308 ticks a lot of boxes. Great interior, comfortable, reliable, fairly cheap to run and rarer than a golf gti by some margin. Certainly something to consider
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104211...
If your friend is sold on the VAG side of things. Then they could do far worse than the Seat Leon 280 Cupra -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101147...
Just an overall nicer package than the Golf Gti albeit sharing much of the same platform. I just find them a bit nicer to drive - sharper and there aren't as many about. I also like the fact they run under the radar that bit more than a golf GTI/R
More warm than hot but a lovely design the Merc A-Class A250. Offers a warmer 211bhp but as said, its just a step up from the others in my opinion in terms of driver comfort, interior and exterior styling. No the last word in dynamics but certainly a car to consider at the budget.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104030...
Just a few to mull over i guess. Hard to answer properly without knowing exactly what the buyer is wanting from the car.
MattyD803 said:
The only issue with anything French is that he will almost certainly need something new enough that it can be bought with a extended manufacturers warranty.....and/or budget for the inevitable repairs. Yeah yeah I know lots of you Megane owners "havent had issues" with yours.....but lets not be naive here, if the purchaser is not an out and out B-Road terrorist and the vehicle will spend a big chunk of its life on the motorway, i'd suggest the dynamics that the megane will offer are simply wasted.
Octavia for me. Leon a close second.
I'd say your a couple of decades or so late on the French so will breakdown front but can't disagree about wasted talent.Octavia for me. Leon a close second.
Edited by MattyD803 on Wednesday 28th April 16:14
MattyD803 said:
The only issue with anything French is that he will almost certainly need something new enough that it can be bought with a extended manufacturers warranty.....and/or budget for the inevitable repairs. Yeah yeah I know lots of you Megane owners "havent had issues" with yours.....but lets not be naive here, if the purchaser is not an out and out B-Road terrorist and the vehicle will spend a big chunk of its life on the motorway, i'd suggest the dynamics that the megane will offer are simply wasted.
Octavia for me. Leon a close second.
I think you could agree a few years ago but Renault apparently has a decent reliability record now, Peugeot has supposedly improved a lot as well. I’d have had no hesitation going for an RS Megane 275 but couldn’t find one that had been looked after for my budget, they drive amazingly and look fantastic though. Skoda seem to do better in the reliability stakes than VW and Audi for some reason, the Octavia vRS is an excellent car. Hopefully we’ve given enough options!Octavia for me. Leon a close second.
Edited by MattyD803 on Wednesday 28th April 16:14
Well if your friend wants a swiss army knife hotish hatch then the Infiniti Q30 Sport is the pick, it has the nicest interior (including the GTI) & a well proven (it's an A250 but with the Mercedes AWD from the GLA) drivetrain, they're hard to find but worth seeking out as you'll get a good low mileage one.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011186...
Now if he want's something more dynamic but still good on the motorway then the next two would be my picks ahead of the GTI.
Astra GTC VXR you'll get a nice one with low mileage for your friends budget they're a smidge behind the Megane RS but they're still a cracking steer.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104191...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104251...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104131...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104161...
308 GTI 270 a cracking steer well built & an all round good car, as well as being great value right now but they're few & far between at your friends price point:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103230...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104211...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104251...
Compared to the Seat/Skoda/GTI both are a step above dynamically & when you compare age/mileage then they're another clear step on.
Out of the three if your friend wants a good all rounder then the Infiniti is the pick, if he want a more dynamic steer then the Astra/308 are the picks & only a test drive will tell your friend which one he prefers.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011186...
Now if he want's something more dynamic but still good on the motorway then the next two would be my picks ahead of the GTI.
Astra GTC VXR you'll get a nice one with low mileage for your friends budget they're a smidge behind the Megane RS but they're still a cracking steer.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104191...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104251...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104131...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104161...
308 GTI 270 a cracking steer well built & an all round good car, as well as being great value right now but they're few & far between at your friends price point:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103230...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104211...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104251...
Compared to the Seat/Skoda/GTI both are a step above dynamically & when you compare age/mileage then they're another clear step on.
Out of the three if your friend wants a good all rounder then the Infiniti is the pick, if he want a more dynamic steer then the Astra/308 are the picks & only a test drive will tell your friend which one he prefers.
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