We had an ex-demo 2010 vRS Diesel Hatch for about 8/9 years. Loved it. Solid. Great drive, particularly with DSG. V. good MPG, even loaded. Great for space – family, holidays etc.
Huge boot that will easily take 2 bikes but as has already been alluded to, I would suggest the space isn’t as usable as the estate?
The wheel arches come in fairly significantly but the hatch in particular has a fairly large bumper lip that makes loading/maneuvering a bike into the boot quite tricky.
Also, the back seats fold ‘flat’… ish! Actually, the seat backs have a slight rear-facing slope and the boot floor is lower still which meant that loads, unless secured really well, had a tendency to work their way backwards – annoying!
We carried our bikes on the roof. It was easier to load and left loads of space for all our other kit.
As an aside, not sure what mk/MY/mileage etc. you’re looking at but thought it worth mentioning our experience with an engine management issue.
Regularly maintained, regardless of cost, ours was amazing until it was 8 years old.
At 90k it developed (apparently fairly common) serious engine issues. Most of the air intake system (swirl flaps/inlet manifold/throttle body etc.) needed replacing. The air con compressor (another common failure) then also went. The parts alone were well into 4 figures and all in, it would cost as much to fix as the car was worth! We couldn’t justify repairing it.
Sad to see it go for next to nothing but relieved not to have a huge 4-figure bill!
Appreciate it’s an anecdotal experience but nonetheless, hope it’s worth sharing.
