Settled on VAG...

[ajguk]

After deliberating for months/years, I've finally narrowed down my search I think. And it's between a Golf GTI, and some form of Octavia VRS or Superb 280. What would you guys go for? I like an estate, but will have a saloon/hatch if pushed. Wants and needs:

- auto
- prefer an estate as above, but not vital. I'm aware this would mean Skoda.
- I don't do mega miles, so petrol or PHEV
- back seats required occasionally
- tip runs are sometimes required
- budget £16k with wriggle room - may sell my Z4 in the spring but not a necessity to fund this

Ever since I had a go in a mate's Mk6 Golf R I've thought I really wanted 4wd, but how much would I really miss this if I got a GTI or a VRS? The Superb 280 is jumping out at me too, specifically this one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308010...

The Octavias look great but the interior, especially the cloth seats seem a bit....meh.

Am I forgetting any other obvious vehicles?

[VeeReihenmotor6]

I'd go for an Audi A4 Quattro if you like 4wd and their suspesion setup is far more refined than the Golf/Octavia/Superb setup. They are perm 60/40 Torsen 4WD (or up to c85 rear and c15 front) unlike the 50/50 predominantly FWD haldex system in the Superb (it's still good though).

If not then out of your list I would go Golf GTI

[zedx19]

You need to drive them all, they are all very different cars, even the Golf R to Golf GTi drive very differently. Personally, I drove a few mk7 R's and found them a bit meh, then drive a mk7 GTi and found it a lot more entertaining to chuck around. A Superb would be great a covering distances in, but not chucking down a B road. Depends what you're after really, had my DSG mky GTi for nearly 3 years, still love it as an all round hot hatch.

[Bannock]

Leon?

[ajguk]

zedx19 said:

You need to drive them all, they are all very different cars, even the Golf R to Golf GTi drive very differently. Personally, I drove a few mk7 R's and found them a bit meh, then drive a mk7 GTi and found it a lot more entertaining to chuck around. A Superb would be great a covering distances in, but not chucking down a B road. Depends what you're after really, had my DSG mky GTi for nearly 3 years, still love it as an all round hot hatch.

That's a good point actually, I don't do that many long journeys so perhaps something better suited to B-roads would be the pick.

[ajguk]

Bannock said:

Leon?

A Cupra 300 was near the top of my list but they're closer to £20k with a DSG box, which is a touch more than I want to justify at the moment! I cover hardly any miles during the week as I commute by train or WFH, so the less cash I have tied up on the driveway the better.

[Bannock]

ajguk said:

Bannock said:

Leon?

A Cupra 300 was near the top of my list but they're closer to £20k with a DSG box, which is a touch more than I want to justify at the moment! I cover hardly any miles during the week as I commute by train or WFH, so the less cash I have tied up on the driveway the better.

You mentioned PHEV - there's a Leon petrol PHEV which can give you 30 miles on electric. I'm a bit tempted with one of those myself, there's even a (very rare) estate version. I think they're all FR spec. Should be roughly in budget.

[ajguk]

I'm probably the ideal use case for a plug in hybrid tbh....

[Bannock]

Maybe an A3 PHEV or a Golf GTE then?

I think the Leon is better value, but that's just me. It also has a bigger battery than the A3 so has better leccy range.

[ajguk]

Bannock said:

Maybe an A3 PHEV or a Golf GTE then?

I think the Leon is better value, but that's just me. It also has a bigger battery than the A3 so has better leccy range.

Passat GTE estate would be a good shout.

[CG2020UK]

zedx19 said:

You need to drive them all, they are all very different cars, even the Golf R to Golf GTi drive very differently. Personally, I drove a few mk7 R's and found them a bit meh, then drive a mk7 GTi and found it a lot more entertaining to chuck around. A Superb would be great a covering distances in, but not chucking down a B road. Depends what you're after really, had my DSG mky GTi for nearly 3 years, still love it as an all round hot hatch.

+1 this is spot on!

[Bannock]

ajguk said:

Bannock said:

Maybe an A3 PHEV or a Golf GTE then?

I think the Leon is better value, but that's just me. It also has a bigger battery than the A3 so has better leccy range.

Passat GTE estate would be a good shout.

Yes indeedy, quite fancy one myself, but can't justify a change at the moment.

Good luck with your deliberations.

[ajguk]

Cheers. Thinking I need to test drive a GTI and a GTE, preferable back to back. How far off a GTI would an Octavia VRS be?

[ajguk]

High mileage 330e but G20. Guessing motorway miles, could be interesting

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023080203...

[TimmyMallett]

I've had a VRS and a Gti.

If you want the best fun drive, get the Gti

If you want a practical but cheaper (newer and fewer miles) option, get the VRS, you dont need the estate, the saloon boot is mahoosive (I worked out the floor pan of it was the same size as a Passat Estate I had)


If you really want something big and comfy and goes in a straight line, get the Superb.(if you can find one, a 280 isnt common)

Edited by TimmyMallett on Thursday 2nd November 08:39

[Belle427]

I think if I was buying personally I'd always look toward an R for the extra grip it provides in our climate.
I do get the fact a Gti is probably all you will need in the real world though.

[culpz]

ajguk said:

Bannock said:

Leon?

A Cupra 300 was near the top of my list but they're closer to £20k with a DSG box, which is a touch more than I want to justify at the moment! I cover hardly any miles during the week as I commute by train or WFH, so the less cash I have tied up on the driveway the better.

For an estate yeah but you'll get a hatch alot less than that. Pick that over the GTI any day. You're getting a FWD Golf R for the same price. I absolutely loved my 290. Was freakishly good on fuel for the performance and felt like the perfect, fast daily for me.

[CG2020UK]

ajguk said:

High mileage 330e but G20. Guessing motorway miles, could be interesting

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023080203...

I have a G21 330e and previously had a Mk7 GTI.

A GTI is a far better drive by a significant amount than your standard 3 series.

A 330e is 1/2 the fuel cost, quieter inside, a nicer place to be and will be comfortably quicker than a GTI (ours is quicker than my friends stock Golf R). Noticeably less cabin roar as well in the 330e. The 330e is a fantastic car but like most standard BMWs isn’t very engaging to drive.

We love the 330e it’s perfect for us but not a chance I’d want the risk of owning a £20k one outside of warranty at that mileage!

Push came to shove we’d probably buy a 330e again before another Golf GTI/R as it just does all the daily stuff better.

[Silvanus]

For me it would be the Kia Proceed 1.6T GT Shooting Brake. Not quite as potent as the Golf GTi, but newer, still with some manufacturer warranty, nicer inside and in my view, one of the nicest looking small estates out there. They get pretty good reviews too.

Uncle currently has a Leon FR estate and previously had an Octavia vRS, he's about to change it to one of these after being ver impressed with an Xceed curtsey car.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023090114...

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