Hi!

I've searched around at the forum but can't find any relevant thread about this.

I'm going to get a new car in the end of July, and I realize that if I decide to choose a VRS i shouldn't wait to long due the delivery time (same thing about the GTD).

I took a VRS, diesel, for a test drive the other day and I was impressed, it was a nice experience. A couple of weeks a weeks ago I drove a Golf GTI, they didn't have a GTD, but the suspension, chassie and so on should be the same.

Both the VRS and GTI was equipped with 18" wheels.

Ok, Im not twenty anymore, I have grown up kids so actually I don't need a big car. My wife and I have a dog, as big as a normal pumpkin (!) so that's not an issue. My kids still lives in our house so sometimes they join us, quite seldom though.

That's why My interest focused at the Golf - it's nice looking, nice to drive, big enough for my needs and relatively cheap compared to the Volvo S60 (which I now drive).

But then the VRS catched my eyes, I personally prefer the design of the stationwagon. I really like the design, and the price is lower than the Golf.

One thing that I'm worried about concerning the Skoda is the sound of the tires when You drive at bad roads or at high speed, as I wrote above it went a couple of weeks between the test drives so I can't remember exaktly how the Golf sounded. I guess it was a little bit more quiet inside.

If I used my brain in this choice I would't even consider these cars but my heart tells me something else. I like the sporty look of the GTD and VRS.

What are your opinion and experience about the sound level between these cars, and other pros and cons?

Help me to do the right choice! :-)

P.S.

--- thinking out loud ---

Hmmmm... I'm in a Skoda forum... Hmmmm I wonder what advise I will get... Hmmmm ;-)

if it was my choice id have the vrs, due to the fact that its bigger and less expensive than a golf 

I have the tdi vrs estate and to be honest I'd rather have the golf but the extra cost and lack of space are a major issue for me, certainly I've not had an issue with road noise really even with winter tyres.

I've not driven the gtd but I'd imagine it is a slightly better drivers car due to the size.

As I've said before there are plenty of cars that are better than my vrs at specific things (personally I think volvo v70 or insignia estate are better motorway cruisers for example) but for me nothing as comes close to a perfect blend of cruiser, sports car and general load lugger FOR ME.

Personal choice and all that.

I'd rather have the Golf but for the same money you can spec the VRS up with a few optional extras.

 

You cannot beat the Skoda for value.

 

Golf has decent rear legroom and boot is better than previous models... VRS has really good rear legroom and the boot is bigger than a Mondeo (which is huge).

 

My advise.... go for the VAG engined one.

I might well have gone for a golf myself, if the figures had worked out, but there were two things that put me off: 

1. The Octavia just felt more comfortable to sit in and felt so much roomier. This car has to do the job of my two previous cars, Roomster load carrying and MR2 Roadster turbo, sporting ability. The Octy VRS was the only thing I could find and afford that will come close to doing that.

2. the VW dealer treated me and my wife like dirt, as he didn't consider us posh enough. He just wanted us out of his way as soon as he could. I really hated that VW dealership. Snobby and then some.

I would have previously said go for the Golf every time, but recently I went into our local VW dealership, had the same arrogant and indifferent treatment as loadswine mentioned above. Despite the press comments I thought the Golf interior was much inferior to the Octavia, and I also prefer the exterior styling, the vRS is a very smart piece of kit IMO. Having had nearly 7 months very satisfied ownership of our Octavia, friendly dealer, no problems worth mentioning before even thinking about the silly price differential it would be a complete no-brainer for me now. Octavia rules!!

Edited 29 December, 201312 yr by Timoctav

Seat Leon FR 184 TDI.... nobody... ?

Seat Leon FR 184 TDI.... nobody... ?

I would have this over the Golf..but as I require space with kids etc the Octy wins.

I currently have a MK6 GTD and my brother has a MK7. If you don't need a big car (e.g. the space of the VRS Estate) then go for the GTD. It is simply a great car. 

I bought the VRS because I need the space going forward. While I do like the car, it was a bit of a trade off when it comes to the quality and feel of the interior.

Not to forget that ACC comes as standard on the GTD - sadly not available on the VRS at the moment.

My advice, GTD!

 

Having said that, I am looking forward to my VRS and I am convinced I won't be disappointed.

,,,it was a bit of a trade off when it comes to the quality and feel of the interior.

 

My boss has a Mk7 GTD and I was lucky to be able to sit and breath in it the other day.  I used the opportunity to poke and prod at the materials.  I was surprised to see that the rear door card was as hard plastic as it was in my Blackline - no squishy-ness to it at all.

 

While nice inside it did not represent a £10k premium over my car, imho.

Not sure because I can't remember the values but does the gtd have a higher gfv meaning if you're going for pcp it's not much more per month?

Not sure because I can't remember the values but does the gtd have a higher gfv meaning if you're going for pcp it's not much more per month?

We were being quoted around £30 a month different so pretty close. Vw being the more expensive

When I was looking at changing cars a couple of months ago I drove a vRS estate, Golf GTD, Audi A3 Sport and the Seat Leon FR 184 (5 door) and if I'd decided to press the trigger I would have gone for the Leon. IMHO the Golf didn't seem that nice inside and certainly no better than the VRS. The A3 is by far the nicest but also the most expensive.

 

The Leon is now available as an estate, so might be worth pricing one against the vRS as they are quite a bit cheaper than the Skoda.

 

Or get the Skoda and invest in some Dynamat for the rear wheel arches and the boot floor (would probably need to do same for Leon).

