I'm in the market for new wheels.

I've got a shortlist together and about a 15k budget.

What would you choose from the list in the poll.

What did you consider to make your choice from the list.

Also you'll see that I've included DSG variants.

If your choice is one of the DSG cars. Why DSG over manual?

Interested to see your responses.

Garry

not fancy a skoda

I'll still have one, the wifes SDI is staying but the vRS and the Mazda are being sold

as I can't really justify keeping 2 cars and a van just for my usage.

I plan to combine what I get for both cars and buy something newer and faster than either.

Bit sick of diesel though so the next car will deffo be petrol.

I did consider a nearly new Mark 2 Fabia vRS but I just can't get excited by them.

Can't really say why that is but they just don't grab me, that's all... :wonder:

Out of those I'd have the S3.

IMO... The TT mkI has too much of a dodgy image (I'd get the P taken daily) , the GTIs are front wheel drive and the R32 underperforms due to having a big, heavy old lump right up front.

It's the right mixture of performance, 4x4 and driving feel from that list. (Without image issues)

BTW I get what you mean about the mkII Fabia vRS. Good car, very impessed by one at Bedford track. But I didn't like the driving experience. And yes, I have a quick DSG car so I can drive one.

I think a Mk6 Golf GTI manual.

210bhp is plenty of power, manual box gives known reliability and more involvement. R32's won't handle as well due to a big heavy lump of an engine and are very thirsty. So the more nimble GTI would be the one for me I reckon

Out of those I'd have the S3.

IMO... The TT mkI has too much of a dodgy image (I'd get the P taken daily) , the GTIs are front wheel drive and the R32 underperforms due to having a big, heavy old lump right up front.

x2

Spend a few quid on the S3 and you will have a seriously capable car perfect for our lousy weather

S3 is probably my favourite as well.

But I'd only get an 08 if I was lucky for 15k.

I'd rather have a slightly older but better car. In theory residuals should be pretty good then too.

Mk6 golf gti, manual. 2 of my mates have gti's. One has an mk5 and the other a mk6.

The mk6 would swing it for me as they've sorted the dodgy diesel sound the mk5 gti would kick out.

Both amazing cars and both of the ones I know have been mapped and are brutal.

I went for the r32. As I see it the opportunity to own a car like this with a na V6 is probably won't exist in 20 years. Everybody knows that engines ate getting smaller with a turbo, 2 turbos, superchargers etc and for me the r32 would be a good tick. If my mileage wasn't as high as it is is be looking at one myself.

In this order:

- S3

- R32

- GTi Ed30

- TT

All with manual boxes.

Have driven the S3 and it's excellent. However, it does make going fast a little too easy, therefore can feel detached. R32 sounds amazing, drives beautifully.

S3 for me. Loads of power, loads of potential. Usable as a everyday car but spasticly fast for when you want to be a ****. Plus it looks stunning but manages to be subtle at the same time. 2008 car isnt that old really, and as said, I`d rather a slightly older car that is better for me. As much as I like the golf its just a few cars down the pecking order compared to a S3 really.

The big V6 lump gives the R32 a certain character though? Nothing on that list sounds better either. It's a big thirsty cruiser..... Love them. The S3 I borrowed (58 plate) was a great all-rounder, but soooooo dull and boring. It's all about opinions though, drive and a few and see what's what.

Cheers

Dave

S3 just doesn't look special. Looks no different to a normal A3 and that'll always be it's problem. Fine if you want a Q/Sleeper car but it drives dull unless you tune it. If you got a bit extra to make it special, then go for it.

R32 for me. Everyone knows DSG > Manual for the R32 as it was one of the first DSG twin-clutch boxes VW got right. It's almost quicker and more economical. Also, blue is best colour

Good luck with your search mate

Sorry Garry, none really fire me up tbh, much for all the reasons listed, R32 heavywieght cruiser and nickable, GTI involving but underpowered, S3 boring and small, for me anyhow!!TT hairdressers car. If I wanted to stick to VAG then maybe a Scirroco. If it was a fast hatch with a bit of image I'd turn to Subaru and look at an STI hatch possibly with the factory fitted 330bhp prodrive pack if not then settle for 300bhp standard.

DSG R32 for me... Had one as a courtesy car and it was awesome...

Especially four wheel drifting in snow*

Completely unintentional

Sorry Garry, none really fire me up tbh, much for all the reasons listed, R32 heavywieght cruiser and nickable, GTI involving but underpowered, S3 boring and small, for me anyhow!!TT hairdressers car. If I wanted to stick to VAG then maybe a Scirroco. If it was a fast hatch with a bit of image I'd turn to Subaru and look at an STI hatch possibly with the factory fitted 330bhp prodrive pack if not then settle for 300bhp standard.

