Hatchback- Max £20k
Discussion
Getting ahead of the curve here...girlfriend has a 2020 Peugeot 208 and it broke down yesterday for the fourth time in 2.5 years so I feel the writing might be on the wall! Not sure what the issue is yet this time but confidence in the car is shot as whatever happens it seems to be a 'computer says no' response.
Replacement requirements are-
£20k max- would need to be fairly new still at that price though
5 door
Automatic
Not too big- might be able to persuade her into a Golf but definitely nothing bigger (despite my efforts saying a Range Rover couldn't be any less reliable
)
0-60 of sub 8 seconds
Parking sensors
Reversing camera
Digital dash
Apple car play
The petrolhead in me wants to get her in a Mk. 7.5 Golf but she also likes Polos. Is there anything else we should consider (or rule out)? I'm not particularly au fait with modern hatchbacks.
Replacement requirements are-
£20k max- would need to be fairly new still at that price though
5 door
Automatic
Not too big- might be able to persuade her into a Golf but definitely nothing bigger (despite my efforts saying a Range Rover couldn't be any less reliable
)0-60 of sub 8 seconds
Parking sensors
Reversing camera
Digital dash
Apple car play
The petrolhead in me wants to get her in a Mk. 7.5 Golf but she also likes Polos. Is there anything else we should consider (or rule out)? I'm not particularly au fait with modern hatchbacks.
Wouldn't new polo GTI fit bill nearly as much space inside as a golf 2yrs old
example here just few£ aove your budget
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17058460
example here just few£ aove your budget
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17058460
Golf GTI is the obvious choice here.
Looking at the Polo GTI, personally it just doesn't have that quality feel or looks, especially inside, of the Golf GTI.
However it will be 3-4 years younger.
Audi S3?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410295...
Leon Cupra
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408223...
M135i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411055...
A250
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410185...
Focus 1.5T ST Line
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407252...
Cooper S 5 door
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410315...
Looking at the Polo GTI, personally it just doesn't have that quality feel or looks, especially inside, of the Golf GTI.
However it will be 3-4 years younger.
Audi S3?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410295...
Leon Cupra
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408223...
M135i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411055...
A250
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410185...
Focus 1.5T ST Line
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407252...
Cooper S 5 door
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410315...
If you want reliability, a 2 litre Toyota Corolla meets all the requirements.
A Mk7.5 golf gti would be good, I owned a 2020 1.5 Mk7.5.
The golf is considerably better than the polo, I’d nearly bought a polo gti but in the end went with the non-gti golf due to much better equipment. A rare option on polo gtis is climate control, so you are left twiddling the temperature dial to try and get just the right setting.
My 1.5/150 golf automatic had a 0-60 of 8.5 so just outside, but also did high forties mpg on long motorway runs.
A Mk7.5 golf gti would be good, I owned a 2020 1.5 Mk7.5.
The golf is considerably better than the polo, I’d nearly bought a polo gti but in the end went with the non-gti golf due to much better equipment. A rare option on polo gtis is climate control, so you are left twiddling the temperature dial to try and get just the right setting.
My 1.5/150 golf automatic had a 0-60 of 8.5 so just outside, but also did high forties mpg on long motorway runs.
I have a late 2019 Leon Cupra and I think it's the perfect size for a hot hatch, certainly smaller than the current Focus, Golf etc.
Worth considering a Cupra/S3/ GTi PP from 2018-2020 to get the digital dash, android auto etc but in the smaller previous shape compared to the current generation.
It's only slightly bigger than the current Polo.
Worth considering a Cupra/S3/ GTi PP from 2018-2020 to get the digital dash, android auto etc but in the smaller previous shape compared to the current generation.
It's only slightly bigger than the current Polo.
Thanks for the suggestions. Does that Focus have a wet timing belt? Generally something we want to get away from.
How many times do you breakdown in the same car in that time period before you lose all confidence in it? We're not talking about a 15 year old 7 series on 140k miles here where you might expect it. Ask me how I know.
A Golf GTI would sound like a fair step up to me and since when does buying any used car not run the risk of inheriting someone else's problems?
It's a lot of money but she's loaded.
How many times do you breakdown in the same car in that time period before you lose all confidence in it? We're not talking about a 15 year old 7 series on 140k miles here where you might expect it. Ask me how I know.
A Golf GTI would sound like a fair step up to me and since when does buying any used car not run the risk of inheriting someone else's problems?
It's a lot of money but she's loaded.
Most of my first thoughts have been mentioned, but one from left field.... Megane E Tech?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411186...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411186...
Patrick Bateman said:
Thanks for the suggestions. Does that Focus have a wet timing belt? Generally something we want to get away from.
How many times do you breakdown in the same car in that time period before you lose all confidence in it? We're not talking about a 15 year old 7 series on 140k miles here where you might expect it. Ask me how I know.
