VW GTI ?

I suspect that reliability vs satisfaction surveys are a reflection on how well the supporting main dealers resolve the warranty issues as and when they arise.

If reliability is your major driver, then surveys suggest buy Japanese.  Skoda is a strange one in that it is made out of VW Group components and yet it tends to score highly - perhaps because they surpass the expectations of folks buying what are sold as 'downmarket' VWs?

I have a bmw which is now 3 years old and has surprised me with absolutely nothing going wrong with it.  My continued expectations are such that I have just signed up for an extended warranty!

The GTi is a great car and, particularly if you are buying from a franchised dealer (even better in this regard if new) you are well protected against problems by the warranty provided.  Depending on your driving needs/ style/ mileage, you may want to consider the GTD - very similar performance levels (within a narrower rev range) with significantly better economy.

Personally, I'd go for the car with a bit of sparkle rather than one without a pulse - all within reason of course - which is exactly where the VW Golf GTi is pitched.

Best of luck with your deliberations.

Peter

I had a GTI for four years from new (2010 Canadian model) and in all that time, I didnt have a single issue.  Absolutely reliable.  

Here is what Consumer Reports says:

Volkswagen GTI Overview

The GTI is one of the best performing and most practical choices among affordable sporty cars. It is agile and quick, with a gutsy 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder that sounds good. It is fun to drive but not at the expense of comfort or practicality. Handling is taut and precise, with good steering. The ride is fairly civilized and relatively quiet, and the hatchback adds versatility. Fit and finish is very good, and the seats are comfortable. Clutch-pedal travel is a bit long, which affects the driving position. Two- and four-door versions are available. Reliability has dropped to below average. A redesigned GTI arrives in 2014.

I would advise a BMW M135I - a bit more car...

or try a new Volvo V40 for something a little different. I love mine, not a fast car but very pleasing to own and drive.

Bruce

Proper VW GTIs finished when they stopped the MKII version, the new ones are bloated cruisers in comparison almost twice the size and pretty heavy.

I know it's better to have an accident in a newer one, but lets see if they feature in the GTI clubs top cars in a few years time?

Have to agree with you Bruce, I had a V40 D3 earlier this year for a short time .. Completely changed my perception of Volvo .. I'm now back in a Audi for the foreseeable future

Regards

H, some might argue that only the Mk 1 truly qualifies.  I had two, both silver, a 1600 and the very last 1800 Campaign imported to the UK.  Apart from a distinct lack of brakes, I loved them both dearly.  I sold the Campaign for a paltry £500 to make way for a new VR6 (awful car), so imagine my surprise a few years ago when I was browsing in WH Smiths at the airport and saw my old car featured and selling for almost 20 times as much.  Admittedly, it had been restored rather nicely, but it did take me on a bit of a nostalgia trip back to the day I first saw her gleaming in the VW showroom outside Basingstoke and just had to stop and make enquiries.  Great fun car.

Mango,

Bloody hell, if it's not Naim's amp range then it's the Golf GTi! . How dare those dastardly, faceless corporations insult us covetous consumers - so keen to validate ourselves in the world's eyes with our oh so elegant product choices - by bringing out new models?!

Big H,

My Mk2 was the three door 8v in white, with steel wheels. Sold it with 149K on the clock and scarcely a rattle. Oil and filter change every six months. Sometimes I washed it too.

Best,

Chris

JD Power rating:

http://autos.jdpower.com/resea...atchback/ratings.htm

149K ?

You were not driving it properly

Richard you are right the MkI was the definitive, hot hatch GTI, but really let down by the RHD brake conversion.

A couple of lads from the GTI club had LHD versions and they were sharp on the brakes.

RHD versions could be improved at a cost of course.

What about a Fiesta XR2? Should be some bargains on the s/h market. Classy motor too.

I had a Mark One version Golf van with diesel.

Terrible brakes, terrible suspension that bottomed out over bumps, terrible engine that broke at 120K miles in spite of 60K miles of my very sympathetic driving - never more than 70 mph.

It lunched on itself at 55 mph feeding that much atomised oil; back through the air filter that it started accelerating with my foot on the brake.

I'd never have another VW, even if given it free. Now have a sixteen year old Nissan Micra 1275. That is a "real" motor that does exactly what it says on the tin with among the best reliability of any car - made in Britain too!

Great fun to drive as well, without burning a hole in my pocket or the ozone layer!

ATB from George

George, I can see you liking a Nissan Figaro which is basically a Micra with some body kit.

I know, but you cannot get a double bass into one!

ATB from George

You can in a Micra though?

Easy, but if you have a passenger he or she needs to sit in the back, and you need the split rear  seat version!

But you cannot use the passenger side mirror!

ATB from George

PS: It was much easier with a Volvo 240 of course ...

PPS: It is no more trouble than the VW Golf Mark One,which was surprisingly small inside.

Seems the Micra is better on fuel economy, maintenance costs and transportation of large instruments than the Golf.

The Golf cost me more in 1987 than the Micra in 2013, and the Micra goes better, is better on fuel, is slightly more roomy inside, and has brakes that are impressive. It has not fallen below 50 mpg so far.

It's without rust at sixteen years old!

Who says the British cannot make great cars!

And it corners like a Mini pick-up, which was my fiirst car back in 1978!

You could not get a double bass in the cab of the pick-up, and it would have been a bit cruel to make it ride in the open on a winter's night!

It would not speak to me [or the audience] again for a week!

I know of a story of two London bassists on a British Council Tour of Finland and Eastern Europe in 1946 [Boyd Neil Orchestra] who crossed the Baltic in sub-zero temperatures, and both basses were ruined as the glue crystallised the cold, and both collapsed while in the "coffins" lashed to the deck outside the steam heated interior of the ferry-boat. Basses are fussy creatures to be tended with love!

ATB from George

Is the heater on the Micra sufficient to protect the bass on a frosty morning or is a blanket desirable too?

The heater is surprisingly good. The engine is at temperature very quickly. Tiny engine, and tiny radiator, but keeps as regular a temperature as the massive, by comparison, Volvo!

ATB from George

One almost daren't ask about their owners! 

Chris

I love having a fuss made of me!

ATB from George

I have spent more money on cars in the past 20 or so years of driving than I care to remember, but my Mk2 Golf GTi is still my favourite, and I include a Honda S2000, Civic Type R, various BMWs and my current Scirroco TSi as a comparison.

The Golf was one of the last 1991 J reg Mk2's, only an 8 valve but it went like stink. I had a good one.

It's interesting to note the comments regarding VW reliability. I have had plenty of work done (under warranty) on several recent VWs. My Skoda Octavia (well my wife's) didn't miss a beat in 5 years of ownership. I can attest to Skoda reliability and build quality. VW 'trickle' down new technology and parts to their lesser marques and hence I believe that many reliability issues are resolved before they reach Skoda and Seat, or example.

I for one would rather drop £23k on a new Octavia vRS than £26k on a new Golf; same engine and more practical.