VW Golf or Passat - any ideas?

spitonmedickie

My mileage is borderline petrol/diesel. Most of the kilometres are on the motorway but do drive through Dublin maybe twice a week.

Would hope to hold onto the car for 5/6 years, with a 3/4 year loan financing much of it.

Am nervous about the future of diesel.

I’m smitten by 2015 era VW’s I’ve driven - but I need some advice/experience.

I’m torn between a 15 1.2l petrol golf or a 15 1.5l diesel Passat. Only about a grand in the difference now, understanding is the Golf holds its value better. Diesel Golf seems very loud and rattly.

Know these are two fundamentally different propositions but any advice would be welcome.

bear1

Do you need the size of the Passat? The golf I assume is the tsi model?
Tbh I'd go for the golf, if I was going for the Passat I'd go for a more powerful model as a 1.5 in such a heavy car will probably end up being more a tiring drive than the 1.2

spitonmedickie

bear1 wrote: »

Do you need the size of the Passat? The golf I assume is the tsi model?
Tbh I'd go for the golf, if I was going for the Passat I'd go for a more powerful model as a 1.5 in such a heavy car will probably end up being more a tiring drive than the 1.2

Size wise - bigger might be more comfy on the motorway? Wouldn’t need a bigger car now but if there were kids in the next 3/4 years I maybe would. Big if though.

Both would be highline I should’ve said

bear1

spitonmedickie wrote: »

Size wise - bigger might be more comfy on the motorway? Wouldn’t need a bigger car now but if there were kids in the next 3/4 years I maybe would. Big if though.

Both would be highline I should’ve said

Do You have links to the cars?

bazz26

Only a grand between both, I'd say either one is suspiciously cheap or the other is just overpriced.

vectra

If there is only a grand between them, look up 2015 Passat 2.0
Much nicer car to drive than the 1.6

bazz26

True that.

spitonmedickie

bear1 wrote: »

Do You have links to the cars?

For example - https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/golf/used-2015-152-volkswagen-golf-highlin-cork-fpa-201807178537499

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/passat/used-2015-152-volkswagen-passat-highl-cork-fpa-201805296958003

This is then a similarly priced 2.0 passat https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/passat/used-2015-151-volkswagen-passat-highl-cork-fpa-1095402990408309360

bazz26

That Golf is very expensive.

Here are cheaper examples:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2085541&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D93%26o%5B%5D%3D812%26f%3D1%26yn%3D2015%26yx%3D2016%26g%3D0

Or this DSG one from another main dealer:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2009064&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D93%26o%5B%5D%3D812%26f%3D1%26yn%3D2015%26yx%3D2016%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

The Passats are better priced but I'd try and find a Business Edition that had more toys.

bear1

spitonmedickie wrote: »

For example - https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/golf/used-2015-152-volkswagen-golf-highlin-cork-fpa-201807178537499

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/passat/used-2015-152-volkswagen-passat-highl-cork-fpa-201805296958003

This is then a similarly priced 2.0 passat https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/passat/used-2015-151-volkswagen-passat-highl-cork-fpa-1095402990408309360

The Passat in the last link is a 1.6 not a 2.0
I'm surprised vw are badging the 1.6 diesel as red t and red I.
I'd honestly suggest to keep away from the 1.6 and take the 2.0.. and actual 2.0

vectra

Nice Passat DSG 2.0 >> https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2070463&r=s.php%3Fm%3D93%26o%3D817%26r%3D2015%26g%3D7%26z%3D8

spitonmedickie

bear1 wrote: »

The Passat in the last link is a 1.6 not a 2.0
I'm surprised vw are badging the 1.6 diesel as red t and red I.
I'd honestly suggest to keep away from the 1.6 and take the 2.0.. and actual 2.0

Sorry my bad for doing a search but not reading the whole description! Will need to take a 2l for a drive. Thanks

vectra

spitonmedickie wrote: »

Sorry my bad for doing a search but not reading the whole description! Will need to take a 2l for a drive. Thanks

Definitely do,
I had one and it was a great car,
smooth
plenty ponies for cruising, Very VERY economical.

spitonmedickie

Any thoughts on what the 1.2 petrol golf is like on the motorway?

