NewNiceMrMe Posted February 1, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 No, I won't shoot anyone down, you're all entitled to your views and indeed the review is there to stimulate debate. I will say one thing though... I've driven one, and for a good while. How many of you have? Sorry - but it is a very pertinent and relevant point! My review was genuinely neutral - I even discounted the price from £25 to £20k. It makes no difference, IMO, the car still isn't worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted February 1, 2005 Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 Ok hows about this. Rear wheel drive Gorgeous 2.0 Straight 6 Excellent Build quality Standard DVD sat-nav Leather interior Heated seats Superb stereo Bags of standard equipment Great handling A Real quality luxury car. The Lexus IS200 I bet a good few people would want one of those over a Golf GTI if they knew they could pick it up for 20k as an alternative. No its not a 3 door boy racer car but all the better for it even if your young, rear wheel drive and a class straight six anyday of the week surely ?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted February 1, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 Ari will point out that a Golf will leave it for dead, and he'd be right. I must admit, I wouldn't buy an IS200. I drove one as a hire car for 2 days a few years back, and it didn't impress at all. It was a car. Nothing more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted February 1, 2005 Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 It would leave it for dead to that I wouldn't disagree. Had one as a company car for a few years and it was fantastic as was the dealer service. Then engine IMO is an absoulute peach and far far better than My or the GTIs engine for aural pleasure, a big thing for me in a car. Chassis / Handling was also great with little or no understeer and could be pushed very hard on a circuit before it went awol. But it did have its faults, it wasn't enjoyable pushing the last 20% however well it did it, the Sportback is much better in that respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted February 1, 2005 Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Ok hows about this. Rear wheel drive Gorgeous 2.0 Straight 6 Excellent Build quality Standard DVD sat-nav Leather interior Heated seats Superb stereo Bags of standard equipment Great handling A Real quality luxury car. The Lexus IS200 [/ QUOTE ] Alan Partridge had one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted February 1, 2005 Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted February 1, 2005 Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 Oh, and looking through Car Magazine I noticed that the Golf GTI is less than a thousand pounds more than a Renault Megane 225. I think therefore that perhaps they've underpriced the Golf? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted February 1, 2005 Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 I got all my specifications for the brouchures! Riz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted February 1, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 Ari, I'm not listening or reading anything else from you on this subject until I know you've been in one! Even if it isn't driving it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted February 1, 2005 Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 Carrying on this R32 issue HERE Riz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted February 1, 2005 Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Ari, I'm not listening or reading anything else from you on this subject until I know you've been in one! Even if it isn't driving it!! [/ QUOTE ] Dropping my car in for a service tomorrow so if I have time I promise to toddle across to the VW garage opposite and see if they've got one and if so I'll have a sit in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted February 1, 2005 Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 My review/thoughts are based on the fact that I've driven one for 2 days. But........ they are fecking expensive when you look around at what else is there. I'd rather have my A4 over a GTi with options on it as they are similar priced. But I think the GTi is better than a lot of hot hatches, prices aside. Isn't this another typical VW inflated prices stance until they suddenly realise it's OTT? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted February 1, 2005 Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 I spec`ed up a 3 door GTi with DSG plus options.... over 27k! Riz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted February 1, 2005 Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 That is stupid money. As much as I'd pick the GTi over most other cars that size/performance, that's easily a BMW/Audi A6 me thinks. Hmmm, I wonder what I'd go for. I dread to think what the new R32 will cost then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted February 1, 2005 Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I dread to think what the new R32 will cost then! [/ QUOTE ] My thoughts exactly! Fully loaded 3 door GTi costs approx £27k Mmmmm next R32 could hit the £30k mark Check this out.... Riz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted February 1, 2005 Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I dread to think what the new R32 will cost then! [/ QUOTE ] My thoughts exactly! Fully loaded 3 door GTi costs approx £27k Mmmmm next R32 could hit the £30k mark Riz [/ QUOTE ] hmmmm, a used E46 M3 or a new R32 - now there's a choice ????