GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: battleshipgray on 16 June 2015, 00:41
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Sorry for the randomness of this post, but straddles a few areas.
In the market for new car. After exhaustive research have decided on Mk7 GTD or GTI. Have been reading some very helpful posts here but still can't bloody decide.
Not sure which way to jump. Have driven Mazda MX5's (3 of them) for last nine years so I like a punchy petrol. But drawn to the better economy of the GTD.
And I've done the obligatory research on web and in the car mags. I know this posting will excite both camps to vim, vigour, and vitriol, but can anyone help a VW newbie to make his mind up?
I drive about 14,000 miles a year. And having originally thought of picking up an ex-demonstrator motor with only a few miles, my local dealer suggested tonight that I go for a brand new vehicle, which they would bring in, pre-register, and pass the saving onto me.
Which left me not looking to pick up an existing car, but onto the VW configurator, to build my own.
Now just bloody confused.
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Both a good choice, both will give you added punch over the NA engine of the MX5.
The difference between the petrol and diesel fuel costs in 14000 miles? Maybe a few hundred quid.
I vote GTI PP :cool:.
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In the real world on performance there's not much in it - sure the GTI is 8mph faster top end (academic) and about a second quicker 0-60 (if you like traffic light grand prix's). You will find people in both camps here.
If "driving" really is your thing and the excitement of faster acceleration and the smoothness and rev-ability of a petrol engine then it's an easy choice - GTI all day long. As good as the diesel is, it's not a true enthusiasts (or petrol heads) car.
The flip side of the coin is however that the GTD is almost as quick in the real world, will return 45mpg all day long (and mid to high fifties on a run), whereas the GTI will be high twenties low thirties (although someone did once get 40+ from a GTI but think he was driving like a granny :laugh:). The other thing about the GTD is that it's lazy torque and quite often doesn't need changing down to accelerate , although to be fair to the GTI, it's engine has an almost diesel like torque output as well.
Other things to consider are a) Do you like the red accents in the grill / lights / seats, or prefer the more subtle grey / chrome of the GTD. b) Do you like the GTI alloys or the Negaro units of the GTD (the optional 19" Santiago units are the same on both).
One final thing to consider is that if you really want to cane it, the GTI is the only one with the option of the performance or "PP" pack. Not only does that give you an additional 10bhp and bigger brakes front and rear (with GTI logo calipers), but also the frankly superb electro-mechanical limited slip diff - although this PP option is another £1000 on the basic price.
To be honest you can't go wrong with either - both are fantastic fast, quiet, comfortable, stylish, well equipped motors.
TBH, your next dilemma is the options list where you can easily add £7-8k of options !
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I think coming from an MX5 I'd go for the petrol GTI. It will be the smoothest transition from nine years of petrol motoring. Plus, the GTI will probably beat your MX5's fuel economy too. In summer, on the motorway, I regularly get 38-40 mpg. This drops to low thirties with some hard blasts. Constant thrashing will see mid-high 20's (or low 30's depending how heavy your right foot is). Not bad for all that power!
Go and test drive both BEFORE you sign away nearly 30 grand ;-)
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Fuel cost difference about 500 quid a year. Tax a lot cheaper and you get the lovely GTD wheels and subtle accents rather than the red trim - no brainer ;-)
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Also don't pay anywhere near list price for a new one.You should be looking at 10-12% discount.Thats what most on here me included got.The dealer may try try and fob you off but be prepared to walk away and try another dealer.There are VW dealers that offer good discounts,which part of the country are you at,maybe somebody on here may recommend a particular dealer local to you.
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You say you do 14,000 miles, but what type of journeys are you doing? If its regular, short journeys then you'll find the GTD MPG is awful and will probably run into DPF issues along the way.
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You say you do 14,000 miles, but what type of journeys are you doing? If its regular, short journeys then you'll find the GTD MPG is awful and will probably run into DPF issues along the way.
^^^this!
Plus chuck in that when its below about 8 degrees ambient the GTD takes a long old time to warm up. Winter MPG is about 20% less than summer and it takes a good 10 miles to warm up to maximum effeciency when very cold.
