[Closed] New (used) car time 1.4 TSI Golf v 1.4T Astra vs 1.6 Focus

I could get a much newer lower mileage Astra 1.4 turbo for the same money.

I had this argument with my dad. You could spend the same and buy a worse car that's newer. Problem is, 5 years' time the age or mileage difference will be insignificant, but the worse car will always be worse.

New shape Seat Leon ?

We had a Golf, and I loved it. Really good car. So that's what I'd get.

Yeah, I understand your point.

I'd be looking at a 2011/12 Golf with between 25 and 40k in the clock. Against a 2013 Astra 1.4T with 10/20k on the clock.

I think the newer Astra engine is slightly more economical than the older TSI. The new bluemotion golf blows it out of the water mind.

I've looked at Leon's, it's the same engine, but can't seem to find many.

Id look at the Astra GTC but I need 5 doors.

My FIL is an automotive engineer and although semi-retired, really keeps his toe in the industry, mainly in the product planning area.

He's always maintained a) better buy older but better quality and b) Opel/Vauxhall build very good cars. Their whole remit is to exceed VWs quality.

Edit: The Focus has the best chassis of its class....

So I haven't helped one bit as usual. I'll get my coat.

Golf or Skoda Fabia?

The only thing that puts me off the focus is the engine. The 1.4 turbos are far better.

Oh and no one has said it yet, the decidedly dull Skoda Octavia shares the same engine too

Apparently the 1.4 tsi is not very economical in the real world in any of the cars.

Have you looked at the Focus 1.0 ecoboost?

Fabia is a smaller class - more like a Polo than a Golf. Octavia is the same platform as the Golf but a much bigger car

Of the three, the only one I'd discount is the Astra. We've had a couple of Vauxhalls and they aren't great cars.

Try test driving the Golf and the Focus & see which one you like the most

Yeah I'll be taking out all 3 over the next month.

I've had an Astra with work, 2.0cdti mind but it was lovely.

Every review says the 1.4tsi rivals diesels in real world mpg.

Apparently the 1.4 tsi is not very economical in the real world in any of the cars.

Have to disagree. My 2012 1.4Tsi Octavia gets 43-47mpg in real world driving. Outlier of 52mpg on a long A road Glasgow - Skye and back journey. Which for the size of car seems pretty good. It's right on the claimed 44.8 combined mpg. Seems good for a large petrol car.

It's a better engine for low end pull than the 1.8 petrol Mondeo it replaced.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/specs/detail/?v=MSKODOCT0214

I've had an Astra with work, 2.0cdti mind but it was lovely.

We had one as a courtesy car for a few weeks. Hated it. Was the auto which may not have helped. Only saving grace was the fantastic grip from the massively oversized tyres.

Still, it was getter than the Corsa we had briefly before it. Never liked Vauxhalls since the Cavalier.

Don't forget - newer the car = higher rate of depreciation while you own it. I'd take the golf.

The likelihood is I'll go for a golf. That's what my head says go for.

Just got to find a 1.4tsi that isn't the S model as I'd really like the SE or match version.

Might even hunt for a slightly higher mileage bluemotion model

I had the 1.4TSi for a couple of years. Loved it, engine was as sweet as a nut. Comfiest seats I've ever sat in. Mine was Match spec which had DAB stereo, cruise, multi function wheel, auto lights and wipers etc, worth looking out for. I got about 37mpg but I used to regularly drive it fairly enthusiastically just because it was fun, had nearly 50 on a run though. Remember petrol is cheaper than diesel too. Not a hint of bother in 30k. Can you tell I liked it? Would have had the mk7 estate if it wasn't for all those pesky kids! Got a Zafira tourer now, it's ok.

My last car was a Mk6 Golf SE with a few add-ons and it was lovely. Had the 1.6Tdi DSG setup and drove really well. I reckon the 1.4TSi would be a great choice.

Didn't keep it long as I needed the cash. Wouldn't rule out another but I'm just about to pickup a 325i Touring which hopefully should keep me entertained for a while.

That 1.4tsi engine has no problems with timing chains. A friends just had a 3k bill to repair his polo with the same engine after the chain failed at 47k. Not an isolated incident by any means.

Was that it does or doesn't have problems?

I'd love the 1.6tdi bluemotion but my mileage, 10k at a push, just doesn't warrant diesel anymore.

