Manual 6 speed or DSG?

[sharman]

Recently test drove a black 05 3door GTI with DSG and 18" Monzas at a dealers. Bargain price at £14K with 42K miles. Told it had scuffed wheels and front bumper, but they'd be repaired along with anything else that needed doing. Loved the car, unsure about the gearbox as never driven one before and seemed a bit daunting on the test drive. Although I only drove it a few miles and it was silky smooth. Unfortunately, the car had a few more scuffs and scrapes than advertised, as well as worn/saggy seat bolsters and on the limit tyres. Dealer claimed the car was advertised wrongly at trade price and then refused to do any repairs. Needless to say, I walked away(rather wait a while for a decent one). Still want one though, but wondered if the DSG is worth the extra cash and rarity over the manual. Any thoughts?

[yerdad]

Buy a DSG! 
I was in the same position as you - never driven an auto and unsure about owning one. The test drive(s) can't do it justice.It could have been an expensive mistake but believe me its good, real good.

The only problem is what do you do with your left foot and arm?

[herbster]

 
Hey am gonna throw my thought in the pot here, I not got a Mk5, but I got an Alhambra with tip-tronic with a 1.8T 20 valve, it is lovely and considering Vag learnt off this box for the DSG its got to be good, very quick at pick up and step down, but I get annoyed as when your coasting at 30mph it likes to knock it down a cog, also it won't go up till the revs hit 2000, ok when your pushing it, but when you just ploding its nice to have a manual so you can change up when you want. But I love being able to do everything driving along with one hand and foot. uel consumption is higher def cause of the weight and due to the car never being in neutral unless you put it there.
Hope this helps

[sharman]

Found it strange to keep my left foot pinned to the floor, also kept lifting off the accelerator when changing gear!!! I'm sure I'd get use to it and it was great to keep your foot down when changing gear. Don't see many for sale with the DSG though.

[PaulGTI]

I am planning to change my GTTDI next year to a used GTI with a DSG box - DSG all the way for me..automatic boxes never bothered me too much as my dads always had one and I regularly change between driving his car and my manual Golf!

Just as a matter of interest what was the name of the dealer who had the GTI mentioned above? was it a complete dog?

[duzza]

Buy a DSG! 
I was in the same position as you - never driven an auto and unsure about owning one. The test drive(s) can't do it justice.It could have been an expensive mistake but believe me its good, real good.

The only problem is what do you do with your left foot and arm?

exactly the same as me.

DSG is a no brainer - you just dont realise ubtil youve had it for a week or so. Wow!

[Simonet]

I haven't got a DSG, the Reasons being

1) Lazy for me, just my opinion but the only place I've liked driving an Auto is in Traffic.
2) The comments on here about Cluncking and strange noises from cold?
3) It is extra cost not sure how it will affect re-sale
4) Future Problems / Expense when NOT under warranty

Number 4 was my biggest fear, and with the people on here that have had software updates and so on to fix, I think the main concern here will be reliability.

End of the day it's up to you

[Ollieb7]

Its a bit like having sex with a vibrator where the other half has all the fun and your kind of left out of it. Use the stick to shift and do it manually! 

[SteveS]

yeah i went for manual! i wanna feel like im driving!

[phil1101]

DSG for me, lazy if you want, a fair degree of control if you choose! It is not perfect but it is on it's way
to being the best compromise for UK driving (stuck in traffic most of the time, back road blasts some of the
time). The GTI is the 2nd car I have had with it (A3 2.0 TDi before) and I am pretty convinced that it is the way forward for my needs!