Pacific TDI vs GT TDI

[CatonaPC©]

Hence I reckon the Pacific would feel worse (to me) as it has softer suspension still, and higher profile rubber on smaller wheels which would add some vagueness (and lack of turn-in) to the steering.

I can assure you 205x16 55 series rubber is hardly "vague". If anything, I find the set up somewhat "taily" for a front drive car. Having said that, I agree, that someone stepping from a GTI to a Pacific would find the latter soft. But in comparison to standard run of the mill cars, the Pacific suspension is firmer than most. Consequently, if all you have ever driven is a mushy Kingswood for most of your life, hoping into a GTI would seem like riding on solid steel suspension.

[gerhard]

I can assure you 205x16 55 series rubber is hardly "vague". If anything, I find the set up somewhat "taily" for a front drive car. Having said that, I agree, that someone stepping from a GTI to a Pacific would find the latter soft. But in comparison to standard run of the mill cars, the Pacific suspension is firmer than most. Consequently, if all you have ever driven is a mushy Kingswood for most of your life, hoping into a GTI would seem like riding on solid steel suspension.

I did 150,000 in my Jackaroo before test driving the GT TDI, and I still immediately noticed the "wallow" from a heavy engine and too-soft springs.

As you say, it's still far better than the run of the mill vehicles.

I reckon your "taily" handling comes from the extra you need to apply to the steering to get it to turn-in, and the extra ride height/softer springs the Pacific has.

Can be cured, just add coilovers and 225 17" or 18" rubber.

[Greg Roles]

It all depends what you want ger, I stepped out of a FPV GT, and it was pure comfort, and you can't compare the TDI to that for a lead tipped arrow. Try 300kgs for the 5.4L iron block V8!

The GT is choppier, being a smaller wheelbase /weight and the GTI was a go-cart in comparison. I'd prefer my lady friend be comfortable than get that extra 2/10th's round the corners. Then again lately I seem to be able to attract rather busty women, perhaps that's it.

Sweet!

[CatonaPC©]

I reckon your "taily" handling comes from the extra you need to apply to the steering to get it to turn-in, and the extra ride height/softer springs the Pacific has.

Can be cured, just add coilovers and 225 17" or 18" rubber.

Thanks for the advice, but I just like it the way it is.

I would however suggest it's 'taily' because the last two cars I owned were very 'pushy' front drivers and I'm still to get used to the more precise handling of the Golf.

[Neilm]

Pacific TDI vs GT TDI

Folks,
Many many thanks for the feedback and comments as usual they give me more to think about than answers which was exactly what I was looking for.

Will be making a pest of myself at the dealers, and thank goodness Adelaide now has more than 1 dealer, also having an Octavia RS TDI on an overnight test drive, will post some comments afterwards.

With the MkIV coming soon and a new Octavia due in March coupled with slow sales and lots of 08 vehicles in yards I reckon now is about the perfect time to "make a deal" .

Once again really appreciate your comments.
Cheers

Neil

[tinto]

Neil, are you doing some serious KM to make the diesel pay for itself?
If not - as Barney mentioned - give a GT TSI a drive

[comfortline]

Neil,

Go the GT. I have a comfortline (and I love it) but i wish it was a GT (which the father in law has). The GT is worth the extra.

There's several volkwagen dealerships in SA now. Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge, and Lynas at Tanunda. Like people have said say you'll do a deal on a car in stock and you should get a GT at a pacific price.

They will be keen to do a deal, January is a soft month and theres a lot of excess stock around. Its estimated theres 100,000 imported cars (not just VW's) on grass at this point in time.

Cheers

David

[Paul_OH]

Don't forget the different seats and trim!

Ha! I got the Golf bug after spending a month in one earlier this year in Germany/France/Holland. It was the Pacific equivalent and was a very comfortable cruiser at 180km/h+ and could have driven that way all day. Our car was due for replacement mid year and new exactly what I wanted when I arrived home and then couldn't decide between the Pacific or GT TDI then ended up getting the GT TSI
The Pacific is a great model and hard to pass over unless you prefer the sportier styling of the GT models. In my opinion a Golf Pacific TDI would be the perfect car for 90% of the people, very comfortable, surprisingly roomy, economical and plenty of grunt for overtaking (just not a jackrabbit off the line).
If you can't see the value of the GT now then you probably never will and may rue spending the extra. I think the GT premium is a little artificially high when compared to the Pacific however for some (probably all) GT buyers the extra is worth every cent. Probably the same between GT TSI and GTI drivers.
They're all great cars so get your bum in all of the models and see what feels right.

As others have mentioned it's the perfect time to be buying so please enjoy the shopping experience.

[docjames]

Go the GT. I have a comfortline (and I love it) but i wish it was a GT.

The GT is worth the extra.

+1 to that - I wish i had a GT (diesel or TSi). Still loving the FSi (I'd just love the GT that little bit more!)

[BarneyBoy]

As much as I love the diesel, every month that goes by sees the difference in ULP and diesel prices widen. At present there's a 25% DISadvantage in the cost of diesel, so the fuel economy rationale is becoming hard to use.

Curse the oil industry for this! I love oilers, but it's a hard one to sell these days...

[Greg Roles]

Too true, but I do love the fact I go to the servo a lot less and can make a tank go a long way if I need to ( ie broke! ). Always an upside !

[CatonaPC©]

As much as I love the diesel, every month that goes by sees the difference in ULP and diesel prices widen. At present there's a 25% DISadvantage in the cost of diesel, so the fuel economy rationale is becoming hard to use.

Curse the oil industry for this! I love oilers, but it's a hard one to sell these days...

Yeah, but I'm getting 44% better economy with my TDI compared to my previous 2 litre petrol car. Anyway, the 25% price variation is only during the lowest part of the discount cycle. Yesteday, I filled up with diesel at 121 cents while regular unleaded was 112 cents. Hardly 25%!

[BarneyBoy]

Too true, but I do love the fact I go to the servo a lot less and can make a tank go a long way if I need to ( ie broke! ). Always an upside !

LOL!
Yes, I just borrowed a mate's Merc Vito (turbo diesel) and drove to Malbum & back filling once in Adelaide and with an eighth of a tank left each time, once in Melbourne (730km each way), using 137 litres. Not to shabby for a big, long, heavy rig! (30mpg in the old money)

[Heavy sigh] Oh for the days when it was only 5c a litre difference

[gregozedobe]

[Heavy sigh] Oh for the days when it was only 5c a litre difference

Trouble was that back then diesel had so much sulphur in it we didn't get any of the good (modern) diesels engines we now get

And for those that are comparing diesel prices with petrol prices (for VWs), shouldn't you be comparing the price of 98 Octane petrol, not std ULP ? That reduces the price difference considerably

Have a happy new year

[phaeton]

Trouble was that back then diesel had so much sulphur in it we didn't get any of the good (modern) diesels engines we now get

And for those that are comparing diesel prices with petrol prices (for VWs), shouldn't you be comparing the price of 98 Octane petrol, not std ULP ? That reduces the price difference considerably

Have a happy new year

Thats a great point and 100% spot on