GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: coffeecup on 24 January 2022, 10:48
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Hi, I'm new.
We are going to test drive a 2020 GTE soon, as we are undecided what to get, a GTI or GTE. My son has a GTI so know all about them, what do you lot think? Both seem nearly as fast, but GTE has far better MPG, but that is not the main reason for us.
mike
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It terms of equipment and looks, they are pretty similar - as is the GTD.
From what I have read though the GTE doesn't handle like a GTI or even a GTD.
If you want cheapness to run, its the cheapest in terms of fuel use though. Although probably the 1.5 mild hybrid is cheaper still.
You do know that if you are ordering a factory build you won't see it for 12+ months don't you? It will be well into 2023 before you get it...
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I had a 7.5 GTE before my GTi Clubsport and even allowing for the substantial power upgrade I would say they are two different animals. My GTE was much cheaper to run as my commute was about 12 miles each way and I could do that on an overnight charge. It meant I topped up the 40 litres tank once a month at most. It felt quick enough around town, but the weight was noticeable when cornering and I wasn't inclined to get anywhere near the limit, which I suspect would have been close or even exceeded if I cornered like I do in the GTi. I would add that the GTi is nowhere near the limit at those cornering speeds and just feels a lot more alive.
It depends what you want, how you want to drive and what kind of journeys you intend to make.
GTE for cheaper, town driving and fast but sensible commuting. GTi for more expensive motoring and longer distances with fun and agility.
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GTI
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GTI all the way GTE is a terrible choice you might as well go full EV if you want to save on running costs….
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Hi, I'm new.
We are going to test drive a 2020 GTE soon, as we are undecided what to get, a GTI or GTE. My son has a GTI so know all about them, what do you lot think? Both seem nearly as fast, but GTE has far better MPG, but that is not the main reason for us.
mike
a
Why not take a test drive of the GTE and Then try your son GTi at same time to compare.
Most of the people that got GTE instead of GTi due to the government grant in Germany that I know all complain of disappointment as it didn’t meet there expectations.
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Get an ID3 life pro performance on lease instead :wink:
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Get an ID3 life pro performance on lease instead :wink:
An ID3 would be my only choice if a GTE was entering the thought process. They drive well and are quick.
Though petrols will be phased out so my choice would ultimately be GTI whilst we still can!
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Welcome coffeecup Mike,
It would be helpful to know what you want from the car, the type of driving you do and what your car background is.
Off the cuff and if you’re in receipt of company car benefits (and have somewhere to charge it off-road) then I’d say an ID.3 in preference to a GTE so long as you can get used to the brakes and interior (1990’s Citroen Picssso cross bred with a VW Caddy inside).
If not then get a late model mk7(.5) GTI.
Or if buying new then it depends on what you can actually get your hands on in an acceptable amount of time.
No harm in trying out the GTE and deciding if it’s the right fit for you.
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1990s citroen picasso? I might be interested.
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You need help! :grin:
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1990s citroen picasso? I might be interested.
I think Exonian's main point with the Picasso comments is the lack of sports seats (The ID3 isn't masquerading as a hot hatch, unlike the Cupra Born which has them), and the small drivers console screen.(a BEV.doesn't need a rev counter, oil/water temp gauge or gear selection indicator, so literally just gives speed, ACC/lane assist graphical display and level of charge, with directional indications when using satnav).- the main advantage being that you don't get the "eyes" of the clown face look on the steering wheel. Apart from the snazzy ambient lighting, the interior isn't showy but is incredibly spacious (more roomy than my A4). The "minimalist" interior has really grown on me, (as someone that has had 7 VW hot hatches in a row and is used to having sports seats). You don't see what the seats look like when they're being sat on.
I agree about the GTE being pointless - buy a GTI/GTD/R or buy an ID3. If you buy a GTE, you're either lugging an engine you're not using or lugging a motor and battery array you're not using. Either way it's inefficient and (relatively) slow.
The ID3 is also a heavy lump, but designed to be. I had a courtesy e-Golf for a few days and it was absolutely sh!te- the Golf chassis seemed lil equipped to cope with the extra weight, had the worst tramping I've ever experienced. The RWD of the ID3 gives no tramping.