The people who have had the 1.4tsi how was it as a motorway car? I do about 20 miles purely motorway a day.

How does it perform at 70 on the motorway.

How does it perform at 70 on the motorway.

At 70mph it's hardly breaking stride. Accelerates away from 70mph easily in top gear. I test drove a 1.2Tsi and felt it was a touch underpowered at motorway speeds. Hence I went for the 1.4.

Top speed for the 1.4Tsi Octavia is 129mph. So it's cruising at 70.

Great. Quiet, smooth, plenty of poke to push on when needed.

Well I think the 1.4tsi is the one for me.

I'll still take the 1.4t Astra out but I'll be on auto trader every night now looking for the golf.

I test drove a 1.2Tsi and felt it was a touch underpowered at motorway speeds.

Really? In what way? What BHP?

Take your time and test drive all the likely suspects. At the end of the day it's your opinion that matters.

I've got my heart set on a Golf. The 1.4 turbo Astra looks ace for the money but in a years time will be worth nothing.

Think I'll have to go a year older to pick up a golf in budget.

Really? In what way? What BHP?

Felt slow compared to my 1.8 Mondeo. The 1.2Tsi has 105BHP the 1.4Tsi has 122BHP. At most engine speeds pulls better than the Mondeo. The only exception being hard acceleration well up the re range. The 1.4Tsi pulls noticeably better than the 1.8 Mondeo from low revs.

My Mondeo was 123bhp. So the same power as the 1.4Tsi Octavia. I can only attribute the better low end pull of the Octavia to the turbocharger.

EDIt I should say I'm talking about the 2004-2013 Octavia. The 2013 onwards 1.2Tsi version may have different performance.

So after years of driving diesels my commute has now dropped to just over 8k miles a year.

My budget is around 8 thousand, 9 at a real push.

Only one option really, don't put up with mediocrity, you only live once and all that 😉

[url= http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/volkswagen/golf-gti-mk5-mk6/volkswagen-golf-mk5-gti-2007/3728825 ]Clicky[/url]

Tiny bit more on insurance, fuel and servicing sure, but you'll not have a big wedge of depreciation to worry about and you'll actually enjoy driving the thing!

So after years of driving diesels my commute has now dropped to just over 8k miles a year.

My 1.6 diesel isn't that economical over such short journeys so I'm thinking about swapping to one of the newer small engine turbo cars.

If money is a concern, buy a MkII Nissan Micra for a few quid.
You won't save money spending £8-9,000 on a slightly different car. 💡

[url= http://www.jdpower.com/sites/default/files/2013070-uk_voss_2013.pdf ]JD Power pdf[/url] (charts on pages 4 to 7)

Sorry mosey it should have said known problems not no problems with the 1.4 tsi engine. Look them up on honest john or siar for other information.
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/golf-vii-2013/

Seems like in these newer ones the timing chain has been replaced by a belt so may not be a big issue.

You could spend the same and buy a worse car that's newer.

This. So BMW 330I M-Sport estate circa 2007/2008 / Audi S4 Avant / Octavia vRS etc etc. Or something slightly more in line with what you're looking at, a Golf GT (or GTI?) etc.

£9k should get you into a FL mk2 Octavia vRS with the 2.0TSI engine which in the real world, unless you're booting it everywhere won't be that much more uneconomical than any of the original options, you'll have more space and its already lost a shed load of its depreciation so when you come to sell it on you (may) lose less. More toys etc too.

Of course theres the age old question of how much you'll be spending changing cars vs how much you'll save going diesel > petrol.

We always used to look at buying cars 3ish years old. Our BMW was 7 years old when we got it but had low miles and was by far and away the best car we've ever had.

Or a 1.8TSI Octavia Scout. Great cars and can be had so much cheaper than the diesel equivalents.

Realised that my answers above are very much STW-like (ask for what coffee to drink, people tell you to drink tea).

Out of your options, VW every time. I like VW stuff but I've owned Fords and Vauxhalls in the past and IMHO, VW build quality is much better.

Never understood the obsession with new or nearly new cars and fixation with saving on mpg. Depreciation is by far the biggest cost with any car and the depreciation on the car the OP is describing will probably be in the region of £2k for the first year he owns it.

