GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Phil 117 on 26 May 2014, 23:31
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So, if any of you keep up to date with what I'm doing, I have recently sold my GTD to make way for a company car. I've been given en ex employers Passat. Quite nice, 177 DSG; big nav, leather, a fair few toys. I've been rolling around in it for just over 1 month, and do actually really like it. Different drive to the GTD, can't tell if it's good or bad different. It just feel more planted on the road, but not the same fun. I don't need the space either as it's only two of us and a little dog.
So had a meal with my boss this evening with both our partners. Anyway, during conversation over dinner, we were talking about cars as he is replacing his Audi. He's gone for a Q5.
I was asking about my Passat, and saying would I get to choose my own car or have I got to keep this guys for the next couple of years. Anyway, he has said we will make it a pool car for all employers who don't have company cars to save on the enterprise bill. I've been told to pick what I want, with a decent budget of £30k. Got to be Audi or Volkswagen. Decided Volkswagen as despite my problems, I love them to bits.
Now I was a bit rash before when I bought my car, and wanted something now so bought a demo. Not an option this time, so just need to pick the right thing. Speaking from above, I'm mixed on to go for a Passat, or another Golf. Passat will be old as new model is out next year, so more tempted to go for a Golf, I will go for a Petrol as I get free fuel and would have been my preference. Don't care about BIK; prefer to pay through the nose for something I like. Playing on Volkswagen's Configurator for prices, narrowed it down to 4 options. I just don't know what I want. No real requirements bar Sat Nav. Not sure to go for manual or DSG. Had DSG in Golf and this Passat and do enjoy it for when I do get stuck in town or on the motorway; but this is less than 10% of driving. Kind of found the GTD DSG a bit boring...
Which of these would you choose, or any other suggestions. Want to order by the end of the week. I've been told lead times are 9 weeks for Passat/Manual GTI, 12 weeks GTI DSG, 15 weeks GTD. Priced up my options, all around budget; if it's more, hopefully I can pay the difference.
Option 1: Passat Estate Executive Style; 177 DSG. Night Blue Metallic, Ivory Leather (well specced car so no options needed) - £29,845
Option 2: Golf GTI PP, 3 door Manual. Pure White, Pro Nav, Winter Pack, Dynaudio - £30,240
Option 3: Golf GTI PP, 3 door DSG, Pure White, Standard Nav, Winter Pack, - £30,105
Option 4: Golf GTI, 3 door manual. Pure White, Pro Nav, Winter Pack, Dynaudio, Pan Roof - £30,165
Option 5: Golf R, 3 door Manual, no options, Pure White. Would have to use a Tom Tom. Not to sure if I want outright performance over options. - £30,115
I'm a bloody nightmare with my cars. I'm too used to having a new car every 3 months I keep getting itchy feet :grin:
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Nice situation to be in, what do you do for a living by the way?
For me, the built in sat nav in my GTI is pants, next time I will buy a TomTom as they are far superior, offer camera alerts and displays speed.
In terms of your options, i'd go:
GTI
Audio - Keep you company
Keyless - Love that button
Leather - Smells and looks beautiful
DSG - Will never go back
High beam - useful and cheap
Pono Roof - Looks stunning on white or red
Or a base R
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If it was me I would go for golf R. The golfs come well specced as standard so I don't think you would be disappointed. Mine is a bog standard gti (apart from paint) and I am more than happy with it.
Although I would be tempted to go for the bigger alloys on the R just for the look.
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How about none of the above. I'd be waiting and going for the new TT but that's just me. Might be controversial on a VW forum but if you get bored that quickly then stepping into another golf ain't going to help. Not a fan of the Passat, too big and no style.
Nice position to be in, you seem to have a very accommodating boss
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Go base R with a TomTom, stunning spec and you won't be disappointed.
What issues did you have with your demo car?
My old GT TDI 2011 was a demo car and in 8 months, the following went wrong:
Clutch/Flywheel - 2 weeks after purchase
Two air con units - replaced, re-gassed, with dryer/receivers, system re-gassed a third time
Gearbox bearing - New gearbox
Head unit needed replacing
I'll never buy a demo ever again, no matter how cheap it is.
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Go base R with a TomTom, stunning spec and you won't be disappointed.
What issues did you have with your demo car?
My old GT TDI 2011 was a demo car and in 8 months, the following went wrong:
Clutch/Flywheel - 2 weeks after purchase
Two air con units - replaced, re-gassed, with dryer/receivers, system re-gassed a third time
Gearbox bearing - New gearbox
Head unit needed replacing
I'll never buy a demo ever again, no matter how cheap it is.
It wasn't the demo so much. Just happened to be a bit dodgy and has had lots of warranty work. Plus it got hit by another driver. Everything just went wrong.
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How about none of the above. I'd be waiting and going for the new TT but that's just me. Might be controversial on a VW forum but if you get bored that quickly then stepping into another golf ain't going to help. Not a fan of the Passat, too big and no style.
