Stiff competition for the Mk7 Golf GTI - Second Edition

**clip** · 24-02-2013, 10:10 PM

Just test drove an a250 yesterday. Took it for really good run. Ordered one as soon as I got back. Sorry to say it, but, gearboxes aside, the 250 is just sensational, especially through the twisties. Direction changes are so fast, and just couldn't unsettle it. It was much better than I expected. I only tested as a comparison after jumping out of GTI. Did the same local run in both, where I was pushing the gti near it's limit, I barely got a tyre squeal out of the little benz. It has got a lot more bling, but it was really the handling that blew me away. Probably shouldn't have test drove it though, it has cost me lot more $$, but its going to be a whole lot of fun off the highway.

**sheckster** · 24-02-2013, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by clip

Just test drove an a250 yesterday. Took it for really good run. Ordered one as soon as I got back. Sorry to say it, but, gearboxes aside, the 250 is just sensational, especially through the twisties. Direction changes are so fast, and just couldn't unsettle it. It was much better than I expected. I only tested as a comparison after jumping out of GTI. Did the same local run in both, where I was pushing the gti near it's limit, I barely got a tyre squeal out of the little benz. It has got a lot more bling, but it was really the handling that blew me away. Probably shouldn't have test drove it though, it has cost me lot more $$, but its going to be a whole lot of fun off the highway.

nice, did you option up any package? and which colour did you choose?

**clip** · 25-02-2013, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by sheckster

nice, did you option up any package? and which colour did you choose?

yep, went with Command, the Harmon/Kardon sounds amazing. Particularly didn't want leather, so that was out, and the vis package didn't excite me that much. They had a white, red, mountain grey and blue. The mountain grey was a standout, so ordered that. Problem being delivery isn't until June

**sheckster** · 25-02-2013, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by clip

yep, went with Command, the Harmon/Kardon sounds amazing. Particularly didn't want leather, so that was out, and the vis package didn't excite me that much. They had a white, red, mountain grey and blue. The mountain grey was a standout, so ordered that. Problem being delivery isn't until June

There was one in silver with command and amg pack, with a big 'sold' sign on it, so I suppose that person won't be waiting long. I asked about delivery and they did say a couple of months at least, sounds about right then I suppose.

I wonder if VW will be much the same come launch time.

**pologti18t** · 25-02-2013, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by sheckster

I wonder if VW will be much the same come launch time.

VW would be mad if they didn't follow Mercs A250 lead and make a fairly well equipped base spec and only have a few option packs. Like Stereo upgrade, Nav upgrade, and leather. Much easier to stock a vehicle like that.

**WhiteJames** · 25-02-2013, 05:45 PM

There was one in silver with command and amg pack, with a big 'sold' sign on it, so I suppose that person won't be waiting long.

That person would be one of my work collegues. He put down his deposit at the Sydney Motor Show on only seeing the Merc A250 AMG Sports Pack. He has traded his Golf GTD for the Merc and should be driving that Silver Merc + AMG Pack by tomorrow afternoon ... one of the first owner/drivers of that type of Merc in AUS. I may check it out when he brings it to work.
Cheers.
WJ

**Sharkie** · 25-02-2013, 06:12 PM

I'm sorry but at $49990 the A250 is lineball with a Golf R manual pricewise (even less for me with Corporate Plus discount). There is no way the A250 matches the R as an allrounder IMO.

Yes, pretty sure it is better than the MK6 GTI in all aspects but then in base spec its $10K more and should be better.

I'm sticking with waiting on a MK7 R for .... $49990 ....

**macdub** · 25-02-2013, 07:07 PM

can't wait to compare the mk7 GTI..was watching review of A250 on youtube and found that not much space in boot and legroom at back..also due to steep lines, the back windows look very small and feel very dark at back (i know it has panaromic sunroof but)..for space conscious people, mk7 will surely excel over a250..also i mk7 has touch screen which imo more user-friendly than the dial on a250..A250 is one sexy lookin car and am sure drives well too but still very interested to know what VW has on offer..

**Dutch77** · 25-02-2013, 07:22 PM

That space is a seller too, to me one of the benefits of hot hatches is we get to have our cake and eat it too when compared to more pure sportsters like the MX5 and Toybaru twins.

The votes are interesting so far.. clearly a lot of us are keen to stay German, although it doesn't make great reading for VW - call it 50% in the first poll if we assume a few of the others would tick GTD or Rocco, whereas that's dropped to 36%, albeit the sample size is smaller so far. Counter to that maybe is that the keenest future buyers are probably reading and voting in this thread first.