Octavia vRS or Golf GTi?

Nonoperational

Have potentially narrowed down the new car search to two possibilities.

1) 2006 Octavia vRS 65,000 Km on the clock, excellent condition, new tyres, 6 month comprehensive warranty, fsh, generally very clean.

2) 2006 Golf GTi, 77,000 Km, not quite as clean as the skoda, private sale so no warranty, fsh, probably would need a good valet and possible a small few stone chips and dings repaired. Maybe 2 new tyres.

Both need a timing belt and water pump as they are 4 years old.

Octavia would end up costing me about 1500 - 2000k less than the golf.

I really like both cars and the sensible option is definitely the octavia. It's cheaper, cleaner, lower mileage, bigger, just as fast as the golf. But there is a little niggling doubt that I'd prefer the golf. I can't quite put my finger on why I think it might just be a little of brand snobbery myself but when I'm spending this sort of money on the car I want all the boxes to be ticked!

So head or heart?

Shane732

gpf101 wrote: »

Have potentially narrowed down the new car search to two possibilities.

1) 2006 Octavia vRS 65,000 Km on the clock, excellent condition, new tyres, 6 month comprehensive warranty, fsh, generally very clean.

2) 2006 Golf GTi, 77,000 Km, not quite as clean as the skoda, private sale so no warranty, fsh, probably would need a good valet and possible a small few stone chips and dings repaired. Maybe 2 new tyres.

Both need a timing belt and water pump as they are 4 years old.

Octavia would end up costing me about 1500 - 2000k less than the golf.

I really like both cars and the sensible option is definitely the octavia. It's cheaper, cleaner, lower mileage, bigger, just as fast as the golf. But there is a little niggling doubt that I'd prefer the golf. I can't quite put my finger on why I think it might just be a little of brand snobbery myself but when I'm spending this sort of money on the car I want all the boxes to be ticked!

So head or heart?

Yeah it's because the octavia looks like sh1t.

R.O.R

And the Golf looks more or less like all the other Golf's.

Seats in the GTi are better and it feels faster on the road than the vRS. Does the Golf have A/C or just a sunroof?

Drive both and see what you prefer.

Atlantic Dawn

If it was the diesel VRS I would go with that, with them both being petrol I would go with the GTi.

-Chris-

Another vote for GTI

Berty

Considering its Petrol I would bump for the GTi.

It all depends on what you want though. 5 door Hatch with big boot or a 3/5 door hatch Golf.

Nonoperational

Both petrol. Golf has aircon alright. (well I presume thats what the econ button means).

Berty

gpf101 wrote: »

Both petrol. Golf has aircon alright. (well I presume thats what the econ button means).

It does probably have air con BUT the ECON button is used to turn OFF the Air Con. I have an old shape passat with the same button. It caused me a nuisance for quite a while until I realised I actually needed to regas the air con system.

Nonoperational

Cool thanks. The one thing about the golf is its a private sale, but as far as I can see they're pretty reliable machines. Going to get the cam belt and waterpump done this week if I do decide to get it. As far as I can see getting them to check the cam follower is about the only consistant thing that can give a bit of trouble.

Lurching

Yup, id still go for the GTi.

Max Power1

Shane732 wrote: »

Yeah it's because the octavia looks like sh1t.

:eek:

Berty

Yep Max the rest of the boardsies are still in bed. They'll get him yet.

-Chris-

gpf101 wrote: »

Cool thanks. The one thing about the golf is its a private sale, but as far as I can see they're pretty reliable machines. Going to get the cam belt and waterpump done this week if I do decide to get it. As far as I can see getting them to check the cam follower is about the only consistant thing that can give a bit of trouble.

Get a mechanic or someone knowledgable to check over it BEFORE you buy it. The general reputation for reliability or otherwise may or may not apply to this specific car - so much of it depends on how it was treated.

-Corkie-

I would get the golf as well unless the skoda was a lot more than 2 grand cheaper..

