Well the GT TDI 170 is a nice enough car, just like a standard golf, but with sports suspension and larger wheels, plus what feels like a more direct steering rack.

From the outside I love the look, especially so in the metallic stone grey and silvers.

The interior is well put together, but the centre console feels cheap compared to the octy II. Thing like the little bits of trim and door pulls however are brushed aluminium or similar, and really look and feel the part.

This car only came with climatic as standard, with one dealer claiming that climatronic isn't possible, while others in the know saying it is.

The blue/red is quite nice, but I found it a bit bright at night, however the highline, half maxidot half standard display is a very nice addition to the car.

So the drive...

The suspension set up is pretty good, slightly firm, but it soaks up most the bumps just fine and handled well around corners etc.

The PD170 didn't have a EML warning over the two weeks I had the car, but then it wasn't being driven hard or extremely gently. A definite positive of the new injectors is that the engine was notably quieter than the PD140 at idle.

When you put your foot down there was a small bit of lag, and as much of a growl as you can get out of a derv car, before the power came down in bags, which leads me nicely to fuel economy.

The car just managed 50.4mpg when driven for maximum fuel economy on a motorway run, however an average of 45-47 would be normal for a typical run out on the road.

Now I say would be normal, because it was my opinion that the engine was just begging to be spanked. As soon as you touch the accelerator the thing had jumped up the rev range, and with only a touch more of the loud pedal you were onto the lovely growl, with the revs shooting up to the limit and you changing gears at a rate of knots. In fact to emphasise this point, a spirited run managed to get the average as low as 18MPG

Overall, a lovely car with some nice touches you won't find on the octavia. However the standard equipment while good in some respects ESP/Curtain airbags, is very poor in others, and the high price is not IMHO justified.

If I was not paying for it, I would have one for sure, however when it is my money I think there are more sensible cars to buy for the same or less money.

personally i would save numerous thousands of pounds and have the fabia vrs mapped.

personally i would save numerous thousands of pounds and have the fabia vrs mapped.

All depends if you need the size of the Golf though doesnt it.

Also the MK5 Golf (and Octavia 2) is a much better chassis by a long way.

I'd agree with that for sure

All depends if you need the size of the Golf though doesnt it.

Certainly does, hence why I have a Golf (not a GT though :( ) and not a Fabia VRS.....

Also the MK5 Golf (and Octavia 2) is a much better chassis by a long way.

Again this is true, even with the 'softer' SE suspension set up the Golf feels more sure footed than the standard Fabia VRS set up.

Have to admit though the VRS had more of a factor.... but then again comparing an SE spec Golf to a Fabia VRS isn't a like for like comparison

We test drove one of these and it certainly has the smile factor