Best Golf for £10k and confusion over different engines?

[MrPhilly]

Can't say as this has ever been an issue for me.

I echo the diesel sentiment. My 2.0 GT TDi is by far and away the best car I've ever had and I can't fault the engine. Quiet and relaxed when I need it, but with instant grunt anywhere in the rev range thanks to the torque.

Ok, I post very infrequently but I thought I should reply to this.

Regarding the Gloves at fuel stations for Diesels. Unburned Diesel fuel contains carcinogenic matter and it has been suggested that prolonged exposure to unburned Diesel Fuel (and also dirty sooty Oil) might be connected to Cancer in later life.

So, how many people now will start using Gloves..

Cheers,

Phil Cain
Diesel Enginner

[elvismiggell]

Ok, I post very infrequently but I thought I should reply to this.

Regarding the Gloves at fuel stations for Diesels. Unburned Diesel fuel contains carcinogenic matter and it has been suggested that prolonged exposure to unburned Diesel Fuel (and also dirty sooty Oil) might be connected to Cancer in later life.

So, how many people now will start using Gloves..

Cheers,

Phil Cain
Diesel Enginner

I hear what you say mate, but if we worried about taking precautions for all the hazardous materials we come into contact with we'd never get anything done!

Besides, I only have to fill up once a month!

[sgtbanjo]

Can't say as this has ever been an issue for me.
.

I can only assume you live in an area where the petrol pumps are kept impeccably clean by the forecourt staff

Also the sulphurous odour is only when the engine is running, surely you must have had that?

[deshg]

Thanks so much for all of your help everyone, i'm overwhelmed!


The reality is i'm going to predominantly be doing short town journeys rather than longer motorway ones. My friend had a new Mini with sports suspension and i must admit i didn't really like it because whilst i appreciate it 'drove' better at speed i felt it was a lot less comfortable. From what i understand this is one of the facets of a sports model over a normal (say the GT over the 1.6 FSI)?



I have checked out what i can afford and whilst the 1.4 TSI sounds like the best option for me, the insurance is so high (i've only had a license for 2.5 years and live in a pretty high insurance area) i don't think i can really justify it (anything under a grand came with a £3000 excess!!)


As a result, listening to everyones comments it sounds like it's between a 2.0 TDI GT and the 1.6 FSI (the insurance is similar). I am going to go and test drive these as soon as possible as that is obviously essential, but other than that i just can't decide.


From what a number of people have said it sounds like i might be more suited to the 1.6 petrol, rather than the 2.0 GT diesel and in all reality (as you can all probably tell!) i'm not exactly a car expert. I'm quite sure the 1.6 will be more than enough for now (my last car was a 12 year old 1.2 fiesta, so anything will obviously be a lot better!). However my concern is that in a year or two (i hope to keep this car for a while), once i get used to it, will i really wish i'd got the GT and have the extra power?


I guess there isn't a lot more information you can give me as you've already been so thorough, i'm just not sure. What people have said about diesels being more suitable for longer drives and petrol being more for short in town journeys (which is what i will be doing, i live in London) draws me towards the 1.6 (which was my original intension), however pretty much every comment i've had on this and other forums is that i'm crazy not to get a 2.0 TDI GT over a 1.6 FSI.
Any other comments?


Thanks so much everyone, i really am so appreciative, this is fantastic,


Dave

[RickT]

Dave,

Take a look at the 1.9TDI 105 in SE spec or Match

These are cheaper on the insurance and will feel as quick as the 1.6 petrol for sure..

if i was you....... Test drive a 2.0 TDI, Then a 1.9TDi.. then a 1.6 petrol and see what you think....

The problem you have at the moment is you are comparing 2 different classes of car in my opinion, the 2.0 GT TDI is worlds apart in the feel of the drive and cost from the 1.6..

Get test driving and see what you think.....

Rick

[deshg]

RickT- Aside from the insurance wouldn't you go for a 1.6 FSI over a 1.9 TDI as it's a higher PS?

Dave

[RickT]

RickT- Aside from the insurance wouldn't you go for a 1.6 FSI over a 1.9 TDI as it's a higher PS?

Dave

On paper it is.... but from owning a 1.9TDI and having to drive a 1.6 golf now and again its worlds apart in my opinion....




Volkswagen Golf Hatchback (04-08) 1.6 Sport FSI 5d
Performance
Engine Size 1598 cc
Cylinders 4
0-60 mph 10.5 s
Power Output 113 bhp
Valves 16
Torque 155 Nm 114 lb-ft
Top Speed 119 mph

Costs

MPG 40
Insurance Group 6
Euro Emissions Standard IV
CO2 Emissions 168 g/km
Road Tax Band H



Volkswagen Golf Hatchback (04-08) 1.9 Sport TDI 5d
Performance

Engine Size 1896 cc
Cylinders 4
0-60 mph 10.7 s
Power Output 103 bhp
Valves 8
Torque 250 Nm 184 lb-ft
Top Speed 116 mph

Costs

MPG 52
Insurance Group 6
Euro Emissions Standard IV
CO2 Emissions 143 g/km
Road Tax Band F



The road tax on the 1.9TDi is £66 for 6 months, or £122 'ish' for 12 months..

Take a look at the MPG figures.... the 0-60 times and Torque...

And to be honest.... I think the 1.9TDI will do the 0-60 run a bit quicker than what is stated above...

Plus..... get the 1.9TDI re-mapped upto around 145 to 150bhp too...

its easy for me and other here to express our opinions, but as said above the best test is to get test driving and see what you feel and are happy with.

(ps.. the 1.9TDI will and hold its value better than the 1.6 petrol.)

Rick

[sgtbanjo]

Yes I agree - the 1.9 tdi SE. These are brilliant all round cars and will still give you a nice shove in the back, less road noise than a GT due to thinner tyres, cheaper insurance and tax. I ran one for over 4 years upto 136,000 miles. Sometimes I wish I'd kept it because it was actually more suitable for my job than the GT.

Test drive one and I'll put money on it you'll buy it! You'll also get plenty of change out of your 11k for a two year old one I should think.

[CharlesCourtney]

I have checked out what i can afford and whilst the 1.4 TSI sounds like the best option for me, the insurance is so high (i've only had a license for 2.5 years and live in a pretty high insurance area) i don't think i can really justify it (anything under a grand came with a £3000 excess!!)

That's very interesting, last December when I got a new Golf plus SE 1.4 TSI I part ex'ed a 55 plate Golf Plus 1.6 FSI - and the insurance company gave me money back - all be it after the admin fees it was only £20 .

[KeithS]

The reality is i'm going to predominantly be doing short town journeys rather than longer motorway ones.

Dave

In which case you should definitely consider a diesel. They are fine for stop/start town driving, guess what your London taxis are diesels!

I've had petrol engines up until now but I wouldn't go back to them now - am totally sold on the economy and low down grunt of a diesel.