Golf 1.4tsi ACT - better off with a diesel?

MuppetCheck

I'm looking at changing my car at the moment for a small hatch. I was looking at Golfs recently and had a spin in the new mark 7 which was nice but the 1.6 diesel is a bit slow for my liking. The 2 litre would eat up my extras budget as the spec is quite important to me.

The new tsi is unrelated to the older ones and seems relatively economical which is a concern doing 30k km a year. I'd be happy with 40mpg on my commute.

I own a diesel, it is cheap to fuel but I would prefer a petrol if possible and all the reviews seem very positive on this particular engine.

Would it be insanity to go for a car like that in Ireland? Has anyone actually driven one? Can't seem to get a test drive as there aren't many about.

Matthewjohn

I think it would be a good idea, lots of power, decent economy and reasonable price. I also think there would be a good resale value on them due to the rarity and the fact it's a golf.

166man

Would a remap on a 1.6 TDI not be an option?

Sure if you got 40mpg out of one of those 1.4's you'd be laughing. I'm sure that would easily be achievable on a motorway run. To see if its worth it at 30k km a year you just need to crunch the numbers.

Nice cars those new Golfs though.

robertxxx

166man wrote: »

Would a remap on a 1.6 TDI not be an option?

Sure if you got 40mpg out of one of those 1.4's you'd be laughing. I'm sure that would easily be achievable on a motorway run. To see if its worth it at 30k km a year you just need to crunch the numbers.

Nice cars those new Golfs though.

Why wold you remap a new car!!!!

MuppetCheck

robertxxx wrote: »

Why wold you remap a new car!!!!

I won't be that's for sure. That's why I plan on buying a car that suits rather than a compromise.

Shame you want a new car, so much lovely stuff out there that's not new

MuppetCheck

RoverJames wrote: »

Shame you want a new car, so much lovely stuff out there that's not new

Oh I know only too well but there is a financial incentive behind this purchase;)

vectra

Personally I think for a person with plenty of power.torque available to them, a 1.4 petrol car novelty would be short lived on long hauls.

From a financial persepctive the fuel at €1.60/litre and 40mpg would be €3405 which isn't out of the way for 30k kms / annum Even if a super economical yoke cost €2000 to fuel the €1400 difference isn't humongous on the overall running costs of a new car imo.

A buddy used to maintain his 225bhp TT returned 40mpg on a run so on a newer 1.4tsi with a 6th gear its quite likely that 40mpg will be a reality.

I can see where Vectra is coming from and I would be inclined to agree that after a while you might potentially be sitting in it saying "feck "

Resale wise I reckon it would work out ok as the market is swinging a bit now considering there are efficient and low tax petrols available, so it doesn't appear insanity at all to me from a financial perspective.

I suppose a decent test drive would tell a lot if you could get one

MuppetCheck

I think I need to find one for a spin in. I'm sure it would be fine for my use as I'm easy going enough on the road. I need to try and find in-gear times as that would be the most useful measure of the real world performance anyway.

Supergurrier

40mpg on a long run can be gotten in almost any car, it's real world mpg that counts

MuppetCheck

Supergurrier wrote: »

40mpg on a long run can be gotten in almost any car, it's real world mpg that counts

Yes, I feel it would economical enough on my run in and out to work. I do little city driving. If the claimed is 60 mpg or there abouts I would expect to be able to achieve 40 I suppose. I can usually get close enough to the claimed figures when I try. The diesel would most likely be 50+, I just need to make my mind up whether the inferior engine (in my opinion) is worth it from a financial point of view.

MuppetCheck

OSI wrote: »

While it's got a decent bit of power for its size (138bhp) I would want it with DSG or you'll be shifting constantly.

I don't know, it's lighter than the older car and the performance seems close on the Mark 4 GTi on paper at least. I'd be hoping it's not that bad, 0-60 8.4s and 131mph? With the options (xenons, sport pack, winter pack, nav, sensors) it's the only decently powered one to come in on budget and I have to say it's a fine car otherwise.

Henry Ford III

What tax band is it in?

I'd imagine 40+mpg is achievable in the real world.

I'm finding there's a big difference in fuel economy doing a dual carraigeway/motorway run at 100/115kph as opposed to 110/130kph. Cruise control also helps in this regard.

I know it's not gospel but the fuel economy figure on the onboard computer now shows and average of 56.4mpg (115bhp 1.6TDCI 6 speed).