Rusky rusky

spitonmedickie wrote: »

Any thoughts on what the 1.2 petrol golf is like on the motorway?

It’s fine, cruses at ab 2600rpm, plenty of torque for overtaking and averages ab 6l/100km

spitonmedickie

I'm still trying to get a handle on pricing and figuring out how to negotiate on whatever I decide - then I see this and it confuses me (Notwithstanding the merits or otherwise of the 1.6l passat) - any thoughts on why two very very similar cars (from what I can see) would be priced differently (and advertised with a different apr too suggesting they really want to flog one over the other?)

Exhibit a https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/passat/used-2015-152-volkswagen-passat-highl-cork-fpa-201805296958037
Exhibit b https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/passat/used-2015-152-volkswagen-passat-highl-cork-fpa-201806287930614

Just noticed that exhibit a has been on a stock listing back in Feb 2018 where it was advertised at €23,995, March 2018 where it was €22.995 and it's there in June as well - this mean a dud or any other ideas why?

bear1

Only the dealer could tell you that I'd imagine.
You seem set on the 1.6?

spitonmedickie

bear1 wrote: »

Only the dealer could tell you that I'd imagine.
You seem set on the 1.6?

Haven’t had a chance to test drive a 2l yet and won’t til the weekend so more intrigued by the similar but differently priced 1.6l!

Toyotafanboi

It's only a hunch but I'd image those two are the same car, just one ad was done with stock images (possibly before the car arrived into stock to generate interest) and then when the car came into stock they put up a new ad with real images.

I think but again I'm not 100% sure, the two ads are also examples of two different purchasing options for the same car. 5.9% is the VW bank rate for traditional HP finance and 3.9% is their rate for used car PCP. So they are possibly more keen to sell it on used PCP or maybe if you work out the numbers the total purchase cost works out similar?

As for the whole 1.6/ 2.0 think, IMO in day to day driving you'd hardly tell the difference between the two, it's only really noticeable when thrash them. A 2.0 would be a nice to have, for the bit of extra power but the 1.6 is perfectly acceptable in them, particularly as 2.0's will be harder to find.

bear1

You could also look at importing one in.
Quick check on donedeal show a few 2.0. Personally I'd go for the 2.0, just a more relaxing drive but if you're content with the 1.6 then all power to you.

mickdw

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

It's only a hunch but I'd image those two are the same car, just one ad was done with stock images (possibly before the car arrived into stock to generate interest) and then when the car came into stock they put up a new ad with real images.

I think but again I'm not 100% sure, the two ads are also examples of two different purchasing options for the same car. 5.9% is the VW bank rate for traditional HP finance and 3.9% is their rate for used car PCP. So they are possibly more keen to sell it on used PCP or maybe if you work out the numbers the total purchase cost works out similar?

As for the whole 1.6/ 2.0 think, IMO in day to day driving you'd hardly tell the difference between the two, it's only really noticeable when thrash them. A 2.0 would be a nice to have, for the bit of extra power but the 1.6 is perfectly acceptable in them, particularly as 2.0's will be harder to find.

I don't agree. My father has a 1.6. Beautiful car in terms of finish, comfort etc. A major step up from previous passat model however it is badly let down by that 1.6 engine. It's noisy at slow speed and if you are in a hurry at all, you will have to thrash it meaning it's even more noisy.
A 2.0 dsg would be a completely different experience.

vectra

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

As for the whole 1.6/ 2.0 think, IMO in day to day driving you'd hardly tell the difference between the two, it's only really noticeable when thrash them. A 2.0 would be a nice to have, for the bit of extra power but the 1.6 is perfectly acceptable in them, particularly as 2.0's will be harder to find.

Trust me, you would find an immediate difference.
I had to 2.0/150 and I knew of many many buyers of the 1.6/120 that regretted their choice, They are not great at all pulling that body.
Also not really any more economical, I saw 64 mpg regularly on a Cork ~Dublin trip, and that was not driving like Miss Daisy. I was just under all speed limits. I knew owners of 1.6's struggling to get near that.
Literally no difference in motor tax as far as I am aware. Can't remember if mine should be €180 or€190 per year.

