Polo vs. Golf

[Dragonzdk]

Hey Guys

Currently going through the dilemma of trying to choose a new polo (66TDi) or golf (103 TDi) for the missus...and would love some feedback / advice (first private new car purchase)

Has anyone else been through that decision recently and what led you to go one way or the other?? The new Polo is a great car and the pricing seems pretty good at the moment - can get an optioned up Polo for around 30K vs a modestly optioned Golf for about 40K...both have so much going for them.

It will be predominantly a daily runabout so fuel economy is at the top of the list, as is safety and reliability...in the mix - 3 kids (including 2 growing boys)

Polo concerns - size inside, front centre armrest is crappy ...that's it
Golf concerns - none...just the extra $$$ tradeoff

Both great cars !!

Will prob buy from Burwin in FTG, VIC

Thanks
Mik

[AznGti]

I'd get the golf TDI.
Why?
Just personal choice.

You even said it yourself, nothings wrong with the TDI, just money. If you think it's worth the extra money, get it.

[manyoo]

It depends on if the car is always full loaded. If so, get Golf

[noone]

I would think the new Polo would be adequate, but until the GTI comes out, its nothing special.

30K for the Polo? I don't think it would be more than 25 drive away... The GTI should be about 30 plus onroads.

[dopey]

I've got the same dilemma... a second Golf, or a Polo... test driving to decide on Monday!
No kids in the mix yet, but babies will be on the horizon in the near future so have to factor that in of course.

Deciding between the exact same models too. 66TDI and 103TDI... will report back my thoughts after I sign the dotted line on Monday

If I can get away with the Polo I will be very happy, It's 10k saved that I can spend on something more worthwhile at the moment.

[hooba]

If kids are on the horizon, check out the boot size. It will most likely need to be able to fit a pram, some shopping, and a box of huggies nappies when they are on special. The Golf just manages to do this.

[BBP]

Yes, there is $10K difference (on RRP) btw the Polo 66TDI and the Golf 103TDI (all prices below).

But you do know there is a Golf 77TDI don't you? It's about $6K dearer than the Polo. Why wouldn't that be the obvious choice for you?

Polo 66TDI Comfortline 5 Door 5 Speed Manual $25,281.00
Polo 66TDI Comfortline 5 Door 7 Speed DSG $27,856.00

Golf 77TDI Trendline 5 Door 5 Speed Manual $31,120.00
Golf 77TDI Trendline 5 Door 7 Speed DSG $33,695.00

Golf 103TDI Comfortline 5 Door 6 Speed Manual $35,755.00
Golf 103TDI Comfortline 5 Door 6 Speed DSG $38,330.00

[mr gee]

For about $30K you could also get the petrol 105TSI with comfort option. Fuel consumption will not be significantly different

[BBP]

How about a lightly used 103TDI ?

[Maverick]

It will be predominantly a daily runabout so fuel economy is at the top of the list, as is safety and reliability...in the mix - 3 kids (including 2 growing boys)

Polo concerns - size inside, front centre armrest is crappy ...that's it
Golf concerns - none...just the extra $$$ tradeoff

If it's for shorter trips the petrol is the way to go and as far as safety goes the Golf is a safer car.

I'd be inclined to get a petrol golf as they're very economical and you'll save yourself thousands over a diesel. Factor in the increased fuel costs and even doing quite a few km's each year you're still in front with the petrol.

The base 90TSI is $29000 on road whereas the 103TDI is $36200 so $7200 difference (105 tanks of fuel), even compared to the 77TDI it's a $2500 difference (40 tanks of fuel).

[118TSI]

Just to be annoying, I am going to throw another dub in the mix, The Tiguan?

with kiddies on the horizon, i reckon you will appreciate it, I love my sister in law ford territory for the fact instead of leaning down into a car to put the kids in their seat, you simply place them in the car. Small thing i guess, but if your doing that 4 times a day you will certainly appreciate it.

Surely a low kms used tig, or a new one will be in your budget without blowing it

Cheers S...

[hoi polloi]

Also check if the fit and finish are comparable - AFAIK the Golfs we get come from Germany whereas the Polos we get come from either Spain or South Africa...

Regards,
- Anthony.

[Flighter]

If it's for shorter trips the petrol is the way to go and as far as safety goes the Golf is a safer car.

I'd be inclined to get a petrol golf as they're very economical and you'll save yourself thousands over a diesel. Factor in the increased fuel costs and even doing quite a few km's each year you're still in front with the petrol.

The base 90TSI is $29000 on road whereas the 103TDI is $36200 so $7200 difference (105 tanks of fuel), even compared to the 77TDI it's a $2500 difference (40 tanks of fuel).

I agree with Mav's sentiments wholeheartedly. I've seen the 90TSI average close to 5L/100km in the Golf (in mostly highway use), and whilst I expect the new Polo could beat it (petrol or diesel), the question becomes whether the difference is worth it given the higher initial cost of the diesel. Unless you are doing mostly long journeys, and a lot of them, I'd stick with a petrol engine, which warms up quicker. The new Polo is a nice looking package (armrest aside), but in my opinion the Golf is a better proposition for a family of 5. Good luck with your selection.

[prise]

You can do the sums to work out how much a diesel model will save you in fuel each year based on the official fuel consumption numbers and the current cost of premium unleaded vs diesel. I did the sums for the Gold models and worked out based on my k's per year it would take nearly 10 years to break even.

A word of warning on interpreting the official fuel consumption figures however - diesel engines are less sensitive to the way they're driven so if you have a less economical driving style the difference between a diesel and a petrol engine will be greater. If you check out Spritverbrauch berechnen und Autokosten verwalten and you'll see the real world difference between diesels and petrol models tends to be larger on average than the official figures.

[dopey]

Well I'm back from Barloworld Mascot, and I did a lot of test driving and thinking today. The end result is that I purchased another Golf - this time a 103TDI Hatch, with DSG transmission.

I drove two models of Polo - a 66TDI DSG (with Sports Pack) and a 77TSI Manual.

The 66TDI really felt like it struggled for regular driving. The 7sp DSG always rushes for the highest gear possible when you only apply light/regular throttle, which definitely does not suit this little engine. It doesn't have enough grunt to shift up as early as the DSG wants to under light acceleration, so I felt as though I had to either punch the throttle hard or forget about going anywhere in a hurry. I think that this engine may be better suited to the manual.

I wanted to drive the 77TSI in DSG, but only a manual was available at the moment. I took it out anyway, and boy did that make a difference to how I felt about the car. The 1.2 Petrol engine is a fantastic little unit, the car felt so much more alive with this engine although maybe that's mostly due to the manual transmission. 77TSI in Manual is the Polo to have if you enjoy driving.

Engines aside, the Polo is not too bad for size, there is only just enough leg room for front and rear passengers to stay comfortable together and the boot is generous but not fantastic. Bulid quality was excellent I thought, right on par with the German built Golf. It's nothing like the Mexican built Golf Wagon, which I felt suffered in a big way by comparison.

After the Polo drives, I took out the 103TDI DSG Golf. Instantly everything felt familiar (since I already have a 118TSI Manual Sports) except for the transmission and engine combo of course. The 6sp DSG and the 2L diesel engine are a match made in heaven. The big diesel has enough torque to put up with the DSG's early shifts under regular acceleration, and if you want to give the car a bit of a poke it reponds well. Wifey was happiest with this car, so the decision was made!

The price helped seal the deal even more. Since the Polo is a new release, and demand is exceeding supply in a big way, they are not willing to give decent discounts as yet. I got a decent discount off the Golf price, so for not much more money I got a whole lot more car.