VW Golf GTD...

[Matty4]

My wife is pretty keen on one of these. We've come to the decision that it's rather silly having 2 big 7 seat SUV's in the family (that and the alternator just died on the Volvo and I'm staring down a $1500 replacement bill for a new one)

Took one for a test drive yesterday and was quite astonished with the feel and driveability of it. I've never driven a small diesel before and the 350nm of torque was good for such a small car. It's pretty much converted me to diesel as a fuel for my future vehicles.

Anyone got one.....................or alternatively offer other similar products to look at.
I'm not at all familiar with this vehicle segment.

Cheers,
Matty

[falcon convert]

Take a look a a diesel Focus - great car. Many reviewers put it up there with (or ahead of) the Golf

[Mechan1k]

The 2L TDI is a great engine.

Have driven my work mates on .... and it's effortless ... handles well for a TDi model (not a GTD model either) ... economy is awesome as well. He has had his 6 years now ... and it still feels like new inside .... doesn't feel dated at all. Factory leather is held up really well too.

Has a few of those nice little options that opposition just didn't have as well.

[Barnaby]

The thing is that the petrol Golfs are so good on fuel why would you bother? They eat the diesels and are cheaper to maintain. Dive the petrol...

[Matty4]

Originally Posted by Barnaby

The thing is that the petrol Golfs are so good on fuel why would you bother? They eat the diesels and are cheaper to maintain. Dive the petrol...

Because the only other Golf I would look at would be the R and I ain't stumping up $65K (with some options) for one.
Besides the R, the best of the petrol motors in a 4 door has 118kw and 240nm.
That extra 110nm makes a huge difference to the driveability, not to mention uses less fuel than the petrol as well.

[BFZ Wagon]

I'd suggest diesel Focus as well as the Golf or even the Mazda 3?. The DSG boxes on the VW's concern me as I bet they'd cost a fortune to fix.

The only other diesels I can think of in this price range would be the Skoda Octavia, Renault Megane, Peugeot 308 or Citroen C4. Oh and I nearly forgot about the Volvo C30.
There's also that Holden 'cough' er Cruze thing..

From memory, all these new VW petrol engines need to run on premium unleaded, so a diesel version would be cheaper to run anyway as diesel is cheaper than premium unleaded.

Good luck with your search mate.

[EL97]

Have you considered the Polo, similar size to the golf just somewhat smaller. I agree with you on the diesels, my mother owns a brand new polo diesel and I still can't get over the torque it has. While it won't win the traffic light grand prix, once it gets up to speed it just PULLS. Great for overtaking, and coupled with the 7 speed DSG, gets fantastic fuel economy. The upshift from 6th to 7th gear will suprise you, barely noticeable.

[WILDB]

Focus Sport/Titanium diesel would be worth a look.

[Wretched]

A colleague at work has one, it'd be about 18 months old now.
He loves it to bits. Handles well, good straight line take off though not as nimble as the GTi (GTD is a little nose heavier he says) but he is getting near 1000km out of a tank.

[graham_h]

With regards to the volvo the alternator can be had for under $500 online

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by Matty4

(that and the alternator just died on the Volvo and I'm staring down a $1500 replacement bill for a new one)

hmm, i realise you want to replace your gas guzzling suv, but i kinda laughed when i realised you're not exactly getting out of a big bill....

new
alternator - $1,500

new car - $25,000

if selling privately, you'll probably have to replace that alternator anyway.

[Polyal]

Father-in-law has a base TDi and I must say I am impressed.

Whats worse is that SWHBO likes them, very much, and I was actually going to post a thread in the Focus section to see how many people have 3 baby seats in the back.

It is possible in the golf, snug but possible, I was looking at the new Focus the other day and the Golf atleast appears to have more shoulder room in the second row.

That correct?

Im sold on TDi for a daily. Shame the Falcon doesnt come with it.

[Polyal]

Matty if this is to far off topic then sorry, but Im in the same boat as you when looking for another run about for the missus.

Is this Audi basically a Golf with a "better" badge?

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/de...5&sort=default

Also if your interested I cant seem to go past these pugs for value for money.

