tofo17
09-07-2009, 06:14 PM
Hi all,
I haven't posted for some time, probably since not long after getting the MkV Jetta for the wife! That's just had it's 2 year service today (despite only having about 24k on the clock) and is going great.
We've finally decided to replace my daily driver (2000 model Laser) with something new. As I wanted something "sporty" and was limited to a ~$30k budget I didn't at first consider the MkVI Golf. A combination of the lack of professionalism at other dealers and a lack of (perceived) quality of other cars was leading me to despair. Then I read the Wheels comparison of the Mazda SP25 with the 1.4TSI, which the Golf won, and that got me thinking.
So down to the VW dealer I went. I was greeted quickly and attended to but didn't feel I was being sold to. Without any preliminary "let's work up a quote" I was offered a test drive, in stark contrast to many other experiences where it felt like I had to commit to buying the car before being allowed to drive it.
Given I regularly drive the MkV Jetta I was expecting a similar experience. And is some ways this held true. The MkVI certainly felt familiar but there is an immediate sense of improved quality and refinement. No doubt you've read dozens of descriptions about how quiet the MkVI is... they are no exageration. The 7 speed DSG (I'm after a manual but on my first test drive they didn't have one) seems smoother than the 6 speed DSG on the Jetta, less hesitation on take-off as well. I can't really judge ride quality improvements as the Jetta has the sports suspension and 18", suffice to say the Golf was superbly supple but still chuckable and sporty. My first test drive car had ACC and I tried all settings. They do make a difference but it didn't feel dramatic. I mostly noticed meatier steering on the sport setting.
Of course the 1.4TSI is the jewel in the crown in many ways, but being use to the APR fettled Jetta (flat 14 down the quarter last time I tried) I had anticipated it feeling lack lustre. OK, no doubt it was slower than the Jetta but still, what a peach! The first time I heard the supercharger I couldn't help but smile, and it doesn't mind a rev.
A few days later I took a manual for a drive to validate what I had read in most reviews, that it was sweet shifting with a nice spread of ratios. This car also had park assist, which was reasonably ammusing and no doubt something the wife will want when we replace the Jetta.
So I've put down my money and placed an order for a Shark Blue 118TSI Comfortline 6 spd manual. Due to budget constraints (GFC and all) the metalic paint is the only "option". The Sport Package would probably have made the cut had budget permitted ($2k for 17" wheels, sports seats and sports suspension is a great deal!).
So now we wait, probably until October! I'm told that the car will be MY10 but as I understand the changes, if any, will be very minor.
As a side note, I used the VW UK site to kit up an equivalent spec car (SE with some options) and it came to about GBP20k or just over AUD$41k.... so it appears we get a pretty good deal in Australia!
Cheers,
tofo
I haven't posted for some time, probably since not long after getting the MkV Jetta for the wife! That's just had it's 2 year service today (despite only having about 24k on the clock) and is going great.
We've finally decided to replace my daily driver (2000 model Laser) with something new. As I wanted something "sporty" and was limited to a ~$30k budget I didn't at first consider the MkVI Golf. A combination of the lack of professionalism at other dealers and a lack of (perceived) quality of other cars was leading me to despair. Then I read the Wheels comparison of the Mazda SP25 with the 1.4TSI, which the Golf won, and that got me thinking.
So down to the VW dealer I went. I was greeted quickly and attended to but didn't feel I was being sold to. Without any preliminary "let's work up a quote" I was offered a test drive, in stark contrast to many other experiences where it felt like I had to commit to buying the car before being allowed to drive it.
Given I regularly drive the MkV Jetta I was expecting a similar experience. And is some ways this held true. The MkVI certainly felt familiar but there is an immediate sense of improved quality and refinement. No doubt you've read dozens of descriptions about how quiet the MkVI is... they are no exageration. The 7 speed DSG (I'm after a manual but on my first test drive they didn't have one) seems smoother than the 6 speed DSG on the Jetta, less hesitation on take-off as well. I can't really judge ride quality improvements as the Jetta has the sports suspension and 18", suffice to say the Golf was superbly supple but still chuckable and sporty. My first test drive car had ACC and I tried all settings. They do make a difference but it didn't feel dramatic. I mostly noticed meatier steering on the sport setting.
Of course the 1.4TSI is the jewel in the crown in many ways, but being use to the APR fettled Jetta (flat 14 down the quarter last time I tried) I had anticipated it feeling lack lustre. OK, no doubt it was slower than the Jetta but still, what a peach! The first time I heard the supercharger I couldn't help but smile, and it doesn't mind a rev.
A few days later I took a manual for a drive to validate what I had read in most reviews, that it was sweet shifting with a nice spread of ratios. This car also had park assist, which was reasonably ammusing and no doubt something the wife will want when we replace the Jetta.
So I've put down my money and placed an order for a Shark Blue 118TSI Comfortline 6 spd manual. Due to budget constraints (GFC and all) the metalic paint is the only "option". The Sport Package would probably have made the cut had budget permitted ($2k for 17" wheels, sports seats and sports suspension is a great deal!).
So now we wait, probably until October! I'm told that the car will be MY10 but as I understand the changes, if any, will be very minor.
As a side note, I used the VW UK site to kit up an equivalent spec car (SE with some options) and it came to about GBP20k or just over AUD$41k.... so it appears we get a pretty good deal in Australia!
Cheers,
tofo