Alfa 159 JTDm or Golf GTI

gary the great

I know they are 2 very different cars, but they are the 2 cars I am considering.

The Alfa is without doubt much better looking, more comfy and has a nicer interior. Although its not fast and does feel heavy.

The GTI MK5 with 200bhp is much faster and more fun and I think i like the DSG box. Although looks a bit boring and Golfs are so common.

The 2 i'm looking at are the same price. Ive driven and loved both. But I just cant decide which one to go for, What would you have and why?

gary the great

.

L-M

GTI. Great cars, great fun. I've driven both manual and DSG (the DSG was a TT). Hard to chose but I'd probably pick the manual at the end of the day.

Drove a 159, 150bhp, lovely car but I found it very underwhelming. I didn't know what bhp it was before driving it and afterwards I guessed around the 110/120 mark.

Lex Luthor

depends on the 159...if its the 1.9 then I would have the Golf, if its the 2.4 then its a whole different ball game

A 2.4JTDm in Ti spec would be hard to knock back

Saab Ed

In every way the VW is the better car but there's not a hope in hell id have one over a high spec 159.

Gotta agree with limerick man here about the power, the few I've driven are all underwhelming but they've still got lots of shove. But that interior with the right leather to exterior colour contrast and the right wheels and its the only choice.

That's probably some terrible advice I've just given :-)

veetwin

gary the great wrote: »

What would you have and why?

I'd have the GTI in a heartbeat. I nearly bought a MKV GTI in 2004 and herself talked me out of it and bought a A4 TDi instead.:rolleyes:

Seriously if you don't need the extra space the GTI is the one to go for. You can buy a 4 door diesel at any stage of your life. You can't always buy a GTI!

Only get the DSG and 3 door if possible..just my 2 cents

colm_mcm

I'd have the golf.

Nonoperational

gary the great wrote: »

MPG isnt that big an issue, although I dont think there would be that big a difference between the 2. I do a mixture of city and motorway driving so shouldnt have any EGR/DPF issues that happens with modern diseals.

They both come with loads of kit and i'd be getting GTI with leather (the tartan seats are awful) but the GTI has a sunroof and heated seats.

The insurance isnt an issue as the quote is fairly close and the tax isnt that different either.

Although i love the looks and comfort of the 159, i wonder would the lack of power bore me. Although a remap is always an option.

No they're not.

Squall19

I'd have the

Seat Leon Cupra 240BHP.

Ford Focus ST

Opel Astra OPC

Renault Megane RS225

Mazda 3 MPS

Above the GTI.

Nothing special about the GTI

It doesn't have anywhere near the power of the 3 MPS or Astra, or the handling of the Megane, or the amazing engine note of the Focus, or the value for money of the Leon Cupra and its extra 40bhp.

Its kinda boring and that's reflected by the GTI's 197bhp and 280nm motor, which is well down on all its rivals above.

Ardennes1944

theres a 2.4 159 on donedeal atm, and a megane225 for cheap

gpf101

gpf101 wrote: »

No they're not.

In fairness the chap reckons they're awful, just because you think otherwise won't make him any happier sitting in them

Nissan doctor

gpf101 wrote: »

No they're not.

No opinions involved?

gary the great

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

theres a 2.4 159 on donedeal atm, and a megane225 for cheap

That 159 is very rough. Have taken that one on a decent run and it didnt do anything for me. The megane looks horrible imo so i ruled it out.

Ardennes1944

this one is beautiful though http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2808596



or dare i recommend a tfsi vrs?

TestTransmission

RoverJames wrote: »

In fairness the chap reckons they're awful, just because you think otherwise won't make him any happier sitting in them

Nissan doctor wrote: »

No opinions involved?

Opinions can be worthless and probably ignored here. :pac:

gary the great

gary the great wrote: »

............. The megane looks horrible imo so i ruled it out.

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

..............

or dare i recommend a tfsi vrs?

Nonoperational

Nissan doctor wrote: »

No opinions involved?

He gave his opinion that they are, I gave mine that they aren't.

Nissan doctor

gpf101 wrote: »

He gave his opinion that they are, I gave mine that they aren't.

No you didn't.



Was that an opinion or a statement of fact?:P

Saab Ed

Try this ....
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3519000.htm


or this ......

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3367652.htm

Nissan doctor

Saab Ed wrote: »

Try this ....
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3519000.htm

Now that is a nice motor.

