Focus ST vs i30N vs GTI TCR

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

There are a few good car magazines available these days.

Car isn't one of them.  They still trade on their reputation built up in the 1980's and 1990's when they had good writers and excellent photographers.

[ar899]

I've looked at a few new car options and read many reviews. You need to read more than one to get an overall picture. You will nearly always find someone with something bad to say about a particular model (interestingly, the GTI is one of the few cars out there with little negative comment - I'm not biased as I don't own one, or any performance Golf).

One bugbear of mine is inclusion of cost of ownership in 'head to heads'. OK, I can see that it is of a course an issue, but I would rather know how the cars stack up against each other as products - THEN I can decide whether it worth spending £X amount more to buy and/or run the 'better car'. I would rather see the cost comparison bit as a separate item.

[fredgroves]

One of the things I never understand is AutoExpress.

They talk about say the Audi A3, talk about all of the variants, then say "pick of the range is the 1.2d SE".

How, how did you come to that conclusion? Based on what? Because its the cheapest to buy? The cheapest to run? The best kit? The best depreciation? The fastest round the ring?

HOW!!

[Jim_mk7.5]

One of the things I never understand is AutoExpress.

They talk about say the Audi A3, talk about all of the variants, then say "pick of the range is the 1.2d SE".

How, how did you come to that conclusion? Based on what? Because its the cheapest to buy? The cheapest to run? The best kit? The best depreciation? The fastest round the ring?

HOW!!

 

Pick of the range that no-one actually buys! AE are fairly useless.

[ar899]

They also say 'pick of the range is A3 Sport TFSI' and then show a picture of an S Line.....

[Exonian]

Ask the road test journo which of the three cars he would actually buy with his own money as a daily and I bet the result would be different.

[fredgroves]

I did a little Yorkshireman maths...

Here are some PCP figures:

focus st 190ps (the Ford configurator lacks the 2.3l version??)
£29,000
£3000 deposit
12000 miles pa, 3 years
£394 per month
14,000 gfV

I30n (Performance)
£29,495
£3000 deposit
12000 miles pa, 3 years
£431.20 per month
£11,952 gfv

Golf TCR
£37830
£3000 deposit
15000 miles pa, 3 years (VW don't offer 12000 miles...)
£600 per month
£15281 gfv

Ignoring fuel economy or insurance... Focus cheapest, I30n a little bit more.... Golf TCR... *ouch*

Almost a third more RRP equates to 50% more monthlies.

[Exonian]

£600 a month to rent a sodding Golf!
 

[Hertsman]

£600 a month to rent a sodding Golf!
 

Supports my statement at the time of the price hike that the Akrapovic kills the TCR as a buying option, which adds to their rarity so not actually complaining

My lease worked out cheaper than the R was running which you can add a further saving of presently circa 60 MPG on a tank.

On subject of fuel, nearly got caught out other day, coming home with gauge indicating need fuel on a road and distance know well and where would expect R to easily get me onto home territory and fuel as the 'estimation' stayed relatively static, the TCR began to countdown in real time! and had to dive off and get some fuel on board - my rationale was the new display and way calculates? whatever, I will be filling up on the warning now regardless.

[Yusee]

You don’t read this stuff to actually decide what car to buy. It’s just entertainment for petrolheads!
I’ll have the TCR with a manual box, please. That would be seriously desirable.

AE good for product testing, nothing else.