Hi everyone, Im new to this forum, and currently deciding on what new car to buy (hot hatch) I will be honest, nearly put pen to paper on a New Type-r, though I realised its soon to stop production, so I test drove the Mk5 GTI last week. The two cars are very similar and different in respective areas, though the GTI is far more , also im told VW's realiability isnt as good as honda ????? Please any Mk5 GTI owners, any advice, opinions, got to decide a.s.a.p Thanks.
Do want a raw racer or an all rounder? CTR MUST have aircon (so add an extra grand) and is quite a raw experience - It needs mercilessly thrashing as it has not a lot of torque and all the power is way up the rpm range. However, drive one properly (must be the newer shape/spec) and it's very quick indeed and Honda have not yet had a single engine failure. The Golf is turbo'd so has more torque and a lot more mid range shove. The handling is tidier and it's a more solid car (CTR interior is a bit dodgy), more classy but a bit slower due to extra weight. I'd go for the GTi tbh.
Well I like the way the golf puts you in your seat (torque) though once your in the rpm range the CTR is fun as well. If Id have the golf I would have it with leather + metallic paint, comes to around 22k, thats nearly in the price range of the new r32 which is bound to have more extras / power Depreciation is also a big factor in my decision, dont fancy loosing loads of when I come to sell it on.
The new R32 does seem good value but it's a bit minging with those dodgy alloys and chrome grill. CTR will depreciate heavily as soon as the new shape comes out - My mk4 R32 did when the GTi came out even though it was faster. I think the GTi will take a hit when the new R32 comes out though - Can you wait for it?
CTR all the way...R32 is top drawer but wouldn't be my first choice. Wait a month or so and prices will start to fall.
Problem is ppl, ive sold my car about a month ago, borrowing a car at the moment but not going to have it for long.
Depends on your taste. Honda is a great car when you can be bothered. The rest of the time its a pain in the ass. Golf performance is lots more accessible but the last 10 percent is not as rewarding. Golf all day for my money. There are one or two second hand and ex. demos kicking around if you need one quickly. Megane is not a bad drive but not as nice as the Golf. Astra looks like something out of Ratners window. New Leon should be good if you can wait a bit.
Dont buy a car in a rush - ive done that on a couple of motors and completely regretted it afterwards. Buy a 200 nail to keep you going until you find 'the one' for you!
If you don't want to lose alot of money don't buy a new car. There's loads of 05 Gti's for 20k-21k that have taken the major hit on depeciation. Or buy a 3/4 year old M3
GTI Mk5 definitely. Great allrounder and especially 5-door with DSG which is something none of its competitors have. No need for leather etc, it's the same car to drive whether it costs 20K or 25K. ALL cars depreciate! VW are currently planning to produce only another 7,000 for the UK during 2006 (was 6,500 in 2005) so demand is still high and supply relatively low. I have yet to come across anyone who regrets buying the new Mk5 GTI....It's a pure joy to drive as a road car. Test drive one for at least an hour and make sure you also try out DSG even if on a TDI.
Uh oh, Red Robin has "found" me from TSN... Not posting there any more as I've decided it's a bit ponsy.
Civic type R. Good fuel economy and f*ck me does it go! My mates one is good for everyday driving as long as you keep it below 4K rev's. However the car feels a bit breathless at 4K but it starts to tug, VTEC kicks in, at 6K not too bad but then all of a sudden it kicks in hader all the way to 8.5K revs! Sounds lush too! But Golf might be a better drive in total. R32 are good VFM, and I think they sound awesome as standard, but drink fuel! Type R's handle well and the seats are comfy, and have to say the MK5 golf i went in (non-gti) seemed a bit bland on the interior.