Don't get me wrong, the GTD is a fantastic mile muncher and the oil burner is much more lazy to drive but rapid at the same time. I really notice how much harder work a petrol engine is when i drive my Mrs car.
I love my GTD but I'd think long and hard about a GTI at 14k pa. Tending towards a DSG GTI in this argument.
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Sorry for the randomness of this post, but straddles a few areas.
In the market for new car. After exhaustive research have decided on Mk7 GTD or GTI. Have been reading some very helpful posts here but still can't bloody decide.
Not sure which way to jump. Have driven Mazda MX5's (3 of them) for last nine years so I like a punchy petrol. But drawn to the better economy of the GTD.
And I've done the obligatory research on web and in the car mags. I know this posting will excite both camps to vim, vigour, and vitriol, but can anyone help a VW newbie to make his mind up?
I drive about 14,000 miles a year. And having originally thought of picking up an ex-demonstrator motor with only a few miles, my local dealer suggested tonight that I go for a brand new vehicle, which they would bring in, pre-register, and pass the saving onto me.
Which left me not looking to pick up an existing car, but onto the VW configurator, to build my own.
Now just bloody confused.
I have run umpteen diesels over the years but fancied a proper GTi this time so went petrol. Have to say that I dont regret it at all, no matter how good the diesel is unless it has 6 cylinders it will still sound like a diesel.
The GTi is fast, refined, and reasonably economical. Its also a much rarer sight and I love the red in the tartan and the red stripe on the grille - but then I have a red car!
The GTD is a good compromise but i think you will prefer the GTI coming from an MX5.
I also do c14k to 15k a year in mine - I'm happy to pay £10 quid a week more in fuel to have the petrol version.
Ian
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My summer to winter mpg difference is nowhere near 20% - I would say 5 to 10% max!
If you like the whole petrol power, red accent/red strip through the headlights thing (and the wheels too) then maybe paying a tenner a week extra for fuel and a bit more tax is the way to go.
Personally if I went to petrol it would have to be an R as otherwise I would constantly wish I had bought the extra performance....an issue you don't have with a GTD.
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If you like the whole petrol power, red accent/red strip through the headlights thing (and the wheels too) then maybe paying a tenner a week extra for fuel and a bit more tax is the way to go.
Personally if I went to petrol it would have to be an R as otherwise I would constantly wish I had bought the extra performance....an issue you don't have with a GTD.
I guess I am not a typical GTi buyer in that I am the wrong side of 50 and my car isnt bought to be the fastest thing ever. I bought it as it was reasonably fast and fun, reasonably refined, reasonably economical and decent value for what I was getting in comparison to the BMWs. Mercs and Volvos I have had recently (and an Alfa....)
I wouldnt have touched an R as the 4 exhausts at the back just were not me, it isnt as practical due to boot restrictions and the GTi is really as small as I could go...and it is not as economical and again the GTi is my limit for a daily driver. I didnt want a GTD though - if i was having a sporty car over the diesel barges I normally have I wanted petrol power - and I dont regret that one bit.
It will probably go towards the end of the year - debating whether replacement will be a 335d X drive touring, or a cheap daily driver so i can have a Jag XJ / XK8 as weekend toy....
Ian
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I went through this a while back. I wanted DSG, I know it's not perfect but it's right for me. DSG goes really well with diesels and as a company car driver the GTD made perfect sense. So, here I am waiting for my GTI PP....
I guess the issue for some folk will be that a diesel hot hatch will have to a be so much better than the petrol version before they would consider getting one, maybe that's me. I've got a diesel saloon at the mo' so no issues with diesel and it's a great car and very rapid TBH. I just couldn't see myself enjoying the benefits of a diesel in the way I do now in hot hatch instead of a big saloon.
Also, I miss my MK5 GTI! :smiley:
Neil.
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If you do alot of short trips...be aware of possible problems with DPF regens on the GTD much like any diesel you can buy, not just a VW problem.
Ken
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Sorry for the randomness of this post, but straddles a few areas.
