GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Sootchucker on 25 January 2016, 08:06
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There - I was dared to create this thread and so I have. I'll sit back and wait for the flaming to begin :grin: :grin:
Seriously though, as the other two performance Golf's have their thread, what about one for us (although it will most likely be moved into the TDI section :cry:)
Why did I buy, well I'd had two VW TDI's before the Golf (a MK5 GT TDI and a 2011 Scirocco GT), and both were brilliant and faultlessly reliable. At the time I went looking, I was going around 15-17k per year and so a diesel just made more sense.
I purchased blind so to speak as at time of ordering, as the GTI/GTD had only just been made available to order and there wasn't a single one in the country, so it was really based upon catalogue specs and pictures and a good dollop of faith. The thing was essentially vapour ware and VW UK were clueless as to what the UK spec would be at time of ordering.
I read and read about the car (from German forums etc, where they took delivery a little earlier than the UK) and starting piecing the missing bits of spec together that VW UK had not a clue about. Standard equipment (like the GTI and the later R) was quite generous with Xenons, 18 Alloys, electric folding mirrors, Radar cruise control, parking sensors front and rear and ambient lighting to name but a few. With my spec I added Discover Nav Pro, Dynaudio, Adaptive Chassis Control, rear view camera, auto park assist, winter pack and Keyless entry.
What made me choose the GTD was that to the uninitiated it looked like a GTI (minus the slightly different exhaust arrangement), and to compliment the GTI - that was fine by me as it was a very handsome car inside and out. As it was (and this is a very personal opinion), I did slightly prefer the non red accents in the grill and lights as well as the more "sombre" grey interior, but aside from that it was the same parts bin for both models. I actually do also prefer the GTD's Nogaro alloys to the ones on the GTI (although to be fair, the GTI alloys have since grown on me).
For me the GTD is then a masterful exercise in practicality, decent performance and decent fuel consumption all wrapped up in a tidy looking package. Sure the GTI and R are faster, although as has been pointed out many times before, standing starts are not really a true measure of a car's performance but the ability to overtake, and whilst a non mapped GTD still doesn't have the legs on a R or a GTI, in the real world it wouldn't be too far behind.
For me in over 2 years of ownership the car has been brilliant aided by the immensely capable (and controversial) DSG gearbox, which I love. Sure the manual is more economical and a more "purist" box, but for my driving (lots of town driving) the DSG just suits, and more importantly suits the power and torque characteristics of the diesel engine.
My overall fuel consumption over the period of ownership is just under 46mpg, with 55-60mpg very easily attainable on a run (with a best ever over nearly 200 miles of 64.5mpg - calculated). Obviously miles off what VW's brochure said it would do, but who ever really takes those figures seriously (from any manufacturer) ? For me a a DSG equipped family hatch with over 180ps, capable of 0-60 in just over 7 seconds and a top speed of over 140mph, that will still return over 45mpg - AS AN AVERAGE, is nothing short of witchcraft.
I know some people just hate diesels full stop, and nothing I or any others say will change that, and to them having a diesel version of the GTI is sacrilegious - but I guess these are the times we live in, and I for one am not going to have a go at them or get them to change their mind - it's our money and we buy what WE like, not what everyone else says we should like.
Would I have another - Yes and no. If I was doing the miles still absolutely in a heart beat. As it is with my annual mileage dwindling, probably not if I was purchasing new again, as the running costs between a GTI (or even an "R") over small annual mileages does narrow the financial gap considerably. As it is, I'm not in the market for a new car, as I will wait a few years for the MK8 GTI/GTD/R's to appear and mature for at least a year before considering, and in the meantime I'm going to do something I've never done before. When the PCP is up later this year - I'm buying the car outright.
That's how good an all rounder I consider the GTD to be - and I don't care if I'm ridiculed or if this thread is moved - yeah, I've said it now :laugh: :laugh:
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We knew you'd step up. Nice one Sootchucker. :smiley:
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Ha thanks Rebecca - never one to shy away from a challenge. :grin: :grin:
Let the mud slinging begin :wink:
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Ha thanks Rebecca - never one to shy away from a challenge. :grin: :grin:
Let the mud slinging begin :wink:
Prepare yourself Sootchucker :grin:
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Pretty sure it was yourself on the Audi Forum who flagged up the upcoming GTD.
