Ok people, just did 350 odd miles up to GTI International and back so thought I'd give you some feedback on the car, and my thoughts against the Scirocco that I've traded away from.
So first off, I got the short straw, my car came with the Dunlops but I gotta say today they felt pretty good so i'm not bothered. The car was awesome today, it's quick enough, pulls well through the gear range and goes round roundabouts very well. All together i'm very impressed.
So, getting in! The Roc was a pain in the arse with it's long slabby doors and low roof and high seat bolsters, the Golf is much more user friendly. Inside the GTI seats are narrower, they hug the torso more, in fact a tad too much in my view but i'm suffering middle aged spread! Interior wise I prefer the Roc a bit as it has some nice shapes and shiny bits, apart from the steering wheel the GTI is a bit bland inside and I found accessing the drivers door pockets today almost impossible, you need to be double jointed! However there are plenty of extra features that I prefer, sunglass holder, covered cup holder, but most of all, the height adjuster on the seatbelt. There wasn't one on the Roc an it bloody chaffed my neck like hell.
I went for a manual and this was the right choice for me, my roc was a DSG and even though the DSG is amazingly smooth and efficient, I ended up driving it in auto most of the time and that dulled the experience a bit. I got stuck in a monster traffic jam on the M1 today for ages and thought that would be where I'd regret not choosing DSG again but the clutch is very light and it wasn't a chore at all.
I also didn't get a sun roof and am not bothered as the cabin is much bigger and airier than the Roc, I wouldn't like the Roc without a sunroof, when I pulled the cover over mine it felt quite claustrophobic.
Drivewise the Rocco feels a little go-kartish in comparison to the Golf but today I noticed that the Golf doesn't understeer or suffer from as much torque steer as the Scirocco, a pleasant surprise, I think the Roc sits too high anyway, it should be lower, if no other reason than to hide the ghastly gap between the tyre and arch. The Scirocco is sharper to drive but marginally and offset by the understeer and torque steer, I'd but my balls on the line to say (for me) the Golf is a better drive. I think the Scirocco lowered on a track would be an awesome tool though.
Fuel consumption today was interesting, driving up from Poole I left early and was 'eager' to say the least but not going mad. I got through all the fuel in 290miles! Hmmm, not good so on the way back I drove at a steady 70-80mph, approx 3000 rpm and the range was showing a potential of 480miles on that tank so the golf seems more sensitive to the throttle.
That's it for now, i'm sure i'll think of more for later. Don't get me wrong, the Scirocco was a great car but for me the GTI has more to offer.