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted February 2, 2005 Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 I looked at one today, just for M3me! And I genuinely loved it! I enjoy my cabrio very very much and I wouldn't want to give up soft top motoring, but if I wasn't that bothered I could definitely see the Golf GTI at the top of my shopping list. The car was a bright red demo car parked on the forecourt. Manual gearbox, black leather, heated seats, not a lot else as far as I could see. I loved the look of the car (seemed to have a different stance to the "cooking" version in the showroom). I loved the subtle but modern and classy interior. I liked the slope of the dash around the stereo, the stereos big display, the three climite control nobs with inset buttons (looked excellent, felt good to use). I liked the blue dash lighting, the pedal details, the interior lighting, the shape and comfort of the seats, everything. I don't think I could find anything to criticise at a quick scout round. This car, or a Renault Megane for £900 less? Don't make me laugh. The Vdub is a bargain in comparison. If it drives as well as it looks/feels (and all the reviews, including the one at the start of this thread suggest it does) then VW have hit the nail bang slap dead centre for their target audience. For the young or young at heart urban professional seeking discreet classy practical transport with a bit of serious performance bite then this car is it. It has taken over where the Audi S3 left off. And remember, that was a classy £25K hot hatchback too. Very very impressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted February 2, 2005 Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 Oh, forgot to say, the car was clearly being run as the company car for one of the staff, who leaves one or two of his "toys" on board. The salesgirl told me "it has a great feature in that it knows what the speed limit is of the road you're driving and bleeps if you go over it, I'm not sure if thats standard". No luv, thats the Road Angel suckered onto the windscreen and plugged into the fag lighter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted February 3, 2005 Report Share Posted February 3, 2005 [ QUOTE ] No luv, thats the Road Angel suckered onto the windscreen and plugged into the fag lighter! [/ QUOTE ] I agree Ari, they've hit the nail on the head with their intended audience here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashbags Posted February 12, 2005 Report Share Posted February 12, 2005 I have to agree that the new Golf GTI is overpriced. I went for a test drive last week and, whilst I agree that it's a super car to drive with great throttle response, it does look a bit too much like other golfs for my money. It just doesn't distinguish itself enough. Likewise, I found the plastics on the centre console very cheap looking indeed. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that the Civic Type R build quality is slightly superior; likewise, the Civic Type R's interior sparkles more than the Golfs. The Golf is very dull inside and could have done with more aluminium effect trim on the centre console. £19,995 would have been a fair price for the golf if it had leather seats and xenon lights included for that money. As it is, £25k is far too much for a well equipped golf ... in fact it's stupid. For that kind of money, you have to be looking at a top spec Mazda RX8, a really good used BMW 330ci or a good used TT 3.2 DSG. Alternatively, wait for the Vauxhall Astra VXR in August 2005, which may well be more of an enthusiasts car and have a much better spec for it's £19,995 list price. What are VW playing at? My advice would be to wait for 6 months and see if the price comes down. What with the mortgage crisis looming, people may well vote with their feet and not buy. Whatcar give a target price for the golf of £18895, but none of my dealers would budge from the list price. If they'd been willing to knock a grand off then I may have been willing to buy, but as it is I refuse to be ripped off by greedy Germans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted February 12, 2005 Report Share Posted February 12, 2005 Hi Ashbags, and welcome to the board. I've had a Honda, I'm sorry, they may look pretty but they don't have the same depth of quality as a good German car. Plus the Vtec engine, whilst fabulous when wound up to the top of the dial on a circuit or a rare empty road simply doesn't provide the same useful low down real world torque of a good turbo 2.0 litre. You soon get fed up with revving the nuts off them I promise. And yes, you could get a second hand TT or 330i, but they're second-hand! Point at any new car and I can tell you which better cars are out there second-hand. And a Vauxhall instead for the same money? Ask yourself this, what will the Golf be worth in 3 years, and what will the Vauxhall be worth? I'd suggest the Vauxhall is a much more expensive ownership proposition when you factor in residuals. As for VW having to drop the price cos no one is buying them, take a look at the Golf GTI forum of this site and all the people with orders placed waiting for delivery. Sorry, no one has yet come up with a better all round hot hatch quality package for circa £20K. Cars with more speed, sure, more toys, yup. But as an all round quality desirable package there's nothing to touch it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belchy Posted February 13, 2005 Report Share Posted February 13, 2005 [ QUOTE ] but as it is I refuse to be ripped off by greedy Germans. [/ QUOTE ] ..please excuse my childish humour, but this must be quote of the day. I can just see Basil faulty coming out with this errm ..anyway, back on topic ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted February 13, 2005 Report Share Posted February 13, 2005 Don't mention the war. I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattR32 Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 I spent Friday in Berlin. Loads of Phaetons but not one R32 - Most odd! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 hmmm £25k for high spec Golf GTI - how much for the new 280bhp S3 - £28k? and that will come with lthr and xenons £3k extra seems a good investment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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