At that time I was just about to order my 3rd Audi A3 Quattro but the standard specifications of the GTD and the ability to afford a few more options such as DSG and DCC were too compelling to not make the switch. So bought blind too as one of first uptakes.
There GTI was also an option but the mileage was doing at time of order made the GTD the sensible choice.
Imagine the new A3 were similarly improved but the GTD has proved a huge lift over my outgoing A3 S Line with their hard rides and heaviness though did sometimes miss the off the line acceleration of the 170 BHP in combination with the Quattro.
The GTD is more refined in its power and best performance is in the mid range and moving from Bridgestones vastly improved the off the line experience.
So performance wise there was adjustment to new sweet spots but they proved just as satisfying.
My mileage has dropped so economy is likely in the 43 MPG overall but that is still pretty decent and you can get 55 MPG on a long run.
The DSG/DCC/Auto Hold in combination make for the most restful of driving when in traffic or stuck on the M 25
It looks great too, still gets looks even now.
So my experience is a ringing endorsement of the MK7 in general and the GTD for its ultimate combination of decent performance/comfort/economy - Other cars will excel in one of those categories its aimed at many will find it hard to achieve all three at same time.
Choose new vehicle in about 6 weeks and having a real dilemma as we too have toyed with buying it outright or moving up the performance chain to GTI or an R given mileage has dropped and fuel reasonable for the foreseeable.
There has been a left field addition to my choice as the new Tiguan -R Line is due out in Spring and consider it is heavily based on the MK7 its tempting with same engine as GTD and 4 Motion. Really disliked the outgoing Tiguan as looked dated and interior was not inspiring but the new R Line is a looker.
Already done the Audi, BMW and Mercedes garage visits and nothing turned my head - Real dislike for the Mercedes A Series, so claustrophobic inside.
So have same feelings as you, in no hurry to move from the GTD and that's rare feeling as new shiny car itch usually well set in by now, but unless have to could happily run it for many years
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I'm very fond of mine too. Don't have a lot more to add over the other posts but it really is a fabulous combination of sporty looks, good economy and decent performance. For what it costs and for the mileage I'm doing there isn't anything else I'd rather be driving :smiley:
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The GTD ticked almost all of the boxes when I placed an order for one on the strength of the brochure/website on Good Friday of 2013:-
Looks massively better than the MK6 (IMO), to bring me back to a Golf from a Scirocco.
Rammed with standard equipment, the MK6's spec looked a bit sparse next to the Scirocco which I bought instead (twice!).
Lovely standard wheels - the prettiest standard wheels of the performance Golfs, by a long way (Austins are a bit ugly, Cadiz more so - IMO)
Much better mpg*
Silky smooth ride for a car on lowered suspension and 18" wheels (based on the GT test drive and then confirmed when I got a test drive in a Demo GTD a week before my Dad's GTD arrived.
Increased refinement of the TDI engine.
Downsides:-
The upside of the GTD's refinement compared to a string of previous TDIs is also its downside, it feels far slower than it is due to its linear power delivery and ride refinement.
* an outright lie. I used to match or beat combined mpg prior to the introduction of stop-start tech. A few months after collection, the car companies started putting out arse covering statements such as "67mpg, for comparison purposes only, may not reflect real-life driving situations". As it was, the GTD was exactly like the expectations of old TDIs, except it takes an age (comparably) to warm up. This canes the mpg on short journeys, but longer journeys give slightly better mpg than the TDIs of old.
Tramping, lots and lots of tramping. Bridgestones. Why VW? Absolutely ruined the car. I was too tight to change them, if I hadn't been, i'd have probably still had the GTD and not considered the R to get rid of tramping.
I got over the lack of excitement in the GTD by adding a DTUK box- absolutely transforms the car, comfortably beats anything petrol under 250ps that I ever came across in the 40-80mph range with no detriment to the overall mpg. Fewer DPF regens with it on too. The GTD seems to be far more resilient than the R or GTI when mapped or boxed, haven't heard anyone say their engine/turbo/clutch was goosed after modification, but plenty of people in GTIs and Rs have. As much as i'd love a 360ps R for an extra £400, I wouldn't dare have the work done.
