Buying a new Ibiza - 1.0 TSI DSG vs 1.4 ACT Manual

[HonestIago]

Afternoon folks, having the above dilemma!

I currently lease a 2015 1.6 TDI FR and have an eye on buying a new Ibiza in 2017 to replace it. My mileage will be reducing from c.16k to around 12k and I'll have lots of short c.5 mile urban commutes hence me looking at petrol models. I also do a fair amount of long journeys so comfort, economy and relative refinement are important.

I am drawn to the performance of the 1.4 ACT but the DSG gearbox and (possibly?) better economy of the 1.0 TSI. Would really appreciate the thoughts of anyone who has driven either or both! My "fun" car is a 330bhp classic Impreza STI Wagon...however having a daily with a bit of go about it still appeals and hence I'm coming down more on the side of the 1.4. Is 50mpg overall pie in the sky with one of these? I am prepared to sit at 60 on long journeys in the name of economy!

As an aside...does anyone know when might be the last available order dates for the Mk5? I am aware a new Ibiza is in the pipeline but I want one of the current shape.

Many thanks in advance!

 

[Steve221]

If I just cruise home from work and consciously drive carefully I can get and indicated 52-54 mpg. That's on a 20 mile trip with a good mixture of road types.

Real world driving to get places asap within reason will see you average 40-45.

 

[VeeFource]

Will you be leasing the replacement? If not I'd steer clear of DSG simply as those gearboxes don't have the best reliability and will cost a lot to fix if it goes wrong.

Also it sounds like you're a real petrolhead with that Scooby so I'm sure you won't object to changing gears 'properly' all that much to get that amazing ACT engine

 

[bcr5784]

If I just cruise home from work and consciously drive carefully I can get and indicated 52-54 mpg. That's on a 20 mile trip with a good mixture of road types.

Real world driving to get places asap within reason will see you average 40-45.

I'd go along with that, maybe a bit better. Just been on a booze cruise (mostly motorway) - 47 on the way there cruising at typical traffic speeds 45 on the way back - but heavily laden.

The engine has some outstanding features - economy during warm up is much better than the diesels I've had - gets to 30mpg in almost no time at all (my wife gets over 40 going to shops on a 6 mile round trip from cold) , lots of effortless torque , with very modest turbo lag, and good refinement.

Nice gearbox too.

I've not tried the diesel - but it would have to be very special to even get close.

 

[HonestIago]

Many thanks for the replies folks!

I'll be buying the replacement as I don't like the inflexibility of leasing and reckon the sums stack up so long as I keep this car 5+ years. Thanks for the pointer re DSG...does strike me as a potential reliability risk vs a manual.

I must say I am very encouraged by the economy figures being touted for the 1.4 ACT! Especially when it probably has similar in-gear straight line pace to my old Clio Trophy which only managed 32-33mpg, special wee car as it was!

I think my mind is just about made up. My current 1.6 TDI is comfy, economical, fairly refined and decent looking however the 1.4 ACT seems a much more exciting prospect from a driver's POV without a huge economy penalty. Thanks again for the replies!

 

[Steve221]

I went from a Mazda 3 185 diesel which went like a train and wasn't disappointed with the ACT. You'll see a huge improvement on refinement/smoothness etc. I was also amazed by the available torque for a small petrol engine.

 

[bcr5784]

Many thanks for the replies folks!

Especially when it probably has similar in-gear straight line pace to my old Clio Trophy which only managed 32-33mpg, special wee car as it was!

It's a while since I drove a Trophy, but I think you'll find the 1.4 EcoTSi has better mid range grunt (though not the top end go). Unfortunately the handling isn't in the same league (though very pleasant at 7 tenths), but the ride is a lot more comfy in compensation. Not driven an STI, but had a WRX (2.5) and while EcoTSi is in a slightly higher state of tune it suffers far less turbo lag , to the point where you really don't notice it above 2000 rpm. While on paper the WRX is considerably faster, the subjective difference feels less than the figures would suggest.

 

[Fr2013]

I have the 1.0 DSG.
My commute is mainly heavily congested A and B roads (single carriageway) with 30mph speed limits, not that I ever reach that!
I picked the DSG basically due to the fact that I was sick of changing gear crawling in traffic and wanted a more 'stress free' drive to/from work. In that respect, it does work well but the DSG does struggle at very low speeds and often just point blank refuses to change down to 1st gear, resulting in massive engine labouring at low revs whilst it sticks in second gear (sounds horrid). I get around this by using manual mode and forcing it to first gear, but that defeats the object of me having an auto.

When I take it out on the 'open road', it's a really great drive. The gears are lovely and smooth, and economy is great. I saw 51MPG on a spirited drive through the Welsh countryside!

In regards to MPG on my commute, well on some really bad days, the on board computer reports 30MPG when pulling on to the driveway. Good days see around the 40MPG mark if all goes well traffic wise (this is always using stop-start).
My Fuelly reports an average figure of 39.9MPG since March. In comparison, my 2013 1.2 TSI (chain driven) manual gearbox had a Fuelly average figure of 38.2MPG over 3 years. Not much in it really, so shows the newer engine coupled with start/stop, which I never had on my '13 FR isn't really that much more efficient.

If the choice was there to buy the 1.4TSI in FR trim with the DSG gearbox, I'd have bitten their hand off.

 

[Kane7]

DSG for ease and launch figures.

Manual for more fun and control for thrashing them.

My mates that own golf R's got bored of there cars after two months and the only one that didn't was a manual owner, so seems as you've got a scooby for fun days I'd go with the DSG for comfort driving


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[markm49uk]

My 1.4 EcoTsi FR is my first petrol in many years - Audi's, Citroen and lastly a Merc. I haven't had this much fun in years. This engine is, quite frankly, bloody amazing.

Whatever the road this engine excels. On the motorway it easily keeps up with the big boys and on the twisty country roads making progress is swift and easy - the XDS really does improve the grip when pushing on.

One thing to be aware of is that next year I believe the new Ibiza is due to be released - not sure what timescales you are working with mind.

Makes me smile every time I drive the car.

 

[KXL]

I have the 1.0 DSG.
My commute is mainly heavily congested A and B roads (single carriageway) with 30mph speed limits, not that I ever reach that!
I picked the DSG basically due to the fact that I was sick of changing gear crawling in traffic and wanted a more 'stress free' drive to/from work. In that respect, it does work well but the DSG does struggle at very low speeds and often just point blank refuses to change down to 1st gear, resulting in massive engine labouring at low revs whilst it sticks in second gear (sounds horrid). I get around this by using manual mode and forcing it to first gear, but that defeats the object of me having an auto.

I just got my 1.0 EcoTSI DSG, I thought it was the clutch slipping or something, but at least I now know its the sound of the engine labouring . I was thinking to myself, DSG shouldn't do this, my previous Leon 2.0TDI DSG certainly didnt!
So far it's done around 300 miles, a mid-night drive from zone 2 London to zone 4 London, (speed limits ranging from 20-40mph) gave me 52mpg, hardly any cars, there were a few traffic lights, roudnabouts etc though. This must as similar to the urban cycle they test , mpg certainly reflected this.