I was passing the VW dealer on Saturday, and popped in to have a look at the new Golf GTi. What a great car! The new Octavia vRS is going to struggle to beat it. I've not been for a test drive yet, but I might go back next week and see if I can weasle myself a spin.

The interior had a few nasty plastics, but on the whole, it was high quality, attractive and had beautiful ambience. Footwell lighting and the soft touch plastics on most of the dash made the car feel really good. The optional leather seats were comfortable and looked fantastic.

Rear leg room was fine, even with the driver seat set for a six-footer with long legs (me), and the boot was surprisingly large.

The demo car was red, and this is definately the colour to pick. Forget yellows or blues. Forget silver. Even forget black! This car looks fab in red.

I think the only issue really is the price. With the options, the demo car was priced at about 23K. Still, I suspect these are going to hold their value nicely. I'll post a bit more if I manage to get a drive.

With the options, the demo car was priced at about 23K.

But that's just it...for

uh oh another Golf GTI 'disscusion'

:sofahide:

The Golf is the best "all round" car you can buy for 23k and it does what it says on the tin. 4 people anytime anywhere quick and fun. Cant Fail..

but i would still probably prefer the ugly duck 130i and pay the extra 2-3k....

or a used Boxster.....

Ffelan beat me to it, but I was going to say that I'd pay a bit extra and get a 130i.

The Golf is the best "all round" car you can buy for 23k and it does what it says on the tin. 4 people anytime anywhere quick and fun. Cant Fail..

but i would still probably prefer the ugly duck 130i and pay the extra 2-3k....

or a used Boxster.....

Mitsi Evo 8 260 for 23,999 at the minute, think I'd have one of them instead, although doubt the cabin ambience would be as nice...

What I find odd is how everyone bangs on about the luxury, quality and practicality of the new Golf GTi - not the performance. I'm sorry, but for that sort of money I don't think the Golf can hold a candle to a Lexus IS200. Performance-wise, sure, the Golf is way ahead, but it's not got the smoothness of the Lexus's straight 6, or the luxury of the Lexus's interior, or the golf club eating space that a saloon car can give you (I'm not talking about folding seats and stuff, 'cos if you need a car for that sort of thing, an estate's surely the way to go...)

My 2p worth anyway...

Mitsi Evo 8 260 for 23,999 at the minute, think I'd have one of them instead, although doubt the cabin ambience would be as nice...

and the 15mpg and insurance would be a turn off ....

Surely the new Octavia VRS will be similarly priced and (when it finally gets here at the end of the year) it will be the Briskoda choice???

I have put my name down for one already, although the dealers aren't sure about when and how much - even the pictures had to be obtained through the Geneva motorshow links....

and the 15mpg and insurance would be a turn off ....

I'd put up with it if it meant having crazy performance on tap, even if the petrol gauge needle does move quicker than you'd like...

Surely the new Octavia VRS will be similarly priced and (when it finally gets here at the end of the year) it will be the Briskoda choice???

:rotz: I'm not paying over 20k "for a skoda" - puts it up against a lot more choices....

Ladies & gentlemen welcome to the most highly contested discussion since Octy vrs -V- Fabia vRS. . . . . AGAIN

What I find odd is how everyone bangs on about the luxury, quality and practicality of the new Golf GTi - not the performance. I'm sorry, but for that sort of money I don't think the Golf can hold a candle to a Lexus IS200. Performance-wise, sure, the Golf is way ahead, but it's not got the smoothness of the Lexus's straight 6, or the luxury of the Lexus's interior, or the golf club eating space that a saloon car can give you (I'm not talking about folding seats and stuff, 'cos if you need a car for that sort of thing, an estate's surely the way to go...)

I haven't driven it, so I can't comment on the performance. A friend of mine owns a V reg IS200 Sport, and to be honest, it's not brilliant. The engine is a bit gutless, the interior is very tatty (only 80K on the clock) and it's not been as reliable as you'd expect.

The boot barely fits a child seat (the Golf would fit four easily) and it's pricey to service and fuel. Nice car, but I'd have the Golf any day.

For 23K, I'd probably buy an imported Legacy Spec B estate, or save bucket-loads and see what the new Octy vRS is going to be like. If the quality is as good as the Golf though, and it handles and performs like the Golf, then surely Skoda will have a winner.

and the 15mpg and insurance would be a turn off ....

As would the 5,000 mile service intervals.

are the evo's included in the free servicing promo mitsu are offering?

yep!

Ffelan beat me to it, but I was going to say that I'd pay a bit extra and get a 130i.

Then the GTI must be very oddly priced in the UK. Here, a 130i (which is the far better and infinitely more fun car, no argument there) will cost at least 40% more over the GTI, as do the Evo 8 or Legacy Spec-B: 32k euros for the GTI, 45k for the other three.

Just a rumour mind, but the 130i is said to going to cost

Surely the new Octavia VRS will be similarly priced and (when it finally gets here at the end of the year) it will be the Briskoda choice???

I have put my name down for one already' date=' although the dealers aren't sure about when and how much - even the pictures had to be obtained through the Geneva motorshow links....[/quote']

Pictures??? Where?

Time for a search of the internet...

Pictures??? Where?

Time for a search of the internet...

Post them if you find them, it'll save me looking

I've been doing some price comparisons and here' s something to ponder

(remember this is all theoretical)

The original Octy vRS was priced around the same figure as the top spec TDi Octy ie

Just a rumour mind, but the 130i is said to going to cost

Hmmmmm 130i :drool:

Ive already "registered my interest" with the local dealer...... looking forward to a test drive

Hmmmmm 130i :drool:

Ive already "registered my interest" with the local dealer...... looking forward to a test drive

Lucky bugger... I think I probably would certainly consider buying one if I could afford it. Personally, the looks of it have grown on me.

I've been doing some price comparisons and here' s something to ponder

(remember this is all theoretical)

The original Octy vRS was priced around the same figure as the top spec TDi Octy ie