I liked the GTD, I loved it when I got the DTUK box on, but the tramping pissed me off no end and knowing i'd at last be in a position to buy a car outright (big redundancy payout) and escape the PCP interest I knew I could get an R and the extra thirst would be more than offset by the interest savings.
Then history repeated itself, well almost - the R came with Bridgestones and at last I got my wallet out and bought it a set of PSS, the car is transformed!
If you're in a Bridgestone shod GTD and find it a bit boring, i'd recommend getting it mapped/boxed and some new shoes - it will be quite a shot in the arm for it!
I could see myself back in another TDI in future, if only they'd shoehorn that 3.0TDI lump into something the size of a Golf, a 300ps TDI (inc tuning box) would be amazing.
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Just to add recently changed from my GTD to a GTI PP both manuals and in real world the GTD was/is better car only really changed as had a deal offered that couldn't say no too and just to say have had a GTI . As it turned out was perfectly timed due to diesel gate and got the £1250 deposit contribution loads of discount as well so paying less for GTI than GTD plus got 20k part ex for 16 month old 5 door . GTI is fantastic car with all standard kit that's now included but will be going back to GTD in future think that says it all really .
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Tramping, lots and lots of tramping. Bridgestones. Why VW? Absolutely ruined the car. I was too tight to change them, if I hadn't been, i'd have probably still had the GTD and not considered the R to get rid of tramping.
I have already bought a set of 19" wheels for my estate GTD(can't spec the estate with 19") and I'm going to be using the tyres that I have on my current car, they are better in the wet than the standard Conti's were in the dry. I know the size is slightly off because they are 235/35/19 but that shouldn't be a problem and I can adjust the speed difference through VagCom.
I'm also wondering what my Luganos would look like on the GTD but I can't find any photos of a MK7 with Luganos on, probably a reason for that though.
(http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r579/Yeah-it-is-me/image_zpsdgpqvtlp.jpeg) (http://s1172.photobucket.com/user/Yeah-it-is-me/media/image_zpsdgpqvtlp.jpeg.html)
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Well after having my MK6 GTD for about 3 years, its a record as i like a car, i looked at the price to change and thought naw i aint paying that so i bought a Fiesta st. Great little car but the recaro seats broke my back!
So after 6 weeks enough was enough and i bought a Seat leon fr 150 with tech pack! The car just didn't look fight so stuck on a roof spoiler, yeh it looked better and the seats were comfy...bit like a couch from DFS! 6 months of ownership and still didn't quite like the look of the thing...so i got myself a GTD. Looks brilliant, drives great and very happy....its funny to end up where i should have been in the first place! and i think it would have been cheaper :cry:
And after i wrote this i've just phoned the performance centre and they're going to reset my Bluefin and remap the darn thing tomorrow..now extremely happy :smiley:
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Well after having my MK6 GTD for about 3 years, its a record as i like a car, i looked at the price to change and thought naw i aint paying that so i bought a Fiesta st. Great little car but the recaro seats broke my back!
So after 6 weeks enough was enough and i bought a Seat leon fr 150 with tech pack! The car just didn't look fight so stuck on a roof spoiler, yeh it looked better and the seats were comfy...bit like a couch from DFS! 6 months of ownership and still didn't quite like the look of the thing...so i got myself a GTD. Looks brilliant, drives great and very happy....its funny to end up where i should have been in the first place! and i think it would have been cheaper :cry:
And after i wrote this i've just phoned the performance centre and they're going to reset my Bluefin and remap the darn thing tomorrow..now extremely happy :smiley:
Did your Seat have the LED headlights? If so how do you find them compared to the hid' son the GTD?
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Did your Seat have the LED headlights? If so how do you find them compared to the hid' son the GTD?
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Yeh full led lights. Found them great. Possibly the low beam slightly better than the GTDs and main just the same. Flicking between main and low slower than the shutters. A lot on the Seat forum complain about them in the rain but i couldn't.
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My GTD is a tool... it is a company car, I got it because the emissions are low (109 g/km) which reduces the BIK. I've had Golfs before (A Mk2 GTI 16v and an Edition 30) so I'm no stranger to them.
My GTD has been faultless, it is fast enough when I'm driving for work, it has been economical (averaged more than 47mpg over 37K miles), it is comfortable and handles well enough.
3 of us went away for a lads weekend (to the Andros Trophy) in the Alps above Grenoble... it took three of us and all our luggage and took the trip in its stride...