Depreciation on an older Golf Gti or Octavia VRS will be less than half of that, with the additional fuel, servicing, tax and insurance probably adding around another £5-600 over the OP's original choices based on 8-9k mileage.

So if he bought the older Gti/VRS then its probably a saving of around £500/yr over buying a nearly new and mediocre Eurobox.

Know which route I'd go but I guess some people just want to get from A-B (rather than enjoy getting from A-B), in which case the OP would probably be perfectly happy with any of the original cars suggested. Just trying to throw in another point of view that's all.

Golf. Purely on depreciation.

No, its a very good car as well.

The 1.4tsi Golf is obviously the best car

Really depends what you want from it. Golfs, how ever well screwed together are not class leaders in all areas.

I'd ignore the Astra as we have them at work and they are simply not as nice as the other two. I had a 62 reg Focus and can't think of a single thing the Astra does better.

Which 1.6 are you looking at for the Focus? If it's not the turbo I'd avoid it as they are not that economical or quick. It's a cheap engine carried over from the old model to give a low cost option in the range. Mine was the 1.0 turbo which was very quiet, nippy and refined.

Mine was the 1.0 turbo which was very quiet, nippy and refined.

I've driven Fiestas with that engine - the fuel economy is appalling.

The economy was massively dependent on the driving I was doing. If I was booting it or driving in hilly areas 35/40mpg was as good as it got but if I went a bit steadier and the driving was reasonably flat it would do 50mpg+. Never had a car that had such a swing. Ace engine though.

I'd love a gti but finding one in budget isn't easy.

The 1.4tsi looks like a good blend of style and practicality.

I can't find a 1.6 turbo focus? Is it the new face lift?

Golf mk7 GT here. 1.4 TSI ACT DSG. Engine and gear box sweet, 44 mpg.

Previous car was an Audi 2.0T FSI Quattro. Whilst the Audi was much quicker, the golf is no slouch and much cheaper to run.

I would be looking at golf or Leon.

Me as above. Great car.

One of the reasons I have just bought a 1.8 type S civic over the 1.4 TSI Golf was the problems I was reading over the timing chain ,really did put me off the number of reports of this being a potential big cost job , I looked at the bland Astra too ,and decided the go back to the Civic which for a 1.8 doesn't hang about and Ive had the best part of 50 mpg at 75 on the motorway and 38-44 round town

I've got a mk6 Golf with the 1.4TSI. Easily achieves/ beats the claimed mpg on a run if you stick to speed limits, but rapidly drops if you sit at 80-85. 70mph is around 2400rpm in 6th. Very comfortable car, driven ours to France without any bother - averaged 40mpg fully loaded with a mahoosive roof box on, which isn't too shabby. I'll replace it eventually with something bigger but will probably keep it until the family finally outgrows it. Reliability wise, all I've bought is new wiper blades, new tyres and a new battery in 5.5 years (touch wood).

I can't find a 1.6 turbo focus? Is it the new face lift?

It's a recent engine but I'm pretty sure it was available pre the very latest facelift. Been offered in the Kuga for a couple of years.

Don't rule out the 1.6 tdci as it's economical, reasonably brisk and £30 tax. You don't tend to pay too much of a premium for diesel on Fords either.

The economy was massively dependent on the driving I was doing. If I was booting it or driving in hilly areas 35/40mpg was as good as it got but if I went a bit steadier and the driving was reasonably flat it would do 50mpg+. Never had a car that had such a swing. Ace engine though.

I got 35mpg round town and squeezed 50mpg with the cruise set to 70mph on the motorway. Way, way short of the official mpg, and worse than the economy I used to get out of the (similarly powerful) 1.6 Fiesta I had 15 years ago. Not what I'd call progress...

The 1.4tsi Golf is obviously the best car

Out of interest, how do you justify that?

Out of interest, how do you justify that?

I suspect because its being compared to a Focus and an Astra.

Someone mentioned a Civic. I really like the previous shape one. Really good looking, well built, nice place to sit and decent sized boot etc.

I suspect because its being compared to a Focus and an Astra.

Interestingly I was flicking through the current What Car in Tesco yesterday. In a group test between the Golf, Focus and Octavia the VW came last.

If you want a car based on reputation rather then fact you may as well get an A3 over a Golf as they're much nicer to sit in as long as it's correctly spec'ed.