I think the window of opportunity to get an ID3 cheap has gone now - the grant has reduced to £1500 on cars under £32k and VW have removed the deposit contribution,
If I were to buy my "£36k".ID3 Family (that I paid £28250 for) right now, I'd be lucky to pay less that £34k for it right now.
I do love running costs of 1.5 -2p a mile to have a car as fast as a GTD.
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We are lucky enough to have ordered some before the grant cut off that makes them very good value compared to what it is now if you were to order one :wink:
Life pro performance no hope of and ID3 family now till early next year….
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Oh , I thought he meant flimsy french and interesting- rather than crap seats!
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Monkeyhanger is pretty much there.
If you’ve ever sat in a Picasso of a certain vintage you’ll see the connection with an ID.3 inside.
I had the dubious joy of having one hired for me to go on a course at work many years ago. Both were disappointing experiences, vehicle and course.
The whole feel is similar, the screen way out in front, the extra windows in front of the doors, the tall and roomy cabin feeling very airy but devoid of any sportiness.
And yes, the van like seats, the minimalistic binnacle, the tall doors and more besides.
I wouldn’t ever describe the Picasso as interesting. It drove dreadfully and looked very bland. The ID.3 at least drives well and looks… err… ok.
The Xsara Picasso had the most over servoed brakes and the ID.3 has scarily vague anchors. Both demerits for me.
But anyway, it’s the ID.3 cabin that reminds me of a Xsara Picasso that has VW Commercial grade plastics and armrests. Hopefully the Born fares better, I look forward to seeing one in the flesh.
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I certainly wouldn't buy an ID3 at the moment without looking at the Cupra Born first. Neither are really hot hatches, but the Born looks like a much better stab at one. The interior also looks more appealing (to me anyway) in the Born.
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I'll wholeheartedly agree about the Ryanair armrests, they look sh!te and having an armrest thinner than your arm is pointless - you'd have to hold onto it to stop your arm slipping off. Mine are permanently folded up. If there was an OEM solution to cap off the attachment and remove them, I would. Why they didn't put a Golf style wide pad type of armrest between 2 seats is beyond me.
Commercial grade plastics is a bit harsh- the dash plastics are every but as plush and squishy as the Golf's. The door cars are harder than the Golf's top bits and better than the Golf's lower bits. They do seem to have mastered the matt look (rather than shiny) on those slightly harder plastics, so they look softer than they feel. The biggest criticism of the door cards for is that without some decorative inserts, they look a bit plain. There's a lot of hard and shiny "commercial grade" plastics in the Golf, VW just kept ir out of the obvious eyeline (lower dash and lower door cards, in the boot etc.
It's probably best to think of the ID3 as an electric Golf Plus equivalent. Right now there's no way of getting away from the fact that purpose designed EVs are sitting on a 20cm high stack of batteries.
Until batteries get smaller and lighter, with better energy density, it's going to be hard to put together a truly light, nimble and low EV hot hatch. The Mini puts ina decent effort, but has no regen (hence the brakes feeling "normal" and a woeful range.
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I certainly wouldn't buy an ID3 at the moment without looking at the Cupra Born first. Neither are really hot hatches, but the Born looks like a much better stab at one. The interior also looks more appealing (to me anyway) in the Born.
The Born still hasn't landed yet (I think VW are keeping all the chips they can for the already released ID3/ID4/Enyaq.
The Born looks like an ID3 with a Halfords makeover. Hot hatch sports seats are for hot hatches and neither are. Cupra are chasing Audi money for their brand too - not sure if the brand can hold up decent residuals to justify the extra money, or whether they'll depreciate like a Seat. Never had a Seat as they've always been the expensive option with less accessible discounts and lower residuals.
I'd be loathed to pay out an extra £4-5k to get a Born, which is essentially the same car, but with Sports Seats and a 12" central dash screen instead of a 10" one.
I do think VAG have priced the Cupra brand too high, especially as they sell some of their models with pretty low output engines, making them little more than the "R-line" equivalent trim level of Seat.