I'd agree with none of them really getting me exvited. If I was buying a 'toy' I'd be tempted to go for an M3 and if you'd don't need the back seats maybe an Elise, Nissan 350Z something like that.

DSG MK6 GTI - best of both worlds - good economy when needed, looks good, handles well, goes well

I perfer the edition 30 golf mk5 dsg over the r32 as there are turbo charged and are limited edition there is a nice 2010 mk2 fabia vrs dsg in white on ebay for a good price only 18,000 miles was looking at it the other day

None of them. A 5.0 V8 XK of about 2003 vintage. Lovely sound, driven carefully reasonably economic and a timeless classic in convertible trim.

There are 2 x 2008 135i convertible with 27k for 18k on autotrader and there are quite a few RCZ for around that money. Or go a bit left field and get a RS2 - one on autotrader with 115k for 11.5k. There are also quite a few Maeserati 4200 GT for that sort of money.

I have nothing against the Golf, but a 2010/2011 Leon Cupra with the same engine could be had for 12.5k.

So grr66 what are your thoughts on all above mentioned motors? Some crackers been listed that weren't in your list.

From the list supplied I vote R32, however for this money... I would go for a 2006/07 Porsche Boxster 3.2S manual, nothing hold the road like a Porsche. Forget all the stupid talks about not being "real" Porsche or a "poor" man 911, just drive one and make your own mind.

I appreciate the suggestions , and believe me I know

there are other cars out there in budget that are a lot faster

and more thrilling to drive. But my wife must be able to

drive it as well. She's still in her twenties and only had a licence

for 5 years and she drives our Fabia SDI whenever she does drive

with its whopping 64bhp.

She does drive my vRS from time to time, and gets on fine with that.

But it's SDI for her most of the time.

Apart from a little drive round LIDLs carpark one Sunday,

She has never ever driven the Mazda on the road.

She didn't like the visibility or being so low.

Also, She's uneasy about the whole RWD thing in general.

Anything is going to feel much faster than her SDI. but what She

likes about the VAG cars is their user friendliness. They are easy to

potter around in and easy to fly around in too. I'd prefer a more raw

RWD experience and if I made enough fuss I'm sure I could get a 350Z

or Boxster or similar past her in the end but the fact is that she would

be intimidated by a powerful RWD car and She'd never drive it.

It's important to me that we both get to drive the new car.

We've both worked hard to be in a position to afford something

a bit newer and nicer than what we have now. It wouldn't be fair

if only I got to enjoy driving it, we could both do with a lift right

at the moment.

It pares our current fleet back down to 3 vehicles instead of 4

which also serves a practical purpose as I can only realistically

park 3 vehicles at my house. 2 on the drive and my van across

the ramp. One or another of the cars was was with my wifes Mum

at her place but we don't have that facility anymore as She died

recently. Leaving her share of our jointly owned MX5 to me.

A big splurge on a new car is just what we could do with

to treat ourselves and have someting positive to look forward to.

It's been a very hard few months.

Don't get me wrong the Mazda is a wicked little car, I love

zooming around in it. And She enjoys being driven in it.

But it's no fun for her as she won't drive the thing.

And it's too much of a 'novelty' car for my needs.

Having recently married I now have a gaggle of younger

brothers who I am often spending time with.

Eldest is 14 and 6'4 tall Youngest is 10 and one in the

middle at 12. They all love being driven briskly in the vRS

(Within reason and speed limits of course) and we go to

movies and bowling quite regularly. So although I have no

kids, I kind of have three every now and then.

They've all been out with me in the MX5 (one at a a time obviously)

but they come as a set of 3 so I need a backseat.

The eldest is massive! Bigger than me!! (Jealous...Never...)

He has to have the front seat and the other two are growing fast.

I remember when the youngest was still in nappies.

He's 10 and calls me a bender now!!! How did that happen LOL

Garry that is blimmin long for a "short" list

i'm gunna go against the trend here and say i'd probably take the TT

yes they are a bit...ok quite...feminine around the styling but i thought the end of the line run out model looked the nuts with it's 2 tone paint and strut brace in place of the rear seats.

Hatch wise i'd proably go SEAT rather than VW though and pick a Leon Cupra over the Golf equivalent.

I think the styling is better on the Leon and to be honest i'm a sucker for a bargain, so more power and kit for less money is a winner in my book!