Prose from a Poshboy

[kinboshi]

Thanks Dreenie. VW Golf is actually the car I learnt to drive on and my Mum still has it - in fact I was driving it over Christmas and yeh - still love it. It's only a 1.6 engine but it's v pacey, and really enjoy driving it. So I was actually thinking about getting a VW Golf anyway and your advice has confirmed that in my mind, thanks

Im right with Dreenie and her advice. The Golf GT GTDi is the best in the range. An excellent engine. You might pay a little bit more for the Diesel, than its petrol equivalent, but IMO its a no brainer

The diesel drives better around town (good torque), and obviously does more MPG if you're clocking up 10K miles a year.  As Guy said, it does cost more to buy than the petrol version though, but probably worth it.

If you wanted to be a little more discerning, you might even think of looking at a SEAT Leon that might be a few quid cheaper and is arguably a nicer looking car.  Many look at the VAG cars and consider the Audi A3 > VW Golf > Seat Leon. But a lot of that can be down to badge-snobbery.

[Tal]

The Leon has pimpability, too:

Click to see full-size image.

[kinboshi]

The Leon has pimpability, too:

Click to see full-size image.

That's just perfect for Alex.  "When posh boys go bad".

[Tal]

The Leon has pimpability, too:

Click to see full-size image.

That's just perfect for Alex.  "When posh boys go bad".

Obv he'd add a chandelier...

[celtic]

Get a bike. Will keep you fit.

[RED-DOG]

The Leon has pimpability, too:

Click to see full-size image.

When I opened this thread, there must have been a tiny breadcrumb stuck to my computer screen. (A relic from my bread eating days.)

I scrolled down to your post and the breadcrumb sat precisely over Tal's earlobe. For a moment, I thought it was a diamond stud. It really suited him.

[chatban]

Have you considered leasing over 3 years, pick up a decent car for £199 a month. Highly reccomend.

[outragous76]

Thanks Dreenie. VW Golf is actually the car I learnt to drive on and my Mum still has it - in fact I was driving it over Christmas and yeh - still love it. It's only a 1.6 engine but it's v pacey, and really enjoy driving it. So I was actually thinking about getting a VW Golf anyway and your advice has confirmed that in my mind, thanks

Im right with Dreenie and her advice. The Golf GT GTDi is the best in the range. An excellent engine. You might pay a little bit more for the Diesel, than its petrol equivalent, but IMO its a no brainer

Hesitate to disagree with Guy on anything, but given the mileage that Alex is likely to do I can see absolutely no advantage in buying a diesel.

More expensive to buy, more expensive to maintain, and not at all suitable for short trips to DTD and back.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/diesel-vs-petrol/

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/buying-and-selling/2012-07/which-confirms-hidden-costs-of-running-diesel-cars/

and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/caradvice/honestjohn/9432165/Should-my-next-car-be-petrol-or-diesel.html

David - techically you are correct - hence why I mentioned cost - but I think we are talking 2nd hand and therefore the difference (although there still is one) is far far less. Kinboshi makes all my other points - the diesel is a far superior car IMO - and minor additonal cost in 2nd hand terms is well worth it over the 1.9 or 2.0 GTi petrol versions

[david3103]

Thanks Dreenie. VW Golf is actually the car I learnt to drive on and my Mum still has it - in fact I was driving it over Christmas and yeh - still love it. It's only a 1.6 engine but it's v pacey, and really enjoy driving it. So I was actually thinking about getting a VW Golf anyway and your advice has confirmed that in my mind, thanks

Im right with Dreenie and her advice. The Golf GT GTDi is the best in the range. An excellent engine. You might pay a little bit more for the Diesel, than its petrol equivalent, but IMO its a no brainer

The diesel drives better around town (good torque), and obviously does more MPG if you're clocking up 10K miles a year.  As Guy said, it does cost more to buy than the petrol version though, but probably worth it.

If you wanted to be a little more discerning, you might even think of looking at a SEAT Leon that might be a few quid cheaper and is arguably a nicer looking car.  Many look at the VAG cars and consider the Audi A3 > VW Golf > Seat Leon. But a lot of that can be down to badge-snobbery.

How many miles have you done since you bought the beemer Alex? My guess is less than a 10k equivalent and even at 10k it's certainly not a 'no-brainer'.

Even used the premium for a diesel is still there and buying a used diesel is buying a car that is closer to a big bill. Read the stuff from the Honest John website.

Seat Leon is pretty neat, but Skoda is generally reckoned to be best value in the VAG stable these days

One of these would perhaps suit your need for cheap efficient transport to and from DTD

Click to see full-size image.

you can pimp it if you must

Click to see full-size image.

and rally it

Click to see full-size image.

[kinboshi]

I hadn't mentioned Skoda, as there's not an equivalent to the Golf in the Skoda range.  But if there was, it would be the lowest on the 'badge-snobbery' scale, but possibly the best buy in terms of value.

I'm sure Alex mentioned he'd done 10K over the past year - might have dreamt that though

[chatban]

The Citygo/Mii is no less cheap than the VW and the build quality is nowhere near as good.

[cambridgealex]

think its about 10k yeh. might be 7 but think its 10.

[kinboshi]

The Citygo/Mii is no less cheap than the VW and the build quality is nowhere near as good.

Think we're moving away from what Alex wants here.  We're talking about a used car, not a new one, and something that is like a Golf or a Focus.  So the Citygo doesn't come into the equation really.

[david3103]

The Citygo/Mii is no less cheap than the VW and the build quality is nowhere near as good.

[ ] suggested as a serious option

[chatban]

The Citygo/Mii is no less cheap than the VW and the build quality is nowhere near as good.

Think we're moving away from what Alex wants here.  We're talking about a used car, not a new one, and something that is like a Golf or a Focus.  So the Citygo doesn't come into the equation really.

Yeah true, but considering he has had issues with servicing and repairs outside of the main dealer netork, spending £200-300 a month on a leased car with service cover over 3 years when the car would depreciate a good chunk of it's value might be an idea. You can pick up a bog standard C class from £299 a month if that gives you some clue as to what you can get new on lease.