Wheels Car of the Year...VW Golf...

csv8 · 16-01-2014, 08:53 AM

The Volkswagen Golf has been named the Wheels magazine car of the year for 2013.

The win gives the company its third Wheels gong in five years and is the third time the Golf has taken out the prize following wins for models in 1976 and 2009.

Wheels editor Glenn Butler said the Golf was satisfying to drive, serene to ride in and superbly user-friendly.

"It's also remarkably fuel-efficient, inarguably safe, technically advanced and, especially in its least-expensive form, stunning value," he said.

"Quite simply, the Golf has aced it."

The only criticism the judges had of the car was the conservative approach taken by the company with the exterior and interior design.

But they hailed the car's engineering advancements along with its pricing, fuel-efficiency and safety.

"From the smallest, thoughtful details to the biggest basics, this is a car that never falters," the magazine said.

"This is one of the most worthy Wheels car of the year winners ever."

The Wheels award has been running since 1963, when the Renault R8 took out the prize.

Last year it was shared by the Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ, the sports cars jointly developed by the two companies.

The last Australian-built car to win the award was the Holden VE Commodore in 2006.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/20774902/...-wheels-award/

My Comment : Didn't Holden pay Wheels enough !! and it still won with a faulty DSG box !!!???

Wretched · 16-01-2014, 08:59 AM

Congrats to VW, the MKVII Golf is a remarkable car.
Quality, dynamics and a diverse range make it IMO a deserved winner. It has even made some question the value of the A3 range from Audi which share the same platform as the Golf.

I am surprised, I did think the VF would win it.

GQ_Smooth · 16-01-2014, 09:08 AM

My best friend bought himself a MK7 (against my advise), fantastic car so far, exception to drive. He tends to get rid of his cars as the warranty runs out, so he should be safe. For me VW is off my shopping list for quite some time.

**fordomatic** · 16-01-2014, 10:25 AM

Has the auto transmission problem been rectified? we are up for a new medium car and been looking at subaru imprezza due to all wheel drive, might have a look at the golf today.

bangm001 · 16-01-2014, 10:25 AM

Two work colleagues of mine have golfs. One has a 2012 GTI, the other just a normal 4 cyl diesel. The GTI has been in numerous times for computer issues with the supercharger/turbo which involved replacing the computer somewhere in there (after going back to VW over several months numerous times). The other diesel has just done 1-2 synchros in the gearbox (has 20,000 on it). Gearbox getting rebuilt under warranty. I know all cars have issues but both VW owners here at work have had pretty makor issues, which I definately would NOT want to be paying for if the vehicles were out of warranty.

MercuryT · 16-01-2014, 12:21 PM

I have no doubt that Golfs and Polos etc are great cars, and are a fantastic/sensible choice for many.

But maybe its just me, but I find they (and other 'hot hatches') just do nothing for me in terms of wanting one, despite how good they clearly are...just don't interest me.

I have no doubt these cars would run rings around my Falcon turbo in many ways, but i'd still rather my car in the driveway for some (maybe strange) reason!

jpblue1000 · 16-01-2014, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercuryT

I have no doubt that Golfs and Polos etc are great cars, and are a fantastic/sensible choice for many.

But maybe its just me, but I find they (and other 'hot hatches') just do nothing for me in terms of wanting one, despite how good they clearly are...just don't interest me.

I have no doubt these cars would run rings around my Falcon turbo in many ways, but i'd still rather my car in the driveway for some (maybe strange) reason!

I know what you mean, I drive a Quite modified 2 door AWD 800 Kg buzzbox almost every day, it runs rings around the falcon in every respect dynamically, but when I get in the falcon I just feel at home and happy. (While also modified and manual its comfortable, quiet, easy. The traffic gives it some respect as its bigger than the buzzy and the falcon/Commodore reputation (yobs) works in my favour. Plus its anonymous, the little car stands out and is focussed on by everyone...
I cant put my finger on it directly but I like my falcon. And I guess its the same for those who like other cars! even unreliable VW's

JP

DBourne · 16-01-2014, 01:46 PM

Girlfriend has a 2012 TSI manual. She loves it and it is honestly a great A to B, city car.

On the highway it soaks up the miles no problem.

Girlfriend's mum just got a 2013 (could be 2014 actually) TSI. Slightly updated looks, once again, great city car. This one has a DSG which seems ok, but has the blue motion tech, which turns the engine off when stopped. I hate that, and when we were using it the first button I'd press once in the car was the one to stop it from happening.

Focused · 16-01-2014, 01:51 PM

It's a worthy winner. I just hope that Ford respond well when they facelift the LW2 Focus (because it, in ST form, will be my next car.)

