Cupra or mk6 Golf GT 160 ?

[damianmkv]

Morning all - I am keeping my fingers crossed that my employer will replace my mk5 soon so an on the lookout for a new car.

I had originally plumped for an a3 s-line but binned it when the mk6 came out as it was much better value.

But after 6 months of seeing the mk6 on the road, I still haven't totally warmed to it and so have wondered what else is about.

Spec would be metallic, sunroof, parking, winter pack, satnav and that's about it I think. I'm not very clues up on the various technology and convenience packs available and what they include I'm afraid !

Budget is £22k

thoughts appreciated - thanks !

 

[P0LKR]

Cupra but you must add bluetooth. However if you can afford the sat nav I think bluetooth is included in that now.

I don't think I would hesitate between the two cars. It's an easy choice unless you are a badge snob. Test drive both.

 

[benskin07]

I'm not a fan off mk6 i think the mk5 looks better if im being honest. But if i had to choice out of a Cupra and MK6 GT....Cupra for me every time. Plus with £22k there a lot of cars you can get with that, Audi A3 Black Edition or S-line or even Bmw 1 series. Test drive both cars and you will know which one is best for you.

 

[damianmkv]

We're not allowed a BMW as its considered a " prestige marque " by our parent company. I have a B7 A4 avant s-line so wanted to stay away from Audi too really....

Not a badge snob, no but with our management, you never know what you're allowed ! The " true" budget is £18000 + p/x..

I've driven the Golf and it was nice - very quiet in comparision with mine but its 160PS felt a bit...gutless...

 

[SteveTDCi]

Hi Damian, i'd definatly go for the Cupra over the Golf, its quick and comfrtable,I prefer it to both my mk5 golf and A3 TDi

 

[damianmkv]

Hi Steve, hows things ?
Is it the performance that makes you prefer it...or is it not as black and white as that ?

 

[benskin07]

We're not allowed a BMW as its considered a " prestige marque " by our parent company. I have a B7 A4 avant s-line so wanted to stay away from Audi too really....

Not a badge snob, no but with our management, you never know what you're allowed ! The " true" budget is £18000 + p/x..

I've driven the Golf and it was nice - very quiet in comparision with mine but its 160PS felt a bit...gutless...

Ohh thats fair enough Damian...Then i'd go for the Cupra if i was in your situation seeing as the 160ps felt a bit gutless to you. And you already have an Audi B7 Avant...Plus if you go for the Golf you wont enjoy driving it and you will get bored and wish you went for the Cupra. And with £18k + p/x you can get a very nice cupra with that sort of money!
Will you be going brand new or slightly used?

 

[damianmkv]

i guess it feels gutless as my GT TDi is running 191 bhp / 283 lb ft so there's more power and oomphh ( and soot ! ) in my current car.
The company goes for brand new ( although its not essential ) so i'd be able to spec the car to my own requirements. If i could find one with my spec ( or close ) thats used, that'd be fine...

 

[SteveTDCi]

Hi Damian,

The Cupra is completely different to the Golf. I swapped to the Audi as I found the Golf’s seats uncomfortable and the clutch heavy so I decided DSG was a good idea. That lasted 19 months although I started looking after having the car for just 9 months, the A3 although a good car was just sooooooo boring. I like the looks of the Cupra and its comfortable inside. I find you do need the armrest which is an aftermarket option which I did fit – although it is a genuine SEAT part. Performance, well as standard you won’t be disappointed, it was as quick as the A3 which with a remap and DSG was pretty quick once you do a stage one map on the Cupra it will destroy the Golf, you can send your bluefin back and get it reset for around £210 which is what I did. MPG, well given that its near to 300bhp ( if you believe superchips figures) I average around 30mpg on my short trip, be heavy with the right hand pedal and it will drop, but I see no reason why on a reasonable run it shouldn’t return 34mpg

Prices vary, there seem to be lots of K1’s around and if you like the look then you can pick one up cheapish, I went for an early 07 car which at 14k is good value. If your budget is 22k then you might even be able to pick up a new Cupra R, it doesn’t look much different to the Cupra but does have the 260 that will be seen in the Scriocco R. You can also pick leather trim if you like that. Plastics aren’t as good as the Golf or Audi so I guess you get what you pay for but I certainly don’t feel the Cupra is a step back from an Audi. In fact for the first time I actually enjoy driving the car and I actually bother to clean it !!!!

 

[damianmkv]

I agree with your comment about the Audi. Our A4 is built so well but jees its dull to drive...i feel like hitting my head on the steering wheel, just to stay awake !

34 mpg is excellent for 300+ bhp - i didn't expect that. My employer pays all my fuel costs so i'm not overly concerned about that...

I'm not overly keen on the looks of the K1 - being nigh on 38, its a bit "young" for me ( old git alert ! ). As for the R, i think this will blow my budget - i could do with some toys in mine...

 

[warren_cox]

Cupra over the Golf, no question. Yes the Golf is nice, but too many people I have spoken to recently have said it seems like the Mk6 is a car for 'the people' rather than 'the enthusiastic driver'. If this is the case, the Cupra will be the one to make you smile.

 

[damianmkv]

i love to drive, no doubt - i do about 18000 miles a year. Given the choice of my Golf or my A4, the Golf wins every time...well, unless its in the garage being fixed.

It'd be nice to get a car that i want to drive, rather than one that i feel i should have due to having to fit a pushchair or 2 in the boot, being tax efficient etc..

 

[Poverty]

Those two cars share similiar chassis but the end product and aims are totally different.

Its a really easy decision.

Speed, or interior.

Which one is more important to you?

Once you have figured that out go from there.

 

[Poverty]

Those two cars share similiar chassis but the end product and aims are totally different.

Its a really easy decision.

Speed, or interior.

Which one is more important to you?

Once you have figured that out go from there.

 

[damianmkv]

I bet the wife's answer is different to mine !

 

[Poverty]

I bet the wife's answer is different to mine !

1.God
2.Man
3.Horse
4.Dog
5.Woman
6.Snake
7.Rat

 

[damianmkv]

oh...have just worked out the company car tax - the Cupra would cost £1500 per year more than the Golf...

 

[SteveTDCi]

yeah but its worth it ! If power and P11d are your thing then its BMW all the way or a Mini Cooper D The Focus is cheap too and the new Astra is due out at the end of the year or you could try the FR Tdi

 

[Al]

Those two cars share similiar chassis but the end product and aims are totally different.

Its a really easy decision.

Speed, or interior.

Which one is more important to you?

Once you have figured that out go from there.

Agreed. The MK6 Golf is a much nicer place to be but its gonna be slow compared to the Cupra.

To add a spanner to the works, although prices are not out yet, I would sooner go with the Cupra R than the Cupra assuming they allow it and that it falls in to your budget. You will prob be looking at a realistic 25-30bhp more than the Cupra as standard which is going to be approx 120bhp over the Golf.

 

[damianmkv]

Looking at the facelifted cupra, the interior looks quite good, a small step upwards ? I'd kinda talked myself into the cupra until I looked at the tax...or am I being too much of an old hit about it ? I'd love the cupra...White with black alloys just be impratical ( and tell the wife it's not OCD, it NEEDS cleaning ! ). Not sure if it'd get passed the powers that be in Athens though, as they veto stuff for weird reasons