OP
Do yourself a big favour and take both for a drive.
Try to do some motorway driving and some hilly driving.
Compare both on as similar roads as possible.

Toyotafanboi

Sure the 2.0 is definitely a nice to have but the 1.6 is a competent car to drive, not fast but really someone looking for a fast car with a silent engine isn't looking at diesel Passats. The 1.6 gets the job done in it with not much fuss.

Just looking at the figures alone:
In 2015 there was 2773 diesel Passats registered, 2289 1.6's and 484 2.0's
Currenty on carzone there is 278 2015 diesel Passats, 196 1.6's and 81 2.0's
Of those 81 2.0's, there's only 10 in county Cork and of those 10, 4 are estates

So really I'd recommend the OP at least not rule out the 1.6 as it makes up >75% of the national Passat fleet and while not particularly fast is a perfectly acceptable drive.

vectra

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Sure the 2.0 is definitely a nice to have but the 1.6 is a competent car to drive, not fast but really someone looking for a fast car with a silent engine isn't looking at diesel Passats. The 1.6 gets the job done in it with not much fuss.

Just looking at the figures alone:
In 2015 there was 2773 diesel Passats registered, 2289 1.6's and 484 2.0's
Currenty on carzone there is 278 2015 diesel Passats, 196 1.6's and 81 2.0's
Of those 81 2.0's, there's only 10 in county Cork and of those 10, 4 are estates

So really I'd recommend the OP at least not rule out the 1.6 as it makes up >75% of the national Passat fleet and while not particularly fast is a perfectly acceptable drive.

Bad advice going on sales numbers.
its the numbers under the bonnet that count,
Just because a 2.o is recommended by most here on this thread, doesn't mean and of those members are suggesting anything about a "Fast" car.
The only part of your comment that is any way true to the point, is where you stated that the "1.6 gets the job done"
All well and good if that is what you want to throw 20 grand at.
But for that money a lovely 2.0 would be had which is superior to the 1.6.

Toyotafanboi

I think for the purposes of shopping, going on sales numbers is pretty rock solid advice. You can literally see the breakdown of how many of each was sold and how many are currently available to buy, you cant get any more factual advice than that.

I agree for the 3rd time the 2.0 is certainly a "nice to have" but to take the 1.6 off their shopping list would be foolish. Let's not act like the 2.0 is some pinnacle of motoring power or refinement. We're still talking about a diesel Passat here. That's all I'm saying.

Anyway, let's wait and hear back from the OP and not take this too far off topic.

vectra

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

I think for the purposes of shopping, going on sales numbers is pretty rock solid advice. You can literally see the breakdown of how many of each was sold and how many are currently available to buy, you cant get any more factual advice than that.

I agree for the 3rd time the 2.0 is certainly a "nice to have" but to take the 1.6 off their shopping list would be foolish. Let's not act like the 2.0 is some pinnacle of motoring power or refinement. We're still talking about a diesel Passat here. That's all I'm saying.

Anyway, let's wait and hear back from the OP and not take this too far off topic.

In case you missed the posts, I am not the only poster that has mentioned the the 2.0 is the one to go for, but again you seem to be obsessed in chasing my posts.

The thing is,
I have owned a 2.0 model to back up my suggestion and not go by "what it says on paper"

And in case you missed out as well
the OP did say

My mileage is borderline petrol/diesel. Most of the kilometres are on the motorway but do drive through Dublin maybe twice a week.

I seem to miss where he said anything about doing shopping !

spitonmedickie

Hoping to get out to drive the 2l Wednesday or Thursday, any ideas on what the price difference might be?

vectra

spitonmedickie wrote: »

Hoping to get out to drive the 2l Wednesday or Thursday, any ideas on what the price difference might be?

No idea whatsoever.
You will really have to check on carsireland etc to get an idea for yourself and try to bargain from there.