Help me choose my next car please. A3 or Golf? Petrol or Hybrid?

xsy77

Hi guys,

Bit of a brain dump here and looking for advice to help me make my decision.

I've narrowed my search to either a used A3 or a Golf and was more or less a dead cert on the hybrid option until about 2 hours ago

Here is my thinking:

Current situ
11 plate diesel VW CC
140k miles
Water pump etc. due to be changed @ next service
Very intermittent engine fault (exhaust recycling solenoid or something) quoted at ~£800 to fix
Non ULEZ compliant meaning I cant drive it into Birmingham center (where I live) or London etc. (where I visit and occasionally work).

A3
A3 appears to be a bit cheaper than the Golf
I prefer the A3 interior styling

Golf
The Golf has better tech as standard
Not a huge fan of the standard upholstery on any of the models.

<2016 Hybrid
Zero Tax on both options
Golf has the self charging option (A3 removed in 2017 from what I have read?)
A3 seems almost identical compared to >2016
Golf infotainment system looks a bit dated compared to >2016
Golf has ACC, Apple car play as standard features, have to hunt to find A3 with the same
Lower running costs than petrol (If I actually use the charger)
Generally higher mileage
Generally cheaper than the >2016 options
Nicer standard spec (wheels etc.) than the petrol options
Confident that it will remain ULEZ compliant during my ownership

>2016 Hybrid
£130pa Tax on both options
A3 has removed self charging option, Golf has it still (I believe?)
Golf infotainment system looks much more modern
A3 seems almost identical to the <2016
Lower running costs than petrol (If I actually use the charger)
Generally lower mileage
Generally more expensive than the >2016 options
Nicer standard spec (wheels etc) than the petrol options
Confident that it will remain ULEZ compliant during my ownership

Petrol
Both are cheaper than their hybrid options
£30pa tax on both options
Higher running costs than hybrid (If I actually use the charger)
Harder to find nicer spec with the features I want
More boot space
Worry that ULEZ rules will change during my ownership and render me back in the position I am now.

So with all that said, my brain really really hurts and I cant decide.

The cheapskate in me is convinced there is a sweet-spot 66 plate A3 e-tron that benefits from the facelift but is still exempt from tax but unsure if I'm overthinking this part. Additionally, the facelift model of the A3 e-tron removes the self-charging option which I think I would use. Or would I? Can an owner advise?

Personally, I think I would make use of the charger as we have points at the office, better parking spaces in supermarkets etc. and I could have an outdoor 13A socket fitted to the driveway (I don't think I would need a fast charger fitted for such a small battery. Happy to be convinced though?). My wife on the other hand, would most likely never plug the thing in nor fiddle with the different driving modes etc. and just drive it until advised its low on fuel. I also don't see me utilising the charger when staying at the parents of visiting friends etc. and only when at home/office.

Please can someone talk some sense into me and help me more forward?

Alanp

Yes, buy a Auris /Corolla hybrid if it’s within budget 

Grumpy_chap

I understand the budget is around £19k.

There is little to choose between the Golf and the A3, it is down to personal preference and, even, possibly, the correct example from the used pool that is available.

FWIW, IMO, the hybrid versions add a lot to the purchase price and little to the benefit unless you definitely have the use profile that matches the fuel efficiency outcomes.  Far more choice if you accept a regular petrol or diesel.

Another curved ball, if you like the style of the A3, then consider the Skoda Scala - you'd get into brand new if you wished at that £19k budget.

AdrianC

When you say "removes self-charging", all hybrids do self-charging. That's what hybrids are. Plug-in is what some do, some don't.

"Self-charging" simply means "non-plug-in". The only way energy gets into the car is from the petrol or diesel filler cap.

When it comes to the ULEZs, remember that all petrols after about 2005 are compliant, all diesels after about 2014. The London ULEZ is everywhere within the north/south circulars, nowhere outside. The Brum one is a very small area of the absolute centre. Both are easy to avoid by parking outside and using public transport.

xsy77

Alanp said:

Yes, buy a Auris /Corolla hybrid if it’s within budget 

Yes I have been looking at the Corolla. The Excel trim is what I would want and its slightly out of budget. I have an alert setup on AT should one pop-up within my budget though. Lovely interior and full of tech. Not sure of the looks from the back yet though!

The Auris doesn't have the look I'm going for sadly.

Grumpy_chap said:

I understand the budget is around £19k.

There is little to choose between the Golf and the A3, it is down to personal preference and, even, possibly, the correct example from the used pool that is available.

FWIW, IMO, the hybrid versions add a lot to the purchase price and little to the benefit unless you definitely have the use profile that matches the fuel efficiency outcomes.  Far more choice if you accept a regular petrol or diesel.

Another curved ball, if you like the style of the A3, then consider the Skoda Scala - you'd get into brand new if you wished at that £19k budget.

I think I would definitely use the EV mode on these options, not sure the Mrs would though. I think the GTE has a slightly unique look over the standard Petrol models but it is minimal.

The Scala is a bit boxy for me, however the Monte Carlo Trim is lovely but alas, just out of budget again. New alert setup on AT

AdrianC said:

When you say "removes self-charging", all hybrids do self-charging. That's what hybrids are. Plug-in is what some do, some don't.

"Self-charging" simply means "non-plug-in". The only way energy gets into the car is from the petrol or diesel filler cap.

