Let's talk cars. I'm trying to decide between these two....

[Avalux]

2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI SE - Manual



2015 Ford Focus ST2 - Manual



There's a lot I like about both cars, in different ways. Both are fun to drive, the Ford has more power. I need to make a decision and I'm having a difficult time.

Does anyone who really knows cars or owns one of these have any advice?

[Submariner]

1. From the April 2015 issue of Consumer Reports

They score the Golf with a higher overall score

Golf

CR overall score: 82

Ratings Report Card - hatchback SE 4-cyl
legend
Predicted reliability NEW Fuel economy 4
Owner satisfaction 4 Acceleration 3
Owner Costs 5 Ride 4
Accident avoidance 5 Front seat comfort 4

Focus

CR overall score: 71

Ratings Report Card - hatchback SEL 4-cyl
legend
Predicted reliability 1 Fuel economy 4
Owner satisfaction 2 Acceleration 3
Owner Costs 5 Ride 4
Accident avoidance 4 Front seat comfort 4

Subscribe to Consumer Reports online or see if the local store has a leftover CR April car buying guide.

Good luck.

[Avalux]

2. Thank you.

The Golf is also Car and Driver's car of the year.

I love the diesel economy with the VW and the solidness of it; it drives really well, shifting is super smooth. The Focus is obviously sportier and a turbo, it's zippy and does hug the road really well. I enjoyed driving both.

[PennyK]

3. I have the 2013 Focus

And I'm a light driver with automatic.
I LOVE this car. Responsive, great driving and steering, and that hatchback held two rooms' worth of wood laminate easily. Comfy too!

[Avalux]

6. Good to hear!

I have a thing for hatchbacks; they are deceivingly roomy.

[A HERETIC I AM]

4. I was a car hauler for ten years...

and delivered both Fords and VW's.

Want to know a good way to figure out what unit is a good buy from a reliability perspective?

Go to the dealership, walk around to the big garage door that lets into the shop and look for a mechanic working on the namebrand your looking at. Be mindful that they don't really want members of the public walking though the shop for insurance purposes, but if you hang by the door, one of the guys will take notice and ask if they can help you.

Ask the mechanic if they ever see the model you are looking at in here for anything other than an oil change.

Usually they will volunteer their opinion.

I suggest doing it this way as opposed to talking to the Service Manager, as he/she will have a vested interest in selling new units.

A mechanic just works on them and knows what he knows.

[Avalux]

5. That's a great tip!

Both cars carry the same warranty, but long-term the Ford will be less expensive to fix. I think I may do as you suggested, and talk to a guy/gal who knows the guts of the car.

[Ryano42]

7. Come on...live a little:

[pinboy3niner]

11. Live a little more...

[Avalux]

12. I wish! Actually, my dream car is a Tesla, but out of my price range. This one:

[Dont call me Shirley]

15. Car-gasm!

[mnhtnbb]

8. I have a neighbor who has a VW Golf--and he's had it for

at least 7 years. Never heard him mention any problems.


We got stuck having to rent a car to drive home from Charlotte to Chapel Hill
last February when our flight from Miami to Raleigh/Durham was cancelled and the closest
the airline could get us was Charlotte. We ended up with a Ford Focus, but not the hatchback. I did not
care for the car--slow acceleration and mushy steering-- but I drive a BMW.

[Avalux]

14. I'm going with the Golf GTI.

I hated driving the Focus; the inside seemed cramped and because I'm petite, those recaro racing seats hurt my arm when I shifted. So I ruled that one out. Then I thought about the TDI, and shifted to the GTI. I love it!

[ms liberty]

9. I have an 03 GTI VR6 w/a manual transmission......

I absolutely love it. I bought it new, right off the showroom floor. It still handles wonderfully, gets good mileage, and has given me no trouble at all. The only complaint I've ever had was the placement of the cupholder, but they fixed that a year or two after my model. If I ever replace it, it will most likely be another GTI...I love it that much. It's fast and really hugs the road...I'm a bit of a speed demon; I live in rural NC in the foothills, so everywhere is up, down and around curves!

[Avalux]

13. Well, I've decided on the 2015 Golf GTI!

White 2 door manual with the performance package. This entire process led me to that car, which wasn't even on my list at the beginning, I was looking at the TDI. But the GTI - when I drove it I fell in love.

[seveneyes]

10. This one gets 45 mpg at 90 mph and does 220 mph for 25k US bucks

[Wolf Frankula]

16. Buy One of These

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You will have NO trouble with the police. And you will be able to park WHEREVER you want.

Wolf