Its getting near the time to replace the wife's ageing Polo, so I've been casting about looking for something that's a bit quick and handles well as I'll be driving it a fair proportion of the time.

The last quick car I had was a BMW 335i until it was replaced by a Volvo XC60 Diesel; an Excellent practical family car and solid as a steel billet, but lacking dynamically. It would be nice to have a second car thats a bit of fun.

I've always overlooked the Golf as its kind of like the Vanilla default hot hatch, but the Mk 6 gets great reviews and IMO looks the part. Its reserved and has a certain presence.

Does anyone on here have any experience? Any Pitfalls to look out for or tips on buying 2nd hand etc?

Ideal choice would be a 5 door about 2009/2010

I know you didnt mention this but what about a VRS? Cheaper for a lot less money and more space? Or even a Seat?

If it has to be a golf then i dont think you will have anything to worry about as all the components are tried and tested. Not very technical i know but other will highlight any pitfalls etc.

Cheers I have considered the vRS but the wife thinks of it as a class larger in size than the golf. No matter how much I try and explain its a Golf but cheaper and bigger.

Also I'm not keen on the looks of the current vRS. I think the new one that comes out in the summer is a fantastic looking car. But unfortunately would be out of our price range and I know if I went for the current one I'd feel intense jealousy when the newer one floats past me ont motorway. Shallow I know but it's an important factor! Lol

Also does the current octy share underpinnings with the mk5 Golf? And the mk6 golf uses the QPB platform or summat?

Yes on he first point, no on the second, it's the new mk VII that gets the MQB platform. :-)

You'll be paying a lot more for essentially the same car if you get the GTI. Plus it's not that fast or exciting. You might be better to go down the rwd route if you're looking for some thrills.

I know what you're saying and in an ideal world I'd have a 6 cylinder RWD flying machine (basically another 335i) but I've got to factor in the Mrs will be driving it, it has to have 4/5 doors and a half decent boot, so that, the budget and the running costs reduces my choice to something more sensible.

The Golf does get comprehensively good reviews like. I suppose a few test drives should be on my to do list.

I was in exactly the same situation as you during the summer, I wanted a GTi for the wifes daily driver and my weekend car.

She wasn't happy about how much the road tax was going to cost so we compromised and got a 2010 Golf GTD.

Love it to little tiny pieces, I think the only difference visually between the GTi and GTD is the alloys, colour of strip on the grill and rear diffuser / exhaust setup.

Handles really well, ten times better than my Passat, interior feels quality and the previous owner had spent quite a bit on extras.

We are both really happy with it.

I'd not considered the GTD due to only covering 7k miles a year in the secondary vehicle, so the cost of fuel and initial outlay may be too expensive. I'll certainly give it a look but I expect its going to cost more money for the same year car. 170BHP per chance?

(slopes off to the autotrader...)