Been umming and ahhing about a new car for several months but took me a while to decide what to go for. Had been running around in a Clio 172 Cup for over a year because I couldn't make a decision! Was a great little car, but far from a perfect daily. I was looking at buying something for £10-12k, but loan rates actually made it quite an expensive option compared to getting something new. As I want to move house next year, I didn't want to get tied down to anything for 2-3 years, so actually ended up going for a lease, as it gives me the flexibility I want and you seem to be able to get some good deals.

Anyway, I test drove all of the usual suspects; Focus ST, RenaultSport Megane, Civic Type-R, Astra VXR but ended up with this. I liked the Megane/Civic/Astra, but they were a bit like the Clio in that they were very much focused on speed, making them a bit harsh for a daily. I wanted a bit more of a compromise. The Focus was ok, but felt slow compared to the other options. Anyway, a good deal came up so I have gone German. Never had a new car before and it is a bit of a step-up in comfort from the Clio...





















Rather stupidly, this is one of my favourite features. The radio normally looks like this...



...but it has a built-in sensor so, when you put your hand near it, it brings up more detail...



Clever these Germans

Done a few hundred miles in it and happy so far It's actually very subtle apart from the silly exhausts!

 

looks nice...

 

Did you not have the focus rs in mind.

As long as you like it cause thats the main thing.

 

Thanks chaps.

I considered the Focus RS for about 30 seconds until I realised how much more expensive they are Some good lease deals around on these Golfs. Demand for the RS is keeping prices very keen, not to mention the monumental wait and lack of standard equipment being a turn-off for me.

The Focus is probably a bit more fun to drive, but this is a very good all-rounder and the DSG box just makes it a monster. The acceleration is utterly relentless, there is no pause at all, it just goes and goes.

 

How much did you pay for the golf matey.

 

It's a lease so just a monthly payment. But the cost is about the same as a Focus ST3 would have been, though the list price of the Golf is about £5k more. An RS would have been about £200 a month more which is a bit extreme for me.

The problem I have is that, while the £29,995 list price of the Focus RS is very striking, by the time you've added the essential options, it's a £34k car. I'm sure it's a great car but there is no way I could justify the extra cost over the Golf. If you were to buy on finance, the cost of both cars is very similar, but on lease the Golf is much, much cheaper.

 

My mates brother in law had one of these but put it back because it had loads of problems?

I also seen one on the back of a tow truck the other night

Don't mean to piss on your chips or anything just saying

 

Any car can go wrong. The good thing is, it's new so, if it breaks, it gets fixed under warranty

 

To get the focus rs on lease would be madness, especially as the residuals are expected to be pretty good. if I was to lease then the golf is a great car, nearly went for one myself.

Look nice in white

 

Thanks bud

Yeah the lease companies are definitely taking advantage of the hype with the RS, the prices are mad considering there will be zero depreciation in the first year at least.

The Golf is a great car. It may not have the gimmicky Drift mode but I suspect there would be nothing between them in the real world.

 

I was looking to buy a golf r estate until I phoned vw to book a test drive and was told they only do the dsg in the estate . Looking at focus st3 estate instead now.

Would of been 35k+ for the golf with the options I wanted which is about 8k more than the focus with the same spec.

Wish I could just buy a 5dr golf r but need an estate and we would look a bit bent as we already have a golf gtd.

Can't believe how good the lease deals are on these tho

 

Have you driven a DSG? The paddle shift MAKES this car in my view. It is just relentless. I would never have a manual one. I would strongly suggest giving one a go before you dismiss it.

I would recommend you drive the ST before you decide. I like the Focus a lot but found the ST really flat. It's not a slow car but it just doesn't feel fast to me.

 

I have driven a manual s3 and a st and I know what you mean in terms of performance difference, only dsg I have driven is a r32 which we all know is a slouch anyway so that don't count. I would get on with the dsg if I drove it like I stole it everywhere but it's going to be the family car so that won't happen to often.

Maybe I will have a drive of 1 before I buy something tho.

 

Looks nice that!

 

i really like these golfs and would get one myself for next car everything about it looks so good

 

I'd definitely give it a go. I really like it as an every day car; stick it in drive and life is oh-so-simple. Radar-guided cruise control so it pretty much drives itself. It's quite, simple and hassle free as a daily.

Then, when you're in the mood, stick it in Race mode and it's like driving a baby super car

Cheers bud!

Yeah it's the perfect all-rounder really. Understated but very handsome, quiet and calm when you want it to be, but really fast when you're in the mood.

 

Looks lovely mate would have gone for one of those myself but I do 100 miles a day for work so went for a GTD in carbon grey instead. Got a really good deal on PCP as well. I looked at the focus st diesel as well but the golf is so much better equipped and nicer inside.

 

Been debating one of these for a while now, what deal did you get bud as I can't decide between pcp and lease, thing that worries me is her driving it on lease and getting done with fines

 

Nice looking car with a good looking dash, really makes the car when you have a good cockpit.

Looks like you test drove a lot more than me, did you have a go in an S3? Just wondered how the two compared?

As you was saying about the DSG boxes, just makes life simple and rapid when you want it to be. You can be driving around town all quite and smooth but as soon as your on a good open road i bet its a hoot to drive.

I get what you are saying with the exhaust but without the "R" on the back how would others know you wanna race Ive had so many people trying to push me along or "race" me now than ever before! Are you getting the same with the golf now? Only thing been worth my time has been a new M3/M4 other than that its been a waste of fuel...

Do these have a 7 speed?

 

I guess nothing wrong with buying German. My Escort was built in Germany.

Glad you are happy with leasing. Friends we know who have gone down this route & now regret it (audi A3). I'm still on a company car so EVERYTHING is paid for except personal fuel. I presume with leasing you pay all running costs, insurance etc. and have capped mileage? Do they screw you when you return the car for any little chip and smudge? What's the total out-of-pocket costs likely to be over the term of the lease (3 years?) compared to buying?

I presume the greatest depreciation is those first three years so I can't see how the lease company take that hit rather than you?

 

Yes the interior was a huge selling point for me. The Focus has slightly more supportive seats, but only very slightly. The dash etc really lets it down though, the Golf is much nicer.

I didn't drive the S3. To be honest, I wouldn't have had one as I couldn't drive one knowing the RS3 existed. I'm that vain

I did drive several options though they weren't all direct comparisons. The only one I've driven that might have got me out of the Golf is the latest RS, but the price/wait just makes that a no-go. The RS3/A45 were out of my price range sadly, though I would like a go in them.

The exhausts still haven't grown on me much. I think it would have looked much better with an arrangement like previous R models, just two tailpipes, closer to the middle. I must say, it doesn't get too much attention actually. The problem is, from most angles, it just looks like a GTD so I don't think many people realise what it is. I did have a tussle with an SQ5 which was pretty eye-opening - they are RAPID!

Six speed only in this. I guess the next gen one will get the seven speeder.