Alfa 147 vs Golf GTi

[Tea3]

Hi people, I am asking this on behalf of a friend who is thinking of buying a new manual car.

 

Which car is better in terms of 1) maintenance, 2) value for money, 3) handling, 4) fuel comsumption 5) performance - the Alfa 147 or Golf GTi?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Seansene]

Short answer: none of the above. Let's look at the model answer, shall we?

 

Exhibit A: Honda Civic Type R

 

1) Maintenance - do I really have to elaborate on a Honda?

2) Value for maney - $110-115k, 200bhp, 0-100 in 6.4sec. Hello, can you say bang for buck?

3) Handling - This thing is like a track car for the road. The best gearchange I've used and an engine that revvs to the heavens. Immensely fun

4) Fuel consumption - it's still a honda engine, which means if you drive reasonably, it will give you reasonable figures.

5) Performance - see answer to 2).

 

No brainer, unless your friend's more into things like dual-zone climate control or damped grab handles

[Renegade]

Between the two, I'll assume we're talking about the 147 1.6 (the 2.0 only comes with the Selespeed) and the Golf GTi, which comes with a 1.8T.

 

1) Maintenance - from what I've seen, quite comparable these days, tho' the 147's a significantly newer car and not had much time to sink in to the local market yet.

 

2) Value for money - $99k (147) vs about $140k (GTi) ? Go figure

 

3) Handling - 147

 

4) Fuel consumption - for this comparison, possibly the 147 (it's a 1.6 remember ?). Then again. depends on how you drive, too

 

5) Performance - between the 2, not too sure but in a straight line, I think the GTi would be better courtest of the turbo....or how you drive (again). Engine note on the 147's a whole lot sweeter, too.

 

6) Interior build and fit - GTi

 

Other things to note - both are 5-door hatches. Don't think either agent bring in the 3-door for these.

 

Here's my $0.02's worth - if your friend's really seriously into getting a decent hot-hatch, I'd go for the Civic Type-R, no contest about that. 3-door, 2-ltr, 200hp, 6-speed and possibly the best handling this side of $120k (and potentially, beyond, too) with typical Honda reliability to boot. In black, preferably.

 

Unless, of course, there's some form of prejudice against Asian cars here.

 

Other potential candidates (depending on what your friend is looking for in addition to being a manual hatch) would be the hot 3-door Peugeot 206 hatch (not the 1.4), 307 (if you're looking at more docile driving.... ), Fabia hatch (1.4 a bit weedy in this crowd but comes in manual option and really cute esp in cat-sick yellow.... )....I'd have recommended the 210hp Leon Cupra R (in loud yellow, of course) which 2 were supposed to have come to S'pore but they don't sell 'em here anymore....

 

And, honestly, if you were to consider the GTi, perhaps an Alfa 156 2.5 manual should be here, too, apart from the fact that it's a coupe-like saloon....

[Muddie]

if your fren wants value for money, the Golf 1.8T GTI should not be considered...

[Tea3]

No, my friend's not into dual zone climate nor damped grab handles. Friend has been driving a Opel Corsa for many years. So, used to conti car.

[Renegade]

Yup, that's to the point....

 

Then again, it also depends on how deep one's pocket's are....

[Seansene]

Used to conti in what sense? The position of the indicator stalks?

 

I try not to divide the world into conti or jap, just good and bad cars, or as the case might be, good and better. If you're looking for a manual hatch, and your budget stretches to that, the Civic is much too good to ignore

[Tea3]

I would describe my friend's driving as well-behaved. Speeds only when over-taking. Otherwise, keeps within speed limit.

 

As for prejudice against Asian cars, see reply to Seansene.

 

Friend prefers a 3 door, manual car. As for cat sick yellow car...

[Muddie]

that's true...but on the other hand, if have deep pockets, then value for money is not an issue...

 

but in my opinion, VW cars are all overpriced. that's why if talking about value for money, then this brand is out!!!

[Tea3]

Hmmmm...

[Tea3]

Think also from friend's way of driving, the GTi may be an over-kill

[Seansene]

Actually, if your friend's really a 'well-behaved' driver, the GTi would suit her better than the Alfa, believe it or not. It's the usual 150bhp VW LPT, more suited for cruisers than hooligans.

[Tron]

One thing i must say tat although the CIVIC TYPE R has power & performance, problem is tat its BIG compromise is on luxury... i.e: try sitting in a CIVIC TYPE R, ALFA 147 & GOLF GTI for comparisons - you will be hard pressed to say that the Contis' give u a less luxurious feeling.

 

But again, its all up to ur fren on wat is his top priority... Golf GTI in this regars is DEFINITELY out of the race if you talk abt VALUE for MONEY & !BANG! for the BUCKS..

 

Got a feeling from ur question (147 vs Golf) & posting here in CONTI cars, tat ur fren wld DEFINITELY be adverse towards Jap performance cars - at least in the price category of $100K to $120K... 147 2l selespeed can be had fr arnd 106K. Othr factors to decide are also whether u are willing to buy from PIs - especially for a car like the Civic type R. PIs oso nevermind, the BIG/establised PIs usually do not have the TYPE R in stock & has to be indented? But again, as long as $$ not a concern, HONDA can MOD like siao!!!

[Muddie]

if your fren prefers a 3-dr manual car, there aren't a lot of choices out there.

 

like renegade has recommended, the civic type-r is perhaps one of the better choices...

[Super7]

fully agreed!!!! ------

 

VW cars are all overpriced

[Super7]

how about ther Clio RS??... around 7 sec for 0-100, good handler, priced abt $102 !!!

[Muddie]

BINGO!!!!!!!!

[Azure]

Seansene,

 

I think it's more than dual-zone climate control or damped grab handles

 

I once read a overseas comparo test between the CTR and WRX and the tester was initially hooked onto the revvy and fun CTR's engine (the 200 bhp is at 7400 rpm?). But after a week or so, he declared WRX as a winner. Why? Because he couldn't live with the CTR, which feels like a noisy "sewing machine" and in terms of day-to-day driving, the WRX is a much better proposition. As what you had said, CTR is an excellent car on the track!