In the market for new car. After exhaustive research have decided on Mk7 GTD or GTI. Have been reading some very helpful posts here but still can't bloody decide.
Not sure which way to jump. Have driven Mazda MX5's (3 of them) for last nine years so I like a punchy petrol. But drawn to the better economy of the GTD.
And I've done the obligatory research on web and in the car mags. I know this posting will excite both camps to vim, vigour, and vitriol, but can anyone help a VW newbie to make his mind up?
I drive about 14,000 miles a year. And having originally thought of picking up an ex-demonstrator motor with only a few miles, my local dealer suggested tonight that I go for a brand new vehicle, which they would bring in, pre-register, and pass the saving onto me.
Which left me not looking to pick up an existing car, but onto the VW configurator, to build my own.
Now just bloody confused.
Firstly give them both a test drive. Secondly if you've always driven petrol and like the responsive feel you won't like diesel. Thirdly I don't think you do enough mileage to warrant a diesel.
The new Gti is pretty good on fuel. I've only had mine 3 weeks and I'm getting 340 miles a tank, I expect this to improve once the engine is run in. I'd also look at buying new. The deals VW are offering at the moment are excellent. It's actually likely to cost you more to buy a slightly used one!
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GTI all day long if fuel cost is not an issue. I love the heritage of the GTI and the styling. Completed 1000 miles in the last week (motorway) and averaged 37 mpg . Can get 40 mpg with a few road works and sit at 70 mph. Average around 32mpg on the local cornish roads. Drops to sub 30 if you gun it.
Never driven an R , i would probably love it but would be frustrated at not being able to feel the benefit due to speed limits. BAd enough in the GTI . Style wise GTI wins for me as R a little too understated.Your choice cant go wrong with any of them.
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The question is, do you want a Golf GTI or something designed to look like one but saves a bit on road tax and fuel (not that much actually). Note that VW is now offering the GTD as an estate. They will NEVER do this with the GTI because it is an icon. I'm getting high 30's MPG on 30 mile commutes and the engine is still tight (only 2000 miles). If you want a motor that pulls like a train to the red line the GTI is the one.
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I had the same debate a couple of months ago, but following a back to back test drive of both, it was a no brainer. The driving experience of the GTI was leagues ahead of the GTD, for me anyway. I totally forgot about the GTD from that point onwards, and signed up for a new GTI PP a couple of weeks later.
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Thanks all - very much appreciated.
Especially as it's such a new guy question! I always thought MX5 forums attracted friendly, helpful sorts. Clearly this forum is every bit as helpful!
Have had a shortish drive in a GTD, yet to try the GTI but hope to on Thursday, work permitting.
I'm in Northern Ireland, quite a few dealers close by - I'll have to give them all a rattle. Had a couple of recommendations but no experience of dealing with any having been in Mazda's for nearly a decade. Will keep you posted.
I'm getting about 35mpg from the MX5 on average. My daily commute is largely country roads with a bit of urban driving for the last few miles. Think I'm doing about a 52 mile round trip five days a week.
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Not much support for the GTD on this thread - I feel like a lone voice :cry:
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Don't despair. I could be joining you yet :smiley:
I think the advice to try a back to back test has to be right. I hope to do that on Thursday!
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You won't have have any issues with dpf with short journeys. I've done 14k miles mostly 3 miles to work and 3 back home and never had an issue. Granted I use the car for longer journeys too but don't be scared by short journeys in a gtd. Gtd looks better than gti in the wheel looks and the silver line through the lights. Exactly the same after that looks wise and near as makes no difference in real world driving performance with about 10 -15 extra mpg's. I didn't give the gti a thought when I ordered my gtd even with my short journeys.
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Just by way of update: did the deal on a new GTI this afternoon.
Now just have to wait for delivery!
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Not got that R itch yet then....
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:smiley: Not yet. But give it time. I'm sure I'll get there.
The R would be ideal in lots of ways, not least with its 4 wheel drive ability on snowy winter mornings. But I have had a GTI itch that I've wanted to scratch for a few years :laugh:
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Thanks all - very much appreciated.