It is difficult to find much to fault... it is just a bit dull and worthy but that's fine for a work tool...
If I want faster/better handling/more comfort... I have an XKR Convertible for that...
I could have had a GTI or an R but neither fitted the bill in terms of the low emissions...
So, the GTD, a fine car... will I have another... no because if it is a company car I can find cars, now, with better performance and lower BIK (Merc C350e Estate possibly) and if not a company car... I won't care too much about the emissions and head for a 340i M-Sport Touring...
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I'm a big fan of the GTD, and was a big fan of the mk6 GTD and yet I owned neither!
I've spent a reasonable amount of time in GTD's as a friend of mine hires them from time to time and he will always bring it round for me to have a drive in. I've tried both manual and DSG and don't have any particular preference, the manual is more involving and I love the way you can use the torque to slingshot out of corners and the DSG suits the narrow power band but hides the torque kick. The DSG launch control actually makes it seem a lot quicker than the figures suggest but I guess that's because you're just a passenger really.
If I had a company car allowance the GTD would be top of my list. However, here's the thing - I'd quite happily buy one as a private purchaser too as the power delivery suits modern traffic conditions and with the extra fuel range it's less time stood shivering on a garage forecourt and at current prices must be significantly cheaper to run than a GTI.
When I saw the first pics of the ClubSport and immediately hated the front bumper on it then it was the GTD that seemed it would be the more likely successor to my GTI when it hit three years old. Obviously a tuning box and pedal box would have been immediately added and if the Bridgestone tramping got to me then a new set of tyres would quickly be fitted...
Due to an unexpected and unplanned purchase of an R you'd have thought that the lure of a GTD would have long since vanished from my radar but...
... well lets just say if my R wasn't technically an outright purchase and I was in a PCP situation then the Inchcape email I just received showing £2500 contribution plus other discounts from dealers would sway me towards a GTD (with tuning box) over the R with no hesitation!
Am I mad? Well yes, certifiably.
But I will add that yesterday coming off a roundabout in the R there was a Royal Mail Fiat Doblo in front of me. Lets just say that the traffic was quite heavy so I didn't want to drive like an arse but by the time we got to the next roundabout the Doblo was quite a distance in front of me!!! :laugh:
The driver gave me the thumbs up and a big smile.
Diesel torque isn't to be sniffed at if you're not drag racing.
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I'm a big fan of the GTD, and was a big fan of the mk6 GTD and yet I owned neither!
I've spent a reasonable amount of time in GTD's as a friend of mine hires them from time to time and he will always bring it round for me to have a drive in.
I think having a car from time to time is totally different from having it permanently. Its a bit like having a car that has its faults then in a few years time after selling it, your brain tricks you into thinking it was a great car and you wish you had it back again :grin:
I had an Up for a few days when my car was having some warranty work done. Great wee car that I really enjoyed. There was something about revving the nuts off it to keep up with traffic that I really enjoyed. But I certainly couldn't have it as a daily.
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I'm a big fan of the GTD, and was a big fan of the mk6 GTD and yet I owned neither!
I've spent a reasonable amount of time in GTD's as a friend of mine hires them from time to time and he will always bring it round for me to have a drive in.
I think having a car from time to time is totally different from having it permanently. Its a bit like having a car that has its faults then in a few years time after selling it, your brain tricks you into thinking it was a great car and you wish you had it back again :grin:
I had an Up for a few days when my car was having some warranty work done. Great wee car that I really enjoyed. There was something about revving the nuts off it to keep up with traffic that I really enjoyed. But I certainly couldn't have it as a daily.
I drove an up once as well and loved it. It is a pity they never made a GTi like they did with the Lupo. My friends wife had one an it was a cracking car.
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My OH has a Lupo, just a basic 1.0 which we've had for nearly 13 years so I've driven it a fair bit. It's a good little car, very reliable but slow. Problem now though is the light controls on my GTI make the Lupo feel really dated. The brakes are awful, the clutch heavy and I'm pretty sure the accelerator pedal is broken :grin: I'm trying to persuade her to change to an Up, even if it's just for the safety but she's happy with her Lupo. Financially it doesn't make sense to change but I'd be happier with her driving in traffic in something that'll stop when you really need it to.
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actually the up's a really nice city car.