I dont agree the skoda looks like **** though. Maybe the people that claim it are full of it though;)

Max Power1

Berty wrote: »

Yep Max the rest of the boardsies are still in bed. They'll get him yet.

damn me and my working sunday!

How is there a choice between an Octavia VRS and a golf gti? The Vrs even comes with warranty (not that it would be needed though :P )

go for the skoda OP, you'll never look back! That golf will be in the garage more often than not

meathstevie

In my opinion it's a no-brainer, Skoda all the way. Why would you bother to have mechanic look at the Skoda anyway. You're getting 6 months warranty, if anything is seriously wrong it'll show well before that.

-Chris-

I'm wary of dealer warranties on second-hand cars - there are a lot of exceptions to cover and your expectations of reliability on a 4 year old car may be quite different than the dealer's.

Max Power1

Max Power1 wrote: »

That golf will be in the garage more often than not

They are essentially the same car so I don't see how you can make the above statement tbh.

adamshred

I can understand your situation but the question is can you justify paying the extra cost for what is a very similarly specced car with a different badge?

Personally, I'd go for the GTI but if you don't mind about the brand snobbery type of thing you'd probably be a lot better off with the extra 1.5k or so in your bank account.

You've got me thinking too now tbh I'd find it hard to make a DEFINITE decision on this one.

cojomo2

gpf101 wrote: »

So head or heart?

OP, go with your heart!

I have made the mistake of going with my head(which is usually the more sensible option) but ended up regretting it.

Having said that, I think I would go with the octavia vrs as it's less common than a Golf...plus nearly every time I see a Golf gti its some young collars up blackrock college rugby head type in it!

SV

Ocatvia in a heartbeat, wouldn't even have to think about it!

vectra

Octavia.

Max Power1

Kenya Enough Tapioca wrote: »

They are essentially the same car so I don't see how you can make the above statement tbh.

it was said tongue in cheek, hence the smiley..

Im just favoring the octavia blindly tbf.

Nonoperational

I'm going to go with the golf! I know the Skoda is better value and more unique, but to be honest I just want a golf gti. Hopefully collecting it tomorrow night!

Atomic Pineapple

gpf101 wrote: »

I'm going to go with the golf! I know the Skoda is better value and more unique, but to be honest I just want a golf gti. Hopefully collecting it tomorrow night!

Would have went the vRS route myself.

But good luck with it and dont forget to get some pics up

Nonoperational

I know it is probobly the % call but I just think the golf is the one I want. I don't really know why maybe its a big of badge snobbery of some sort of image think (which is a bit sad) but I think i'd be happier in the golf. Very marginal though.

pajero12

vectra wrote: »

Octavia.

Ah your just beind biased:)

Nonoperational

As for reliability, I gave the golf a good drive, used all the rev range in first 3 gears, gear changes at high revs all smooth, idles perectly, engine sounds good just the usual tick tick of the direct injection. No suspension noises no body damage or respray.

At the end of the day I'm getting a 2006 golf GTI with 48,000 miles for 11.5k. Which is a good deal in my book...

vectra

pajero12 wrote: »

Ah your just beind biased:)

CountingCrows

gpf101 wrote: »

At the end of the day I'm getting a 2006 golf GTI with 48,000 miles for 11.5k. Which is a good deal in my book...

Good deal in anyone's book, must have haggled hard?

whippet

Max Power1 wrote: »

That golf will be in the garage more often than not

what is that based on.

I'm three years in to ownership on my GTi, 50k miles and only been back to the garage for servicing.

Max Power1

whippet wrote: »

what is that based on.

I'm three years in to ownership on my GTi, 50k miles and only been back to the garage for servicing.

It was a joke, I said that already.

The GTI and VRS are almost the same car bar the badge anyway

Atomic Pineapple

gpf101 wrote: »

At the end of the day I'm getting a 2006 golf GTI with 48,000 miles for 11.5k. Which is a good deal in my book...

