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I’m thinking about replacing my MK7 Golf GTD 5dr but haven’t really found anything that I like.
I like the Golf, it works well for our family, and I’d be ok to get another, but I would quite like to try something else, just wondering if I’ve overlooked anything.
Being an ex petrol head, cars are still quite important to me, but the practicalities of family life have to be considered also. Don’t really need / want anything bigger than Golf size.
I need 5 doors, diesel, auto (because I can’t be bothered to change gear anymore), decent ish amount of power
The obvious choices of Seat Leon FR and BMW 120d M Sport and Audi A3 S Line don’t really get me excited.
Any opinions on the Ford Focus ST3 Diesel with Powershift ?
How does their auto compare to the DSG box (which personally I can’t fault)
Budget upto £15-17k ish.
I’d be interested to hear your opinions.
Cheers
Ben
The golfs got to be the best of the lot. Leon is a step down, a3 not nice enough for the extra money, bmw is, well... a bmw.. good to drive but unexciting everywhere else and butt ugly. Focus very nice to drive but power shift didn’t sell me, I stuck with manual (this was an 11 plate though) DSG is a much more refined box.
I went from a top of the range focus to an older a3, just looking at changing now similar wants to you except I’m no longer set on diesel. Golf is very much in the lead, GTD is the sensible choice but then I tested the R... 😍
I wouldn’t be unhappy with another focus though, but for that money you’ll pick up a 2 year old gtd and vw have a used car event about to start giving you an extra years warranty and free servicing.
Thanks for the info.
Golf R - yes that would be nice, not sure I could live with the fuel bills though!!
Similar spec Skoda Octavia VRS estate in that lovely/awful* understated flat grey that it comes in? Looks a nice as the golf to me, (as an ex GTD owner) plus additional boot space, and peak STW points...
*I genuinely can’t decide.
I was in the same dilemma, but went for a mk7 GTI pp in the end. I cover around 18k a year and average 35 mpg which i dont think is too bad.
What about something like a 330d touring? A friend has a 335d touring and thats a lovely refined piece of kit but returns the same sort of mpg as mine but with 300bhp and a silly torque figure.
Don't forget, with Audi, Seat, Skoda and VW being in the same stable, much of a muchness is a staple idea. I have a 67 plate Golf 1.4 with the DSG and it returns 54mpg and that's not on a run. This of course, is dependent on VW's telematics giving a genuine reading. There's a new Focus coming out with a 8 speed paddle shift, but it's so new, I don't know if it's been reviewed yet and at the end of the day, it's still a Ford.
God I miss my GTD. was a great car. Made me smile every time i got in it.
Got a 3 series now and its just bland. Its Quick, but just doesn't give me the same smile as the GTD did.
Given your spec choices I couldn't see my way past another GTD. Especially with Derv being a requirement.
BMW 3 series.
“Made me smile every time i got in it.”
That’s how I feel about the GTD.
Had a A5 Quattro before that, which I felt the same about ,when it was time to change it, I knew I wanted a GTD. But this time I can’t decide.
Got a friend with that flat grey VRS, I quite like the colour.
Dedinately need a hatch back, and I’m not really ready for an estate yet.
Maybe a Diesel isn’t necessary, but since it will be also used for business miles and I do a around 20k per year, I do need / want something relatively economical.
Long term average in the GTD IS 50+mpg. Which I think is good.
Must be getting tight in my old age!!
Mk7 GTI... I had a 6 pot diesel 3 series and the Golf is much better in every way
Recently sold our mk7 GTD DSG and brought a mk 7 GTI performance DSG and what a difference. Managed 39.9 to the Sounth of France last month and now sat at around 35mpg which I think is pretty good seeing it’s 50+bhp more than the GTD. We tried the BMW, Audi A3 and also the Merc 250AMG but the GTI was the better drive out of all of them.
Our is spec’d with the DCC suspension which does make a noticeable difference.
VW gave me a track day when I brought it and I spent the morning driving it around Goodwood last week and wow!! Smiles for miles!!
You could always just keep it?
Just as an environmentally friendly/anti consumerist consumption point of view.
Save the planet, and some money (you could spend on bicycles or children's education or whatever).
Not trying to be preachy or get on your case... Just seems like change for change's sake.