Should I buy my 1st VW?

[volx]

Hi all, this is my first post as a newb, so be nice!
I urgently need 'expert VW-lovers' help' (please): Having farewelled my car in Dec I urgently need to buy a newie. An A-B driver (female, 26, looks are important!) living in Sth Yarra and doing 12,000km a year, I had settled on the 1.6 petrol Golf V Auto Trendline at a ridiculously low runout price (boy did I haggle)... yes, I know the Edition is coming in March. Having driven a Peugeot 207 Auto XT for the past couple of weeks, however, I have fallen for its motorcycle instruments, sports seats, chrome touches and interesting textures (and the fact that it will still be a current model in four years, whereas V will be updated end of 09 I believe.)
Question is, is my judgment being clouded by price, aesthetics, etc - what would you advise?
(If I want the Golf I have to order it tomorrow to get it by Feb 29 or it goes up $3,800!)

Thank you x 1000 for your advice!

[GoLfMan]

hey! and welcome
not being biased here at all, but a new car has problems to iron out, as the VW mkV has now been around for a coupla years any major warrenty issues (should) have been sorted. It is alwasy said that you should get the series 2 of any new car.
but having said that just go with the car that is most comfortable to drive and that you enjoy the most being in.
for me interior is important, however the driving experience sways me much more than any interior trim
as a VW lover doing about the same amount as km's as you every year i suggest that you get the car with the best wind, engine and tyre noise suppression so you can enjoy every single one of those kms, in style i might add

[GoLfMan]

p.s update your profile with your location even though you are in Melbourne
good to have you on board

[volx]

Thanks Golfman! Didn't mean to sound entirely shallow - of course I want to enjoy the ride, too! Just the Trendline interior looks a little, well, bland (and lacks audio controls on steering, auto headlights, etc). I agree with having the probs ironed out, though - there are a lot around, so can't be too bad. Thanks for your help.

[GoLfMan]

Thanks Golfman! Didn't mean to sound entirely shallow - of course I want to enjoy the ride, too! Just the Trendline interior looks a little, well, bland (and lacks audio controls on steering, auto headlights, etc). I agree with having the probs ironed out, though - there are a lot around, so can't be too bad. Thanks for your help.

dont worry you dont sound shallow, there is nothing worse than a bland interior
just got for the one with the better overall driving experience i say!
will be interested to know your choice!

[99gti]

dont worry you dont sound shallow, there is nothing worse than a bland interior
just got for the one with the better overall driving experience i say!
will be interested to know your choice!

Ok - I looked at the 206gti vs the mk4gti (same output in standard trim).

The build quality I found of the golf was far superior and that was what ultimately made my decision easy. The pug can be deceptive with it's styling (you either love it or loathe it) but the finer details of the golf won me. The Mk V golf isn't quite up to the standard the mk IV was IMO but it is still a much better finish and fittment than the 206 i looked at.

Perhaps the Pugs have caught up?

[peedman]

I dont think u can just go for the pug without driving it and getting a true impression. You'll be driving this thing i assume everyday so its prob important to get it right then go on a spur of the moment thing if u get what im saying. Might be helpful to find out the service costs at each interval, that could sway u one way or the other.

[volx]

Thanks for your opinions... I think I mentioned I have had possession of a brand new 207 Auto XT for the past four or so weeks and have grown to love its feel and distinctive styling (not to mention cute things like the see me home lights, although auto wipers drive me mad). It is definitely a class above my friend's 206CC in finish, although cheap clothing manufacturers make more ritzy clothes than Armani, too, don't they... looks can be deceptive.
I have only test driven the Golf, and thought it was the smoothest, loveliest thing ever even on the freeway, but can't remember it now! Just thinking it might be a bit out of date with not even audio on steering, etc.
I want to have this thing for 3-5 years. (First car I've had to buy myself, so having serious issues with committing.)

[volx]

I dont think u can just go for the pug without driving it and getting a true impression. You'll be driving this thing i assume everyday so its prob important to get it right then go on a spur of the moment thing if u get what im saying. Might be helpful to find out the service costs at each interval, that could sway u one way or the other.

Oh, and yes, I would guess Golf servicing will cost more over the longer term, as it's 10,000km as opposed to Pug's 15,000-

[gldgti]

resale on the golf will be pretty reliable... theres a bonus.

i've driven pugs - they do generally drive nicely.... but i've always thought vw's feel best on the road - thats what does it for me.

[Bubu]

(If I want the Golf I have to order it tomorrow to get it by Feb 29 or it goes up $3,800!)

Thats something the salesmen tell you to pressure you into buying the Golf now. If you are looking at the Golf then the salesmen thinks 'I better sell her the car quick before she changes her mind'. A lot of people purchase a car with emotion rather than logic. I mean how else would you explain the numerous BA Falcons on the road which are known for certain reliability problems.

My advice to you is to look at both cars logically too. Its quite easy to fall in love with a car once you start driving it. If you had the Golf for a few weeks you will start to appriciate its finer qualities and fall in love with that car.

I would personally go with the Golf and im not just saying that because I own a Volkswagen.

[volx]

Thats something the salesmen tell you to pressure you into buying the Golf now. If you are looking at the Golf then the salesmen thinks 'I better sell her the car quick before she changes her mind'. A lot of people purchase a car with emotion rather than logic. I mean how else would you explain the numerous BA Falcons on the road which are known for certain reliability problems.

My advice to you is to look at both cars logically too. Its quite easy to fall in love with a car once you start driving it. If you had the Golf for a few weeks you will start to appriciate its finer qualities and fall in love with that car.

I would personally go with the Golf and im not just saying that because I own a Volkswagen.

Thanks Bubu, I know their tactics, hence, I have held off despite this 'warning' from the guy - however there is a runout on until Feb 29 (we know these things can be extended) - but waiting is a risk in this case...
I'll certainly post what I decide to go with!

[neil]

resale on the golf will be pretty reliable... theres a bonus.

i've driven pugs - they do generally drive nicely.... but i've always thought vw's feel best on the road - thats what does it for me.

x2 gldgti.

and if your going to keep it only 3-5 years check out the resale value for
older pugs and golfs.
My research indicated golfs had far greater resale than pugs.

[SoVeReIgN]

Everyone here is pretty biased lol.

The 1.6 Golf is SLOW. Hows the 207 go?

[volx]

Everyone here is pretty biased lol.

The 1.6 Golf is SLOW. Hows the 207 go?

Yes, but your bias is forgiven - loyalty to a brand or product is rare these days, so it speaks volumes! I didn't notice the 1.6's slowness mentioned in reviews, etc, as I guess I'm not a very discerning driver... just want a smooth ride, nice looking/feeling car, not too many car-related expenses, and some resale value. The Pug I find very zippy, although not quite as smooth and quiet as GOlf 1.6. Pug struggles to get to 70kmh on long sustained inclines, much like, I guess, the 1.6 Golf.