Which fast Volkswagen Golf to buy next year?
If you were buying a fast Golf in 2015 and did about 20,000- to 25,000km a year would you have a Golf R, Golf GTI Performance or Golf GTD? Also, I have driven automatics for the last few years and like them, but would you have DSG or manual in these cars? I'm thinking GTI performance with DSG is a nice balance, as the R still has higher road tax and presumably insurance and performance that will only lose me my licence, while the GTD might be a little pedestrian.
Would value your opinion.
Andrew Kelly (Limerick)Nov 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Andrew,
You're in an enviable position! I'll take your points one by one:
1) Mileage: you definitely do enough miles to see a benefit in having the GTD diesel model, assuming much of it is on the motorway. But the Golf R and GTI aren't really all that bad at a cruise either...
2) Gearbox: I personally would prefer the manual, though I accept that it's a very personal thing in a performance car and if you're used to automatics then stick with the DSG. For the record, it doesn't detract from the car one little bit.
3) GTD vs. GTI: if you read my review you'll see that I was pleasantly surprised by this car, but it took very hard driving to make it shine. At regular speeds (i.e. most of our driving) it felt quite ordinary, whereas the GTI always feels special.
I must admit that, if my budget stretched to the Golf R (and it's cheaper than ever now), I'd go for it. It's always going to be rare and exclusive (though perhaps hard to sell on) and as well as the extra performance it has a brilliant four-wheel drive system.
Nonetheless, I reckon the Golf GTI Performance is probably the best all-round choice, as you've identified for yourself. It's a sensational car, noticeably better to drive even than the regular GTI. You won't regret it one little bit.
Let us know which way you go in any case and here's some more reading for you:
Volkswagen reduces the price of the Golf R
Volkswagen Golf GTI five-door manual road test
Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance (manual)
Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Adviser@Shane_O_D