Nice position to be in, you seem to have a very accommodating boss
They do look nice to be fair. I was hoping the updated Scirocco would be the same as the TT; not just a facelift. I think it may be to expensive though to be honest.
But it's a Passat Style; Executive Style :cool: :grin:
He is to be fair. He has said many times when it comes to expenses and bits like that; his boss told him when he first started ages ago, it's not his personal money; it's the companies. If the company are happy to pay for it, let them.
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How about none of the above. I'd be waiting and going for the new TT but that's just me. Might be controversial on a VW forum but if you get bored that quickly then stepping into another golf ain't going to help. Not a fan of the Passat, too big and no style.
Nice position to be in, you seem to have a very accommodating boss
They do look nice to be fair. I was hoping the updated Scirocco would be the same as the TT; not just a facelift. I think it may be to expensive though to be honest.
But it's a Passat Style; Executive Style :cool: :grin:
He is to be fair. He has said many times when it comes to expenses and bits like that; his boss told him when he first started ages ago, it's not his personal money; it's the companies. If the company are happy to pay for it, let them.
Is the previous boss now an MP by any chance?
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Go base R with a TomTom, stunning spec and you won't be disappointed.
What issues did you have with your demo car?
My old GT TDI 2011 was a demo car and in 8 months, the following went wrong:
Clutch/Flywheel - 2 weeks after purchase
Two air con units - replaced, re-gassed, with dryer/receivers, system re-gassed a third time
Gearbox bearing - New gearbox
Head unit needed replacing
I'll never buy a demo ever again, no matter how cheap it is.
I do sometimes wonder whether a demo like the one you describe, could have been a customer rejected car with a multitude of issues that the dealership has ended up keeping. One of those "Friday afternoon cars".
As for the OP's dilemma, I think he'll be least bored by a base R. Toys are just toys at the end of the day but a power improvement will enhance the drive no end. Xenons, auto-dimming rear view mirror, rain sensors, an adequate stereo system with storage device connection and some parking sensors are all the toys I need and the base model comes with all of those. My next car is probably going to be a MK3 TT (or maybe a used Porche Cayman), so I can fully see where CraigW is coming from there - although you probably won't see a MK3 TT on UK roads until the end of the year (can the OP wait that long?)
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Are they all RRP, you cannot haggle with company cars?
Sorry I've no idea, never been in that position. But a golf R with DSG and a few options can be had for a lot less than £30k
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Go base R with a TomTom, stunning spec and you won't be disappointed.
What issues did you have with your demo car?
My old GT TDI 2011 was a demo car and in 8 months, the following went wrong:
Clutch/Flywheel - 2 weeks after purchase
Two air con units - replaced, re-gassed, with dryer/receivers, system re-gassed a third time
Gearbox bearing - New gearbox
Head unit needed replacing
I'll never buy a demo ever again, no matter how cheap it is.
I do sometimes wonder whether a demo like the one you describe, could have been a customer rejected car with a multitude of issues that the dealership has ended up keeping. One of those "Friday afternoon cars".
To be honest I think it's a combination of both.
The issues it had for an end of production run car were not acceptable. In the end I traded it in before the gearbox was replaced because the dealer said once stripped down, if the teeth are bent then it's not covered. I never once crunched the gears.
In that time, I also had a moped hit my wing and drive off and someone hit me while parking leaving a lovely black mark on my white paint work.
The car felt unlucky.
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I'd go Golf R and see if you can make a capital contribution so you could add some options onto the car. Yes, it costs a little more each month and you're not getting anything back for your money - but a TomTom in an R? That's just wrong!
Or as Craig has said, the mk 3 TT comes out soon and looks stunning!
If you like bigger cars how about a 4 series? Great looking motor.
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but a TomTom in an R? That's just wrong!
Or as Craig has said, the mk 3 TT comes out soon and looks stunning!
If you like bigger cars how about a 4 series? Great looking motor.
£250 for a top of the range Tom-Tom that is easier to use and better than the Nav-Pro in the Golf for £1700 - I'll put up with the odd cable as the sat nav doesn't really improve the driving experience... it is wrong that VW charges so much....
Mk3 TT might look great but it is still just a Golf in a spangly dress...
4-Series a fine car but likely out of budget unless you want a base 420i SE... but might be worth considering a 228i M-Sport... If you are allowed BMWs - it is not clear whether this is a restriction work has placed on you or a decision you have made to stick to VW and Audi...
Given my experience at the weekend with an Audi dealer, I am amazed that Audi sell any cars...
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but a TomTom in an R? That's just wrong!
Or as Craig has said, the mk 3 TT comes out soon and looks stunning!
If you like bigger cars how about a 4 series? Great looking motor.
£250 for a top of the range Tom-Tom that is easier to use and better than the Nav-Pro in the Golf for £1700 - I'll put up with the odd cable as the sat nav doesn't really improve the driving experience... it is wrong that VW charges so much....
Mk3 TT might look great but it is still just a Golf in a spangly dress....