GASWAGON · 16-01-2014, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bangm001

Two work colleagues of mine have golfs. One has a 2012 GTI, the other just a normal 4 cyl diesel. The GTI has been in numerous times for computer issues with the supercharger/turbo which involved replacing the computer somewhere in there (after going back to VW over several months numerous times). The other diesel has just done 1-2 synchros in the gearbox (has 20,000 on it). Gearbox getting rebuilt under warranty. I know all cars have issues but both VW owners here at work have had pretty makor issues, which I definately would NOT want to be paying for if the vehicles were out of warranty.

It seems the good old days of paying extra for extra quality in euro cars are all gone....Same as many stories about BMW's now only designed to last 10 years then time to replace......Such a shame for such reputable brands....And so much money to purchase too.

Euro stuff is nice but it is over done with technology.....Why not just have a single turbo instead of charger AND turbo??? Too much to go wrong.

Ford have done it with the EcoBoost and only 1.0ltr!

MercuryT · 16-01-2014, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpblue1000

I know what you mean, I drive a Quite modified 2 door AWD 800 Kg buzzbox almost every day, it runs rings around the falcon in every respect dynamically, but when I get in the falcon I just feel at home and happy. (While also modified and manual its comfortable, quiet, easy. The traffic gives it some respect as its bigger than the buzzy and the falcon/Commodore reputation (yobs) works in my favour. Plus its anonymous, the little car stands out and is focussed on by everyone...
I cant put my finger on it directly but I like my falcon. And I guess its the same for those who like other cars! even unreliable VW's

JP

Hey mate,
Yeah it is a strange thing isn't it....haha. No doubt your buzzbox would be a great little car, in a completely different way that your Falcon is a great big car!!
As you say I can't put my finger on it either.

I actually sold a VY Clubsport (yeah, opposition I know...haha) to buy a Mazda 3 SP23 as it went OK, manual, handled well and was "sensible" with fuel/insurance etc - got rid of it within 12mths, worst decision i've ever made! Just literally did nothing for me, to the point I couldn't be stuffed washing it......
Sold for Falcon Turbo and 6 years later still have a smile on my face

(which no doubt so many are and should be, with their brilliant little cars)

Bossxr8 · 16-01-2014, 05:12 PM

Worthy winner. But the looks are so boring.

mik · 16-01-2014, 05:28 PM

So it is a poverty pack model by the sound of it, no fancy wizz BANG dsg to cause problems?

Franco Cozzo · 16-01-2014, 05:42 PM

Anyone here worked on VWs? We're fitting out new VicPol vans which are new Transporters.

If you've worked on one you'd never buy it, what an absolute pain in the ***, even to run wires around it is a total bastard, things also don't pull apart "logically".

Otherwise, has a pretty bangin' stereo.

zilo · 16-01-2014, 05:46 PM

Yep...it's about as safe as any other small hatch in its class.

Have a head on with an FG Falcon and the Golf driver gets off much worse....and probably in an ambulance going slowly.

That is a a fact...mass always wins.

Give me 5 stars and at least 1600kg any day over a Golf, even with 97000 Wheels medals.

**Raptor** · 16-01-2014, 05:50 PM

You don't win Wheels COTY 3 years out of 5 by making duds.

Just like some of the Falcon/Territory weaknesses (ball joints, brakes) the DSG issues have been blown out of all proportion. VW make great cars in my opinion, yet some people still buy Toyota's, go figure.

My family stable includes a Mazda (daughter), the Falcon RTV ute (project/sons), the Territory (mine) and a VW Eos (SWMBO)

The VW is easily the best made, highest quality and goes the hardest.

The BA Falcon and Territory were also COTY winners in their introductory years

Bossxr8 · 16-01-2014, 05:53 PM

Reliability has nothing to do with WCOTY. They can only base their vote or how the car performs on the days of testing.

If the DSG shags up 3 months later thats irrelevant to them.

zilo · 16-01-2014, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor

You don't win Wheels COTY 3 years out of 5 by making duds.

COTY doesn't address out of warranty issues or reliability.

As long as they don't develop a fault out of warranty....and they always do.

The repair bill out of warranty on ours was stratospheric for a simple idle up/down problem.

**DJM83** · 16-01-2014, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Focused

It's a worthy winner. I just hope that Ford respond well when they facelift the LW2 Focus (because it, in ST form, will be my next car.)

Dont expect to much when ST comes.

MercuryT · 16-01-2014, 07:36 PM

Guy I know lives in Qld and has a Golf R (newer version of "R32" apparently). Spent big $$ on it with mods, and it's figures are fantastic - 0-100 in low 4s, handles awesome, etc etc. I have no idea if true or not, but with $$ spent it would want to be.

But driving around and living with it, well, I mean, just look at it - do you want to be seen in one? I for one don't that's for sure, and I don't care how fast it is!!

