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Golf GTi for snow - Downsizing from 4WD

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  • Golf GTi for snow - Downsizing from 4WD

    Hey all,

    Well, at the minute I'm considering trading down from my dual cab 4wd (GLX-R Mitsubishi Triton, 2010 MN Diesel - Anyone interested?? hahaha). Main reasons being that I just don't use the 4WD capability, and I may be moving for work and won't need it. Also it is way too long for my liking. Has been very handy where I live now on a small property, but needs change, and I'd like something a bit more fun to drive whilst still keeping some degree of practicality. The most 4WD use it has got has been heading up the the snow through winter which I try and do once a week or fortnight.

    I was originally considering a Subaru Forester XT and other SUV'S, but to be honest the Forester was the only one I liked the drive and look of (Subjective I know). Fuel consumption, however is far from good on the XT which is a big turnoff. Anyway, went for a look at the VW lot and was VERY impressed. Took a GTD golf for a drive which was good, but more interested in a GTI (Dealer didn't have one to drive at the minute though).

    I would consider the Tiguan, but the interior of the GTI/GTD has really sold me - It's just what I am after. That and I couldn't really see a significant size difference between the GTI and the Tiguan (Am I missing something?). Oh, that and the fact I would be more interested if they offered the Tiguan with the R-Line pack in Australia, but anyway...

    So at the minute I guess I'm questioning if the Golf is too small. I'm thinking though, how big do you really NEED your car to be? I have a monstrous 4WD I'm not using to its potential, and it would be better in the hands of someone that will... As I said, the main thing I get up to with my car is going up to the snow as much as possible. I know there are snow chains available for the Golf, but what I can't find much info on is if there is enough room INSIDE the back of the car with seats folded down to store a couple of snowboards in bags? Not interested in roof racks as I lashed out to buy bags which are waterproof and hold all of my gear (boots etc)... that and I don't really like the look of the roof racks / snowboard racks. Can anyone help, maybe with some pics? I intend to try and get to a dealer with my kit to throw in the back of a GTI / GTD but in the meantime, any advice is appreciated...

    Anyway, cheers!

  • #2
    Hi - the Tiguan is essentially a jacked up Golf with a different shell. It's probably got a bit more headroom but otherwise it will be very similar space wise on the inside.

    Im not surprised you liked the interior of the Golf, it's way ahead of the Triton and many other cars on the market. A work colleague has a near new Triton and I can't believe the awful plastics inside - especially that shiny semi corrugated section on the passenger side of the dash....yikes.

    Yes you can get snow chains and also tyre covers for the Golf - an American website called ECSTuning.com has quite a good range. OEM / Performance Parts for Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Porsche & Volkswagen - ECS Tuning

    If your concerned that your ski gear might not fit in the boot of the Golf, then check out the Skoda Octavia vRS. It has the same engine / transmission / brakes / suspension etc as the Golf GTI, but comes with a larger body in both lift back and wagon. Skoda is owned by VW, and they share many parts.
    Last edited by Lucas_R; 02-05-2012, 09:50 PM.
    2017 Ford Fiesta ST the go kart

    2015 Audi SQ5 bi-turbo V6 TDI family hauler

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    • #3
      Originally posted by Lucas_R View Post
      Hi - the Tiguan is essentially a jacked up Golf with a different shell. It's probably got a bit more headroom but otherwise it will be very similar space wise on the inside.

      Im not surprised you liked the interior of the Golf, it's way ahead of the Triton and many other cars on the market. A work colleague has a near new Triton and I can't believe the awful plastics inside - especially that shiny semi corrugated section on the passenger side of the dash....yikes.

      Yes you can get snow chains and also tyre covers for the Golf - an American website called ECSTuning.com has quite a good range. OEM / Performance Parts for Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Porsche & Volkswagen - ECS Tuning

      If your concerned that your ski gear might not fit in the boot of the Golf, then check out the Skoda Octavia vRS. It has the same engine / transmission / brakes / suspension etc as the Golf GTI, but comes with a larger body in both lift back and wagon. Skoda is owned by VW, and they share many parts.


      Thanks for the quick reply! Yeah I must say the Triton is an awesome truck, but the interior isn't great! For its size the diesel is very good on fuel though. I average 8-9l/100 km and looking at the XT Forester hitting on average 13l/100km on premium it was not a good prospect...

      Yeah I think I might be asking a question that only I can answer as to if its big enough for me. I guess that I should just take my gear in one day and throw it in a demo car - If the dealer wants a sale I'm sure it won't be a problem!

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      • #4
        You've probably already thought about this but what about a Golf R?

        As fun and practical as the GTI but with the added benefit of AWD for the trips to the snow.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Molotov View Post
          You've probably already thought about this but what about a Golf R?

          As fun and practical as the GTI but with the added benefit of AWD for the trips to the snow.
          Looking at them, I would LOVE one, but single with a mortgage, so unfortunately out of my price range for now!

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          • #6
            Originally posted by mh44 View Post
            Hey all,

            ... As I said, the main thing I get up to with my car is going up to the snow as much as possible. I know there are snow chains available for the Golf, but what I can't find much info on is if there is enough room INSIDE the back of the car with seats folded down to store a couple of snowboards in bags?

            Anyway, cheers!
            maybe this special snow addition GTI is something to consider:





            Volkswagen Zubehr Shop - Schlitten GTI, Crazy Bob, Schwarz 000050504C 041
            sigpic MY16 GTI 40

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            • #7
              Originally posted by MIRSAD View Post
              maybe this special snow addition GTI is something to consider:





              Volkswagen Zubehr Shop - Schlitten GTI, Crazy Bob, Schwarz 000050504C 041




              Haha might have to swap the board for one!!

