Stiff competition for the Mk7 Golf GTI - First Edition

[cktsi]

You realise you are all driving bland VWs (myself included)

Hardly stunning design or looks

Totally agreed. But the Golf back in May 2009 was the best hatch out there. I test drove the SP25 and hated the ergonomics. The Golf had the best peformance and tech. I am driving the Golf for most things it does right, not it's stunning looks (tho the R sports bumper does make it look nice imo).

I think the mk5 looks more recognisable as a modern Golf than mk6. I like how mk7 has gone back to the mk5 but squarer headlights, and a more modern interpretation of the mk6 tails.

I sure hope the mk7 R retains the angry staring LEDs!

[Dutch77]

I think the mk5 looks more recognisable as a modern Golf than mk6. I like how mk7 has gone back to the mk5 but squarer headlights, and a more modern interpretation of the mk6 tails.

I sure hope the mk7 R retains the angry staring LEDs!

I find the Mk6 more modern than Mk5 but it's splitting hairs and down to personal taste, to me the main benefit of the styling is it is all ageing well. I see a well kept Mk5 on the road and despite the fact the design is coming up to being a decade old it still looks neat. There aren't many designs that can boast this.. I see a first generation 1 series BMW that's stock and it is looking old.

I definitely hope they retain the style of those LEDs, especially if they do drop the central exhaust. Not sure how it would work on the Mk7 but perhaps a nod to the silver/mirrored finish on the R32 could work.

[alebonau]

no one sees something in the opel range as stiff competition ? notice theyre doing drive away deals coupled with 24 hour loaners and what not to tempt people. plus adds on telly every 10 min. trying to get a foot hold I guess. just not sure many are biting !

[Dutch77]

no one sees something in the opel range as stiff competition ? notice theyre doing drive away deals coupled with 24 hour loaners and what not to tempt people. plus adds on telly every 10 min. trying to get a foot hold I guess. just not sure many are biting !

It should be, but they have a lot of work to do.. how many years has it taken Skoda to become vaguely relevant here? The same way most people don't realise it's VAG gear, the average punter probably doesn't really register that new Opel Astra was old Holden Astra (despite the name). That and the lack of an auto/DCT option on the warm versions.

One of Holden's dumbest moves actually, dumping European Barina and Astra five minutes before the big car market started its decline and Australians began their renewed interest in European stock. Ford stuck by their dearer Fiesta and Focus and while I don't have any sales figures I'm pretty sure they won that battle easily. The move to bring back Astra via Opel far too late, but definitely a Golf competitor for some.

[THE_EGG]

I tell ya what though, when/if the Astra OPC/VXR thingy gets to Australia and when I get off my green-P's and have enough money. Opel will have a customer waiting at their doorstep. It looks the part, goes like crazy and has heaps of features. Although I wouldn't really call it a GTI competitor as it isn't (dare I say it) soft enough to be used as a daily drive by people who car about ride quality nor is it as practical. Personally I don't mind hard suspension as I do go to the track every few weeks where it pays off.

[Melon Head]

If they bring the Mk7 Golf Gti Carbon edition to Australia then in my mind there is no car that can compete with it, unless of course the A250 is less than 1100kg.
I like light cars

[Tobes_WIR35]

no one sees something in the opel range as stiff competition ?

I'd consider the OPC Astra GTC. They appear to be good value for money. The styling is not quite to my tastes, but it's not horrible.

[alebonau]

hope the 3 GT from bmw is no indication of a future 1 series hatch could look like. as the 3 GT looks a bit wierd from quite a few angles I reckon. a bit of a confused car just like the M6 is

[alebonau]

Stiff competition for the Mk7 Golf GTI?

Got to see the Aussie merc a250 today, and there are reviews in local press today as well. This thing is going to be a big hit here I feel

[Dutch77]

Brief review and video here from Morley:

Drive - Mercedes-Benz A250 Review

Will definitely get out and try this thing somewhere down the track, and then make a decision v mk7 GTI. I think I've now pushed back my purchasing decision for 18-24 months.. which as many have suggested is probably a good thing as that will give time for any bugs in either car to hopefully be ironed out.

[alebonau]

Stiff competition for the Mk7 Golf GTI?

This is review in the herald sun, scored 4.5/5

http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and-reviews/car-reviews-road-tests/mercedes_benz_a_class_a250_sport_first_drive_review

[alebonau]

full age drive and video review here,

Drive - Mercedes-Benz A250 Review

[cktsi]

Man i am feeling that the A class is practically here already but I have already put my deposit on the 328i. This is absolutely one cracker of a car! Small, particularly well equipped, good looks (except the diamond grill)... Man what a package!

If i was cross shopping a featured GTI vs the A250 sport then this wins (subject to a test drive).

Admittedly those with a less accomodating budget will see affordability and value in the base GTI.

The caveat is that it's a new car, and like others have said it is worth waiting till they bed down the manufacturing process as i am sure quality will be an issue for early examples.

Phew... Ok... Feel slightly better. So the A250 sport with reliability one won't land in march 2013 but more likely march 2014 :p

After being bitten twice for buying too early in the VW product cycle... I say ppl should consider the purchase timing seriously! I believe the DCT is newer to the MB group on their lower powered cars than it is VAG.

Back on topic, in 12 months time A250 vs GTI will be one hell of a competition.

[clip]

full age drive and video review here,

Drive - Mercedes-Benz A250 Review

Had to laugh at his last comment 'its a hot hatch for someone who's growning up, but hasn't completly grown up' - sounds like someone I know.

[clip]

I know this is a bit off topic, but as we're looking at competition to our VW's, thought it might interest some. It's a bit scary, if you can believe it: (mods, if it's been posted elsewhere just delete it)

The UK’s leading supplier of direct consumer warranties studied data from live consumer policies which showed that the only engines to have failed more often than Audis in the past year were those from the now defunct MG Rover group, while the MINI finished a disappointing third from bottom. BMW and Volkswagen featured seventh and ninth respectively in the power plant scale of shame.

At the top end of the table, Japan took the plaudits as Honda and Toyota proved to be the manufacturers with the most reliable power units, while Mercedes-Benz upheld some German honour by taking the third best accolade.

1 in 13 MG Rover motors failed in the past year, while 1 in 27 Audi owners had issues with theirs. At the opposite end of the scale, just 1 in every 345 Honda owners had a problem with their power unit.

Engine Reliability – Bottom 10 Manufacturers

Manufacturer Failure Rate (%) Failure Rate (1 in x)
1 MG Rover 7.88% 1 in 13
2 Audi 3.71% 1 in 27
3 MINI 2.51% 1 in 40
4 Saab 2.49% 1 in 40
5 Vauxhall 2.46% 1 in 41
6 Peugeot 2.26% 1 in 44
7 BMW 2.20% 1 in 45
8 Renault 2.13% 1 in 46
9 Volkswagen 1.91% 1 in 52
10 Mitsubishi 1.70% 1 in 59

Engine Reliability – Top 10 Manufacturers

Manufacturer Failure Rate (%) Failure Rate (1 in x)
1 Honda 0.29% 1 in 344
2 Toyota 0.58% 1 in 171
3 Mercedes-Benz 0.84% 1 in 119
4 Volvo 0.90% 1 in 111
5 Jaguar 0.98% 1 in 103
6 Lexus 0.99% 1 in 101
7 Fiat 1.17% 1 in 85
8 Ford 1.25% 1 in 80
9 Nissan 1.32% 1 in 76
10 Land Rover 1.38% 1 in 72