166man

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Yes, I feel it would economical enough on my run in and out to work. I do little city driving. If the claimed is 60 mpg or there abouts I would expect to be able to achieve 40 I suppose. I can usually get close enough to the claimed figures when I try. The diesel would most likely be 50+, I just need to make my mind up whether the inferior engine (in my opinion) is worth it from a financial point of view.

I'd have the 1.4TSI over the 2.0TDI any day of the week.

MuppetCheck

Henry Ford III wrote: »

What tax band is it in?

I'd imagine 40+mpg is achievable in the real world.

I'm finding there's a big difference in fuel economy doing a dual carraigeway/motorway run at 100/115kph as opposed to 110/130kph. Cruise control also helps in this regard.

I know it's not gospel but the fuel economy figure on the onboard computer now shows and average of 56.4mpg (115bhp 1.6TDCI 6 speed).

Your figures are around the same as the computer in the 1.6tdi Golf.

I'd be hoping the 40 is achievable without constantly feathering the throttle or adapting my driving style too much. I've still asked to be quoted on the 1.6 diesel for a comparison however.

MuppetCheck

166man wrote: »

I'd have the 1.4TSI over the 2.0TDI any day of the week.

Me too - it's €4k cheaper:pac:

166man

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Me too - it's €4k cheaper:pac:

Ah sure then it's a no brainer, will that mean you have €4k for extras then? If so you're going to have a very nice motor for the money and it won't sound like a tractor.

R.O.R

Giulietta 170ps Veloce? Small, Nippy and great to drive.


To hell with the fact you will lose a fortune come re-sale, at least you'll be doing it in style.

Lovely Competizione Red one parked up in an estate around Dublin Hill if you want to see just how pretty they can look.

MuppetCheck

I could never, ever spend my own money on something French or Italian. It's not the fact that I don't like them or anything - DS5 would be something I would seruiouslty consider if the price was right - but I can see the Guilietta being worth SFA like all Alfas in this country after a few years. There will be a hit on depreciation I know and I'm prepared for that but I think the Alfa would be in a different league for that unfortunately.

AltAccount

MuppetCheck wrote: »

I could never, ever spend my own money on something French or Italian. It's not the fact that I don't like them or anything - DS5 would be something I would seruiouslty consider if the price was right - but I can see the Guilietta being worth SFA like all Alfas in this country after a few years. There will be a hit on depreciation I know and I'm prepared for that but I think the Alfa would be in a different league for that unfortunately.

That's just a bloody mental thing to say, all cars are made by robots to very high tolerances nowadays. Renaults are basically Nissans, and everyone knows Japanese cars are bulletproof!

The idea of unreliable Renaults and Peugeots is just a myth at this stage. You need to open your eyes.

Don't touch Italian cars though, they're still buckets of sh1te.

CharlieCroker

What about a Nissan Juke? Funky looking and isn't there a 1.6 turbo?

alexmcred

The new Auris Hybrid looks great have you looked at them?

vectra

How about this ?




http://www.carsuk.net/new-kia-ceed-gt-turbo-first-photo-arrives/



Or the 3 door Pro Ceed GT



http://www.carsuk.net/kia-pro_ceed-gt-official/

MuppetCheck

alexmcred wrote: »

The new Auris Hybrid looks great have you looked at them?

I just couldn't join the Auris/Prius brigade. When you take the engine away I always get the feeling they are a little cheap and nasty with compromised dynamics.

MuppetCheck

vectra wrote: »

How about this ?




http://www.carsuk.net/new-kia-ceed-gt-turbo-first-photo-arrives/



Or the 3 door Pro Ceed GT



http://www.carsuk.net/kia-pro_ceed-gt-official/

My father drives one similar so...No!

MuppetCheck

CharlieCroker wrote: »

What about a Nissan Juke? Funky looking and isn't there a 1.6 turbo?

Too much Renault in that for me!

alexmcred

Hyundai Veloster?

bazz26

How about the new Seat Leon? Pretty much a cheaper Golf and you might be able to get the spec you want within budget without having to compromise on the engine.

dgt

Do you go on the motorway, back roads, short trips etc on your daily commute?

MuppetCheck

N-Roads mainly and motorway for about 200km once a week.