Same could be said about Porsche just being a beetle with a bigger engine or Lamborghini just being a fancier R8. Agree about the Pro being ridiculously priced. The only benefit it my mind is the bigger screen and with hindsight I would probably have just ordered the standard nav but I would still rather stump up £800 for it than have a tom tom stuck to my windscreen
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Same could be said about Porsche just being a beetle with a bigger engine or Lamborghini just being a fancier R8.
You've spent too long listening to that idiot Clarkson. Similarities between a Porsche 911 and the old rear engined Beetle stop at the placement of the engine. The R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo have some common parts and engine bay electronics but the platform is different.
The Golf/TT/A3/Leon/Octavia have many common elements, platform, engines, electronics. There is far more commonality here. Certainly, the Mk2 TT was, at least, made to feel a little different from it less sporty siblings - the mark 1 wasn't apart from feeling like you were looking out from the inside of a letter box.
Audi, is always going to be on the back foot when it comes to sports cars - they will not countenance rear wheel drive and whilst four wheel drive might offer a reasonable compromise were it set up properly, with their Haldex configurations they engineer in an understeer balance which whilst offering the illusion of stability makes the cars I've driven in this configuration feel ponderous and lacking the agility expected in a sports car.
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Same could be said about Porsche just being a beetle with a bigger engine or Lamborghini just being a fancier R8.
You've spent too long listening to that idiot Clarkson. Similarities between a Porsche 911 and the old rear engined Beetle stop at the placement of the engine. The R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo have some common parts and engine bay electronics but the platform is different.
The Golf/TT/A3/Leon/Octavia have many common elements, platform, engines, electronics. There is far more commonality here. Certainly, the Mk2 TT was, at least, made to feel a little different from it less sporty siblings - the mark 1 wasn't apart from feeling like you were looking out from the inside of a letter box.
Audi, is always going to be on the back foot when it comes to sports cars - they will not countenance rear wheel drive and whilst four wheel drive might offer a reasonable compromise were it set up properly, with their Haldex configurations they engineer in an understeer balance which whilst offering the illusion of stability makes the cars I've driven in this configuration feel ponderous and lacking the agility expected in a sports car.
Ok the Porsche/Beetle comparison was a touch extreme however the new Huracan will sit on the same platform as 2015 R8 and the interior shares the Audi TFT interface so you could argue it's just a fancy Audi.
Anyway the point is that for me it's all about how the car makes you feel. I can't complain that the Golf is a fantastic all rounder but if I'm honest it doesn't excite me the way the TT did despite it being a golf in a spangly dress as you put it.
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I'd say got for an R.
Spec up a car with a few extra's then go into a dealer and tell them that you will order the car there and then if they can do it for £30k.
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I would still rather stump up £800 for it than have a tom tom stuck to my windscreen
+1 - A great shame to see a nice car with grubby marks all over the screen where a Nav has been suckered into place. Every TomTom I've used has been 'OK' but doesn't integrate with the music system/bluetooth and you can't adjust the volume by using the steering wheel buttons so for me, they simply don't work as well as the integrated system. Plus, the Discover Nav has been faultless in my experience.
Owning one of these cars isn't just about the driving experience, it's about the whole 'ownership' experience of getting into the car everyday, and making sure you enjoy it in as many scenarios as possible. Given the fact it's a company car, you'll no doubt be spending a lot of time behind the wheel and therefore I'd err' on the side of a car with a few options.
If I were you, I'd choose option 3 on your list... DSG, Standard Nav and Winter Pack. If you can negotiate a good deal with the lease company, try and add Keyless Go and the Reversing Camera too. This spec will make for a brilliant 'all-round' ownership experience.
Best of Luck! :cool:
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Base R keep it simple standard wheels cheaper tyres and black that would be my choice :cool:
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Interesting most of you say go the Golf R.
And sadly it doesn't matter how much the car actual costs, we're banded on P11d's so even if they gave us the car 50% off, the P11d value stays the same regardless sadly. Our P11d value reflect our hierarchy in the company. Otherwise I'd get a Jaguar XF as they are cheap as chips through Hitachi Capital at the moment. Just too much on P11d
SO I got the ball rolling today, speaking to a fleet chap regarding what cars they have available. Passat is sat a UK port, Golf R is a factory order, but they have recently had a cancelled order from Lex and the vehicle arrived yesterday. I could have it this week if I wanted :shocked:
It's a Golf GTI performance pack, 5 door manual. Carbon, with standard sat nav, dynaudio, and a winter pack. I think I'll be having that as I don't want to wait.
Considering I will do best part of 30k miles in it, I'd prefer the options to the power. Just won't drive an R so I won't know what I've missed.
Exciting stuff. GTD out on Friday, GTI maybe this Friday :laugh:
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OMG :grin: Wasn't part of your problem previously not due to you being impatient?
I know it was a demo and unlucky but it wasn't exactly how you wanted it. Are these cars exactly how you want them?
Every Golf you originally listed was pure white now your willing to accept carbon :laugh:
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Ha I know.
I'm just far too impulsive.
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If it makes any difference (probably not now :laugh:) I ordered my R on 17th April and it's due next week sometime