Decision to make!

[thumbitin]

Hello everyone!

I’m new to the forum so “Hello” first of all.

I was hoping to get some help from the experts……I’ve driven VWs in the past MK2s and a MK4 and found them pretty reliable and great all rounders.

So anyway, I’ll be look for a new car at some point in the near future and a Scirocco is high up on the list (Others are an Alfa Romeo Guiletta 170bhp or possibly a Golf).

So currently I’m doing approximately 50 miles a day, to and from work, nearly all motorway. With this sort of mileage, fuel consumption does matter to a certain extent but I’m currently getting 36mpg with my current car, if I could match this output, it would be ideal and I really would prefer a petrol.

Anyway, the short list is the 1.4 tsi 160bhp and the 2.0 tsi. I would like something under 40k miles.

My issues are:

I expect the fuel consumption difference won’t be huge between the two, all in all and certainly not much worse with the 2.0 than my current 36mpg on the motorway?
Is there a huge difference in running costs between the two?
Would it be worth looking at diesels (More expensive to buy though)?
You obviously get more for your money with the 1.4 BUT I’ve heard they can have problems with the valves and generally the higher output 1.4 engines have problems? But a post 2011 car might help?

Anyway, thanks for all the help in advance, much appreciated!

[Harry_VW]

If you're not too fussed about performance maybe a 1.4 would be best. If its an older one make sure it's had a rebuild as the earlier ones had dodgy pistons

[Deagol]

Welcome to the Forum !

At 50m per day that's about 12,000m per year (48 weeks) commuting, plus holiday and other personal mileage - call it 14,000 miles per year between MoTs?

At 36 mpg for a petrol, you'll drink about 390 gallons or 1,775 litres. Petrol at 1.20 per litre gives an annual fuel cost of £2,130
If you can get a car that does 45 mpg, it works out at approx 1,420 litres, annual fuel cost therefore approx £1,700
And 50mpg would equate to about £1,540 in fuel

Have a rummage around the site here for threads on fuel consumption and petrol v diesel and you can get an idea of the drinking habits of the various Scirocco's out there - depending on how heavy your right foot is of course.

Tax disc cost is going to be easy to work out as it is CO2 based, but insurance is a different ball game - what is your premium like at present?
Servicing will also depend on the age of the car, what needs doing next and the difference in cost between regular service intervals and the high-mileage intervals.

My diesel gets me over 50mpg most of the time because I don't do much town driving. I would expect a 2.0 TSI to give you 40 maybe 45 mpg (less with spirited driving!) and the 1.4 closer to 45 / 50 mpg, again depending on your right foot. But the saving is worthwhile - over a tenner a week if you're careful.

With the 1.4s I echo Harry's warning about the older models - if I recall correctly, and you've already mentioned it, cars built before 2011 were more prone to expensive engine failures than those manufacturer later. There are members here who are better equipped than me to answer that one !

If you get tempted to consider a diesel, do some research into the alleged impact of this VW Emissions software "fix" - for the time being I have not had my care updated because I had too many people saying "Don't do it, it'll wreck how the car drives" and not enough saying "My car has been sorted, no problems". A lengthy test-drive is encouraged if you spot a particular TDi which appears to fit the bill.

Good Luck !

D

[thumbitin]

Thanks very much for the in depth reply! Especially the fuel consumption workings. Sounds like I won't be paying more for fuel.
I'm a fairly conservative driver, not often over 80mph on the motorway and don't have many corners to deal with (I think 20 in total of my average daily drive, that includes pulling out on my street!) It would be nice to have the power on tap though and I might be a bit less conservative ;-)
It just makes me wonder if the 2.0 would be worth it though. I'll have to test drive and do some homework.

Insurance is no problem, about £400 a year (£300 at the moment). I only drive a 2005 1.6 petrol focus! Tax isn't an issue either, will be about the same, I think it's nearly £200 a year on the focus!

Is there a big difference in running costs between the two and do they use the same consumables i.e. brake pads etc.?

Yeah the emissions thing is part of my reluctance for a diesel, things might change in the future and I wouldn't want to be part of that.

Sounds like I'm justifying the 2.0 to myself.....

[Deagol]

I've not driven the 1.4 ever, but was sorely tempted by the 2.0 TSi when I looked to buy mine - my higher annual mileage / fuel economy stats pushed me towards the diesel, but that was before the bad press.....

Can't say for sure if there is much difference on the brake pads etc between the 1.4 and the 2.0 but the wheels and tyres should end up the same - but I'm no expert remember ! !

I'd encourage you to aim for a 2.0 TSi GT - I bet the test drive makes the choice an easy one.

D

[sadtranz]

2ltr tsi is way to go no 1.4 problems and no stinky diesel, motorway 70 to 80mph 40mpg easy to obtain

[thumbitin]

Thank you very much for all your replies. I’ll start searching for some 2.0tsi right away. Need a test drive first of course…I’m 6’7” so need to make sure I fit!

Do you think it would be best going to a main dealer? If I’m looking at something 2012 ish with 30k ish miles, it might be best to go to a main dealer for a warranty and some servicing thrown in?

To be honest, I’ve never purchased a ‘nearly’ new car before, most of mine have been privately sourced.

Thanks again.

[Deagol]

Have you had a play on the VW corporate website ?