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I'd have loved an Up! GT(I)
A 1.0 turbo engine with just over 100 bhp and 140-150 lb ft remapped to about 120 bhp would be my ideal car.
Cheapish to buy and run and depreciation nowhere near the ridiculous levels newer Golfs (and their immediate rivals) are now suffering.
Perfect for a private buyer like me and perfect for the sort of roads near me.
Then I'd just hire something bigger if I needed to a couple times a year.
Do any manufacturers make something similar (sub Polo size but still seat four people and quickish)?
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I'd have loved an Up! GT(I)
A 1.0 turbo engine with just over 100 bhp and 140-150 lb ft remapped to about 120 bhp would be my ideal car.
Cheapish to buy and run and depreciation nowhere near the ridiculous levels newer Golfs (and their immediate rivals) are now suffering.
Perfect for a private buyer like me and perfect for the sort of roads near me.
Then I'd just hire something bigger if I needed to a couple times a year.
Do any manufacturers make something similar (sub Polo size but still seat four people and quickish)?
How about an Abarth 595 Competizione with 180bhp easily tuned to over 200bhp. I just had a quick look and £22,600 for the spec I would pick.
http://www.abarthcarconfigurator.com/en_UK/500/default.aspx?eqpm=003
Sorry for going off topic.
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Fiat 500, very girly looking car, couldn't do it. Lupo GTI was a great little car, not sure why VW haven't had a hot Fox or Up! since, everyone else is doing it.
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How about an Abarth 595 Competizione with 180bhp easily tuned to over 200bhp. I just had a quick look and £22,600 for the spec I would pick.
That's a lot of money for an itty bitty car tho'.
I also like the up! I had one for a couple of days and it reminded my of being a teenager again. Flat out everwhere, extremely agile and very capable on quick forestry roads. £5000 would buy a nice used one that would carry out most motoring duties very well and you wouldn't have to worry about where you left it.
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Fiat 500, very girly looking car, couldn't do it. Lupo GTI was a great little car, not sure why VW haven't had a hot Fox or Up! since, everyone else is doing it.
Fiat(Fix It Again Tomorrow) 500 is girly looking but the Abarth 500 I think looks mean. You can actually spec one to over £50k
Back on track, does anyone know if the hatch Golf uses the same suspension and anti rollbars as the estate Golf?
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Fiat 500, very girly looking car, couldn't do it. Lupo GTI was a great little car, not sure why VW haven't had a hot Fox or Up! since, everyone else is doing it.
Fiat(Fix It Again Tomorrow) 500 is girly looking but the Abarth 500 I think looks mean. You can actually spec one to over £50k
Back on track, does anyone know if the hatch Golf uses the same suspension and anti rollbars as the estate Golf?
Depends on the Estate model, the GTD one has the same multi-link rear sports suspension as the GTD hatch.
Some Estate models still have the torsion beam rear suspension.
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Fiat 500, very girly looking car, couldn't do it. Lupo GTI was a great little car, not sure why VW haven't had a hot Fox or Up! since, everyone else is doing it.
Fiat(Fix It Again Tomorrow) 500 is girly looking but the Abarth 500 I think looks mean. You can actually spec one to over £50k
Back on track, does anyone know if the hatch Golf uses the same suspension and anti rollbars as the estate Golf?
Depends on the Estate model, the GTD one has the same multi-link rear sports suspension as the GTD hatch.
Some Estate models still have the torsion beam rear suspension.
Thanks for that, yes it is the GTD I'm getting.
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I really like the look of the Polo GTI.
Just a bit expensive but all the Polos I've hired on holiday have been brilliant little cars.
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I really like the look of the Polo GTI.
Just a bit expensive but all the Polos I've hired on holiday have been brilliant little cars.
^+1 for liking the Polo GTI. I test drove one recently and really enjoyed it.
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I love my GTD. Obviously the looks are pretty much the same on all the Mk7s, and if pushed I'd probably prefer the GTI dual exit exhaust but love the grey interior tartan more than the GTI red.
Performance is where this car has me grinning. In term of speed and economy. I've got mine running a DTUK box and honestly its transformed the car and even when pushing hard I still get 45-50mpg on a long run. Economy is obviously tragic on a short run but I imagine most modern diesels with DPFs are.