I'm in Northern Ireland, quite a few dealers close by - I'll have to give them all a rattle. Had a couple of recommendations but no experience of dealing with any having been in Mazda's for nearly a decade. Will keep you posted.
Was interested in this post as I've been having the same GTI or GTD debate - even more interested as I'm just outside Belfast and I've read a post from someone who traveled to the north of England to get a good deal as the Belfast dealers weren't interested in giving discount. I take it you were happy enough with the deal to go ahead with the purchase - would appreciate any advice or further info - sorry to hijack your thread
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Hi, long term lurker on this excellent forum. Thought it time to contribute! I'm also from just outside Belfast and I'm looking to change the car. I must admit I've been staggered at the willingness of local dealers to compete with broker offers. So good deals are definitely to be had in this part of the country!
I'm currently trying to decide between a GTI PP and an S3, and I'm still utterly torn between the two! I've been out in the GTI 3 times, and the Audi twice. I'm going out in the S3 one last time next week then I have to make a decision. Real first world problems eh!
Sorry if I'm hijacking the original thread....
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I must admit I've been staggered at the willingness of local dealers to compete with broker offers. So good deals are definitely to be had in this part of the country!
Nice to hear that - about the dealers being competitive - I'm off in the morning again to look at GTD Vs GTI and I have a couple of good quotes from broker sites that expire at the end of June - I had heard previously that the main Belfast dealer wouldn't offer any discount so time will tell
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You should have no problem getting a discount. Dealers are no mugs and know we all live in the Internet age now. If you've done your homework and gone to the trouble of pricing around online, they also know you can just as easily hop on a plane to the mainland and cost them a sale. That's my experience anyway. Good luck....
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Hijack away both. Just don't try to take my car off me!
I've had a so so experience with dealers.
At the bottom of my list I'd put Agnews. Not impressed overall, but I won't embarrass them as to why - even though sorely tempted. Nice coffee though.
Experience with Edwin May was neutral. Good deal on a Golf a few years ago, lacklustre performance in the last few weeks.
T.J. Hamilton in Cookstown are worth a look, but not a huge amount of movement on price.
Phillips Lisburn much better and would recommend - so far...
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Hey thanks for that - nothing new with main Belfast dealer then -although I actually heard the Cookstown boys were very keen to deal - even trying hard to match broker offers - I intend to try them all when I make a final decision as to the diesel or petrol issue
Thanks for the advice
Was there anything obvious that swung you to the GTI and not the GTD in the end - I'm still undecided having driven diesel for a number of years but I also have an itch that's been there since I owned a Mk 2 GTI (few years ago now :whistle: )
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For me it was always going to be a GTI. I only do around 6000 miles a year now as I work a mile from home. My girlfriend does 12000 miles a year and when we worked out the difference in fuel prices etc there still wasnt much in it. My last job i was doing 16000 miles a year and would have probably gone for a GTD
Iv had mine 3 weeks now and bloody love it it meets all my expectations. Because I tend to do short journeys I have not had a huge chance to see what the fuel economy is really like (not that its hugely important, its a GTI not a prius). Im averaging 27mpg around town but am going to bournemouth today for a friends 30th so will be interesting to see.
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Unsurprisingly people seem to favour the car they have purchased!
GTD has the better standard wheels so edges the looks category and obviously will return better mpg.
But the performance difference will be noticeable especially with the pp - no traction issues for me and that's with crap tyres and a tuning box. It corners unbelievably well and I can't believe a standard GTD gives the same confidence. I had a mk6 GTD which was great but not in the same league as the MK7 GTI. If I was doing serious miles I'd probably go for the GTD as my GTI returns about 35mpg on average but drops like a stone when pushing on.
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Nobody really wants an oil burner unless it's a company car when having one makes perfect financial sense for more reasons that just high mileage fuel economy.
When you want a nice company car, the gtd is perfect.
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Greerso,
The Cookstown boys are def worth a visit. What swung it for me in the end was probably just heart over head. I'm not sure I do enough miles to warrant the GTD in the end, but it is also a super car. Having driven fast-ish petrols for a good number of years I thought I'd be more comfortable in the GTI.