New Mustang though is another story, I could get whipped every day by a Golf but I know which car I want in my garage....

eb2fairmont · 16-01-2014, 11:08 PM

Own a MKV 5 with DSG and its never gone bang. Drove a 1.6 tdi Mk7 in england recently. Lovely car, stupid electric handbrake and no guts whatsoever.

Was the 100 hp diesel, so only torsion bar rear end, so not as competent to drive as you'd think compared to a MKV.

But that ******* handbrake...

GTP-RPD · 16-01-2014, 11:33 PM

Golf COTY?

Caffe lattes and cocktails.........PFFT.....lol.

1TUFFUTE · 17-01-2014, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zilo

Yep...it's about as safe as any other small hatch in its class.

Have a head on with an FG Falcon and the Golf driver gets off much worse....and probably in an ambulance going slowly.

That is a a fact...mass always wins.

Give me 5 stars and at least 1600kg any day over a Golf, even with 97000 Wheels medals.

The FG falcon was tested as the safest car you could buy in Australia.....so it's size only helps you even more I'd say as I doubt they crash the test cars into each other

We also had a golf.....had some minor electrical gremlins.....gearbox died, they fixed it,we sold it to my sister in law, the gearbox died again. Not sure how the golf wins car of the year with such a huge problem on its resume this year. Maybe the model that won does t have the dsg

I love the looks!

mik · 17-01-2014, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor

You don't win Wheels COTY 3 years out of 5 by making duds.

Just like some of the Falcon/Territory weaknesses (ball joints, brakes) the DSG issues have been blown out of all proportion. VW make great cars in my opinion, yet some people still buy Toyota's, go figure.

My family stable includes a Mazda (daughter), the Falcon RTV ute (project/sons), the Territory (mine) and a VW Eos (SWMBO)

The VW is easily the best made, highest quality and goes the hardest.

The BA Falcon and Territory were also COTY winners in their introductory years

Be interested to see how the eos turns out when its got some miles on it if you keep it that long.

**Raptor** · 17-01-2014, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

Be interested to see how the eos turns out when its got some miles on it if you keep it that long.

Me too

We've already taken a gamble. It's a 2008 model, so no warranty when we got it on 2012, and we purchased from interstate without first inspecting the car. The EOS had really low kms (still under 60k), was only driven by a little old lady on Sunday's (ok, a Gold Coast socialite who split her time between there and Port Douglas) was in the colour (Champagne) and with all the option we were chasing (Individual Pack) for a price I couldn't ignore.

There's been a few aircon gremlins so far (not made for Australian heat wave conditions, unlike my Fords) and yes anything done or sourced from the VW dealer is waaayyyyy expensive, but otherwise it's a happy story so far. Touch wood.

PS. my experience with Ford warranty and dealers and pricing hasn't exactly been great either.

SS_01 · 17-01-2014, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bangm001

Two work colleagues of mine have golfs. One has a 2012 GTI, the other just a normal 4 cyl diesel. The GTI has been in numerous times for computer issues with the supercharger/turbo which involved replacing the computer somewhere in there (after going back to VW over several months numerous times). The other diesel has just done 1-2 synchros in the gearbox (has 20,000 on it). Gearbox getting rebuilt under warranty. I know all cars have issues but both VW owners here at work have had pretty makor issues, which I definately would NOT want to be paying for if the vehicles were out of warranty.

So not that i dont trust your mate with the GTI, but if its supercharged and turbo then its the Polo GTI, not the Golf.

duaned · 17-01-2014, 06:18 PM

Nobody can mistake the fact that VW know how to design & engineer an interior of fantastic build and quality. They could be viewed as somewhat bland, but everything fits to perfection. And everything is in the right places. It's a pretty good in my view.

SS_01 · 17-01-2014, 06:22 PM

I am very glad to see the Golf Mk7 get the recognition it deserves. I did a back to back test of the Current Ford Focus Sport 6spd auto with the Golf Mk7 90tsi Comfortline DSG, and hands down the mk7 flogged the pants off the focus everywhere except in a straightline. However, even though it wasnt as fast, it still felt as pokey due to the turbo, plus it was much better on fuel, cant go wrong with that.

STINKY NINJA · 17-01-2014, 06:29 PM

Some people are quick to point out the faults on the golf but maybe they forget the numerous issues fg falcons have which ford refuse to update/fix,tell me one new car that doesnt have issues,just doesnt happen.
I like the golf its a pretty cool little car.
My wifes boss has a 100 plus thousand beemer and has had nothing but issues with it,all cars have issues no matter what the cost or brand.

MercuryT · 17-01-2014, 07:10 PM

I forgot to mention above that my (ex) sister in law bought a Polo Gti, after being on waiting list.

Absolute lemon. In first year of ownership time with compared to dealer was almost 50\50. Replacement engine and gearbox had to come from Germany hence the huge delays.

Sure local cars can be lemons too, but at least it can be fixed in an acceptable amount of time. Good to drive though, when it did that is.