 

The 0% Skoda finance (if still available) makes the Skoda quite a bit cheaper on PCP than the Golf despite the Golf's better GFV.

Not sure because I can't remember the values but does the gtd have a higher gfv meaning if you're going for pcp it's not much more per month?

i was getting quoted £450 per month for the gtd whereas my VRS cost £370 per month.

Not sure because I can't remember the values but does the gtd have a higher gfv meaning if you're going for pcp it's not much more per month?

But you have to take into account that with Skoda the finance is currently interest free, it isn't with VW.

I would have this over the Golf..but as I require space with kids etc the Octy wins.

SEAT also have an Estate version of the Leon

It might be prudent to ask this question in the VW Golf Forum

That way you will get a balanced answer

Personally, I would have the Golf over the new Octavia

Ah forgot VW don't have 0% finance, although my understanding is that particular offer hits available discount fairly hard.

I discounted the GTD almost immediately as swimbo wanted an octavia vrs since we got the fabia about 2 years ago, plus the golf is too small for our use.

The other question is what's the equivalent standard spec?

The vrs comes with a fairly decent spec but is missing a few bits that you might think should be default, cruise control for a start.

The big no no for me with the golf. Electronic handbrake. Yuk yuk yuk

I have recently changed my Mk2 octavia PD140 for a new MK7 GTi, I did consider the GTD as it was a very nice car to drive but I realy wanted to get back to a petrol car and the GTi is simply superb.

 

My considerations for not going with the new VRS (Octavia) was that the Octy had grown just too big and I did not need a bigger car, and my garage does not grow in length and width at the same rate as new models.

 

The Golf is more expensive but it is better built more comfortable and drives beautifully.  Your choice has to come down to a cost, size and needs decision as no one can really decide for you.

 

Get a test drive in each for at least 2 hours, 4 if possible, and really drive the roads you know, its the only way to decide which is the car for you.

The big no no for me with the golf. Electronic handbrake. Yuk yuk yuk

 

We have one on our A6 and I must admit to not having any problems at all with it. It works very well and combined with the auto handbrake/hill hold function it's very useful, particularly with an auto gearbox as it means you don't have to keep your foot on the brake to prevent creeping forward at lights, etc.

We have one on our A6 and I must admit to not having any problems at all with it. It works very well and combined with the auto handbrake/hill hold function it's very useful, particularly with an auto gearbox as it means you don't have to keep your foot on the brake to prevent creeping forward at lights, etc.

To be fair I've not used the vag system but the vauxhall and Toyota systems are truly hateful (insignia/avensis).

The vRS has hill hold and a manual handbrake which is mildly useful until you're reversing up steep inclines in very tight spaces and heavy traffic and then it's just annoying.

Edited 30 December, 201312 yr by gullyg

Octavia for me, which is why I'm here...!

 

Golf is too dull - each incarnation has becoming increasingly visually repugnant, and VW's are ludicrously overpriced for what they offer.  I test drove the Scirocco 2.0 TSi (space wasn't an issue for me) and was hugely disappointed.  Despite it being the quickest car on paper from the one's I test-drove, it felt the slowest.

 

I considered the vRS; Scirocco; A3 Saloon; Mercedes CLA 220 CDi.  The Merc was the only one which made me dither on choosing the vRS, and that was purely because of it's striking looks.

 

Also, the 0% finance, friendly dealer and free servicing was a big carrot and meant I could load up on options and still undercut the other three by some margin.  The only trade-off is the badge, and gone is the Skoda reputation of old.

Edited 30 December, 201312 yr by fiisch

Hi and thanks for Your helpful inputs! I'm not ready to take the decision yet so I really appreciate more pros and cons. I'm at work right now and will just make a quick reply.

I live in Sweden and we don't have the same offer as You about the finance and free service. Prices on Skodas are pretty low compared to VW though.

@Bichti - about the ACC, thats an available option in Sweden. I will absolutely order this if it turns out to be a Skoda!

Again - thanks for all input, I'll be back this evening!

/Tobbe

It might be prudent to ask this question in the VW Golf Forum

That way you will get a balanced answer

Personally, I would have the Golf over the new Octavia

True although I for one am not an overly Skoda enthusiast to the exclusion of all others. My decision to buy an Octavia was based primarily on cost, marque and dealer reputation. VW dealers are notoriously arrogant and indifferent to customers, I know this from past experience of mine, family and friends who have been VW dealer "victims". I also prefer the styling both inside and out of the Octavia over the Golf. It's also significant that taxi drivers use Octavia's, obviously down to reliability, room and running costs, you don't see many VW taxis.

Edited 30 December, 201312 yr by Timoctav

I have recently changed my Mk2 octavia PD140 for a new MK7 GTi, I did consider the GTD as it was a very nice car to drive but I realy wanted to get back to a petrol car and the GTi is simply superb.

My considerations for not going with the new VRS (Octavia) was that the Octy had grown just too big and I did not need a bigger car, and my garage does not grow in length and width at the same rate as new models.

The Golf is more expensive but it is better built more comfortable and drives beautifully. Your choice has to come down to a cost, size and needs decision as no one can really decide for you.

Get a test drive in each for at least 2 hours, 4 if possible, and really drive the roads you know, its the only way to decide which is the car for you.

I was walking the same route as yourself, golf Gti/Gtd or octy vRS TSi/Tdi but ended up going down the S3 route, the gtd and Tdi vRS were cheaper but the GTI and TSi vRS were very cloe to S3 more so the GTI so decided more power and 4wd lol