My Golf (Mk6 2.0 GT TDi) has finally been repaired and I'll pick it up later on today - I've had my loaner Golf for nearly 3 weeks and just over 1000 miles so I feel I can give my view of it.

In short, I rather like it - I like the bluetooth, parking sensors and all the other refinements of a Golf. It rides more comfortable than mine and is a damn sight more economical - I have had an indicated 49.8 mpg average during my time with is which has included motorway, cross country drive to Whitby, rural driving and a little spirited driving thrown in a couple of times. Not bad at all - my Golf would have returned about 45 at best.

I thought I'd hate the 5 gears, as opposed to 6, but I've adjusted to it quickly and I've discovered that the engine seems happiest with 5, pulling nicely and well - albeit slower than my Golf. The performance hasn't, I've noticed, been noticeably lacking - it goes, it pulls, it makes most of the right noises and I'm pleasantly surprised by it.

The ride is a lot softer than a lowered GT on 18" wheels, but you'd expect that - I'm not sure how I'll adjust to the harder ride as I've grown happy with the softer ride... I fear my family won't like it!

It was a nice experience - so much so that when my Golf goes back in April, I may look at a 1.6 diesel (depending on what the Mk7 offers) instead - saying that, I may end up with a Leon due to company car costs

Watch this space for my lamenting later!

JTW