As for the Leon it seems it's not in dealers for another month. And information is thin on he ground regarding prices and specs

166man

What about the new Volvo hatchback whatever its called?

bazz26

Not sure what sort of budget the OP has but the Volvo V40 maybe on the expensive side and priced closer to the Audi A3 than the Golf. Though this demo maybe within reach of the Golf that the OP is looking at:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volvo/V40/D2-1.6L/31713583356935030/

Maybe another suggestion is the new Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC?

Marlow

bazz26 wrote: »

Not sure what sort of budget the OP has but the Volvo V40 maybe on the expensive side and priced closer to the Audi A3 than the Golf. Though this demo maybe within reach of the Golf that the OP is looking at:

The Volvo V40 is also not what you should compare to a Audi A3 or Golf. It compares to an Audi A4 or Jetta.

It's the C30 that is the equivalent to Golf and Audi A3, if at all. The V40 is a bigger car.

/M

R.O.R

Marlow wrote: »

The Volvo V40 is also not what you should compare to a Audi A3 or Golf. It compares to an Audi A4 or Jetta.

It's the C30 that is the equivalent to Golf and Audi A3, if at all. The V40 is a bigger car.

/M

V40 is Golf / A3 size. S60/V60 is A4 equivalent.

V40 D3 (150ps) SE might be a runner, but would be towards top end of the budget, or the R-Design model if you want the firmer ride with sporty looks, but less gadgets, for around €500 more.

Don't have a V40 brochure to hand to see what the differences are between R-Design and SE. Only driven kitted out SE's, but the road holding is very good, but the engine isn't quite as good as the 163ps version in the S60.

It's a nice car, but didn't blow me away like it's big brother did. Worth a look though, pop in to your local Volvo dealer and see if they have a D3 for test drive.

MuppetCheck

I had a sit in a V40 yesterday alright - trim quality was down a bit on previous Volvos in my opinion, but it was a nice car. I think for the budget (€30k all in) I 'd be looking at a rather basic D3 or mid spec D2.

Astra GTC SRi 165 is coming in at a very good price with 3k of extras too but may depreciate like a stone.

vectra

Go on, You know you want to .!

Just for you

MuppetCheck

vectra wrote: »

Go on, You know you want to .!

Just for you

Over priced at that considering there is a new Octavia only around the corner?

vectra

as they say on DD.. Cash is King.
Sell your own and haggle :P

Tea 1000

MuppetCheck wrote: »

I could never, ever spend my own money on something French or Italian. It's not the fact that I don't like them or anything - DS5 would be something I would seruiouslty consider if the price was right - but I can see the Guilietta being worth SFA like all Alfas in this country after a few years. There will be a hit on depreciation I know and I'm prepared for that but I think the Alfa would be in a different league for that unfortunately.

Take a look at used Guilietta prices... also 159 prices. A 06 159 has held its value just as well as a 06 Passat. So I wouldn't be as concerned as you might be.

AltAccount wrote: »

That's just a bloody mental thing to say, all cars are made by robots to very high tolerances nowadays. Renaults are basically Nissans, and everyone knows Japanese cars are bulletproof!

The idea of unreliable Renaults and Peugeots is just a myth at this stage. You need to open your eyes.

Don't touch Italian cars though, they're still buckets of sh1te.

Unfortunately your talking a load of nonsense.

OP, I'd be going for the 2.2 diesel executive Civic over a Golf any day.

MuppetCheck

I can't get to like the current shape civic, plus the dealer nearby didn't seem to want to do a deal or order a car with my spec.

Looking at spirit monitor the 1.2tsi Golfs seem to be good for 40mpg and with the cylinder shut off on the 1.4 I'd be confident I could achieve this to be honest.

I will ponder this for a while longer - I usually am slow to make a decision. I am very impressed by the Golf the more I think about it but I will call some Seat dealers to see if anyone is prepared to give me some inside info on the Leon, preferably the FR:)

Thanks for all the help and opinions so far.

Tea 1000

MuppetCheck wrote: »

I can't get to like the current shape civic, plus the dealer nearby didn't seem to want to do a deal or order a car with my spec.

Looking at spirit monitor the 1.2tsi Golfs seem to be good for 40mpg and with the cylinder shut off on the 1.4 I'd be confident I could achieve this to be honest.

I will ponder this for a while longer - I usually am slow to make a decision. I am very impressed by the Golf the more I think about it but I will call some Seat dealers to see if anyone is prepared to give me some inside info on the Leon, preferably the FR:)

Thanks for all the help and opinions so far.