Don't rule out the 1.6 tdci as it's economical, reasonably brisk and £30 tax. You don't tend to pay too much of a premium for diesel on Fords either.

My 1.6 TDci is way short of its claimed MPG - even sat on the M'way at 70 for lots of long trips. It's also noisey and unrefined.

I'm due for a new company car this year and am going back to petrol. I do about 20-25k a year and my TDCi gets 51mpg so if I can get a petrol that does high 40's it shouldn't really cost much more to run.

The Golf was an outsider on my list and semi-ignored as being boring, a Golf etc. I test drove one last week (1.4 TFSi in Match trim) and was genuinely really impressed. I thought the engine really good - pretty responsive, not too noisey and didn't feel underpowered. It was also a really nice place to sit.

I had been convinved that small and posh / well spec'd was the way to go - I went in to test the Polo Bluemotion GT really but was surprised how much I didn't like it (great engine thogh). But I may sacrifice tpys and get something bigger like a Golf.

My 1.6 TDci is way short of its claimed MPG - even sat on the M'way at 70 for lots of long trips. It's also noisey and unrefined.

Really? I have that engine in my Cmax and regularly get 60mpg on a motorway run. It's also much quieter than most other diesels.

Really? I have that engine in my Cmax and regularly get 60mpg on a motorway run. It's also much quieter than most other diesels.

Really - it's a hateful engine (or at least mine is). Ford have said everything is fine too (although I don't have much faith in the dealer).

Most people I know with the same engine are in the same boat too - about 15mpg down on the claimed.

Really - it's a hateful engine (or at least mine is). Ford have said everything is fine too (although I don't have much faith in the dealer).

Most people I know with the same engine are in the same boat too - about 15mpg down on the claimed.

Mine is claimed 58mpg. I get 60mpg on the motorway and about 45mpg round town. I had a hired Focus with the same engine and had around 60mpg out of that too.

My Mum has the 1.6 tdci and it's not as refined as my old petrol but isn't bad compared to many diesels. Economy is high 50's on a decent run so not bad and about as far off claimed as everyone else.

If you go back to petrol don't be surprised if you don't hit high 40's.

I have a 1.4tsi Octavia estate. It's great - quickish, quiet and surprisingly refined.

I get 42-45mpg normally and over 50 occasionally on longer A-road runs (A65 to the Lakes, stuck behind the traffic). Wife gets 38-40 on the school run.

Whilst I love the look of the Focus, having sat in one today, I can't seem to find any good reviews of the 1.6 zetec petrol engine.

The Astra 1.4t and the Golf 1.4tsi review far better.

I'd like to try the new 1.5 ecoboost focus but it's way out of budget.

Just realised only the titanium spec Focus gets cruise control and I use it a lot.

Golf or Astra it is then, shame because I love how the focus drives.

Defo the Golf then IMO.

Just got to find a Golf in budget that matches the Astra's age and mileage.

Very tempted to go automatic, purely due to the amount of time I spent stuck on the M60

anyone got any real world experience of the 1.6 petrol titanium 2012? it would be the 125 power shift.

mpg, driving style etc

Just like bikes test drive, I was all set for a golf until I drove a focus...only driven the tdci and ecoboost 125...

I'm just worried about the 1.6 petrol engine. It's not turbo charged and I wonder about the power.

The mpg are similar to the golf and Astra but they are 1.4 turbo charged engines.

I've ruled out the Astra based on not having an auto option.

The 1.6 won't be useless it's just that it's an old engine so newer ones will out perform it but then you pay more for the better engine.

My mate had a 1.6 11 reg C-Max Zetec and thought it was good enough. It won't blow your socks off, be especially cheap to tax or get huge mpg but it'll do the job.

As mentioned, the only way to know if you like it is to test. That will answer all your questions.

Don't be fooled by turbo cars either as not all are created equal. It's only the more recent ones that have up'ed the game, like the Ford Ecoboosts.

Don't discount the Leon, either. Same engine range as the Golf, keener pricing, arguably better styling and makes a different statement to the rather generic golf.

The focus 1.6 non-turbo petrol is virtually unchanged since the 1999 mk1 focus. Not bad to drive, but nothing special in terms of power, economy or longevity. In fact, quite a few have died before their time for reasons related to cost cutting of componentry.