A Golf GTI would sound like a fair step up to me and since when does buying any used car not run the risk of inheriting someone else's problems?
It's a lot of money but she's loaded.
Kia Ceed GT Line S:How many times do you breakdown in the same car in that time period before you lose all confidence in it? We're not talking about a 15 year old 7 series on 140k miles here where you might expect it. Ask me how I know.
A Golf GTI would sound like a fair step up to me and since when does buying any used car not run the risk of inheriting someone else's problems?
It's a lot of money but she's loaded.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410315...
1.5T Focus ST Line X no wet belt with these:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410155...
Mazda3 Hybrid:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410305...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410105...
RS300 Trophy:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411146...
Astra Hybrid:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409053...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407252...
Whataguy said:
VW has a few GTI golfs available on their approved used scheme, at under £20k.
When I bought mine it came with a two year extended warranty. VW also tends to do a great Black Friday discount for the service pack as well.
I’d go with this. When I bought mine it came with a two year extended warranty. VW also tends to do a great Black Friday discount for the service pack as well.
Alternatively, an A1 is worth considering if looking at Polo’s. Same chassis, engine etc, slightly ‘upmarket’ interior. You can easily get a 1.5 35 TFSI example within £20k.
A good friend of mine had a few as company cars, worth considering if you do the milage. Not quite GTI performance and from what I understand the suspension setup is slightly less focused. You also don't have the option of the sports diff.
They are quick enough and a decent car if the above isn't an issue. I would pick one over a standard 1.5 golf as you still get the sport seats in tartan etc. and most importantly you get the wet clutch 7 speed DSG which is far more robust than the dry version on lower powered cars.
They are quick enough and a decent car if the above isn't an issue. I would pick one over a standard 1.5 golf as you still get the sport seats in tartan etc. and most importantly you get the wet clutch 7 speed DSG which is far more robust than the dry version on lower powered cars.
Mine was a runout 1.5 edition and came with the sport diff. As well as the GTI/R centre display options for lap timer and G meter/etc.
The diff was worth having even on a 150hp car, I've driven the T-Roc with the same engine and no diff and that would wheelspin trying to nip onto damp roundabouts. Even worse in the Skoda Scala with the same engine - that wheelspinned all the time. All the same DSG gearbox.
The stronger DSG gearboxes in the GTI are worth having, you don't hear about that many issues whereas the dry ones have lots of problems listed online. You can change the gearbox oil every 40k in the GTI so it should last longer.
The diff was worth having even on a 150hp car, I've driven the T-Roc with the same engine and no diff and that would wheelspin trying to nip onto damp roundabouts. Even worse in the Skoda Scala with the same engine - that wheelspinned all the time. All the same DSG gearbox.
The stronger DSG gearboxes in the GTI are worth having, you don't hear about that many issues whereas the dry ones have lots of problems listed online. You can change the gearbox oil every 40k in the GTI so it should last longer.
I had considered GTE but she's not after a plug-in and we'd need to get a charger installed.
Regarding the DSG variants, is the 6 speed in the standard GTI still a solid unit? I see it's only the performance pack GTI that gets the 7 speed one-
There's a lot of (conflicting) information out there but from what I've read I believe the 6 speed needs an oil change at 40k miles as opposed to 80k for the 7 speed.
Regarding the DSG variants, is the 6 speed in the standard GTI still a solid unit? I see it's only the performance pack GTI that gets the 7 speed one-
There's a lot of (conflicting) information out there but from what I've read I believe the 6 speed needs an oil change at 40k miles as opposed to 80k for the 7 speed.
Have found a few Golfs within a couple hours drive. Any thoughts on these?
I've included the R because it's in the vicinity although the performance is a bit OTT for what she's needing.
Standard GTI, absolutely love the colour in amongst the usual sea of boring safe choices-
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201241...
R-
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410265...
GTI PP-
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409214...
One thing I'm unsure on is the 19" wheels on the latter two. I have read some comments online about DCC being a must with them and they either don't have it or it's not been listed correctly in the spec.
There's also a GTI PP coming soon to a VW dealer on the approved used scheme which sounds good but again, on 19" wheels with no DCC.
I've included the R because it's in the vicinity although the performance is a bit OTT for what she's needing.
Standard GTI, absolutely love the colour in amongst the usual sea of boring safe choices-
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201241...
R-
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410265...
GTI PP-
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409214...
One thing I'm unsure on is the 19" wheels on the latter two. I have read some comments online about DCC being a must with them and they either don't have it or it's not been listed correctly in the spec.
There's also a GTI PP coming soon to a VW dealer on the approved used scheme which sounds good but again, on 19" wheels with no DCC.
Edited by Patrick Bateman on Tuesday 3rd December 21:26
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