Emperor's new clothes?

[orca]

Try to go for a test drive on the type of roads you normally drive on.  If you commute to work every day and that is your main driving, then try to get a test drive at the same time as you would commute or similar.

As you are not sure what to get then I'd recommend you go for the safe option and get a manual.  Both manual and DSG cars are fab and I'd doubt you'd regret getting one over the other.  I've certainly never regretted getting a DSG.  As I am a gadget freak I just wanted some new gizmo to play with.

If you want to drive a car as is without any aids, then look for a car with no power steering, ESP, traction control ABS etc.  That would be a purists car but I don't think you'd be able to get one.

[JJH]

^ironic to say but a Golf GTI MK1 would do the job

[Egbutt Wash]

Manuals are now reserved for poor people with poor little cars like Kias and Protons.
The world has moved on, only grannies drive manuals these days.

[R32UK]

dsg is better than a std auto. as thats what it replaces.

no one will blame you for getting dsg as alot of it depends on your use of the car. I fortunately dont have to sit in much traffic so went for the manual. Did then consider dsg for the mk6 but after spending a few weeks with dsg i couldnt live with its inconsistency. etto

[James Gould]

Thanks  -  I don't sit in traffic much  -  kids to school and short 'traffic-less' to and from journeys to work  -  if drive during work hours, no traffic  -  dual carriageway or suburban driving  -  that kind of driving should push me towards manual and, I guess, also away from ACC. I enjoy driving but wouldn't just go out for a drive on country roads for the thrill of it.

[dubber36]

It will be a DSG for me, as having had one for a few days I really cant see the point in changing gear manually when the DSG is so good.

90% of the time it was in D, and that was including some fastish rural A and B road driving. I dare say it would fall short of absolute driver involvement at anything more than 8/10's, but how often do we get to drive like that.

I am lucky enough to have a Mk2 16V when I need to get my kicks, but for the daily slog, a DSG will do me just fine.

[James Gould]

thnx but I don't have a daily slog so you and I have different driving experiences...thanks, anyway

[keelaw]

james - i suggest you get a manual, 5 door, no ACC, with RCD 510 but without the Dynaudio.  Add Parking sensors front and back since these add value and also the camera as it is genuinely useful - both will help you sell on later down the line.  Get carbon grey since its less common than black, looks mean and doesn't appear dirty too quickly. 18 inch shadows are a must as well for feel good factor.  bluetooth is essential for safety: VW kit if you have a nokia rsap phone, fiscon if you haven't.  stick with cloth as it is nostalgic and avoids expensive leather the saving from which means you can get the xenons!

i love spending other people's money.   

[James Gould]

Great help, Keelaw  -  thnx!

Manual  -  makes sense

RCD 510  -  for sure but why not Dynaudio  -  I've read that for the relatively small amount of money, it is worth it  -  makes quite a difference

Parking sensors  -  for sure  -  camera pointless for me

carbon grey  - yes!

18'' Monza Shadows  -  for sure

Blue tooth  -  you say VW kit if Nokia rsap phone  -  fiscon if something else  -  what is fiscon? I've got an iphone.
almost £400 for the blue tooth/phone prep  -  cheaper equipment from Carfone Warehouse??

Cloth  -  I'm pretty well decided on that  -  I think the kids, their school/sports bags etc may well scratch/rip the leather  -  I hardly ever clean my car so the idea of conditioning and treating the leather...it's not me

Xenons  -  I don't understand what the big deal is with Xenons  - 

Sat Nav is ridiculously expensive  -  I believe I can get it on the iphone for 50 quid.

I'll have to get the winter pack  -  the family (not me) loves heated seats.

Thanks, again

J

[James Gould]

By the way, Keelaw, 5-door  -  it's certainly more practical for me but don't you think the 3-door looks better  -  have you got the seat belt warning system and rear side air bags (only available in the 5-door)?

J