Some of you may know, I'm toying with moving on from my Audi S4. Great car in every way, but I've had it for 3 yrs and I *think* I'm getting itchy feet.

Sooooo.... I've been looking around, whilst the RS4 is another option, their prices seem to be in freefall at the moment and the same goes for some other similar marques.

I've found myself looking very seriously at the Golf GTi. I've driven a manual back to back with the new S3, (Nice interior, well put together, and *slightly* (despite having an extra 65bhp) quicker in the real world) - not enough of a difference to command the extra premium (IMHO) - and that's coming from an Audi owner

So, the manual GTi - loved it. But after hearing such alot about the DSG, I thought I'd better try it, even just for elimination purposes.

Called my local dealership (South Hereford Volkswagen) - no Golf GTis in. However, I could try a Scirroco DSG..... "Kill 2 birds with 1 stone" I thought, as I'd been waiting to try one.

Firstly, dealership were FANTASTIC. It takes ALOT for me to say that, as I tend to treat all dealers with contempt

The car was the 2L FSI. Silver.
First impression - from the outside, a very pretty front end, with a FAT bum!
Inside, OMG. Claustrophobic!! You could argue that it is "secure".....

Major blind spots - rear visibility is poor, as is the boot space. Stereo was poor, albeit touchscreen. It had Winterpack (heated seats) and armrest Ipod connection. What was REALLY gash was the Aux input - a Maplin-special 3.5mm socket above the handbrake. Bl00dy awful.

The drive - once I'd set the handling to sport, it was quite nice However, it got to good speed with no real sense of occasion. Bit of a let-down tbh.

The biggest surprise was that of the DSG. Flappy paddle that doesn't select reverse. Still have a kick down (a la Automatic) and it revs to the limit!!

Hand of heart, I drove it for about 40 miles (with the Wife joining in too) and we couldn't see the point. A fantastic bit of kit for quick gear changes, but too "auto" - the flappy paddle is a bit gimmicky.

I prefer the manual option I think.


The kids didn't like the rear of the Scirocco either, complaining of little visibilty.

So, I'm definitely going for a manual with my GTi though

And no, I wouldn't buy the Scirocco - all the time, we both felt that we were extras to the occasion that was the car. It was not an extension to us. IMHO, definitely a case of form over function.

Dan

 

Was this the Mk V or Mk VI GTI?

If a MkV (or the MkVI drives anything like the MkV) I can never understand why people like them. From new, in 24000 miles, ours has had three electrical faults (all minor, non immobilising thankfully), four corroded wheels (not kerbed), the interiors are not as well built as the Mk IV, the steering is dull, it has no traction out of wet bends and it is slow with an uncomfortable ride. It is a shopping car trying to be fast, and fails miserably, even the depreciation is worse than expected. Every time I drive it I curse it for being slow AND uncomfortable, and if I try to drive it hard I keep muttering under my breath, "Front wheel drive pish".

The S4 has a nicer engine note, accelerates properly and has the traction to use it, and is better built (turbos and leaks aside).

 

LOL John - yeh, I've seen that it's not your favourite car

I was looking at the MK5.

The S4 has been fantastic, but I want something different and whilst it's got some serious armoury under the bonnet, it's not a driver's car. I accept that it may not be your type of drivers car though

Dan

 

A driver's car should have steering and brake feel, suspension that keeps the tyres on the tarmac when it matters.

A Ford Puma is a driver's car. A hotted up Golf isn't the real deal. It is only about half as much fun in the twisties.

An S4 can have quite comical shove to make up for it if modded. The Golf is just a FWD shopping car trying to be something hotter. It is an epic fail IMHO.

What about a 335i?

 

Needs to be a hatch. And don't say that abomination of a bmw 1-series! LOL!

 

a ford puma? a drivers car?


im a lover of the s3, cant beat it really. i love the fact that if u mess up, it will handle like a front wheel drive car, but with the grip of a 4x4 one if that makes sense.

 

Puma is a better driver's car than an S3 IMHO. Better balance, better feel. It doesn't accelerate faster, but neither accelerate very well anyway.

 

If you need a hatch, what about a 335i touring?

Better feel than any VAG, doesn't understeer in that special VAG way they all do, has some compliance, and some feel to its controls.

 

Another one for the puma it may be small but its got an excellent chassis, it had decent power for its size and the ford racing ones are stunning

Tony

 

Obviously I don't mean buy a Puma to the original poster. Too small and old.

Golf is dull to drive, uncomfortable and slow.

 

I had a Puma in 98 and sold it for my first Impreza in 2001.

In hindsight, that was my first mistake...

Steve

 

Puma... hmm.

Maybe 205GTi... thats a proper FWD car.

 

I've got a proper driver's car - the 306 gti6 Phase 1 too - the best!

Dan

 

Why on earth is this a problem?

RyanSTI, the Puma is a cracking driver`s car, if you can find a decent 1.7 try it, they aren`t quick but they are a delight!

 

This isn't the deciding factor in why I won't get DSG, it was just one of them. IMHO, it defeats the object of having the gear change controls on the steering wheel, if you then have to use the "stick" as well.

Seems like the DSG is trully encompassing both worlds (manual & auto) but includes ALL the controls!! LOL!

After seeing cars that do select all the gears through the paddles, I assumed this would be the same.

Dan

 

Why do you have to use the stick as well? I thought you could just use the paddles.

 

To select reverse.

And of course, to choose "S" mode - an higher-revving change. (didn't like this - was very akin to the old kick-down)

Dan

 

For the avoidance of doubt, I think DSG is fab and should be non-optional standard equipment in all cars. By law

 

LOL!

 

you's going soft Dan!! lol

 

LOL Mr Chan

I have actually also been looking at RS6s - talk about being like a kiddy in a sweetshop

Dan