Golf R / R wagon vs GTI vs Skoda Octavia RS - purchase decision

[ReeceR]

Hi guys,

Also posted this in the golf mk7 forum, had to have a balanced view!

Long time lurker here, current owner of 3 door MKV GTI which must be sold due to impending arrival of baby. I need some help with the purchase decision, I keep going around in circles.

Here's the summary:


we've decided 3 doors is not practical with a baby
Golf body shape might be a bit tight with pram and all other baby paraphernalia. Manageable day to day, but trips would be a squeeze and may necessitate the purchase of roof pod. On the other hand, we live in the city and there's a lot more parking spaces that'll fit a Golf than will fit a Octavia or Golf R wagon - but we do have a garage, so parking daily is not much of an issue.
Therefore, on balance, we think a smallish wagon is the more practical body shape for us, but haven't discounted another (5 door) Golf.


The options:

1. Skoda Octavia RS wagon with all the fruit will cost around $45k. If I partly finance through Skoda, I'll get extended warranty to 5 years. Ticks all boxes for practicality, sporty enough, drives great (like a GTI with a big bum, funnily enough). Not an object of desire, but not a bad looking wagon at all. Terrible lack of exhaust note though, so would likely upgrade that.

However, the issue is that all indications are that I'll get pumped on depreciation if I need to sell in 3 years or so. As an indication, Skoda's own guaranteed minimum future value after 3 years is 29% of the purchase price - around $13,000!! Not exactly confidence-inspiring. Down $32k.

2. Golf R Wolfsburg Wagon with sunroof for around $65k. What's to be said? It's a weapon of a car. But it essentially does the same job, just faster and more prestigiously. $20k more is a huge amount of money, but if I choose to sell in 3 or so years, VW guarantee 40% minimum value. Down $39k.

I guess the sensible answer is either a) don't buy new or b) hold on to it for more than 3 years. But if faced with these two options, what would you choose? If the guaranteed future values are anything to go by, there's only $7k in it. But I get a sense the Skoda will hold up better than previous models, such is the popularity of the new Octavia RS.

Then there's always the option of squeezing our new family into a GTI PP with leather/sunroof for $49k or an R hatch with leather / sunroof for $55k. Not as practical and we may grow out of it, but can be done.


What do you think and why?


thanks!

[tigger73]

Get yourself a Tiguan 132TSI and a stage 1 tune for under $40k. You'll be getting AWD with 190kW that'll do low 6's 0-100.

In 3 years you'll drop $20k.

So you want a bit more style then get the R-line kit...

Only question left is did you want black or white:

2014 Volkswagen Tiguan 132TSI 5N Auto 4MOTION MY15

2015 Volkswagen Tiguan 132TSI 5N Auto 4MOTION MY15

Any other questions????

[Timbo]

I suspect resale on current Tigs will be heavily affected by the new model. Also, surprisingly, not much more space in the Tig than in a Golf

[Yagadan]

Hi mate. I looked at similar cars.

Ended up getting a 2015 RS TSI wagon. Can't fault it to be honest. Manual transmission is very slick. Has every feature you ever need. I'm averaging 8.5L/100km which I think is pretty respectable.

Oh but I do agree about the engine note. I'm about to disconnect the sound actuator and install a cold air intake so I can hopefully get a nice induction note on boost, will let you know how that goes.

Depreciation wise true its not great but Skoda is gaining popularity and are actually very hard to get with waiting lists atm. I plan to keep mine for 5 - 7 years so isn't a huge factor to me.

[tigger73]

I suspect resale on current Tigs will be heavily affected by the new model. Also, surprisingly, not much more space in the Tig than in a Golf

The OP is having a baby and looks like he's not yet ready to let go of the performance. There's several advantages of a small SUV in terms of access for putting baby seats in/out. Yes the boot isn't the biggest in the Tiguan and that's a common complaint, but not something that can't be managed.

In terms of bang for buck it's hard to go past a stage 1 Tiguan.

If he's worried about resale/taking too much of a hit then there's some decent cars in the mid $20's

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan 155TSI 5N Auto 4MOTION MY13

[Skoda Soda]

I was recently on same boat as you, and opted for a Petrol RS Wagon.

As you said, it ticks all the right boxes.

Coming from a tuned 06 Jetta TFSI, the wagon makes a world of a difference in terms of space and convenience both in the cabin and boot. The boot in the Jetta is massive, but the boot in the RS wagon makes the Jetta boot look incompetent.

I checked out the GTI, awesome car, but I'd imagine a complete PITA when it comes to commuting the family and all the necessary baby essentials, including the baby seat.

The R wagon is definitely a weapon, and I was tempted numerous times to cancel my order of the RS and order the R. However, the fact it was 20k+ more, I couldn't really justify the extra cost when comparing the R and RS. Yes it has more power, AWD and few a other go fast bits, but besides that, the interior, build, engine and electronics are basically the same - and I personally think the RS is a better looking car than the R.

The depreciation of the car is a huge downfall, but I'm counting on the increasing interest and appeal of Skoda, and the Octavia to hopefully change that in the coming years. It also doesn't hurt too, having a pano sunroof, bi-xenons, canton system and auto tailgate, which should help build some interest in the car later in its lifetime when we do decide to sell it.

As always, really depends on your priorities. Practicality or Thrills (mind you the RS does both really well.)

Hope that helps!

[kamold]

Buy an R36.
Enjoy space and comfort with performance and spend the rest on sanity inducing options like baby sitting and date nights ..

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[ASR36]

Buy an R36.
Enjoy space and comfort with performance and spend the rest on sanity inducing options like baby sitting and date nights ..

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+1! Just fitted our 3rd baby seat in the back seat. Boot takes pram, scooters, soccer balls etc with plenty of room to spare. My 2 older kids love the acceleration also


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[tinto]

Get a smaller / narrower pram than the $1k one that is currently on the shopping list.
I'm serious about this - kids are a lot hardier than you think and they don't need the enormous throne
This is something you only tend to realise when kid #2 rolls around and you'd rather take the tiny pushchair than the portable palace that fills up the entire boot and throws out a disc in your back getting it in /out.

Tiguan is a really solid choice - a bit elevated which will make everyone feel more secure in traffic.
It is much, much easier on your body getting your kids and enormous pram (you're going to end up with one) in / out of a slightly taller car.
Is the boot flat in the tiguan? - i.e flush with the bumper, or is there quite a tall lip like in the Golf?
I'd imagine AWD would mean its pretty much flush.

You've also got to mentally know that the back seat is going to be covered in crap for at least 4 years.
It seems decadent, but leather is amazing in the cleanup. I'd hate to have fabric in a car that lugs a baby/toddler around.

[TheScout]

Demo/near new Octavia RS gets my vote. Hard to beat for high 30s low 40s.


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