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

**richyrich** · 09-07-2009,01:06 PM

Yup,

Go for the 2.0 Gt TDI, best car I've ever owned (and my 1st diesel). Don't think I'll ever go back to petrol engines now, the new generation diesel engines are just a different class compaired their predecessors.

Rich.

**Smooth kid** · 09-07-2009,03:56 PM

I've not been a member of this forum for much time and owned a Golf Gt Tdi for even less time, but I would seriously reccomend going diesel. Like the previous post this was my first diesel purchase and my only regret is that I didn't get one sooner.
The car is clearly built to last and it terms of the disel factor easily returns 54mpg on the motorway drinving at the legal speed limit and when you wanna go fast it doesn't let you down!!

It's deffinatley worth thinking about.... You should go to a dealer and take a test drive of a couple of different models.

**deshg** · 10-07-2009,04:46 PM

Hey everyone,

I test drove a 1.6FSI, a 1.9 TDI and a 2.0 TDI GT today and i now understand what you have all been saying. The standard drive in the 1.6 and 1.9 felt very similar to me but you could really feel the turbo in the 1.9 compared to the 1.6 when you got going, however it was quite a lot louder.

I didn't think i'd be too enamoured with the GT, however it was such good fun to drive, the acceleration felt so much better than the 1.6 or the 1.9. Unfortunatley because i was test driving 3 i didn't have too long in each, but the comfort of hte standard drive felt pretty similar across all three to me, would you all say that's true?

As a result i am now torn between a 1.9 TDI (i have found one less than a year old in dark grey which i like, 5000 on the clock and a match version so it's higher spec) for 12k, which i can probably knock them down a bit.

Alternatively i could go for an older GT, the best one i found was Sept 06 plate, 12000 on the clock, also dark grey, which i could also hopefully knock down the price a bit.

What is the difference between the 1.9 TDI and the GT aside from the engines, does the GT have different suspension or is that just the GT sport model. I didn't notice in my short drive, but does the GT feel more tweaked in normal driving conditions than the 1.9TDI, to be honest i'm probably more comfort over tweaking (if you see what i mean!) i just like the power of the GT a lot. And additionally does anyone know the difference in interior spec from a 1.9 Match to a GT? From what RickT said (thanks) the GT has no cruise control or steering wheel controls (and i believe no ipod connection as standard), are they the only differences?

Thanks so much for your help guys, i really want to go out and buy one of them, i'm just not sure which to go for, i'd really appreciate your help on the spec differences and the difference in normal drive between the two?

Dave

**RickT** · 10-07-2009,05:20 PM

Hi Dave,

I will reply in more details once i get home,

Im so GLAD you went out and test drove them all, you know what we were saying now regarding the 1.6 petro, is all about the feeling!

Cheers

Rick

**KeithS** · 10-07-2009,05:51 PM

Originally Posted by deshg

Thanks so much for your help guys, i really want to go out and buy one of them, i'm just not sure which to go for, i'd really appreciate your help on the spec differences and the difference in normal drive between the two?

Dave

Dave,

First off on the specs (I have the brochure in front of me..) All below where it says 'GT' read 'GT Sport'.

The 1.9TDI is 105PS, the GT is either 140 or 170. In terms of performance, this equates to 0-60 of 11.3s and top speed of 116mph for the 1.9, and a 0-60 of 9.3 or 8.2 and top speed of 127 or 137mph for the GT depending on which one.

The Match has the front centre armrest which is an option on the GT, it has the highline computer (GT has the midline by default) and the multifunction steering wheel and cruise control. The GT has sports suspension, lowered by 15mm. The Match has 61/2Jx15 alloys with 195/65 R15s while the GT has 7Jx17 alloys with 225/45 R17's. The Match and the GT have different seats and upholstery; the Match's seats are described as 'comfort' while the GT's are 'sports'. The GT has darkened headlight lenses and rear tinted windows; the GT170 has a twin exhaust tailpipe. And the GT has a different styling pack.

I wasn't sure which one to choose - a sensible 1.9 or the TDI 170 which is a wolf in sheeps' clothing - had to go with the heart and choose the latter and I'm glad I did!