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/de...rice:Min,Max~1

I like the styling and the specs are good, seems to be heaps of room and some have massive sunroofs too.

You can get 307 tourings for alot less aswell. Pug TDi's go for a long time when looked after from what I can tell.

[Powdered Toast Man]

Matty4 did you drive a manual or DSG? I'd also like to get into a GTD but would prefer to stir the gears myself but the only review of a manual GTD I have read the reviewer hated the clutch action (on or off switch, ubrupt takeup).

I haven't test driven one yet (I'm probably still at least year away from actually buying) so I am just curious.

Have you tried a GTI? The engine in the GTI is a slightly less powerful version of the R engine (its 155kw/280Nm in the latest spec compared to 188kw/330Nm in the R). Its a 4 door too. The GTI will be similarly priced to the GTD, cheaper probably.

[Kryton]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Im sold on TDi for a daily. Shame the Falcon doesnt come with it.

Ive been saying this for years, but you get the same old few crapping on about how Diesel is rubbish and LPG is the god of everything and Ford would be stupid to do such a thing...blah blah blah.
About the only thing that would keep me in a Falcon at this point, is if it had a TDi.
Since it doesnt, its another customer who's going elsewhere.

And for the uneducated, Diesels cost no more to run and service than a petrol engine.

[ute83]

Originally Posted by davway

And for the uneducated, Diesels cost no more to run and service than a petrol engine.

Until something goes wrong.

[Matty4]

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

hmm, i realise you want to replace your gas guzzling suv, but i kinda laughed when i realised you're not exactly getting out of a big bill....

new
alternator - $1,500

new car - $25,000

if selling privately, you'll probably have to replace that alternator anyway.

The problem is the Volvo has close to 220K on the Odo and some problems are surfacing. Alternator is being replaced as we speak. It's an expensive job because the whole front end on one side has to be removed to gain access to it. Once this is fixed it's still worth ~$30K so the changeover won't be too much at all.

I've downloaded a brochure on the Focus Titanium and for the money it pulld the pants off the Golf as far as spec goes, just organising a test drive for tomorrow.

Not looking for anything 2nd hand, new or demo only.

[Matty4]

Originally Posted by Powdered Toast Man

Matty4 did you drive a manual or DSG? I'd also like to get into a GTD but would prefer to stir the gears myself but the only review of a manual GTD I have read the reviewer hated the clutch action (on or off switch, ubrupt takeup).

I haven't test driven one yet (I'm probably still at least year away from actually buying) so I am just curious.

Have you tried a GTI? The engine in the GTI is a slightly less powerful version of the R engine (its 155kw/280Nm in the latest spec compared to 188kw/330Nm in the R). Its a 4 door too. The GTI will be similarly priced to the GTD, cheaper probably.

Drove the DSG, my missus has had enough of manual cars, and with the flappy paddles it was still pretty fun to drive.
Looking at the sales brochure the GTI only comes as a 3 door, so not an option.

[GYRKIN GT]

There's no doubting the driveability of the Golf GTD, it's a wonderful car.

However, before you do jump for the Golf, do yourself a favour and test drive the Focus Diesel.

Last August, my 81 year old Father had to decide between a Golf GTD and the Focus Diesel. When you read, "81 year old", do not stereotype him. He's still records/watches all the F1 rounds, all the MotoGP's and he watches all the Supercar Rounds, along with Bathurst. He's as much a motorhead today as he was 60 years ago. More importantly, his driving ability is still unbelieveably good.

So, having driven both the Golf and the Focus, he opted for a diesel Candy Red Focus Titanium sedan. The furthest he's driven so far is to Glen Innis (he lives on NSW Central Coast). He's up and down the F3 all the time.

He says it's the best car he's owned (and he's owned quite a few as you can imagine), driveability wise, and the economy is simply ridiculous, just under 6L/100.

Just finishing, there's nothing wrong with the Golf, you'd be just as happy with that. The Focus Titanium is probably just fresher aesthetically inside and out.

[Polyal]

Id agree with that, the new focus looks a generation ahead (which it is I think).

[Powdered Toast Man]

Originally Posted by Matty4

Drove the DSG, my missus has had enough of manual cars, and with the flappy paddles it was still pretty fun to drive.
Looking at the sales brochure the GTI only comes as a 3 door, so not an option.

