The Golf Mk8 costs £23,875. So, new Golf or used TVR Tuscan?

We love this game, although things may be about to get slightly out of hand…

The new news is that the brand-new MkVIII Volkswagen Golf will start at £23,875. For that you’ll get a ‘Golf Life’ with the 128bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine and a six-speed manual gearbox. It’ll be safe, sensible and reliable. In fact, we’ve driven it and concluded that it remains the lingua-franca of the hatchback world.

Prices rise steadily through the twenties for different power outputs and trim levels, ending with the top-spec 2.0-litre diesel ‘Golf Style’ complete with a seven-speed DSG for £29,170. 

But what if you want something a little more, well, exciting… and you’re not prepared to wait for the GTI or R versions of the new Golf either? Don’t worry, once again Top Gear is here to save the day.

May we suggest a TVR Tuscan for the Lady or Gentleman? Because, well, why the heck not? As we all know, internal combustion engined cars are on their way out – so why not go out in a blaze of fibreglass glory?

The TVR will not be reliable – and without traction control, anti-lock brakes or airbags some may not consider it to be sensible – but it’ll be a damn sight cooler than anything else you were comparing with that Golf. 

Now, you won’t be able to find a Mk2 Tuscan like the one above for £23,000, but a Mk1 with the cheese grater front grille and the 4.0-litre 360bhp Speed Six would be within budget. Perhaps just make sure it’s had a factory engine rebuild, yeah?

And hey, the TVR has a manual gearbox just like the base-spec Golf, so this isn’t the most ridiculous comparison article yet, right? 

Right guys? Guys? Hello?