Any of the VAG products should be good. They are pretty much the same underneath just with different materials and refinement in the cabins and probably different suspension set ups. The VAG have mangaed to get their powertrains cheaply and efficently across the whole line up from Audi to Seat. The Golf alone is the best selling car in Europe. They are a force to be reckoned with.
Normaly aspirated engines are harder to come by now due to the fact a big capacity is required for power. This means low fuel economy, poor C02 emissions and high tax. I believe the VAG TSI engines are turbo charged and super charged to allow even smaller capactity and reduce turbo lag.
I had an 04 plate Civic type R. Now that was a piece of engineering, did never and probably will never skip a beat. Best 6 speed box I have used day to day. Honda’s sales and servicing was also excellent. I remember taking it out for a test drive and spanking the thing pretty hard, as one has to, expecting to receive a ticking off from the salesman beside me, for him only to say how refreshing it was to see someone drive the car properly!!
When I picked the (used) car up from the dealership, they gave me a bottle of Champagne to boot. Unfortunately the fuel economy was the cars demise in the end, damm glad I sold it when I did.
Bought a used Golf GTTDI, 170 bhp diesel. Great car, awesome comfort, good mid range and returns 42mpgs average. Impressed with the build quality so far, nothing has broken. A Golf will aways hold its value too. Test drove a very similar A3, but the quattro, was expecting great things but it was uninspiring and more money.
For the record Ford diesel engines are designed in partnership with PSA, Peugeot Citreon group. On the whole they are well respected, may have just been unlucky. Doesn’t help I know!