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              • #8
                you might want to check out the thread already on snow chains, think it may have been in the middle of the accessories thread, as according to the manual, chains can not be fitted to the GTI wheels, and therefore special chains that don't wrap behind the wheel are required. they're rather expensive $500+ and as far as I know cannot be hired

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                • #9
                  I'd echo Lucas' sentiments - check out the Skoda Octavia RS. It's a fantastic car, in hatch or wagon, and is really 4/5ths a Golf GTI, with a larger interior and slightly softer suspension, for less money. You'd have no problem stashing a couple of boards in the back!


                  Check out the Octavia forum on VWW too.
                  2008 MkV Volkswagen Golf R32 DSG
                  2005 MkV Volkswagen Golf 2.0 FSI Auto
                  Sold: 2015 8V Audi S3 Sedan Manual
                  Sold: 2010 MkVI Volkswagen Golf GTI DSG

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by AdamD View Post
                    I'd echo Lucas' sentiments - check out the Skoda Octavia RS. It's a fantastic car, in hatch or wagon, and is really 4/5ths a Golf GTI, with a larger interior and slightly softer suspension, for less money. You'd have no problem stashing a couple of boards in the back!


                    Check out the Octavia forum on VWW too.

                    Thanks mate, they do look like a good car, but I'm just not so keen on the styling (fickle I know)...

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by mh44 View Post
                      looking at the XT Forester hitting on average 13l/100km on premium it was not a good prospect...
                      You're kidding aren't you? Where was that ridiculous figure dreamed up? You might get down to that if you did nothing but very short trips around the city with plenty of cold starts. My 06 XT manual averaged 9.6L/100km over its 250,000km trouble free life and the new one has averaged 9.3L/100km over its 22,000km life. Both are doing much better than my mate's 2 year old 2.5 diesel Triton single cab 2wd trayback.
                      Nov '15 Polo 81TSI manual white

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                      • #12
                        Thirst isn't the only negative for the Forester these days. The plasticy cheap interior, woeful slushbox, included features etc. I've been a die hard subbie fan for nigh on 20 years having owned 7 through that time. Over the past 10 years though, I've watched as their interiors have become cheaper (the interior in my MY01 Forester was a better place to be than the current crop with velour inserts in the doors and seats, individual arm rests in the front seats etc) the fit and finish have become somewhat hit and miss and the dealers increasingly believe their collective sh*t doesn't stink.

                        I looked hard this time around and wanted another subbie, really wanted one. But, I couldn't justify the spend on what's become a Japanese Hyundai. I even looked at the Outback 3.6R Premium, but even that was plasticy and disjointed inside although it was an improvement over the rest of the range. I took the Forester S for a run, and was completely underwhelmed by what, for all intents and purposes, should be an exciting drive.

                        Then I looked at the Tig. A whole different story and it's a very nice place to be. The performance from the factory was fine, but with an APR tune it's just silly amounts of fun. Sure, it's not perfect. The boot's small, there's no way it'll go to some of the places I took my Forester owing to the approach angle, but it'll do most, and then there's the euro servicing tax, although TBH it's not far off what Subaru choose to charge these days.

                        The one thing I truely miss is the boxer. I love the sound of them, but that's not enough anymore. Subaru lost the plot somewhere along the line and have significantly dropped the quality edge as a cost saving excercise to remain competetive. What they've missed though is that other marques are shapping up and surpassing them in droves. The new CX-5 will give the Forester a serious run for it's money for instance. There's also a growing number of ex-subaru converts on this forum who've become disallusioned with the brand. They once enjoyed an almost cult following of very loyal customers, myself included. Unfortunately, they've lost the essence that fuelled that following and are unlikely to get it back any time soon.
                        Pepper Grey MY11 TIGUAN 125 TSI DSG | APR Stage 1 | Comfort Pack | Carpet Mats | MDI | BT | Tint | Custom Audio

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                        • #13
                          Re: those figures for fuel consumption most have been obtained from subaruforester.org and ozfoz.com.au. Some quote a lot better but some quote those figures.

                          Not trying to offend you or your car as I'm a fan I really am but the figures you quote,according to forums, can be achieved after a tune... the dealer here told me stock to expect 11.5 mixed as opposed to the quoted 10.5. I took One for a drive and fwiw the active fuel use metre was fairly heavy unless I drove it like my grandma...

                          Like I said, love the design of the subie and I could probably live with the interior, but today fuel consumption is unfortunately a factor. And I think I'd be a fool not to consider it.
                          Last edited by mh44; 04-05-2012, 06:18 AM.

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                          • #14
                            Drift, good on you for taking the time to write the above piece! An interesting read. I've always been a fan as well (though have only ever owned one, a '79 1600 wagon). They (Subaru) do need a serious shake up!
                            Current: MY18 TRANSPORTER CrewVan, Indium Grey
                            Previous: MY10 Tiguan 2.0TSI, Silver Leaf, APR StgII tune + many mod's

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                            • #15
                              Yeah Subaru have certainly changed direction - just look what they did to offend owners of Libertys with the latest model - and I will always feel more attached to my 06 Forester than the new 11 model (although overall it is a better car). However Subaru are smiling because of the increased sales and I would think that the "traditional" Subaru buyer profile has changed.

                              btw I have no regrets replacing my 06XT with the 11XT and not going for that rather unattractive Tiguan that can't even store a proper spare wheel, had limited ground clearance and luggage room, and compared with my XT's felt like a slug. And experience with my Golf tells me that servicing costs and reliability can't match the Forester. Nice plastics inside weren't enough compensation.

                              However, each to their own. Hardly the forum to sing the praises of Subaru I guess lol
                              Nov '15 Polo 81TSI manual white

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