For the price of a 1 year old golf gti is around the same price of a petrol octavia vrs.

If you were to keep 'em 3 years which would be worth more? the 3 year old octy or the 4 year old golf? I reckon the golf.(still worth 66% after 3 years)

What do you think!

According to What Car the Golf would still be worth more,-

http://www.whatcar.com/depreciation-index.aspx?MA=39&MV=25355&ED_ADD=48054&RT=0&ED=0&ED2=46604&ED3=0&ED4=0

However I think their predicted retained value on the VRs of 41% after 3 years is a bit harsh. Auto Express says it should retain 49% in which case the VRs would be worth more.

If I was you I wouldn't try and beat the depreciation game as it's very hard to predict - just get the car you most want.

If I was choosing between a new GTi and a new VRs and the space wasn't an issue I'd get the Golf. Between a 1 year old GTi or a new VRs I'd go for the VRs.

According to Autocar the Golf will be worth 64% after 3 year and the Octy 39%,(like you say a bit harsh) so a four year old Golf may be worth approx 10 grand and the Octy maybe 8 grand.What you reckon?

The problem with these calculations is that they use the list price, not what people end up paying.

Drive the deal has the Golf 5 door at £20021 and the vRS at £15951,

Looking at the what car values at 3 years the Golf driver will lose £9765 in depreciation and the Octavia driver will lose £8766.

Golf retains 51%, Octavia 45%....but the Golf driver loses more money.

Goes to show the importance of securing the best price at the outset.

Dan

5 Door Golf GTi TFSi has a list of £22795 so less the £9765 = £13030 which is the What Car expected residual figure. If you paid the £20021 you will lose £6991

5 Door Octavia vRS TFSi has a list of £17695 so less the £8766 = £8929 which is the What Car expected residual figure. If you paid the £15951 you will lose £7022

Other things to consider are the finance costs if you borrow to buy. The extra in the RRP or cost price will have an effect on your interest costs.