Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Do you reckon that's something a remap could solve or have you come across any discussion to suggest there's a fix?

Any VW owners on here? Looking to buy a car, I've owned a Polo before, thinking of getting a Golf. I'm getting second-hand, though I hear they cost more in maintenance, and more things go wrong. Is this true?

I test drove a Yaris and an Auris, but didn't like them, though apparently they are super reliable.

The reputation of the current cars VW/Audo is that after 100k they really start to go wrong.

I think it will depend on what you get. My Beetle is now 10 years old and the things going wrong on it are the perishable things - rubber gaskets, suspension bushings, engine mounts - mechanically it has been fine, but it is ultra low mileage.

With the Golf you will have endless availability of parts but you should look for one with a good service history. There will also be endless guides on what year models are best value along with things to look out for (heavily carbonised valves, timing chains, etc).

I'm reticent to make any comments on reliability in case I Jinx myself.

Our mk6 golf has been good. It's a 1.4tsi DSG. In terms of things that have gone wrong:

• boot catch - known weakness after a certain age (fairly simple diy, offbrand catch ~£15)
  
• air con regas - standard maintenance imo
  
• numberplate warning light - known issue (haven't fixed, likely a sensor)
  
  

My anecdotal experience of Audis is that they are strictly lease vehicles and not worth risking ownership of.

My mk5 Golf has fairly recently tipped over the 100k mark. On the whole its been good (bought ~4 years ago)

User Aroogah's point may be ringing true though. We did a clutch replacement recently, and the two front doors need new locks which is a bit spendy and a known VAG thing. Idle has recently started playing up, which I imagine is the idle control valve being full of carbon. Apparently this can be flushed with carb cleaner, but when it happened to my audi cab the ICV was blocked in by the thermostat, which was seized on 🙄

It also failed to start recently, (mentioned in this thread) which it turned out was because short journeys cause the engine to flood, and we often use the car to get to the allotment with cargo then back home, which wouldnt ever get the thing up to temp.

I bought a 2014 mk7(?) 1.4 tsi golf with 58,000 on the clock a couple of years ago, I’ve only had to replace the battery and recently one of the rear light clusters filled with water so I guess some seals are starting to go.

No problems beyond that so far. The idle is a bit chuggy at times when it’s not been used very much - I often don’t drive for weeks at a time - but that seems to right itself after a long drive.

We have a 2016 Skoda Octavia which is mostly a rebadged mk7 golf and it has now passed the 110k mark, (bought 3 years ago when it had 85k on it) . Very happy with it but there have been a few expensive jobs recently. Just done the cam belt as a precaution which was £350 and it's due a new aircon condenser in the next week as it has a leak. None of the problems (yet!) re locks/perishables listed above. I think the Seat Leon is the same idea, based on the golf but modified body.

Thanks everyone. Will have a think. Honestly thought "just want an automatic hatchback that's good for long distance drives" would be easy, didn't realise there's so much in it.

We have an 11 plate Polo with a DSG box and a Daihatsu Sirion.

The box in the Polo being 7 speed makes it great for longer distances, but I'm not a huge fan of the car overall. The engine sounds anything but smooth, but goes ok. I actually thought it was a diesel when I first heard it idle. The passenger side door handle needs frequent DIY repair, the electric window switch is loose and it feels small inside (I'm 5'9"). On the plus side, despite being an 11 plate it looks brand new underneath and feels like a very solid car to drive.

Most people laugh at the Sirion, but I've become very attached. It's a 1.3 sx with a factory bodykit with big fog lights. Bought in 2015 with 60,000 miles for £2k, it's now chasing 100,000 and only really needed basic servicing in that time. It's a Toyota engine and makes the Polo lump feel very agricultural. It's light on tyres, turns on a sixpence, has no dramas in snow on cross climate tyres, and is very comfortable inside - high roof and lots of leg room front and back. The boot is small though.

Both cars do the job, but I wouldn't be upset if I lost the Polo. We'll probably have a funeral when the Sirion dies.

Toyota IQ or Yaris is a good choice for a town car, even the Honda Jazz is good shout.

The IQ is a really interesting bit of design and engineering. Loads of clever tweaks to engine, gearbox, suspension and fuel tank packaging to maximise space and minimise overhangs.

If you get one of those car nerds will nod knowingly at you.

Fucking love the IQ.

It's one of those cars where the designer have had proper go.

I worked on the launch campaign for the iQ and Toyota thought it was going to revolutionise transport in the UK.

Unfortunately the Qashqai launched about 18 months before and changed the landscape in the wrong direction.

Yeah. Always the way. Merc A Class, i3, Espace etc all failed to have the impact they should. The public just want shiny things.

Espace

People always bang on about SUV driving position, but the Espace is probably on par with them all.

That said, when I drove an Espace it was not long after driving a Transit.

The Transit was notably a better driving experience by miles. The Espace felt like what I imagine driving the old Transits would have been like.

I have an IQ in london, and it is probably one of the most fun I have driving and parking with.

Yes, the lack of boot and 3+1 design is not great, but as an overall package it is amazing - and fuel economy on this car is on par with any electric or hybrid on the road. For reference we drove from london to lake district on 2/3 of a tank and to refuel when it was £1.70 it only cost us £35!!

Did you sell the MR2?

Yep unfortunately.

Town or city cars, never see much mention of Suzuki Swifts. Mine is coming up to 5 years old, 40k miles. Nothing except consumables. The tyres, cross climate fitted when new still have lots of life. It's a bit plasticky, but nothing rattles. Android auto, bluetooth and rudimentry climate that all works well. Road noise is a bit intrusive on motorways at the speed limit, but it gives 56mpg so I forgive it.
Can recommend.

How about a Citroën DS3 or Peugeot 208? Our DS3 auto is a bloody hoot to drive. It's a 1.6 petrol with a 4 speed auto. The box is really not great and really needs a 5th gear, but in every other respect the car is fab.

Citroën replaced it with a 1.2 turbo and a 6 speed auto. They put this combo in a lot of cars, and it's in my FiL's Citroën C4 Cactus, where it provides surprisingly good performance and lots of refinement. That's another nice, honest, practical car, with good interior design and the most comfortable ride I've ever experienced.

Extended the lease on Octavia for another year. Now to fork out for oil service, MOT and whatever shit I have to buy

Blimey. That is impressive. How was it to drive on the motorway?

New ULEZ friendly addition E46 330Ci

Moon mileage and some scabby damage but cheap as chips :)

119k for my MK5 2.0 TDI, just passed MOT first time last week. I should sell it but it's handy and fun to drive. I tend to drive in lower gears and higher revs as it pulls better, pretty sure it helps keep the engine running good... Either that or the redex I add every now and again.

The central locking just doesn't work so I have to use the key, which 50% of the time sets the alarm off.

Such good styling.