Your local Honda dealer isn't in Limerick is it?? Don't get why Honda dealers are so crap to be honest, selling cars seems to be a bit of a chore for most.
I just die a little inside when folk buy Golfs though... they're such a default choice and bring so little to the motoring table. Refinement maybe!!
I'd go with the Alfa if it were my money, and I can assure you there aren't too many Alfa's in history that I'd have spent money on brand new. Depreciation was the killer, but they're well built now and sell in so few numbers new that used demand is slightly higher, meaning that they keep their value as good as most.
I'd suggest the 185bhp 2.2 Mazda 3, but Mazda dealers don't seem to want to bring in anything out of the ordinary either.

I'd cut back a bit on some of the additional extras and go for the 2.0TDI if I was in your position*. Xenons etc are a nice extra but the power/economy mix from the 2.0TDI will be a better companion in the long run.

*My first choice by a long way would be a vRS.

vectra

Just off the cuff. Have you looked at the new Merc "A" class?

166man

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Take a look at used Guilietta prices... also 159 prices. A 06 159 has held its value just as well as a 06 Passat. So I wouldn't be as concerned as you might be.

Yep, newer Alfa's seem to be leaving the days of Alfa's depreciating like stones, behind them. My dad's 2010 159 is a nice enough spec and will have held it's value quite well considering it's now 3 years old.

Any car that looks as well as the Giulietta, has such impressive figures for it's petrol engines and drives well will hold it's value well IMO.

If I was buying I'd buy something I like, not something that I hope will retain some value in 3 years time.

R.O.R

vectra wrote: »

Just off the cuff. Have you looked at the new Merc "A" class?

Have you seen the price and power outputs?

109bhp and 32k for an A180Cdi Sport!

unkel

MuppetCheck wrote: »

I could never, ever spend my own money on something French or Italian.

If I had no children, I'd rather buy this:



with my own money rather than a sedate 5 door Golf

Each to their own though

vectra

R.O.R wrote: »

Have you seen the price and power outputs?

109bhp and 32k for an A180Cdi Sport!

Actually now that you mention it.
No :P

Zubeneschamali

CAR magazine just ran a comparison of the Golf and new A3 with the 1.4 motor, and the A class, and they were split between picking the A3 and Golf.

They liked the A3 for the interior and handling, the Golf for ride comfort, refinement and slightly lower price.

I'd be very tempted by the Giulietta myself, but I'm the kind of header that bought an Alfa new before (a '96 155 2.0, which I loved and never gave me any trouble. Was worth 2p after five and a half years).

MuppetCheck

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Your local Honda dealer isn't in Limerick is it?? Don't get why Honda dealers are so crap to be honest, selling cars seems to be a bit of a chore for most.
I just die a little inside when folk buy Golfs though... they're such a default choice and bring so little to the motoring table. Refinement maybe!!
I'd go with the Alfa if it were my money, and I can assure you there aren't too many Alfa's in history that I'd have spent money on brand new. Depreciation was the killer, but they're well built now and sell in so few numbers new that used demand is slightly higher, meaning that they keep their value as good as most.
I'd suggest the 185bhp 2.2 Mazda 3, but Mazda dealers don't seem to want to bring in anything out of the ordinary either.

The options for a peppy (not out and out powerful car, just something that can hold its own) in this country are very poor. I really do not fancy the Alfa with my own money - I have sat in one and I did think elements of the interior were a bit shoddy for the money.

Evangeline Black Bill wrote: »

I'd cut back a bit on some of the additional extras and go for the 2.0TDI if I was in your position*. Xenons etc are a nice extra but the power/economy mix from the 2.0TDI will be a better companion in the long run.

*My first choice by a long way would be a vRS.

Old hat shortly. I'd prefer a newer design as I'd be afraid this may feel like a step down.

vectra wrote: »

Just off the cuff. Have you looked at the new Merc "A" class?

Eh...if I added €10k to the budget maybe...but otherwise no:p

MuppetCheck

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

CAR magazine just ran a comparison of the Golf and new A3 with the 1.4 motor, and the A class, and they were split between picking the A3 and Golf.

They liked the A3 for the interior and handling, the Golf for ride comfort, refinement and slightly lower price.

I'd be very tempted by the Giulietta myself, but I'm the kind of header that bought an Alfa new before (a '96 155 2.0, which I loved and never gave me any trouble. Was worth 2p after five and a half years).

Thanks for this - I'll try and get a copy of that for a more detailed review.