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Mk5 Golf big enough for family?

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  • Mk5 Golf big enough for family?

    Hello, just returned from taking my wife for test in a new GTi DSG. We both loved it, but my wife is concerned it is too small for a family. We have two boys aged 3 & 6 and will probably keep this car for next five years.
    Is there any members out there who own a Golf with a family? Do you find the size OK? The cabin appears fairly roomy, but boot is quite small. Wife will be driving it most for school drop off (sometimes 3 kids in back seat), work, shopping etc.
    She prefers an Audi A4 Avant (with VW 2.0TDI) which is nice, but more $$, and I loved the GTi. I'm just not sure if I am going too small as our current ride is a Lexus ES300.
    Any comment would be much appreciated.

  • #2
    Hey there

    I was in exactly the same position as you. I loved the GTI DSG and i test drove one and I instantly fell in love with the comfort, handling and for a hatchback, it has quite a large boot.

    However, I did not end up buying it because I simply needed a bigger bootspace. Therefore I opted to go for the VW Jetta FSI Turbo, which is basically considered to be a golf GTI with a boot. The only thing that it doesn't have compared to the GTI are

    - bigger brakes. GTI has bigger brakes than the Jetta FSI turbo as far as I know (correct me if im wrong pple)
    - GTI has stiffer springs
    - interior, GTI has a nicer steering wheel and a nicer DSG gearknob and a 300km dash compared to the jetta's 280km
    - exterior, GTI comes with smoked headlamps (xenon and halogen). The jetta does not.

    In a nutshell, the jetta is a golf GTI with a massive (and I do mean MASSIVE) boot. The rear legroom of the Jetta compared to the GTI is very similar but if its bootspace ur worried about, you will love the Jetta and the Jetta FSI Turbo has basically everything the GTI has. Same turbo, same engine, and best of all, about 95% of aftermarket mods can be applied to the Jetta that are applicable to the GTI. (the 5% would be things like sway bars, etc)

    Hope this helps.

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    • #3
      AGREE 100% with the above post.

      My wife and I were expecting our first child when we were shopping for the second car. We knew we needed space but i was giving up my 1000cc sportsbike so we also wanted something that had some 'go'.

      The Jetta TFSI ticked all the boxes and its a little more subtle than a GTI.

      Couldnt endorse it more for a growing family
      MY08 Jetta 2.0 Turbo FSI - OJE774
      Graphite Blue / Beige Leather / Sunroof / 18' Fox Rims / Tint / iPod Adapter / Bluetooth /

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      • #4
        Here I go, I hope this helps.

        We have 3 boys, 8 years, 26 months and 7 months. In a 2.0 TDI Golf we have 1 reverse facing, 1 forward facing Safe'n'sound Compaq Deluxe seats on the outer sides of the the rear. The 8 year old fits in the middle seat.

        So we travel on a daily basis with 5 in the car and on the trips to school/daycare/work it is ok. We pretty regularly drive south to Canberra together and this is when it becomes a stretch.

        The problem for us with our scenario is 5 people and a 2 child pram. We can manage to get the people in the car, but people have things that go with them and this is where we have an issue. The luggage bay is a little tight.

        We have purchased roof bars and are in the process of getting a roof box for these occasions.

        In our situation, we have had the car 2 years and are unwilling to move on from it quite yet. We live in a townhouse and the golf fits in our drive with the gates closed and 300mm spare, so a bigger car (passat/A4 avant) won't fit.

        My opinion is with 2 boys of your age, you will manage for the next 3-4 years with a Golf. When they are bigger, you may need to look at something larger and have the Golf as a second car.

        Unsure if this makes sense, but it works for us.

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        • #5
          I would go for Audi A4, you would be downsizing and always thinking that you should buy a bit bigger car if you bought Golf GTI. On the other side the GTI should be big enough for 4 of you for next 5 years. If Audi suits your budget, go for it.
          Performance Tunes from $850
          Wrecking RS OCTAVIA 2 Link

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          • #6
            Another option is the Octavia RS? Effectivey GTI running gear in a different body - and available in a wagon
            MY08 Blue Graphite GT TSI DSG

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            • #7
              Originally posted by mikinoz View Post
              Here I go, I hope this helps.

              We have 3 boys, 8 years, 26 months and 7 months. In a 2.0 TDI Golf we have 1 reverse facing, 1 forward facing Safe'n'sound Compaq Deluxe seats on the outer sides of the the rear. The 8 year old fits in the middle seat.

              So we travel on a daily basis with 5 in the car and on the trips to school/daycare/work it is ok. We pretty regularly drive south to Canberra together and this is when it becomes a stretch.

              The problem for us with our scenario is 5 people and a 2 child pram. We can manage to get the people in the car, but people have things that go with them and this is where we have an issue. The luggage bay is a little tight.

