Hmmm... What car to choose...

[Phil 117]

So, if any of you keep up to date with what I'm doing, I have recently sold my GTD to make way for a company car. I've been given en ex employers Passat. Quite nice, 177 DSG; big nav, leather, a fair few toys. I've been rolling around in it for just over 1 month, and do actually really like it. Different drive to the GTD, can't tell if it's good or bad different. It just feel more planted on the road, but not the same fun. I don't need the space either as it's only two of us and a little dog.

So had a meal with my boss this evening with both our partners. Anyway, during conversation over dinner, we were talking about cars as he is replacing his Audi. He's gone for a Q5.

I was asking about my Passat, and saying would I get to choose my own car or have I got to keep this guys for the next couple of years. Anyway, he has said we will make it a pool car for all employers who don't have company cars to save on the enterprise bill. I've been told to pick what I want, with a decent budget of £30k. Got to be Audi or Volkswagen. Decided Volkswagen as despite my problems, I love them to bits.

Now I was a bit rash before when I bought my car, and wanted something now so bought a demo. Not an option this time, so just need to pick the right thing. Speaking from above, I'm mixed on to go for a Passat, or another Golf. Passat will be old as new model is out next year, so more tempted to go for a Golf, I will go for a Petrol as I get free fuel and would have been my preference. Don't care about BIK; prefer to pay through the nose for something I like. Playing on Volkswagen's Configurator for prices, narrowed it down to 4 options. I just don't know what I want. No real requirements bar Sat Nav. Not sure to go for manual or DSG. Had DSG in Golf and this Passat and do enjoy it for when I do get stuck in town or on the motorway; but this is less than 10% of driving. Kind of found the GTD DSG a bit boring...

Which of these would you choose, or any other suggestions. Want to order by the end of the week. I've been told lead times are 9 weeks for Passat/Manual GTI, 12 weeks GTI DSG, 15 weeks GTD. Priced up my options, all around budget; if it's more, hopefully I can pay the difference.

Option 1: Passat Estate Executive Style; 177 DSG. Night Blue Metallic, Ivory Leather (well specced car so no options needed) -  £29,845

Option 2: Golf GTI PP, 3 door Manual. Pure White, Pro Nav, Winter Pack, Dynaudio - £30,240

Option 3: Golf GTI PP, 3 door DSG, Pure White, Standard Nav, Winter Pack, - £30,105

Option 4: Golf GTI, 3 door manual. Pure White, Pro Nav, Winter Pack, Dynaudio, Pan Roof - £30,165

Option 5: Golf R, 3 door Manual, no options, Pure White. Would have to use a Tom Tom. Not to sure if I want outright performance over options. - £30,115


I'm a bloody nightmare with my cars. I'm too used to having a new car every 3 months I keep getting itchy feet 

[Maka344]

Nice situation to be in, what do you do for a living by the way?

For me, the built in sat nav in my GTI is pants, next time I will buy a TomTom as they are far superior, offer camera alerts and displays speed.

In terms of your options, i'd go:

GTI
Audio - Keep you company
Keyless - Love that button
Leather - Smells and looks beautiful
DSG - Will never go back
High beam - useful and cheap
Pono Roof - Looks stunning on white or red

Or a base R

[Darlo]

If it was me I would go for golf R. The golfs come well specced as standard so I don't think you would be disappointed. Mine is a bog standard gti (apart from paint) and I am more than happy with it.

Although I would be tempted to go for the bigger alloys on the R just for the look.

[CraigW]

How about none of the above. I'd be waiting and going for the new TT but that's just me. Might be controversial on a VW forum but if you get bored that quickly then stepping into another golf ain't going to help. Not a fan of the Passat, too big and no style.

Nice position to be in, you seem to have a very accommodating boss

[Maka344]

Go base R with a TomTom, stunning spec and you won't be disappointed.

What issues did you have with your demo car?

My old GT TDI 2011 was a demo car and in 8 months, the following went wrong:

Clutch/Flywheel - 2 weeks after purchase
Two air con units - replaced, re-gassed, with dryer/receivers, system re-gassed a third time
Gearbox bearing - New gearbox
Head unit needed replacing

I'll never buy a demo ever again, no matter how cheap it is.

[Phil 117]

Go base R with a TomTom, stunning spec and you won't be disappointed.

What issues did you have with your demo car?

My old GT TDI 2011 was a demo car and in 8 months, the following went wrong:

Clutch/Flywheel - 2 weeks after purchase
Two air con units - replaced, re-gassed, with dryer/receivers, system re-gassed a third time
Gearbox bearing - New gearbox
Head unit needed replacing

I'll never buy a demo ever again, no matter how cheap it is.

It wasn't the demo so much. Just happened to be a bit dodgy and has had lots of warranty work. Plus it got hit by another driver. Everything just went wrong.

[Phil 117]

How about none of the above. I'd be waiting and going for the new TT but that's just me. Might be controversial on a VW forum but if you get bored that quickly then stepping into another golf ain't going to help. Not a fan of the Passat, too big and no style.

Nice position to be in, you seem to have a very accommodating boss

They do look nice to be fair. I was hoping the updated Scirocco would be the same as the TT; not just a facelift. I think it may be to expensive though to be honest.


But it's a Passat Style; Executive Style 

He is to be fair. He has said many times when it comes to expenses and bits like that; his boss told him when he first started ages ago, it's not his personal money; it's the companies. If the company are happy to pay for it, let them.

[CraigW]

How about none of the above. I'd be waiting and going for the new TT but that's just me. Might be controversial on a VW forum but if you get bored that quickly then stepping into another golf ain't going to help. Not a fan of the Passat, too big and no style.

Nice position to be in, you seem to have a very accommodating boss

They do look nice to be fair. I was hoping the updated Scirocco would be the same as the TT; not just a facelift. I think it may be to expensive though to be honest.


But it's a Passat Style; Executive Style 

He is to be fair. He has said many times when it comes to expenses and bits like that; his boss told him when he first started ages ago, it's not his personal money; it's the companies. If the company are happy to pay for it, let them.

Is the previous boss now an MP by any chance?

[monkeyhanger]

Go base R with a TomTom, stunning spec and you won't be disappointed.

What issues did you have with your demo car?

My old GT TDI 2011 was a demo car and in 8 months, the following went wrong:

Clutch/Flywheel - 2 weeks after purchase
Two air con units - replaced, re-gassed, with dryer/receivers, system re-gassed a third time
Gearbox bearing - New gearbox
Head unit needed replacing

I'll never buy a demo ever again, no matter how cheap it is.

I do sometimes wonder whether a demo like the one you describe, could have been a customer rejected car with a multitude of issues that the dealership has ended up keeping. One of those "Friday afternoon cars".

As for the OP's dilemma, I think he'll be least bored by a base R. Toys are just toys at the end of the day but a power improvement will enhance the drive no end. Xenons, auto-dimming rear view mirror, rain sensors, an adequate stereo system with storage device connection and some parking sensors are all the toys I need and the base model comes with all of those. My next car is probably going to be a MK3 TT (or maybe a used Porche Cayman), so I can fully see where CraigW is coming from there - although you probably won't see a MK3 TT on UK roads until the end of the year (can the OP wait that long?)

[Rossc0]

Are they all RRP, you cannot haggle with company cars?

Sorry I've no idea, never been in that position. But a golf R with DSG and a few options can be had for a lot less than £30k