And estates are becoming much cooler then hatches these days anyway.

Nissan doctor

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Now that is a nice motor..........

Nonoperational

gary the great wrote: »

MPG isnt that big an issue, although I dont think there would be that big a difference between the 2. I do a mixture of city and motorway driving so shouldnt have any EGR/DPF issues that happens with modern diseals.

They both come with loads of kit and i'd be getting GTI with leather (the tartan seats are awful) but the GTI has a sunroof and heated seats.

The insurance isnt an issue as the quote is fairly close and the tax isnt that different either.

Although i love the looks and comfort of the 159, i wonder would the lack of power bore me. Although a remap is always an option.

He stated an opinion as if it was a fact, I replied in the same tone, it was done as a bit of fun. Neither of the posts are fact when we're talking about something as subjective as a car interior. Obviously he doesn't like the tartan seats, I do. Not a big deal.

Nissan doctor

Nissan doctor wrote: »

No you didn't.



Was that an opinion or a statement of fact?:P

gpf101 wrote: »

He stated an opinion as if it was a fact, I replied in the same tone, it was done as a bit of fun. Neither of the posts are fact when we're talking about something as subjective as a car interior. Obviously he doesn't like the tartan seats, I do. Not a big deal.

Me thinks you missed the last bit

Do you have the tartans in your GTi btw?

Nissan doctor

gpf101 wrote: »

He stated an opinion as if it was a fact, I replied in the same tone, it was done as a bit of fun. Neither of the posts are fact when we're talking about something as subjective as a car interior. Obviously he doesn't like the tartan seats, I do. Not a big deal.

Hung over are we?

I'm certain there was a :P in my second post.

gary the great

gary the great wrote: »

I know they are 2 very different cars, but they are the 2 cars I am considering.

............ What would you have and why?

Anyway, I'd have the Golf if you don't mind the fuel costs, a nice drive and you won't bore of it that quickly, the 159 is more or less a repmobile, the leather and looks (which I think are quite dated and very 156 ish) won't compensate for the repmobileness of the 159.

Nonoperational

RoverJames wrote: »

Me thinks you missed the last bit

Do you have the tartans in your GTi btw?

Why do you think I'm so passionately defending them!

Yep I missed the last bit, and may be a bit cranky after the festivities Sorry ND.

Before I bought my Golf I was also looking at 159s. They're two quite different cars. The Golf is faster, sportier, and all in all is a decent car. They're not without issues though, and there are a few things that can give trouble (air con compressor, diverter valve, cam follower etc, swirl flap motor etc). In the 1.5 years I've had mine it needed an aircon compressor, a diverter valve and new wishbone bushes. But all cars these days seem to have some weak spot and I wouldn't put you off a GTI reliability wise.

I regularly get about 25-30 mpg from mine with a mix of driving. It's a nice car to drive, bit of power and fairly comfortable. Probably my favorite thing about it is the handling. Put a set of good tyres on it and it's a very nice car to handle.

The 159 is much more of a comfy cruiser. If I was getting one I'd have to get the TI or one kitted out like the TI. I find the bog standard spec ones are getting a bit tired now. Reliability wise they are pretty good, and the 1.9 or 2.4 jtd are good engines.

For me there were a few reasons why I chose the Golf. A big thing was that the selection of 159s is terrible unless you go to the UK. On the other hand there are loads of GTIs and you can usually find a nice one. I'm only in my mid 20s so in the end I said I'd give the faster sportier car a go while I could. I certainly don't regret it but next time I will definitely be looking at a 159 TI or a Giulietta with the 2.0D engine. I had a 156 before the Golf and there's something about the Alfas that you'd miss.

gary the great

gpf101 wrote: »

Why do you think I'm so passionately defending them!

Yep I missed the last bit, and may be a bit cranky after the festivities Sorry ND.

Before I bought my Golf I was also looking at 159s. They're two quite different cars. The Golf is faster, sportier, and all in all is a decent car. They're not without issues though, and there are a few things that can give trouble (air con compressor, diverter valve, cam follower etc, swirl flap motor etc). In the 1.5 years I've had mine it needed an aircon compressor, a diverter valve and new wishbone bushes. But all cars these days seem to have some weak spot and I wouldn't put you off a GTI reliability wise.

