Back in my own wheels. But which?

[Ferrer]

I'm buying a car, to have my own wheels again. But this time having to pay for it and being new means I have to minimise other expenses related to it. Which inevitably means going diesel. Again. Maybe I should move to abu dhabi or something. But that would actually prove more expensive.

Probably.

Anyway. Basically the breifing is as follows: diesel, manual, no downsizing malarkey, around 140bhp and around 25 grand is the maximum. Here is the short list of candidates (and my pros and cons):

Seat Ibiza FR TDi 5 door

Pros

-Cheapest
-Well equipped (altough xenons and bluetooth are options)
-Frugal
-Fast

Cons

-Boy racer image and detailing
-Not as well suited at motorway driving as bigger cars
-Silly low profile tyres
-Sports suspension

Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDi Advance 5 door

Pros

-Big(ger) fuel tank
-More suited to motorway driving
-Cheapest "Golf"
-Comfortable suspension and sensible wheels
-Most spacious and practical

Cons

-No Xenon available (not even as an option)
-Thristiest
-More expensive than the Ibiza (about 3 grand)
-Not as well equipped as the others

Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDi Bluemotion Technology

Pros

-As much car as a Golf
-Cheaper than an equivalent Golf
-Distinctive styling
-More frugal than the Golf thanks to the BMT package
-Better equipped than all the others (Xenons and bluetooth as standard)

Cons

-The most expensive by far
-I'm not sure it fits in my garage (too wide)
-Somewhat slower than the Golf (less aerodynamic?)
-Stupid big wheels (225/45 R17) and sports suspension

Ok, that's about it.

HALP!

(Please)

[pimento]

A Golf, because the rest are just pretend Golfs. Or something.

[henk4]

DS3...

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by henk4

DS3...

I actually prefer the C3, but no 2 litre engine, no sale.

C4 might be worth a look, but not too fond of the new one either.

[RacingManiac]

Scirocco...only because it looks cooler....lol

Since 3 of these cars are by and large the "same"(-ish). The cheapest one is probably the best....If you don't like the big wheels you can always change them out and sell the original...

[Revo]

I don't get it.

If you can afford €25k, why not get something cool instead of these teutonic diesel wonders?

[Cobrafan427]

Looking at the pros and cons (and also assuming you travel on a highway a lot) I would take the Golf. By the time you do switch out the wheels and tires on the Seat, you would've made up the extra 3 grand the Golf costs (also assuming you get a decent rim)

[f6fhellcat13]

These are all Golfs. Golfs, and VWs, are horrible.

What about Foci, Meganes, or Giuliettas?

Or you could wait and fork over an extra five thou for a GT86/BRZ and get all kinds of horrible mileage figures.

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by Revo

I don't get it.

If you can afford €25k, why not get something cool instead of these teutonic diesel wonders?

Because it's not only the price, but running it as well. I'm going to be doing a lot of motorway and between 25.000 and 30.000km a year at least.

And the more I can get it under 25 grand the better.

If I didn't have those constraints, it wouldn't be a diesel. Or front wheel drive. Or even a four seater...

Originally Posted by f6fhellcat13

These are all Golfs. Golfs, and VWs, are horrible.

What about Foci, Meganes, or Giuliettas?

Or you could wait and fork over an extra five thou for a GT86/BRZ and get all kinds of horrible mileage figures.

I don't like the new Focus.

The Megane is only available with a brand new 1.6dCi 130bhp (no thanks) or a 160bhp 2.0dCi (too much unfortunately).

And an Alfa diesel is just a no. Altough I like the new Giulietta. Maybe I should get a look. But I'm still not convinced by the idea of a diesel Alfa...

There's also the option of the diesel Cruze (163bhp) which is a bargain (17-18 grand), but I'm not too convinced by it.

[Revo]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

Because it's not only the price, but running it as well. I'm going to be doing a lot of motorway and between 25.000 and 30.000km a year at least.

Financially speaking, that kind of annual mileage still doesn't justify buying a diesel. Well, at least over here.

Also: have you ever heard of horror stories about VAG dual mass flywheels?

[Kitdy]

Originally Posted by f6fhellcat13

These are all Golfs. Golfs, and VWs, are horrible.

Yes! I drive one daily! Stay away! The goddamn head gasket blew at less than 90k kms! The indicator stalk makes noises randomly! The interior has fallen apart! It's enough to drive a man insane!

Never buy a VW (sorry RM)!

Out of curiosity, what is the distance of your work commute?

[NSXType-R]

My father did have an 80's Rabbit that he was not fond of at all. He hated everything about it. Although he may be biased because he is a Honda mechanic.

I'm a bit disappointed that there's nothing Japanese on the list.

[Kitdy]

Japanese cars don't sell in Europe.

I saw a handful of Civics in Scotland, and beyond that, basically no Japanese cars... Actually, a Qashqai or two...

[RacingManiac]

lol, I know full well I took a chance at buying the GTI, so we'll see how bad that is down the line...Your City Golf(MK4+ new fascia) might not be a best shiny example of a VW though....

Nothing really to complain so far neither, and VW's rep seems much worse in US/Canada than EU or Asia for whatever reason...

To add to the Japanese car thing, Japanese OEs have fallen pretty far behind in diesels, which are arguably the mainstream in EU....They are starting to catch up though...

[Kitdy]

Ferrer, why not used? Also, buy or lease?