But like I say, both are terrific.
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Nobody really wants an oil burner unless it's a company car when having one makes perfect financial sense for more reasons that just high mileage fuel economy.
When you want a nice company car, the gtd is perfect.
what a load of rubbish!! Plenty of people buy diesel and they are not company car drivers. I didn't even give the gti a second thought when i ordered my gtd and i only do low annual.
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The standard wheels are arguably nicer on the GTD but the GTI walks it in every other respect unless mpg is your be all and end all and over riding priority. Cannot understand anyone who'd opt for the diesel when doing low miles but each to their own!
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Nobody really wants an oil burner unless it's a company car when having one makes perfect financial sense for more reasons that just high mileage fuel economy.
When you want a nice company car, the gtd is perfect.
Even then the difference over a year of fuel for your average motorist isn't usually that big. It's even smaller significance when your spending £400+ month hiring it/factoring in depreciation.
A lot of people not in to cars would buy a diesel just because of the fuel economy, it's certainly a more sensible option in larger vehicles like SUV's.
Would you rather have a 1.6 petrol NA or a 1.6 Turbodiesel?
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I personally chose the GTD as I prefer the styling over the GTI, I'm just not keen on the Red seats in the GTI or the Red line through the headlights :sad:
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I had a GTD and now i'm in an R. The mpg argument for getting a GTD rather than a GTI doesn't seem to stack up. If mpg is out of the window then why not get an R? Especially when comparing a PP to an R, where the price differential is at its smallest. Having complete confidence in traction in the R is a real positive for me.
If you are looking after the pennies you put in your tank, you can have a lot more fun in a GTD with a heavy right foot than a light right foot in a GTI - especially when you stick a tuning box on the GTD...in gear performance marginally better than a GTI and still getting (relatively) high mpg.
Been some big changes for me lately - just started a new job i'm not keen on (2 weeks in), and the 21 mile each way commute is a daily reminder of my lack of enthusiasm for the new job (even if it is in an R).
It's a bit of a shock to the system filling up weekly rather than fortnightly - it always seems to hurt a bit more when you're handing over the cash rather than ignoring the fact that a sum of money is sneaking out of your bank account every month!
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Matt you need to buy my gtd for your commute and use the r for weekends :whistle:
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Matt you need to buy my gtd for your commute and use the r for weekends :whistle:
You seem very keen to get rid of your GTD mcmaddy. To make room for what?
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For me this time round, it was always going to be the R, mainly for 4WD and to satisfy the proverbial itch. The mpg doesn't come into it at all. I do average miles a year, (30k), get a decent monthly sum for work mileage which all helps.
Most people will of course defend their own choice and rightly so, all three cars have their merits. What's best is what is right for you and your particular circumstances. Thankfully there is a choice and a very good one at that.
That said, if the R was out of the equation, I'd go for a GTI PP.
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Almost 2 years with my GTI and I can honestly say it is still the perfect car for me, still enjoy driving it, looking at it and thinking about it. Not a fan of diseasals and not got the R itch mainly due to boot size and looks.
GTI fanboy I guess.....
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Almost 2 years with my GTI and I can honestly say it is still the perfect car for me, still enjoy driving it, looking at it and thinking about it. Not a fan of diseasals and not got the R itch mainly due to boot size and looks.
GTI fanboy I guess.....
Wow the R boot is even smaller than the Gti's?! That's one of my complaints about the Mk7 Gti. I can't understand why the boot is so shallow compared to the 6. The R boot must be the size of a matchbox!
I've always had gti's a mk5, 6 and now 7. I must admit I would have bought an R if the finances had allowed it. Tbh the Gti was a stretch. But my 6 needed a lot of work and it just didn't make financial sense spending hundreds of pounds on what was at the end of the day an old car.
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Daft question Snooze but you are lowering the boot floor to its lowest position? It's about the same as the MK6 ( I have a few items which just fit in the lowered position but not in the upper position).