When it comes to the ULEZs, remember that all petrols after about 2005 are compliant, all diesels after about 2014. The London ULEZ is everywhere within the north/south circulars, nowhere outside. The Brum one is a very small area of the absolute centre. Both are easy to avoid by parking outside and using public transport.

There was a specific driving mode removed from the facelift A3 if I'm not mistaken that significantly re-charged the battery from the petrol engine. The Golf facelift kept this mode. Again, i have not owner or even driven either of these two cars and so would love for someone to tell me if its worth worrying about. If not, then I think the A3 is winning slightly.

The ULEZ is small in Birmingham but unfortunately encompasses the central train station etc. which I frequent. Other than that yes, its possible to avoid it but does add about 20 mins to any trip north sadly. I'm more nervous that they will clamp down harder in the near future. My crystal ball is only as good as the next guys, but what's to stop them turning round in 6 months time and say: "Right, no diesel cars anymore and only petrol's where the co2 is < 120g/km." That would put me right back to where I was and potentially de-value the car.

Grumpy_chap

xsy77 said:

Alanp said:

Yes, buy a Auris /Corolla hybrid if it’s within budget 

Yes I have been looking at the Corolla. The Excel trim is what I would want and its slightly out of budget. I have an alert setup on AT should one pop-up within my budget though. Lovely interior and full of tech. Not sure of the looks from the back yet though!

The Auris doesn't have the look I'm going for sadly.

A couple of days ago, you turned down a CHr for being not exciting / stylish enough.  The Corolla is far more bland than the CHr and I had the predecessor (Auris) which was the absolute dullest car in the world to drive or be in.  I do agree that the Excel trim of these cars is well-equipped, especially at the price-point.

xsy77 said:

The ULEZ is small in Birmingham but unfortunately encompasses the central train station etc. which I frequent. Other than that yes, its possible to avoid it but does add about 20 mins to any trip north sadly. I'm more nervous that they will clamp down harder in the near future. My crystal ball is only as good as the next guys, but what's to stop them turning round in 6 months time and say: "Right, no diesel cars anymore and only petrol's where the co2 is < 120g/km." That would put me right back to where I was and potentially de-value the car.

The ULEZ zones have only just been introduced and forced a massive number of people to invest in newer cars - the ballot box is what forces them to not swap those rules again in the immediate future.

ontheroad1970

I hired an Auris a few years ago.  Duller than dishwater.

AdrianC

Grumpy_chap said:

The ULEZ zones have only just been introduced and forced a massive number of people to invest in newer cars - the ballot box is what forces them to not swap those rules again in the immediate future.

The ULEZ allows petrol cars under about 16yo and diesels under about 7yo. The average car in the UK is 8yo, and is scrapped just under 14yo.

The reason the line is drawn at those ages is because that's where the legal maximum NOx emissions fell to 0.08g/km, Euro4 for petrol (Euro 5 and 6 are 0.06g), but that's the current Euro6 level for diesel.

Euro7 may never happen. It might be published at the end of this year, for implementation for 2026. But it's uncertain how much further technology can reduce internal combustion emissions reliably, at a realistic price and within packaging constraints - they could be so low as to be a de facto ban on even hybrids...

xsy77

Grumpy_chap said:

xsy77 said:

Alanp said:

Yes, buy a Auris /Corolla hybrid if it’s within budget 

Yes I have been looking at the Corolla. The Excel trim is what I would want and its slightly out of budget. I have an alert setup on AT should one pop-up within my budget though. Lovely interior and full of tech. Not sure of the looks from the back yet though!

The Auris doesn't have the look I'm going for sadly.

A couple of days ago, you turned down a CHr for being not exciting / stylish enough.  The Corolla is far more bland than the CHr and I had the predecessor (Auris) which was the absolute dullest car in the world to drive or be in.  I do agree that the Excel trim of these cars is well-equipped, especially at the price-point.

xsy77 said:

The ULEZ is small in Birmingham but unfortunately encompasses the central train station etc. which I frequent. Other than that yes, its possible to avoid it but does add about 20 mins to any trip north sadly. I'm more nervous that they will clamp down harder in the near future. My crystal ball is only as good as the next guys, but what's to stop them turning round in 6 months time and say: "Right, no diesel cars anymore and only petrol's where the co2 is < 120g/km." That would put me right back to where I was and potentially de-value the car.

The ULEZ zones have only just been introduced and forced a massive number of people to invest in newer cars - the ballot box is what forces them to not swap those rules again in the immediate future.

That's not why I turned down the C-HR, it was because it wasn't compatible with OpenPilot. Think you have confused my commets with another user's I really like the C-HR!

I agree that the Corolla is more bland than the C-HR

Grumpy_chap

xsy77 said:

That's not why I turned down the C-HR, it was because it wasn't compatible with OpenPilot. Think you have confused my commets with another user's I really like the C-HR!

I agree that the Corolla is more bland than the C-HR

I know the Corolla is a slightly more recent model launch than the CHr, but would assume the electronics is essentially the same between the two cars and compatibility with OpenPilot unchanged.

You may have checked and verified a difference in compatibility.

FWIW, I would be hesitant to add any kind of after-market driver-aid such as the OpenPilot as I just don't think I'd trust it.  That is a personal opinion only though, and not based on any fact or experience.

born_again

Op.
Have you actually test driven any of the cars you keep throwing out there for people to choose for you?

Maybe a day round many of the dealers in Brum would be good idea to see just what really floats your boat. A few evenings looking at reviews on U-Tube.

Or I sense a thread in a while. Bought a car 300 miles away & now have problems 🤷‍♂️