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/used" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; lets you filter the available stuff by age, price, distance from your postcode. However, I think it will only list VW "notified" stock which makes for depressing results. There will be many VW dealerships with more metal on the forecourt so surfing the local dealership websites will be better than relying purely on this national resource.

You've not mentioned a budget for this change of car but going to a dealer would mean an easy test drive - possibly both the 1.4 and the 2.0 on the same day - and availability of finance and stuff. I've not bought a car for seven years so I'm out of touch with what they can and will do for a customer.

And how far are you willing to travel to pick up the desired car?

D

[thumbitin]

Good question, my maximum budget will be about 14k. I've seen a few around the 12k mark and these tend to be 2011 - 2012 if lucky, with 40k.

I've had a look in all the normal places, not sure if allowed to link? I won't for the time being. Autotrader shows a couple of fairly good ones around the 13k mark.

Were there any issue with the earlier 2.0tsi engines? There don't seem to be, following my limited research.

Always had a manual and would like to stick with it but would like to try a DSG, if it's worth it? Again, I've had a look online and either seems like a pretty good option!

[Addymk2]

Can you access the classifieds yet? Or do you require more posts?

[thumbitin]

Not yet....will try and hang around until it happens.

[rpsmith79]

I'd certainly buy from a dealer with warranty, i have recently got rid of my bad penny, spent at least 8 occasions in the garage in a space of 12 months with all sorts of things wrong with it from fuel injectors (twice), fuel pump, throttle body (3 times), throttle pedal, coil packs.......... cost me nearly £2k in the space of a year

Rest assured my new car (sadly not a Rocco as i have lost all confidence in VAG) is from a main dealer with comprehensive 6 month warranty

I know its well below your price range, but avoid DA59 CRF like the plague

[C00kie]

My issues are:

I expect the fuel consumption difference won’t be huge between the two, all in all and certainly not much worse with the 2.0 than my current 36mpg on the motorway?
Is there a huge difference in running costs between the two?

Mine's a 2009 2.0 TSI with Revo stage 1. Get around 29mpg driving around town, but around 40 on motorway/dual carriageway driving 60-70mph. Mpg drops off pretty quickly above this speed. I only use V Power unleaded so about £60 for a fill-up.

Road tax is something like £225 a year, service & MOT about £200 a year.

[thumbitin]

I'd certainly buy from a dealer with warranty, i have recently got rid of my bad penny, spent at least 8 occasions in the garage in a space of 12 months with all sorts of things wrong with it from fuel injectors (twice), fuel pump, throttle body (3 times), throttle pedal, coil packs.......... cost me nearly £2k in the space of a year

Rest assured my new car (sadly not a Rocco as i have lost all confidence in VAG) is from a main dealer with comprehensive 6 month warranty

I know its well below your price range, but avoid DA59 CRF like the plague

Sorry to hear that! You must have had a 'Friday afternoon' car. Spent a small fortune on my car recently, so I'm in half a mind to run it into the ground but then again, you only live once.

Been looking at dealer cars, just need the right one to come up. I'm fairly near Paddock Wood, so might go to auction but then that could turn out....interesting.

Reading reviews online, they seem to be pretty robust.

[thumbitin]

Fuel consumption on your Stage 1 is definitely no worse than what I'm getting now then! Good news!

[thumbitin]

Are we allowed to know how many posts it takes to unlock the classifieds? Or is that on a need to know basis?

[rpsmith79]

I'd certainly buy from a dealer with warranty, i have recently got rid of my bad penny, spent at least 8 occasions in the garage in a space of 12 months with all sorts of things wrong with it from fuel injectors (twice), fuel pump, throttle body (3 times), throttle pedal, coil packs.......... cost me nearly £2k in the space of a year

Rest assured my new car (sadly not a Rocco as i have lost all confidence in VAG) is from a main dealer with comprehensive 6 month warranty

I know its well below your price range, but avoid DA59 CRF like the plague

Sorry to hear that! You must have had a 'Friday afternoon' car. Spent a small fortune on my car recently, so I'm in half a mind to run it into the ground but then again, you only live once.

Been looking at dealer cars, just need the right one to come up. I'm fairly near Paddock Wood, so might go to auction but then that could turn out....interesting.

Reading reviews online, they seem to be pretty robust.

To be fair, i have had a pretty good run of trouble free cars (5 previous cars spanning about 9 years) so i was due for one sooner or later, and i have no doubt it was a "Friday Afternoon" car, as in general they are pretty reliable, bt after owning it and loosing all confidence it would even get me to where i was going, it was time for a change, and time for a change of brand too, had several German cars over the years, and several Jap cars, so gone back to Jap for the time being

[thumbitin]

Did have a look at Jap cars but not sure what would be suitable in comparison to a Scirocco....what have you got?

[rpsmith79]

Did have a look at Jap cars but not sure what would be suitable in comparison to a Scirocco....what have you got?

Got a Civic Type-S GT 1.8 VTEC, is 140bhp so not as quick as my old 2.0TSi, and doesn't look as nice on the outside (still a good looking car though IMO), but inside it is streets above the Rocco, really funky dash, digital speedo, part Alcantera seats as standard, cruise control, pan roof

But if you want 2.0 TSi performance there is always the Type-R, but fuel economy is somewhat worse than the Rocco on that one, my 1.8 is getting me into the mid 40's, and it's no slouch when you give it some revs

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[Harry_VW]

a BRZ or GT86 are pretty cool coupes