The competition hots up

[andykram]

I've opened a right can of worms here.

I must say I agree with both sides here. I've been critical of various aspects of Golf ownership but I have had 2 Mk2s, 1 Mk3, 2 Mk4s and a Mk6 so it's going to take a good all round package to make me go elsewhere. But I do fear for my time with VW and the Mk7. It's likely to be approaching £30k and that's simply too much for a Golf and I can't afford it anyway. As I've said before, that's the time when VW's bubble will burst cos people genuinely will stop buying them.

By the way my Mk2 comes home tomorrow after a suspension refit and other bits and bobs. I can't wait - this weekend looks like a trip into the Dales to chuck it around a few bends. Still a brilliant, brilliant car even with a measly 139bhp!!!

[pottinger]

My car was bought brand new so no need to get it checked. I've driven a few golfs and they're all the same.

I hated the gear change from day 1. Within a week or two I fitted a S3 shifter arm and torque arm bushing which improved things.

The brakes are safe enough but lack feel and progression of a proper set up found on meganes and clios mini cooper s etc etc. On cars with good brakes the middle peddle is a pleasure to use but unfortunately on the golf it doesn't inspire confidence or feel particularly nice.

Didn't this all show up on a test drive ? Don't see why you didn't buy the megane, Clio or cooper S instead or am I missing something I wouldn't buy something I didnt like in the first place.
 

[mkviken]

I didn't say I didnt like it. I think overall it's a great package but people who think VW are built like tanks and are the last word in reliability are kidding themselves on.

I sold a Clio just before buying the golf and if I'm honest regret selling it. Should have kept it for trackdays.

The reason I didn't buy another clio or megane or my first choice of a focus RS is we needed a 5 door for our baby and my wife hated the ultimate green. Only new RS i could find left were ultimate green. so the golf was the best compromise and ingot a good deal

[mkviken]

Also the mini JCW was high up on my list but no dealers Within 100 miles even had a demo so I wasn't prepared to buy a car without driving one and again they're 3 door and too small for a push chair.


So I needed a 5door hot hatch so it doesn't leave much choice and the GTI is by far the best overall compromise like I said.

[Snoopy]

First of all this is not a direct reply to Ken just to clear that up its just something i think in general.
Unlike others I don't look on the GTI as the last word in hothatch. SEAT take it one step up from the golf that's why there the sport brand and the cupra has more power, bigger brakes, and stiffer chassis and suspension. Its been that way for years now. When i was younger i bought the SEAT GTIs/Cupras as they were more focused than the VW GTIs but still good as a commuter mule. (less compromised than the Renault or PSA cars).
The GTI is not a hot hatch like a lot of the others its not a RS(rally sport) its more a sporty hatch thats more grant touring type, that's what the GTI always was from day one that's why cars like the mk2 escort RS2000, The Vauxhal chevette HS, Talbot Sunbeam Ti etc existed much more hard core and driver focused than the GTI ever was.
I would not buy a GTI if I had criteria some do on here (not singling anyone out here)  but I often watch some of the mods done to GTIs on here and other forums and just think you have.the.wrong.car to start with but that's just my opinion after owning GTI's for over 22 years and some other more focused cars as well in that time.

[carl1]

I don't think Vw's have ever been that much more reliable than their rivals, sure all cars have always had their common flaults but pre mid 90's a cars biggest enemy was rust.  80's Vw's didn't rot like the rest, so with a better interior it helped make Vw top of its class and it still is imo.

[pottinger]

First of all this is not a direct reply to Ken just to clear that up its just something i think in general.
Unlike others I don't look on the GTI as the last word in hothatch. SEAT take it one step up from the golf that's why there the sport brand and the cupra has more power, bigger brakes, and stiffer chassis and suspension. Its been that way for years now. When i was younger i bought the SEAT GTIs/Cupras as they were more focused than the VW GTIs but still good as a commuter mule. (less compromised than the Renault or PSA cars).
The GTI is not a hot hatch like a lot of the others its not a RS(rally sport) its more a sporty hatch thats more grant touring type, that's what the GTI always was from day one that's why cars like the mk2 escort RS2000, The Vauxhal chevette HS, Talbot Sunbeam Ti etc existed much more hard core and driver focused than the GTI ever was.
I would not buy a GTI if I had criteria some do on here (not singling anyone out here)  but I often watch some of the mods done to GTIs on here and other forums and just think you have.the.wrong.car to start with but that's just my opinion after owning GTI's for over 22 years and some other more focused cars as well in that time.

+1
some self answering posts above me thinks, the amount of times you hear, the competition doesnt offer a 5 door, it doesnt offer an auto/DSG, there isnt a dealer within 100 miles etc etc...... I do not beleive the Golf is the best car ever, far from it, just offers a huge amount of pleasure without too much of a compromise.
potts

[I.D.C.]

Snoopy has it bang on good post.

On the subject of reliability of course anyone can end up with a ‘bad car’ unfortunately.
However it also comes down to how you look after your car and in the manner in which you drive.  Take a look at Skoda which always seems to be at the top for reliability. Skoda use the same running gear as all VW group cars so ask yourself why it’s so reliable ?
Is it the way their owners drive their cars. Who knows?
Touch wood ( my head ) I have been lucky not to have had problems with VW in 30 years. Then again I don’t keep them longer than three years from new.

Was reading ‘Car Magazine’ who were doing a road test with the Scirocco R and Megane Cupa ( is that what it’s called ?) the tester got locked out the Renault with the engine running in the middle of the Welsh Mountain region . That is your worst nightmare come true.

[PenguinGTI]

Megane Cup.

Or Seat Cupra.

But not Megane Cupa 

[gizzywizzy]

Renault cars are really naff inside with extremely cheap plastics.