I'm not up on GTI prices but that sounds REALLY cheap to me?

Tea 1000

draffodx wrote: »

I'm not up on GTI prices but that sounds REALLY cheap to me?

That's a good deal, but still about right. GTI's have come down a nice bit now that the move is towards diesels and they're around since 2005, so plentiful enough to have the few buyers have a choice.
I'm not a big fan of the looks of the Golf, but it does look a lot better than the Skoda. No matter how good a value the Octavia is, it'll never be a good looking car. It's not ugly, but definitely not good looking.

Max Power1

Tea 1000 wrote: »

No matter how good a value the Octavia is, it'll never be a good looking car. It's not ugly, but definitely not good looking.

I refer you to post #11 if I may,


Im not posting another rolleyes smiley

Atomic Pineapple

Tea 1000 wrote: »

I'm not a big fan of the looks of the Golf, but it does look a lot better than the Skoda. No matter how good a value the Octavia is, it'll never be a good looking car. It's not ugly, but definitely not good looking.

Max Power1 wrote: »

I refer you to post #11 if I may,
Im not posting another rolleyes smiley

I'd prefer the styling of the Octavia over the Golf myself.

Tea 1000

Max Power1 wrote: »

I refer you to post #11 if I may,


Im not posting another rolleyes smiley

I wasn't referring to your comment! (see above!)

jimbling

Yep, I would definitely have gone with the vRS.... way better value, same car... and to be honest, I much prefer the looks of the Octavia.... but that's probably just because there is SOOOO many Golf GTIs on the road.... common as muck they are



Note: Yes, I may be slightly biased. I owned a vRS for a few years while my buddy owned a GTI... we had many an argument

Max Power1

Tea 1000 wrote: »

I wasn't referring to your comment! (see above!)

I know you werent - but you were bad mouthing the skoda :P

Fizman

gpf101 wrote: »

As for reliability, I gave the golf a good drive, used all the rev range in first 3 gears, gear changes at high revs all smooth, idles perectly, engine sounds good just the usual tick tick of the direct injection. No suspension noises no body damage or respray.

At the end of the day I'm getting a 2006 golf GTI with 48,000 miles for 11.5k. Which is a good deal in my book...

That is an impressive deal I must say! Can I ask what the full spec of the car is? Is it advertised online?

I bought a 2006 GTI myself 4 months ago and spent €14,300. To be honest I was quite happy with my bit of business (I say quite happy because at the time I was actually intending on spending only 10 k on a 2.0tdi, but then I came across this and my heart defeated my head :P) because the car itself was in such good condition, plus it was the EXACT spec I wanted if I was to ever own a GTI. That included: Candy White (the most important part ) with 42k miles on it, Manual, 18" Monzas, 3 door, Sunroof, Armrest, Rain Sensor wipers, anti glare rear view.

Edit: Actually I really must get some pics sorted and get it up into the 'my car' thread.

Nonoperational

I may be very foolish but I've pulled put of the golf sale. To be brutally honest I'm just not happy handing over that much money on a private sale with no warranty or comeback of any sort. I may have missed out on the deal of the year but I just didn't feel comfortable doing it like that.

I am still considering the skoda but i might just wait till a golf turns up in a dealer that I like. The golf was black 3dr tartan seats aircon, pretty much bog standard after that had the 17" alloys and was in pretty good condition.for me it was just too much money for a private sale.

If anyone is interested it's up on donedeal advertised at 13500 in Kildare. It needs a timing belt and water pump too as it's 4 yes old which is about 500 quid. Also due an nct since January.

Was I very foolish?

SV

Nope, you'll be very foolish if you don't go and pick up that vRS though!

Atomic Pineapple

SV wrote: »

Nope, you'll be very foolish if you don't go and pick up that vRS though!

+1

I'd be concerned as to why the NCT hasn't been done on it.

STForSale

gpf101 wrote: »

I may be very foolish but I've pulled put of the golf sale. To be brutally honest I'm just not happy handing over that much money on a private sale with no warranty or comeback of any sort. I may have missed out on the deal of the year but I just didn't feel comfortable doing it like that.

