Christ

Now I don’t usually feel the need to ask advice on buying cars, but wouldn’t mind hearing peoples thoughts…

I was originally looking to buy a 05/55 Plate Cupra R, and in fact theres a couple in this weeks auto-trader which fit the bill. But, am just thinking that I’ll be buying an “old” model, with the new one out in the next few months…

So what about chucking another 2k on top and getting a Mk5 GTI, do you think this is a better bet from a depreciation aspect?

I know they are a little down on power, but this can easily be remedied.

Better built, fresher designed car, or just paying more for the VW badge?


Cheers

Chris

mrtheedge2u2

I personally got a far better driving experience from the LCR than Golf...... You could pick up the last of the old style LCR for under 15K from the dealerships

matchmaker

What about a new Octavia vRS?

scooby74

Its still a skoda and people will still take the **** no matter how fast it is.

Christ

Did you own either, or have you just driven both?? Interesting...

Christ

They did appeal at one point, but not to the missus!!

Alg

Had a Leon Cupra R. Excellent car. Drove 3000 miles through Europe over ten days.Never missed a beat. Quick. (can be chipped to 265 ish). Had 148mph showing on the clock through France one night so quick enough for me.
Mk 5 GTI i know nothing about but will probably lose less money at resale.

john banks

Wife had 05 Octy vRS and now 06 Golf GTI. The Golf's engine is much nicer sounding, less laggy. It will chip to 250-260 BHP. The handling is also better on the GTI, it understeers less and the brakes are more progressive. On bumpy roads the handling falls apart like any VAG motor. Don't know how the Octy vRS compares to the LCR though.

The Golf and Mk1 Octy feel like imitation performance cars compared with a Scooby or Evo though New GTI with a few options is similar cost to a JDM Evo IX. But I'd take the Golf if I was driving a very long way - unless it was twisty, then I'd curse its half arsed performance, grip and handling.

Christ

Dont you rate the handling of the Golf then John, I thought they were fairly good?? Id expect them to be better than (say) a Classic??

Good to hear some feedback from an owner, cheers.

Chris

john banks

I've not been in any German car that takes a back road like a Subabishi. 996 Turbo, E46 M3, Audi RS4 (B5) included as well as a lot of other less exotic stuff. Evo magazine seem to agree on the 997 Turbo against the Evo as well.

AudiLover

lol theyre both getting replaced soon. S3 will arrive in autumn. Heres a pic of it in slight disguise ( s-line badges, boring 3.2quattro alloys) It will have the new 2.0 TFSI with audis valve tronic, and should chip to 300hp. Scooby killer or what.

john banks

What. Decent Scoobies start at about 300 BHP.

If the 3.2 had a couple of turbos and decent handling maybe.

AudiLover

whats the scoobys kerb weight?

john banks

1470-1490 that sort of weight. Evo is about 1400-1410.

Sub 1500, VAG refinement and 500 BHP potential on the stock engine and gearbox would convince me. I would be willing to change the injectors and turbo(s) for that of course. But the end user ECU mapping will always be way behind, there just isn't the informed user modifier base like there is on the Scooby/Evo.

Christ

Mk5 Gti isnt getting replaced "soon" is it?? I know theres talk of the Mk6 but thats a long way off..

I like the old S3's, but not a fan of any of the new ones... yet...

AudiLover

The S3 will come in at about 1200kg. Id have to disagree and agree about VAG remapping, in the UK theres not too much knowledge, but in germany they love theyre VAG units, and love to tune them. Ive seen 1000hp 4.2L audis 700hp 3.2,s and 500hp 2.0T's.

But yeah a stock S3 will give a stock STI a run for its money.

AudiLover

yeah your right, its soon, but not like year from now soon. Facelift to come first still, but VAG want to hurry development and get out a MK6 due to production costs.

Christ

Cant see it being under 1500kg

Im a big fan of S3's but they do only have 225 brake.. I Know which Id rather have though

AudiLover

Current 200hp 2.0T FSI with DSG (s-tronic) weighs in at 1275. Audi say the S3 will be lighter, hence it only having 15-20hp over the 3.2, because weight saving will prevail.


Yeah I was talking about the upcoming one.

Christ

Ah... I see..

Anyway.. what do you reckon between the Cupra or the GTi then, worth the extra £2k ??

AudiLover

Yeah I do mate, especially with DSG.

Chins

Ive owned both of them. Prefer the GTI, but its still dull and boring. My last car was a VXR, which I rate way above both of them for speed, handling and above all fun. Unless you chip either the Cupra R or GTI, you'll die of boredom.
Also VAG build quality isnt what it was and my VXR had less problems and rattles than both.

Jonathna

ChungsterSTI

You've offloaded the VXR already Jonathan????

john banks

Thought the 3dr 2.0T without DSG was about 1320kg - same as the Golf. There was a special deal on at the time we were buying the Golf for a few £K off the A3 2.0T and extra toys, but never bothered testing one as the Golf had better reviews. If you then add a Haldex to it, surely it is going to be getting up to WRX/Evo weights if not STI?

Diablo

If a current 2.0 turbo with DSG weighs 1275kg, I'm pete lewis...

John's figure is right. Add DSG and the haldex system and your looking at over 1400kg.

misty

year bhp kg pwr/w 0-60 0-100
A3 Sportback 2.0T Fsi 04 197 1470 136.17 7.76 20.88

That's without dsg... quite sedentary really!!!! But then again it weighs as much as the brandenberg gate
dave

sgcooby

I like audis, ive even owned an S3, but if this is the new S3 even slightly disguised i think it looks pants. Too tame. It will never scare an STI either as they are never that exciting to drive. Ive no doubt it will be comfier and nicer inside and great on long trips byt it will never rival the scoob for thrills as all audis allways tend to be a bit numb.

Cupramax

You're talking bollards again... No way will the S3 with 4wd be 1200kg, even a 2wd new shape 2.0T TT is 1250kg and thats mostly aluminium.

Also, not much knowledge about remapping VAG units in the UK? What about Revo? AmD? Star Performance? Custom Code...

And 500hp from a 2.0T? None of the major tuners have completed their big turbo kits so unless its had a 200hp shot of NOS your still talking bollards.

john banks

What I meant by my post is where are the:

Plug in aftermarket ECUs
End user kits for mapping the OEM ECU
Forums with tuning info/datalogs etc

DarkForce

Why not get the new model Leon Cupra - same 2.0T 200hp engine as the Mk5 GTi and it looks like the discounted price will be about £15.5k - plus its a better spec than the Golf too! I wouldn't pay the same price for a used older model, thats for sure.

Chris