Keith

**deshg** · 10-07-2009,05:53 PM

RickT - i certainly do see what you mean now, i'm pretty sure if i had have got the 1.6 i would have been quite irritated with myself! I am very much looking forward to your comments on the 1.9 vs the GT, i'm really not sure what to do now, i'm worried the suspension on the GT is going to end up annoying me in comparison to the comfort of the 1.9 Match, but i'm not sure how different it really is.

Thanks so much for your help,

Dave

**deshg** · 10-07-2009,05:57 PM

Thanks for your comments Keith, i was writing a reply to Rick as you were writing yours so i missed it, but that is very helpful. In your experience how different is the ride between the GT and the 1.9 in normal driving conditions (ignoring the obviously benefit in acceleration etc of the GT), in terms of the suspension etc, my friend had a mini with sports suspension and i found that quite uncomfortable because it was so tight?

Thanks,

Dave

**deshg** · 10-07-2009,05:58 PM

Oh and also what is the difference between the midline and the highline computer?

Thanks again!

**KeithS** · 10-07-2009,06:06 PM

I couldn't really say as I drove the 1.9 only once and that was a year and a half ago - the GT Sport is a bit 'hard' on poor road surfaces, probably a lot of this is due to the tyres though.

About the computer - am not sure about the exact difference, someone else can probably say better. The midline one (I have) has the basics like miles remaining, av speed, time so far, distance, av mpg and instantaneous mpg, speed warning.

**RickT** · 10-07-2009,11:58 PM

Originally Posted by deshg

RickT - i certainly do see what you mean now, i'm pretty sure if i had have got the 1.6 i would have been quite irritated with myself! I am very much looking forward to your comments on the 1.9 vs the GT, i'm really not sure what to do now, i'm worried the suspension on the GT is going to end up annoying me in comparison to the comfort of the 1.9 Match, but i'm not sure how different it really is.

Thanks so much for your help,

Dave

Hi Dave,

Right... now the debate really does start...

1.9TDI MATCH V GT 2.0TDI...

In theory, the GT will win most peoples hearts all day long, however i feel it really comes down to what your needs are.

The 1.9TDI 105 PD is a good engine, its been around for many years now, tried and tested and always feels good to drive.

The 2.0TDi is very much more refined and is quieter providing that extra amount of torque and power when required.

As mentioned earlier, i own a 1.9TDI MK5 in SE spec, the reason behind own purchase was that we had as a second car a 1.2 (64, S) 2006 VW Polo 3 Door, which felt nippy to drive around town but really lacked power. The car was perfect for our lass going to and from work in but we managed to trade it in at the right time just before the "recession" so got a decent price and traded it against a MK5 Golf... when i say traded... we really did a swap, yes the Golf was 1 year older than the Polo, but car for car, the Golf is more practical.

Going back on topic.... if i was to buy either car, one side of me stays the 1.9TDI for cost, running costs and drive, but on the other hand in hindsight i do like the 2.0TDI unit and the finishing touches with the grill etc on the GT model...

But as the MATCH now has full colour coded bumpers, it does look as good as the rest.

if you want a A to B car, happy to sit on the motorway @ 80-90MPH (i mean KM ah honour!) the 1.9TDI will serve you well...

If your wanting that mean grill, the GT sport badge and the 2.0TDI, to give that extra feeling in the bends on the twisty roads the GT "sport" maybe the car for you.

The real question for you now is, shall you go for a newer car with a less power (35BHP) or an older model??

Taking into account, a remap can cost you around £250-300 and the 1.9TDI will run @ 140BHP no problem without any massive strane, it all comes down to want you want....

All in all, now we have "decided" the 1.6 Petrol is out of the picture, i think which ever model you go for, 1.9 or 2.0 TDI's you will be happy....

One other thing to add, did the MATCH 1.9TDi have the 5 or 6 speed gear box in it??

One "other" thing... I would try and look for a model which has the digital Climate control also, this is a personal preference which wont cost you any more on the used car market,

I guess you drove all these cars from a VW dealer at the same garage, if so, get them side by side and just keep looking and seating in each one to help you decide..

As they say, the ball is now in your court and its your cash, remember that you only wanted to spend 10k and dont get carried away

12k could see you in this...

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk...leRegLetter=08

[IMG]http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/img...a?id=942878021[/IMG]

or this... for 10k 500...
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk...icleRegLetter=

Let us know how you get on..

Cheers

Rick