If I were to purchase again, I'd definitely go with the Sport and Sound pack, go for the upgraded Nav and would love key less in spite of the security risks. I'd probably go for smaller wheels too as the tyre prices for 19s are eye watering in comparison to 18s.
Love the car though and think I'll keep it for a long time.
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I like the Polo GTI and specced one up for my Mrs but it has nothing in it as standard. By the time you had various options you are into Golf territory that comes with those options as standard and is roomier inside.
I also had a quick look at the Fiat 500. Great wee looking car but boy oh boy it is so girly. I just couldn't have one one.
@KyleB what are the security risks with keyless? I've seen it mentioned a few times on here and seen articles of BMW's being targeted but never seen anything about VW.
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After I moved house and eventually got the garage cleared enough to park the car in it I realised that my GTI only had about 1.5 cm either side of the mirrors to fit through the aperture. Best pleased I was not.
I did look at the revised 1.8TSI GTI Polo as a possible solution by speccing one with folding mirrors, and it being a bit narrower than a Golf on paper it did make a good case for itself but, as Steve says, by the time you've added a few extras the price starts shooting up and it's never going to hold the value of added options that would make it as dear on the second hand market as a Golf.
Anyway, I've now mastered reversing into my garage in a Golf with the mirrors not folded in even at 4am - it helps having non painted mirrors that can take a gentle kiss from a garage door surround without getting marked on the odd occasion I misjudge my 1.5cm!
Thankfully having the shorter doors of a five door now rather than the much sexier 3 door GTI I can also get out of the door without my back making a lot of strange and unnatural sounding noises. I was never much of a gymnast when I was six never mind forty six and rapidly counting!!
I'm not really adventurous enough to buy a Fiat 500 Abarth but they do look cool.
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One more GTDer reporting in.
Some of you may have seen my recent thread where I was thinking of switching to a GTI from the GTD. My mileage has reduced and with the new contributions the GTI could have been cheaper, and would have been a fun change - I really enjoyed driving one. One thing led to another and I started considering spending more on a car, and test drove an R, a Jag XE S V6, and hunted for a BMW 340i.
In the end I couldn't stomach paying off my negative equity (thanks VW), when I could keep the car and no doubt see the equity improve.
However, aside from the financials the real realisation for me was leaving the Jaguar garage after having a hoot in the Supercharged 3 litre XE. The salesperson had given us the keys for an hour, and it was an awesome engine to put through it's paces.
But when we came to leave, and we slunk back into the GTD - I gave it some welly round the nearby roundabouts and dual carriage way - with sport mode on - and we just burst out laughing. This little diesel Golf is not only an animal when you want it to be, but it has so many other things going for it as said so well already in this thread.
I was lucky to be ordering my GTD around the time the first Sport and Sound packs were arriving in the UK, so despite dealers still telling me the wrong info I took the plunge and boy I'm glad I did. 4 New Tyres + Sport and sound + a DTUK box + DCC + and for me a manual, makes for a very sporty drive.
And then conversely, on a drive back from the welsh coast on twisty A-roads last weekend, driving in comfort and staying in 3rd and 4th gear - the car just so effortlessly plants power and grip.... it still brings me great driving enjoyment.
I also still think it's one of the best looking cars around, I can't think of a car I prefer the look of (at this level :))
Although I'm sure the new car temptations may raise their head again at some point, I won't be entirely surprised if I get to 4 years ownership and the car is still sitting outside. Not in a Stephen King fashion, I hope.
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Nice little report and spot on.
I've said it before, if I did anywhere close to 10,000 miles a year, I would have ordered a GTD instead of a GTI.
I've driven diesels for years and love the way they drive and the GTD is certainly a looker.
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Indeed, great summary ffrank and like kalimon I can't think of a better everyday car for someone who does average miles than a GTD in that spec: S&S, DTUK and decent tyres.
Looks.
Performance.
Dare I say value?
And running costs.
I do a lot of short journeys which stops the GTD from hitting a nailed on top spot in my car shortlist.
For the many of you on here who were early GTD adopters coming up to the end of your three years this summer and autumn with the low monthlies and therefore high GFV, where do you go from here to find a car as good with similar running costs that isn't a BMW barge?
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That's what I forgot to mention, the short journeys, of which I do many.
That more than anything is what unfortunately rules out the GTD for me.