I am still considering the skoda but i might just wait till a golf turns up in a dealer that I like. The golf was black 3dr tartan seats aircon, pretty much bog standard after that had the 17" alloys and was in pretty good condition.for me it was just too much money for a private sale.

If anyone is interested it's up on donedeal advertised at 13500 in Kildare. It needs a timing belt and water pump too as it's 4 yes old which is about 500 quid. Also due an nct since January.

Was I very foolish?

Bog standard 3dr GTi's are ten a penny, the right one will be along shortly

Fizman

The timing belt doesn't necessarily have to be done this year either. I have done quite a bit of research into that area and with that mileage, you could easily fit that into the cars 5th birthday service tbh. I bought privately, and the GTI came with FVWSH. I rang each garage too to verify and all checked out. Mine was due an NCT and service very shortly after I bought it (all of which I was aware of) and I spoke with several VW garages about the 4 yr/timing belt issue. They all said that because of the mileage on the car, I should only go with a minor service now, and the timing belt and water pump can be done next year. I got the car serviced the night before my NCT, and even though the garage came back with a list of stuff they recommended I should get sorted (front shock leaking, rear bushing not right, slightly buckled left wheels, 4 tyres to be replaced)......the GTI flew through the NCT. I have big doubts about those issues listed too by the way, and I reckon the garage in question were looking to make a few extra quid off me possibly.

I requested spark plugs to be done anyway as they hadn't been touched yet, but the car is a dream to drive tbh. You could very well have missed out on a good deal though. I had the same reservations as you regarding the private sale, but I've had no regrets since. Then again (as STforSale pointed out) my spec isn't as common as the majority of what's on the road, so that certainly helps when I consider reselling it whenever that may be.

omega man

Although im on my second TFSI vRS i can see the attraction to the GTI, the badge(GTI) and history etc. The MKV was also a big step up and really raised the bar in the hot hatch market. For me its practical reasons (family car, value etc) why i like the vrs but i think its quite a smart looking car also and not overly common too. The badge thing is not a consideration for me as in between my vrs' i have had a 320D, Mazda 3 MPS and a 325i. The vRS is just a really, really good all-rounder. If i had no kids would i buy the GTI? No, personally i would take an ST or Leon Cupra instead. In saying that, a tidy GTI will always catch my eye.

STForSale

A black 3dr gti with no spec is about as bad as the GTi gets.
If you have the budget, look for a DSG with leather / air con and / or sunroof, now that I would take over the Vrs.

anamcarame

I have been lucky enough to own both and while I drove the Golf GTI for years (have owned 3 MK2's) family forced me to drive Skoda Octavia vrs due to the size of the boot. I loved my vrs as it had all the power of the GTI but I could get the double buggy and shopping in the back. I missed the golf GTI but it was time to be sensible. Now that I do not need the boot space I have gone back to the Golf GTI. OMG what a difference. I would never drive a vrs again.

Why......quality! There is no mistaking the difference in quality of the Golf. The paint work is better, the interior finish is better to mention only a few, however, the vrs is probably more car for the money. I have had to sacrifice aircon and have a smaller boot.

Anyway that is just my opinion and I really do believe the Golf is a far superior car even though many will argue they are the same floor plan etc just different bage, different shape.....THEY ARE DIFFERENT!

Good luck with your decision.

vectra

gpf101 wrote: »

I may be very foolish but I've pulled put of the golf sale. To be brutally honest I'm just not happy handing over that much money on a private sale with no warranty or comeback of any sort. I may have missed out on the deal of the year but I just didn't feel comfortable doing it like that.

I am still considering the skoda

Why not consider this one?
2007 vRS :cool:

Ardennes1944

defo skoda! nice nice cars

Max Power1

vectra wrote: »

Why not consider this one?
2007 vRS :cool:

that one seems gone