Should I buy my 1st VW?

[anarchycamp]

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-

Im pretty sure the 1.6 servicing is 15k as well? Although dealers will try and tell you otherwise.

I looked at the pugs when i got my polo, interior was visually a little more modern/exciting but build quality was horrible compared to the VW's.

[zjm]

the polo is probably a closer car to the pug and they seem to hold value better than golfs

[Mischa]

the Q has to be asked... whats your budget? the polo is a cool little thing and you could probably get a polo gti for similar money as a golf (plus you could get a 3dr... if looks are important then thats a big bonus ). just throwin it out there to confuse things a bit

[volx]

the Q has to be asked... whats your budget? the polo is a cool little thing and you could probably get a polo gti for similar money as a golf (plus you could get a 3dr... if looks are important then thats a big bonus ). just throwin it out there to confuse things a bit

Oh faaaabulous, just what I need, another option! :p Budget is, for no particular reason, $26,750 driveaway. Well, because that's what I can get a Golf for... so it's set the benchmark. Pug man has also hinted at getting the xt to fit budget.
Coming from a 3 door, I'm keen for 5 doors this time and want boot space.
(Hence I'm a touch concerned about Pug's barely-there boot space.)
At this rate I'm going to end up priced out of VW (not buying after Saturday's runout end date)! Walking's cheap, at least!

[balkanac]

I'd get a german car over a french one any day. French do have great styling and looks, i had a Renault which i bought because of looks. That car was more in the workshop then on the road.
Golf can be a bit dull inside, but in the long run i think you'll apreciate it more. Pugs start to wear out pretty quickly (interior, i mean).
There is the resale value to consider as well. French cars have a reputation of breaking down and poor build quality, so i'd go for the Golf. But it's you who will be driving it, so it's up to you to choose. Just don't let yourself come to a point where you say to yourself "i should've gone for the other car".

[volx]

The voice of wisdom rather than the easily seduced eye, thank you. I do wonder about the pug's extensive use of 'chrome' bezels etc... I imagine like costume jewellery, it may wear off over time, tres shabby! I think I know what I SHOULD do here! (ie. stop being a tighta**, shell out for a Comfortline, and have the best of both worlds!)
Ta

[balkanac]

That is probably the best solution and i dont think you'll regret it
BTW, does the car have to be new? My ex's sister bought an 05 comfortline 2L in Perth with 30k kms for $27k on road. Just something to think about...

[Mischa]

That is probably the best solution and i dont think you'll regret it
BTW, does the car have to be new? My ex's sister bought an 05 comfortline 2L in Perth with 30k kms for $27k on road. Just something to think about...

i reckon you could do better than that price, especially living in melb

[balkanac]

Cars are cheaper over east. We get a lot of cars brought here by dealerships. Apperently it pays off. So you could do better than that in melb. My mate bought a 325Ci in Syd and had it shipped here. It costed him $40k all up, with new plates, pits etc, and here they were around $45k. This was about a year ago

[jlbro]

I'd get a german car over a french one any day.

Agreed! My brother had a 206gti a few years back...it got hit whilst parked out the front of our house. Very close to a write off. I can't express how bad it was for him getting parts etc. It took 6 months to get a roof sent out from France by the frogs.
He now has 2L TDI Comfortline. No comparrison, the pug was rubbish (even before the hit)!
my 2 cents

[THR]

Interesting dilemma and I can totally relate.

I've just bought a VW Golf TDI Comfortline (with the DSG transmission). Admittedly a bit more than the 1.6 Trendline, but I was also looking at the 207 XT automatic.

Now I don't know if that is the exact same model 207 you are looking at (you did mention the XT), however the price I was given was $31,500 on the XT. That is RRP.

Without much haggling I did get it down to $30,500 (that was the first offer and I didn't counter as I wasn't prepared to negotiate at that very moment).

I had driven the 1.6 Comfortline the day before and then went back to the VW dealer to test drive the 2.0 FSI. While my original budget was $30,000, and both the FSI and TDI were above this, I was tempted to test drive the TDI. And didn't look back.

While I liked the drive of the Peugeot, the deciding factor for me was resale, plus I felt the interior in the Golf, while it is an older vehicle, felt of a higher quality/more refined. The seats in the Comfortline were more comfortable (but can't compare between the Trendline one and the 207). They also had used VW's on the lot ranging from 8,000-20,000km and they were asking the same price as the current driveaway prices (although I am sure they were negotiable). I've also had a look at some private sales via carsales.com.au and they are asking close to new prices (although I am not sure if that is realistic).

I also don't know that the 207 has been out long enough for it to have been proven for both build quality and reliability. Although it all felt solid, I didn't think the interior looked as nice and just felt like the materials were cheaper. I also looked at the 308 and actually thought the same - that while it was an improvement on the 206 and 308 respectively, they still didn't match the Golf's quality.