Nope GTI is available as a 3 or 5 door.

Actually you would be hard pressed finding a 3 door in Australia I'd bet, we do love having 4 door cars (sorry venting because we cant get any V8 coupes in Aus, only 4 door sedans and wagons )

The Focus is a nice looking machine, well worth the look. Alas no manual diesel option puts me off. May still get my bum in a DSG diesel Focus though, it's on the shortlist too along with the petrol manual.

[Franco Cozzo]

If you need the alternator fixed, take it to an auto elec, I reckon you could get it reco'd for around $300 if not less.

[dimka100]

Why a Gold GTD and not a GTI? there are essentially the same car costing the same money but one comes with a diesel turbo and the other petrol turbo ... the petrol turbo is more fun to drive, but the diesel is more economical ... The resale value should be about the same for both and is great compared to just about any car in that price bracket ... servicing will not be cheap - probably similarly priced for which ever one you pick.

[Mechan1k]

Originally Posted by ute83

Until something goes wrong.

True ... there was an issue my work mate had ..... he picked up a bad batch of diesel (40% water).

Once you turn the key ... and the pump primes the injectors ... its all over.
He started it and drove it a short distance till it conked out.

Had to be towed ... VW pulled it down ... that exercise killed the pump/injectors and turbo .... $12K bill.

Luckily insurance took it up with the servo and they had to foot the bill.

Car was off the road for a few weeks.

[Franco Cozzo]

If you want to mod it up later, go for the VW as their diesel engines tend to be better for that kinda stuff.

The diesel Focus has the 2L PSA engine with the junk siemens injection system, pretty much no scope for any extra tinkering without sending sensors out of range very easily.

If you don't give a rats *** about that, +1 for Focus

[Matty4]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

If you need the alternator fixed, take it to an auto elec, I reckon you could get it reco'd for around $300 if not less.

Tried that first, the regulator is cactus. It was putting out 18v....
The auto elec tried to source a new reg direct from germany but couldn't give a time frame for it to arrive.
Apparently it's a Bosch one that isn't very common here, not even wreckers have got one or seen one.

Test driving the Focus tomorrow..

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by dimka100

Why a Gold GTD and not a GTI? there are essentially the same car costing the same money but one comes with a diesel turbo and the other petrol turbo ... the petrol turbo is more fun to drive, but the diesel is more economical ... The resale value should be about the same for both and is great compared to just about any car in that price bracket ... servicing will not be cheap - probably similarly priced for which ever one you pick.

GTi waiting lists are massive aren't they. Last I heard between 6-9 months. Not sure about now.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Matty4

Tried that first, the regulator is cactus. It was putting out 18v....
The auto elec tried to source a new reg direct from germany but couldn't give a time frame for it to arrive.
Apparently it's a Bosch one that isn't very common here, not even wreckers have got one or seen one.

Test driving the Focus tomorrow..

Have you tried JAS Oceania or Ashdown Ingrams? They stock a MASSIVE range of Alternators.

[dimka100]

Yep most likely ... but i thought that the case fir any popular VW these days ... that party why they manage to sell all their stock at RRP prices and demand such good resale value on the second hand market ...

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

GTi waiting lists are massive aren't they. Last I heard between 6-9 months. Not sure about now.

[Matty4]

Right.....took a new Focus Titanium diesel for a drive this morning.
Took it home and checked it all over for size as we have 3 kids and one of them plays guitar so we need to be able to fit his hard case and 3 big school bags in.
The guitar case just fits width wise.
The thing that surprised me the most was how shallow the boot was. Lifted up the floor and saw a full size 16" steelie spare in there with "foam" packing around it. Took that all out and refitted the floor and this gave us a lot more depth but at the expense of no spare!!!...

Anyway we've pretty much decided to get one of these (I thought that the Golf drove better) as the driving differences aren't going to be a deal breaker, as I'll be only driving it on rare occasions.

Next question,
we will be also optioning the Sport Executive pack with the sunroof, xenons, adaptive cruise etc. What would be a good price to pay?
RRP is $42061 driveaway in Vic according to the Ford quoting system online.