Buying a Golf! need advice

[buckpalace]

Hello lovely people

I'm looking to buy my first car and have been thinking about the Golf. I've been doing research for about a week and finally found one that I think is a 'good deal'. Can some of you more experienced and knowledgeable members help?

Volkswagen Golf 2.0 Tdi Se (140) 5dr
Fuel Type - Diesel
Body Colour-  Black
Transmission - Manual
Engine Size - 1968 cc
Mileage - 29K
Registration - Jan - 2010
Insurance Grp - 24
CO2 Emission - 126
CO2 Band - D
Alloy Wheels   
CD Player 
Air Conditioning 
Leather Interior 
Satellite Navigation

For £11,395.

I ideally wanted a GTD/GTI model but they seem to be out of my budget (which is 12k). Is TDI SE a good choice for the price above? my requirements:

- Decent amount of Horsepower/performance
- Low mileage
- Reliable and will last me up to 5 years
- Will not depreciate too much.

Thanks

[SoundillusioN]

First car... First things first, have you checked what the insurance would be?

[madmanmart]

Alot to spend considering you will no doubt bump it and damage it being a first car....

[golfyste]

Don't spend that much on your first car.
I'm not saying your gonna crash form not being a good driver but the chance of having a bump is higher and you may be the best driver in the world but without experience on the road you can predict what other idiots are going to do.

I'm lucky enough to have never had a bump but I hve had close calls because of other people pulling out on me etc but you can ony learn from them gongs when tey happen to your
So just in case I would buy something cheap an cheerful just incase anything happens 

[buckpalace]

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful responses.

I should have been clearer - this will be my first own car but i am not a new driver. I've had my license for over 3 years but as i live in the city i've never made the leap. I work full time so i can afford a car - but need some advice on when a deals good or not. I'm a pretty good driver and am comfortable with getting a decent car as my first. I socialise quite a bit with clients so don't want to drive up in a banger if you know what i mean.

[Seanl]

If you look a bit further from London, my guess would be that you could get one far cheaper. This extra "saving" can be put toward a simple remap, which will put you into the territory with regard to power, as the GTD anyway, without insurance raping you!

[Mr GTD]

GTD if your willing to travel and manage to get a good discount.....

[Mr GTD]

Or GTD £12500

[Jimble]

I don't think the cost of insurance is much of a concern looking at his user name..

[Mr GTD]

I don't think the cost of insurance is much of a concern looking at his user name..