RS Wagon versus Mk 7 GTI

[mattaus]

Hi all,

I apologise if this has been covered elsewhere. I recently 'stumbled' across the Octavia RS. I have been seriously looking at a Golf GTI (with the performance pack) but have had my head turned slightly by the RS Wagon.

As far as I see it, the RS is a GTI in wagon form. Obviously the performance pack has a slightly more powerful engine and a special diff. But the RS seems to trump it in nearly every other facet; especially value for money. For around the same price as the GTI-PP I can get the RS wagon with the Tech pack, the 18" black pack, the sunroof, the leather seats, and the extended warranty. The GTI is much more expensive if some of those sorts of options are added, whilst others are not even available on the GTI (sunroof and smart start are not available on the GTI-PP for example). The RS also has the better infotainment suite.

So...what gives? Honest answers only please. Quality control? Reliability*? Servicing costs?

I do like the look of the Golf better, but the RS Wagon would be much more practical for me in my daily life. Plus I've always liked the idea of a sport wagon (the CLA250 Shooting brake is top of my list but is a touch too expensive for my taste).

I would like to ring the sh*t out of my car every now and then, but will very rarely (once or twice a year) go on track days. The better handling of the GTI-PP would rarely, if ever, be tested by me. I rather a spirited drive to lunch/dinner destination with friends over a club cruise to a track day. I suspect my fiancée does too lol.

One final big consideration for me is that I would be leasing. Resale is a concern of mine, hence my addition of the extended warranty, but if push comes to shove I can simply hand the car back when the lease expires.

Sorry for the long winded post. I always seem to discover these things right before I need to hit the hay, and of course I now have so many questions I won't sleep properly.

Thanks!

- Matt

* I am aware the Skoda is a VAG vehicle and shares pretty much all it's mechanicals with the Golf. I guess the only thing that could be different is country of origin and hence quality of manufacture?