I regularly get about 25-30 mpg from mine with a mix of driving. It's a nice car to drive, bit of power and fairly comfortable. Probably my favorite thing about it is the handling. Put a set of good tyres on it and it's a very nice car to handle.

The 159 is much more of a comfy cruiser. If I was getting one I'd have to get the TI or one kitted out like the TI. I find the bog standard spec ones are getting a bit tired now. Reliability wise they are pretty good, and the 1.9 or 2.4 jtd are good engines.

For me there were a few reasons why I chose the Golf. A big thing was that the selection of 159s is terrible unless you go to the UK. On the other hand there are loads of GTIs and you can usually find a nice one. I'm only in my mid 20s so in the end I said I'd give the faster sportier car a go while I could. I certainly don't regret it but next time I will definitely be looking at a 159 TI or a Giulietta with the 2.0D engine. I had a 156 before the Golf and there's something about the Alfas that you'd miss.

The 159 i'm looking at is lovely, black with beige leather, full service history etc although it has high enough mileage. As you said there is a huge selection of GTI's, so if this 159 doesnt check out ill probably go for the GTI.

Like yourself im in my twenties so fancy a car with a bit of go like the GTI, but the 159 is so good looking. But it just doesnt have the go of the GTI. Might take both for yet another spin and see what I think...

166man

Now this is really a tough dilemma but at the end of the day, it has to be the 159. As said in the right spec and wheels few cars are better in my opinion and also they ARE reliable!

If you go for a 1.9 150bhp diesel a simple remap will take that to about 180bhp and then adding in the extra torque of the diesel, it won't be too far off the Golf. A really nice specced 159 is also a rare sight in Ireland too, and as such will stand out better than a fast Golf. A GTI is a fine car, I was in one about two weeks ago and it had been mapped to 280bhp and boy was it fast but it just felt a bit cold I think.

Anyway I think the 159 is the car to go for here and the estate is an even better option.:)

Nonoperational

It was more than just the "go" that made me go for the GTI too. It was just overall seemed a more young persons car than the 159.

Saying that I really do rate the 159 and wouldn't put you off it at all.

gb153

Are there big cost differences between the two over full ownership? I.e. assuming similar reliability will there be a big drop in value in the Alfa compared to the Golf? If not I would go for the Alfa myself. Much classier and better looking and I prefer saloons over hatches anyway.

gary the great

Took both for another spin today and the GTI did it for me. Was just more fun. Although it was beautiful to look at and sit in, the Alfa was boring as hell to drive. It was a stunner though and I love it for that alone. But it just felt to much like a tank drive.

The Golf on the other hand looked a bit boring but was great craic and just felt nice. I liked the DSG, but think i would rather one with the paddles.

So time to start looking for a decent GTI at a decent price. Although I think id rather get one with leather (the one I was on today had the tartan seats and they werent as bad as i remember, but I think id prefer the heated leather seats.)

Was the sat nav/soundsystem upgrade any use? Any other must have extras? Have to go research what goes wrong with these cars to see what i should look for when buying, i know changing the oil and filter in the DSG is essential...

EPM

I have the sat nav in my car and it's an easy retrofit afterwards so don't concentrate on getting a car with it. There's a few different ones so you can easily put in a modern one afterwards.

Great unit too.

I looked at both last year when buying and had a GTI bought before a last minute change for a diesel. GTI was a better car than the 159, but as they were different types of cars its like comparing apples and oranges.

shaunandelly

I once put my hard earned cash into an Alfa...wouldn't do it again. But it was fun while it lasted.

Dilbert75

I spent my first 13 years of car ownership thinking I loved the look of Alfas but that I'd never want to own one. A year ago today I bought my first 156 SW and now I regret that I didn't do it sooner....

TheZ

Had a manual MKV GTI and loved it. Was planning to change to a MKVI GTI or GTD last year but held off to this year.

If you do buy a GTI get a decent alarm

my one was broken into twice in an underground car park
first time - door popped and main loom cut -10k to fix - not sure what they were doing
second time they stripped parts off it, presumably for a crashed one

I wouldn't let it put you off buying one but it's a car that can attract thieves so house security and car security need looking at

Some people on Donedeal etc asking mad money for 5-6 year old GTIs, and they obviously aernt selling by the looks of it. I think very few people have 7-10k to be forking out on cars these days...

Nonoperational

Wouldn't agree with that. Plenty people would spend 7-10k (or a lot more) on the right car.