G-Man, the GTI Mk5 Golf interior is far beeter than the standard Mk5....The seats are among the best available and trim is good. DSG vs Manual in the GTI: For anyone who is very skilled at 'conventional' manual stickshifting and who appreciates the enjoyment of getting it right as a fine art, the DSG will most likely be thought of as inferior and even a gimmick or merely an automatic with bells on. I'm not putting forward a case to say that the DSG is better than the Manual or vica versa....Ultimately it comes down to each driver's personal preference. The DSG integrates a very practical, though different, form of manual gear changing with an automatic on steroids. The automatic component consists of two modes: D-mode which shifts each gear at low revs thresholds and is consequently the most economical, and S-mode which only shifts gears at very high revs thresholds and is very sporty and impressive. Surely I don't need to describe the road/traffic conditions which any automatic is particularly suited to the benefit of the driver. While in either D or S modes, you can temporarily override the automatic transmission by using the paddleshifts, even going directly from 4th to 2nd by merely double clicking. If you don't use the paddles again for about 20 seconds the transmission will revert to automatic. If you want to go back to D sooner then just hold the + paddle for a couple of seconds. However, if you wish to remain in DSG's manual mode then nudge the floor stick sideways from D and you can then continue for as long as you like using either the paddles or tiptronic on the stick. I personally much prefer the paddles but each to their own and it's good there are choices. DSG offers quicker than human gear changes but the technique may not float your boat personally. I personally love the flexibility between all modes while driving and as an important consequence - the increased safety aspects (when in a 'tight spot'). Comparison of performance between Manual and DSG is perhaps marginal....You can argue til the cows come home about stats, but the person driving is a huge factor. As a driver of a DSG GTI I would advise anyone seriously considering ordering a GTI to test drive a DSG version rather than prejudging it. Like it or not, technology never stands still and the art of gearshifting is evolving. Fair enough if you still prefer the Manual version. It's a great car either way.
The R32 is not actually an awful lot quicker than the CTR but once you experience the sound and torque and power from idle to redline, it's hard to go back. You NEVER get caught in the wrong gear in the R (unless you are a total spaz) and it sounds great at all revs plus it's almost totally impossible to unsettle it unless you're actually trying to crash it. I'm back on FWD now with a lot of torque and although it's a very fine handling and sophisticated chassis, it can't defy physics. The GTi nearly does, but not quite.
i have a mk5 on order and i went for manual . my reason are as follows. 1,i like manual changeing (more driver orrientated) 2,price 3,what happens if/when it goes wrong after the warrenty ? but i must add that i never drove a dsg , mainly coz i would prob love it and spend the extra cash that i don't have
SutherlandM I posted an article recently on the Type R I test drove from my local stealer...a run out model. In general it was a good car in certain areas but my overall experience is that driving it flat out was fun but not so good driving like that everyday. It was flat as a fart below 5k and was a pain on motorways and A roads picking overtakes off. It was continual stirring of the box which although I like can be a pain at times.My old MK2 2 litre valver had more go mid range and was just as punchy up top at nearly 8k pushing 200bhp. The backend was light/nervous especially under brakes. I liked the car but wouldn't buy one now. Ian
Ian - I agree and also found the back end nervous. The R's back end is very hard to unsettle, partly due to it's rear end weight! I bought a powerful (ish) diesel because I really cannot stand low torque any more (possibly because I'm now over 30?!) and needed a stealthmobile (my R32 had to be sold after constant theft attempts). I'll be back on petrol again soon but it's going to have to be torquey so therefore probably an rather expensive big block wallet wilting petrol! What have you got now?
Sutherland Sold the valver and bought the Missus has got a 1.9tdi Sport Polo 3 door..100bhp plus loads of torque air con and a nice spec/colour. Very nice easy car to drive that gives 60mpg..good news with current fuel prices I'm developing my MKIV GTI turbo........when will it end ? I was considering selling and still might in the future but the trouble is I'm really starting to enjoy it now and it's fun if not expensive modding it. I would like the MK5 but buying and modding it right now doesn't make financial sense (unless your loaded) Keeping muy options open as one would say Ian