If I was choosing between the 1.6 Golf and the Peugeot, it'd be a hard decision... as I felt the 1.6 Golf underpowered, whereas the 1.6 in the 207 was more than sufficient and quite zippy (obviously because the 207 is a smaller vehicle). Although I didn't test it on any hills/inclines as you have, the 207 was great on the freeway and effortlessly did 100km/h.

I am sure the 1.6 Golf is fine though - once it is up to speed it goes ok, it just isn't that fast off the mark.

I really do suggest taking them both for another drive though and don't be pressured - you don't need to make a decision on the spot. If you feel pressured, just tell the dealer that you're going to take some time and think about it outside. Take a breather for 10 mins.

Anyhow, what is the price you have been quoted on the 207? As I said, I think the 207 is overpriced for what it is... (although he would have had to sharpen his pencil on the $30,500 offered to get me to buy).

[MY08GT]

Not sure where you're at with your decision but here's my 2-cents. I don't blame you for liking the 207. It's a current model, with an edgy appearance. The 20X models have always had distinctive light-segment looks and the recent iteration is no exception. Definitely a head-turner, and from your reports it seems like the theme is continued in the interior. Other aesthetic differences between the 207XT and 1.6 trendling are: Body coloured door moldings on the pug vs. black polymer on the golf; Indicators are present on the golf's mirrors but absent on the 207. It also appears that the 207 comes standard with front fog lights, and alloys are an option on both (correct me if I'm wrong). The plus on the Golf's end is that most reviews out there describe its interior as class leading. While it might not appear as flash as the 207's I'd guess the Golf's is better quality. Furthermore, it also appears that the golf is a lot more spacious.

From a mechanical perspective, the 207 motor is rated at 88kw @ 6000rpm, 160nm @ 4250rpm and is 16V DOHC, compared to 75kw @ 5600rpm, 148nm @ 3500rmp and 8V SOHC for the Golf. No surprise then that the 207 feels zippier. Furthermore, the 207 motor was developed in collaboration with BMW and reported to be the motor utilised in the new mini which has received great reviews, so if there ever was a reliability issue with the pug motor perhaps they've addressed it by getting 'Ze Germans' to design it. This probably says a lot about the Golf, German engineered throughout and is for all intents-and-purposes a 'cheaper' Audi. Regarding the auto-transmission, the golf is 6-speed tiptronic, the 207 is 4-speed tiptronic. 207 combined fuel economy 7l/100 (50L tank; standard unleaded), Golf quoted as 8.3l/100 (55L tank; 95 PULP).

On the driveability side, that has to be your decision since you've driven them both. Perhaps other 1.6 trend/comfort-line drivers can comment here.

I currently drive a GT Sport, and from what I've seen and read at the level of the GT, GTi, TDi, I wouldn't consider anything other than Golf, and as already mentioned the interior is class leading. To complicate things at the 1.6 level it might be argued that other models are also on the table, including Suzuki Swift, Mini Cooper, Mitsubishi Colt, Renault Clio, VW Polo, Ford Fiesta, Citroen C3, Honda Jazz, Holden Astra, Ford Focus. I agree with balkanac, at the end of the day don't regret your choice. Do your comparison, digest the advice, decide based on your very own criteria, and enjoy.

[volx]

Wow, you guys are awesome - thank you for all that! I'm going to respond to all that in one go...

-I certainly get the feeling of Golf being more solid and, a stop-start, below-the-speed-limit driver, I didn't notice its slowness. Feels a good car.

-I know you enthusiasts would never accept a 1.6, but I am really no real 'driver'.

-As I am paying cash I will feel an extra 2k (pity I never learned manual - that's $2300 saved right there)!

-Yes, demos and many 1 or 2 year old 1.6 Trendlines are listed by dealers and private owners for close to the current driveaway on new. They're not selling, unsurprisingly.

-My mum's Pug 207 XT (hence the long-term lend) was $31,000 on road... I'm thinking of haggling on a demo though. It is way overpriced of course, for a light car, when it's really a glam Yaris! Tiniest boot ever.

-As for consideration set, I did consider Astra (noisy and not pleasing to my eye), Civic (feels like a good car but bugger to park/bit 'dad car') and Polo (well, I just love the look of the Golf).

-After all this, though, I think I'm out of luck on my $26,700 (although someone reckoned I could beat that down further??? Any tips???). It needs to be delivered by this Sat to get the deal... unless they extend it. (What else would they do with surplus stock, they need to make room for the Edition and Pacific?)

Thanks for all your great input...

[bailey78]

howdi

Speak to a car broker....www.carbroker.com.au

Will get you the best price for a small(ish) fee. Have never used it myself but have heard plenty of success stories. I'd give that a go.

PS I'd stay away from Pug's. Have you considered a Mazda 2?

[Mischa]

learn to drive manual it'll take all of 3 hours i promise if you were in sydders id teach you myself for a six pack of beer lol.