New car options

MuppetCheck

I'm looking for advice for my father, he's looking to downsize his car to something smaller and more economical. He wan'ts a 2012 car. He had been looking at petrol cars for his low mileage but finding a good one locally is proving very tough. This is made harder by the fact he is being picky on spec as he is coming from a decently specced car.

As a result he is buying a diesel. He does mostly town driving but with runs out of town for golf a couple of times a week. If the car doesn't get this I will take it for a day and throw a couple of hundred km's of motorway on it so dpf worries shouldn't be too much of an issue. He's tried a lot of cars in the Focus class. A 115ps titanium focus has been dismissed (was very disappointing tbh), so too has an Astra GTC, a Civic, an i30, Octavia and a 116d. The list he's come to at the moment is 3 cars - two Golfs and a C'eed.

The first Golf is a 1.6tdi highline with a good few extras for a Golf (Sport pack, front and rear sensors and folding mirrors). 12k on it.

The second is another Golf but an Edition R. It's a lower spec (no 17's, alcantara seats, multifunction wheel or tinted glass) but has zero mileage as it is pre-registered, front and rear sensors and a self parking thingy.

Finally is a new Kia C'eed, 1.6 diesel EX so a decent enough spec, very similar to the highline Golf. It's also brand new and €1k less then either of the above. The warranty is appealing as this is a retirement car. It didn't feel more powerful than the Golfs though.

There's no doubt about it but the highline Golf is the nicer car to drive/travel in. It's quieter and more comfortable. But it also has the highest mileage. The thinking at the moment is a decently specced highline Golf would hang onto it's value a little better than the lesser specced model and the Kia.

Opinions and suggestions on an alternative? He won't go any bigger as he's having a little bit of trouble managing a larger car as it is.

bazz26

The new Golf arrives in January, I'd expect some good discount on the current model to be anyway tempted.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta?

MuppetCheck

bazz26 wrote: »

The new Golf arrives in January, I'd expect some good discount on the current model to be anyway tempted.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta?

He won't be buying a Giulietta anyway - he's a bit old school with his opinions:) I've noticed thay aren't aging well - it could be to do with the tiny wheels on most models though.

As for the Golf, there is a decent discount on it judging by the value they are putting on his own car. I know it's cost to change that matters but they are placing up to €3k more than what it's actually worth on it.

I should state that the Edition R isn't the fancy Golf R too - it's a special run out model with small wheels and a bit of a bodykit. It's like a comfortline with those.

bazz26

Have a look at the Golf Match, think it is a limited run edition also and is better equipped than the Edition R. The Match replaced the Comfortline afaik.

MuppetCheck

bazz26 wrote: »

Have a look at the Golf Match, think it is a limited run edition also and is better equipped than the Edition R. The Match replaced the Comfortline afaik.

Match is a lower spec than the Edition R - horrible interior trim, no bodykit, rear electrics and a lesser radio. It was immediately discounted based on the seat trim mainly:D

Elessar

I've an Edition R and it's a good all round car. When I bought it I took a long time to decide between that and the Highline. I chose the Edition R because it was different, not many of them about and the sport kit on them is superb looking. It's subtle, but it really stands out from regular Golfs.

That and it has a nice touch screen radio with auto tuning, SD card and bluetooth phone. Also multifunction display, cruise control. Though I think the Highline has the bluetooth and cruise now. The 16" wheels don't look too small at all in fact I think they fit it really well.

The MFSW was something I wanted but having had my car 10 months now, I don't miss it at all. The touch screen radio is right beside me and a pleasure to use.

It's really up to your dad. The Edition R is a class looking car with decent spec (it's a limited edition, VW won't be making any more). The Highline has a great spec but looks the same as every other Golf. The one thing I wish I had in the R is the sports seats of the Highline - I'm not a big fan of the comfort seats but I'd say that's because I'm fairly thin and they seem designed for a bigger person!

In terms of value I would argue that the Edition R would hold it's value better than the Highline because it's a limited run and is that bit different.

There is a 1.2 TSI available aswell (I have it, terrific engine) with the same bhp. Has he test drove the two Golfs?

MuppetCheck

Would the highline not be a better option than the edition r? It's got nicer wheels, interior and more extras?

Elessar

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Would the highline not be a better option than the edition r? It's got nicer wheels, interior and more extras?

That's really down to personal taste. Personally I chose the car that I thought looks much nicer, is a bit more distinctive and has a few unique features over the highline. I prefer the alloys on the edition r and the interior is identical apart from a few things.

They both have pros and cons. But they are essentially the same car. If looks, distinctiveness, a new no mileage car and arguably value are important to your dad, get the edition r. If the extras and the different alloys and seats are more important, get the highline. They are both good cars.

Another thing to consider is warranty, you'll ge the full two years with the edition r but will only have two years from when the highline was first registered. Or of course the Kia, with 7 years!

colm_mcm

What about a Hyundai veloster?

MuppetCheck

colm_mcm wrote: »

What about a Hyundai veloster?

Golf clubs won't fit! He didn't like the third door either. Had a look at one in the hyundai dealer. It's a bit too unusual for him.

MuppetCheck

Elessar wrote: »

That's really down to personal taste. Personally I chose the car that I thought looks much nicer, is a bit more distinctive and has a few unique features over the highline. I prefer the alloys on the edition r and the interior is identical apart from a few things.

They both have pros and cons. But they are essentially the same car. If looks, distinctiveness, a new no mileage car and arguably value are important to your dad, get the edition r. If the extras and the different alloys and seats are more important, get the highline. They are both good cars.

Another thing to consider is warranty, you'll ge the full two years with the edition r but will only have two years from when the highline was first registered. Or of course the Kia, with 7 years!

Well the pre-registered edition r and the highline are only a month apart, plus the highline only has 12k on it. I think the highline looks better. Not the cars but similar:

Edition R
m.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201226208921126

Highline:
m.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201234209734550

colm_mcm

I'd get the ceed, 2 year warranty is poxy

Also the ceed engine needs a few miles on it before it gets nippy

MuppetCheck

Just to finish this, he ordered a Platinum spec Ceed in the end. Spec list on it is unbelievable and got a great price buying straight cash. The Golf wouldn't hold a candle to it in terms of performance and spec and then the warranty sealed the deal.