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I certainly wouldn't buy an ID3 at the moment without looking at the Cupra Born first. Neither are really hot hatches, but the Born looks like a much better stab at one. The interior also looks more appealing (to me anyway) in the Born.
The Born still hasn't landed yet (I think VW are keeping all the chips they can for the already released ID3/ID4/Enyaq.
The Born looks like an ID3 with a Halfords makeover. Hot hatch sports seats are for hot hatches and neither are. Cupra are chasing Audi money for their brand too - not sure if the brand can hold up decent residuals to justify the extra money, or whether they'll depreciate like a Seat. Never had a Seat as they've always been the expensive option with less accessible discounts and lower residuals.
I'd be loathed to pay out an extra £4-5k to get a Born, which is essentially the same car, but with Sports Seats and a 12" central dash screen instead of a 10" one.
I do think VAG have priced the Cupra brand too high, especially as they sell some of their models with pretty low output engines, making them little more than the "R-line" equivalent trim level of Seat.
I've never had a problem getting money off SEAT, discounts have always been at least the same or more than VW. I can only think dealers around your way are more stingy than in my area. But a quick look on Drive The Deal shows £4k off a boggo spec Leon and only £3k off a boggo spec Golf.
Granted, discounts on the Cupra do seem harder to come by than they are with SEAT and even VW. I do also agree that the price seems high with Cupra, but to be fair they do seem a bit more plush than a SEAT and in some cases more plush than VW.
Residual values matter most if you're buying for cash or PCP and then changing regularly. Take them on PCH or buy and keep for many years and it's less of an issue.
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Pattinsons in Newcastle - very tight. I was considering a Leon Cupra in 2007, until a visit to Pattinsons and the sales guy wanted a commitment to order before he would give me a test drive. If I'd been some spotty 17 year old rolling up in a 15 year old PoS trying my luck to get into a 265ps car for a joy ride with no intention to buy , I could understand the approach, but 32 years old and driving a car with similar RRP? I wasn't taken by the very low rent interior and due to lack of discount (about £500 offered after haggling, a sh!te p/x valuation of my mint 2005 Golf 5 GT TDI140 and surprisingly low GFV, it was significantly dearer on PCP than the Golf GTI or GT TDI170 with higher RRPs.
To date, I'd always preferred VW styling to Seat at every trim level, and with the local dealerships being so mean, I haven't considered a Seat/Cupra since.
Last time I looked, we were considering an Ibiza FR 1.5TSI vs the Polo GTI+ we bought. The Seat dealer couldn't fet any stock due to the WLTP / GPF fiasco, and the rear doors had manually winding windows! Again, not even 4% discount forthcoming.
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Your ID.3 wasn’t exactly locally sourced though MH :evil:
I find there are a few SEAT dealers that do offer decent deals (market normality dependant) but they aren’t chasing the big volume sales like VW dealers. Bristol SEAT are about 100 miles from me and are usually good to barter with.
Now that VW have cheapened their product interior wise they’ve put Skoda and the rebranded relaunched Cupra (as opposed to SEAT which they’ve kept bargain basement) in below Audi.
Cupra have even been allowed to use the 400 PS 5 pot unlike VW which tells a tale.
The Born is definitely improved interior wise over the ID.3, external looks will divide opinion obviously. Having visited ID forums I can’t say the owners/leasers of these are people I can remotely relate to so there are definitely different demographs for electric cars of that size.
Personally I think there are some models of each of the VAG marques I prefer over the others, and that is pretty fluid depending on the generation of car.
However, Cupra have just released ‘indicative’ figures for the Born which I recieved yesterday.
Bear in mind right now an ID.3 Family 204 PS can be had fully insured on a salary sacrifice scheme with £0 upfront for £280 ish a month
(https://i.ibb.co/WWhW8qS/78-D125-EF-3-D38-492-D-9-BCF-59111-B02-E8-C9.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7JfJM87)
upload image (https://imgbb.com/)
So not exactly compelling!
Anyway, what is the best, Golf GTI or GTE? :whistle: