Golf GTi for snow - Downsizing from 4WD

[Mountainman]

looking at the XT Forester hitting on average 13l/100km on premium it was not a good prospect...

You're kidding aren't you? Where was that ridiculous figure dreamed up? You might get down to that if you did nothing but very short trips around the city with plenty of cold starts. My 06 XT manual averaged 9.6L/100km over its 250,000km trouble free life and the new one has averaged 9.3L/100km over its 22,000km life. Both are doing much better than my mate's 2 year old 2.5 diesel Triton single cab 2wd trayback.

[Drift]

Thirst isn't the only negative for the Forester these days. The plasticy cheap interior, woeful slushbox, included features etc. I've been a die hard subbie fan for nigh on 20 years having owned 7 through that time. Over the past 10 years though, I've watched as their interiors have become cheaper (the interior in my MY01 Forester was a better place to be than the current crop with velour inserts in the doors and seats, individual arm rests in the front seats etc) the fit and finish have become somewhat hit and miss and the dealers increasingly believe their collective sh*t doesn't stink.

I looked hard this time around and wanted another subbie, really wanted one. But, I couldn't justify the spend on what's become a Japanese Hyundai. I even looked at the Outback 3.6R Premium, but even that was plasticy and disjointed inside although it was an improvement over the rest of the range. I took the Forester S for a run, and was completely underwhelmed by what, for all intents and purposes, should be an exciting drive.

Then I looked at the Tig. A whole different story and it's a very nice place to be. The performance from the factory was fine, but with an APR tune it's just silly amounts of fun. Sure, it's not perfect. The boot's small, there's no way it'll go to some of the places I took my Forester owing to the approach angle, but it'll do most, and then there's the euro servicing tax, although TBH it's not far off what Subaru choose to charge these days.

The one thing I truely miss is the boxer. I love the sound of them, but that's not enough anymore. Subaru lost the plot somewhere along the line and have significantly dropped the quality edge as a cost saving excercise to remain competetive. What they've missed though is that other marques are shapping up and surpassing them in droves. The new CX-5 will give the Forester a serious run for it's money for instance. There's also a growing number of ex-subaru converts on this forum who've become disallusioned with the brand. They once enjoyed an almost cult following of very loyal customers, myself included. Unfortunately, they've lost the essence that fuelled that following and are unlikely to get it back any time soon.

[mh44]

Re: those figures for fuel consumption most have been obtained from subaruforester.org and ozfoz.com.au. Some quote a lot better but some quote those figures.

Not trying to offend you or your car as I'm a fan I really am but the figures you quote,according to forums, can be achieved after a tune... the dealer here told me stock to expect 11.5 mixed as opposed to the quoted 10.5. I took One for a drive and fwiw the active fuel use metre was fairly heavy unless I drove it like my grandma...

Like I said, love the design of the subie and I could probably live with the interior, but today fuel consumption is unfortunately a factor. And I think I'd be a fool not to consider it.

[MGV]

Drift, good on you for taking the time to write the above piece! An interesting read. I've always been a fan as well (though have only ever owned one, a '79 1600 wagon). They (Subaru) do need a serious shake up!

[Mountainman]

Yeah Subaru have certainly changed direction - just look what they did to offend owners of Libertys with the latest model - and I will always feel more attached to my 06 Forester than the new 11 model (although overall it is a better car). However Subaru are smiling because of the increased sales and I would think that the "traditional" Subaru buyer profile has changed.

btw I have no regrets replacing my 06XT with the 11XT and not going for that rather unattractive Tiguan that can't even store a proper spare wheel, had limited ground clearance and luggage room, and compared with my XT's felt like a slug. And experience with my Golf tells me that servicing costs and reliability can't match the Forester. Nice plastics inside weren't enough compensation.

However, each to their own. Hardly the forum to sing the praises of Subaru I guess lol

[Ideo]

The Tig is a great choice.

If you never go more offroad than taking your child to the local soccer field.

[docjames]

+1 to the Octavia RS but if that's not your thing, we managed at Easter into the GTI (without too much trouble!) with the hatch cover in place, seats up ( mrsdoc wanted to take her X3 but there was no way i was driving that 400km on holiday ):

- 2 adults (front)
- 15month old (in large child seat) left rear
- Boot - Golf clubs in bag, golf buggy, all the food for the weekend (about 4 coles bags), two beach towels, soft bag (small) of clothes, golf shoes in box,
- Back Seat - two suitcases (think largest possible wheel aboard an aircraft), collapsable portacot (fitted nicely behind drivers seat), high chair (ikea with legs detatched), child's large backpack with all his stuff, other random bits and pieces

Fitted all that minus half the food (we only ate half of what we took - of course) plus mrsdocs shopping on the way home.

All that and 7.1L/100km.

You know, you pack to the size of your car anyway. If it's for skiing, i'd be inclined to go for the golf (plenty of room) and if you're worried about fitting in skis etc just get roof racks if you find you cant fit it all.

[pologti18t]

Have you thought about the VW Jetta 147TSI? Big boot... GTI running gear.

[mh44]

Have you thought about the VW Jetta 147TSI? Big boot... GTI running gear.

Unfortunately for me (Or not?) I think I'm fairly sold on the Golf GTI. Been looking a bit more and looking to throw my board in one tomorrow to see how it goes, but I've been thinking that I'm single, have a big truck and don't use bugger all of its space or capabilities - It's coming back to what do I really NEED? What will be practical now AND in the future? I think we all like the thought of being able to take everything we own in a car, but how many of us actually do it? As docjames said - you pack to the size of your car - Just want to make sure it's not a choice I will regret in 12 months!!