              We have purchased roof bars and are in the process of getting a roof box for these occasions.

              In our situation, we have had the car 2 years and are unwilling to move on from it quite yet. We live in a townhouse and the golf fits in our drive with the gates closed and 300mm spare, so a bigger car (passat/A4 avant) won't fit.

              My opinion is with 2 boys of your age, you will manage for the next 3-4 years with a Golf. When they are bigger, you may need to look at something larger and have the Golf as a second car.

              Unsure if this makes sense, but it works for us.
              It can't be a better description....

              I think it's good idea just if you and your partner are agree to be a little tight, and with a little help of some accessories like a roof box,

              Otherwise I'll recommend a Jetta or Bora,

              Good luck!, let us know the final veredict..
              .:Polo 6R 77TSI
              .:Golf MK6 GTI

              II Kraftwerk

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              • #8
                I agree with the Jetta idea. They look classy too.
                2014 Skoda Yeti TDI Outdoor 4x4 | Audi Q3 CFGC repower | Darkside tune and Race Cams | Darkside dump pDPF | Wagner Comp IC | Snow Water Meth | Bilstein B6 H&R springs | Rays Homura 2x7 18 x 8" 255 Potenza Sports | Golf R subframe | Superpro sways and bushings | 034 engine mounts | MK6 GTI brakes |

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Paul_OH View Post
                  Another option is the Octavia RS? Effectivey GTI running gear in a different body - and available in a wagon
                  The RS still isn't available with a DSG in Australia however if you want the 2l FSI 147kW, only with the 2l TDI 125kW. If I were intending to buy a GTI I'd consider one if it had the DSG as the extra space is appealing.
                  website: www.my-gti.com

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                  • #10
                    I have a 7 and 8yo and my TDI Golf has done us perfectly. Have driven interstate with plenty of luggage room left. Realistically, the amount of times a family of 4 plus a ton of luggage travels is relatively rare. On those occasions it would almost make sense to hire a large vehicle and enjoy the benefits of your smaller one for the rest of the year.

                    I almost bought the Jetta due to it's cavernous boot and a few extra features but I couldn't go past the functionality that a hatch back offers.

                    Hope this aids your decision.
                    I used to be indecisive - now I'm just not sure....

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                    • #11
                      Another vote fo the Jetta option, here.

                      However, if your heart is set on the GTI, a roof box is an excellent option. We have a Thule box which gives me an additional 480 litres of luggage space. Handling is only minimally affected - not that you'd be throwing the car around with kids on board anyway. Fuel exconomy takes a ~10% hit with the box. Otherwise, it more than doubles the GTI's boot space for holiday luggage, but enables me to drive the car I want every other day of the year, instead of compromising for the sake of a couple of weeks/year..
                      2018 Golf GTI, Manual - gone.
                      2017 Golf 110tsi Trendline, manual (gone - gladly)
                      2007 Golf GTI, Manual, (gone - sadly)
                      1978 Golf GLS; 1972 Superbug, (memories)

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Splashalot View Post
                        Another vote fo the Jetta option, here.

                        However, if your heart is set on the GTI, a roof box is an excellent option.
                        I am yet to buy a box, have you any pics with it on?

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by mikinoz View Post
                          I am yet to buy a box, have you any pics with it on?
                          Unfortunately, no. FWIW I reckon it looks OK. It's only on during holidays, so I'm not that fussed how it looks.

                          The Thule site has a "matchmaker" which allows you to picture various roof boxes on your car.

                          Unfortunately they only Golf available on the site is a gen 4: http://www.thule.com/upload/Matchmak...le_MM_v2_7.swf

                          My box is the Atlantis 780 - the link gives you a pretty good idea how it looks.

                          Hope this helps.

                          SS
                          2018 Golf GTI, Manual - gone.
                          2017 Golf 110tsi Trendline, manual (gone - gladly)
                          2007 Golf GTI, Manual, (gone - sadly)
                          1978 Golf GLS; 1972 Superbug, (memories)

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                          • #14
                            Another vote for the Jetta here (naturally)

                            ...then start saving for a Passat wagon

                            Those boys are going to get bigger and have more gear. And friends.

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Paul_OH View Post
                              Another option is the Octavia RS? Effectivey GTI running gear in a different body - and available in a wagon
                              A very good option if space is a must. Good pickup Paul.

                              Originally posted by Maverick View Post
                              The RS still isn't available with a DSG in Australia however if you want the 2l FSI 147kW, only with the 2l TDI 125kW. If I were intending to buy a GTI I'd consider one if it had the DSG as the extra space is appealing.
                              The is a small number of DSG FSI engined RS's in Oz. A quick look on carsales will confirm.

                              Cheers,
                              Nick

                              155TSI TIGUAN - REFLEX SILVER - LEATHER

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