Sorry if you already know this, just trying to help.
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Matt you need to buy my gtd for your commute and use the r for weekends :whistle:
Maybe I need a closer job. :grin: Or at least one that is as advertised.
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Daft question Snooze but you are lowering the boot floor to its lowest position? It's about the same as the MK6 ( I have a few items which just fit in the lowered position but not in the upper position).
Sorry if you already know this, just trying to help.
Lowest position? Didn't know it was adjustable! How do you do that then and why on earth would you ever not want it in its lowest position?!
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Daft question Snooze but you are lowering the boot floor to its lowest position? It's about the same as the MK6 ( I have a few items which just fit in the lowered position but not in the upper position).
Sorry if you already know this, just trying to help.
Lowest position? Didn't know it was adjustable! How do you do that then and why on earth would you ever not want it in its lowest position?!
Because the lowest position is not flat. The R's boot space is the same as that of the GTI/GTD when the boot floor is high and flat. The R cannot take advantage of a lower boot space, but the difference between the 2 positions available to the GTI/GTD is hardly worth worrying about - you gain an extra few inches of boot depth.
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Matt you need to buy my gtd for your commute and use the r for weekends :whistle:
You seem very keen to get rid of your GTD mcmaddy. To make room for what?
haven't decided yet rebecca but it'll be suv size. Thinking either new Tiguan or Toureg or even something at from vw.
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Matt you need to buy my gtd for your commute and use the r for weekends :whistle:
You seem very keen to get rid of your GTD mcmaddy. To make room for what?
haven't decided yet rebecca but it'll be suv size. Thinking either new Tiguan or Toureg or even something at from vw.
Ah, needing something a bit bigger then.
Last time I changed cars (2012) my other half tried to get me into a Touareg. Guess who won that debate :whistle: :grin:
I do quite like them though, just not for me.
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It may be too big so tiguan is the sensible choice maybe even a Volvo xc60 :whistle:
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battleshipgray/MJ26 - had a back to back test drive at main Belfast dealer - GTD first and could have driven on home happily - the GTI which followed wasn't a good comparison as it had DSG and without wanting to start another debate - DSG's not for me.
So fair to say no further on in terms of decision.
I showed him an email of an offer I have for a GTI through Carwow and he nearly fell of his seat - said he would speak to sales manager and get back to me - I don't expect to hear from him any time soon LOL
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I think your salesman might be play acting with you a bit as they well know the discounts available across the water. I have two firm offers on paper with both VW and Audi, and whilst they wouldn't match my best broker prices they were both within £250-500 of them to cover the costs of going to England. Which I think is fair enough. So hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised!
If you want to test a manual GTi, go to Agnews in Mallusk as I was out in theirs last week! I currently have a dsg Leon SC, and whilst I don't regret going for it, I will definitely be going manual if I do settle on the GTI. The manual on the GTI is one of the best I've ever driven.
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I think your salesman might be play acting with you a bit as they well know the discounts available across the water. I have two firm offers on paper with both VW and Audi, and whilst they wouldn't match my best broker prices they were both within £250-500 of them to cover the costs of going to England. Which I think is fair enough. So hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised!
If you want to test a manual GTi, go to Agnews in Mallusk as I was out in theirs last week! I currently have a dsg Leon SC, and whilst I don't regret going for it, I will definitely be going manual if I do settle on the GTI. The manual on the GTI is one of the best I've ever driven.
TBH I'm only starting to check prices locally before deciding what to do - I'd happily pay a few pounds more than you're suggesting to avoid the trouble of going across the water although I did go to Scotland once to buy so not totally put off at the thought.
Are you in a Cupra at the moment - I had one for a long weekend recently that thing was quick
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Yes, lot to be said for staying local. My workplace is 200 yards from the dealership, so it would be handy if even just for servicing. I have just been adamant that I was prepared to travel if I couldn't get a good deal.
Yes those Cupras are meant to be quick! Basically R performance for GTI money? I have a 1.8 FR dsg now. Not a bad car to drive - fair bit slower than my previous Mazda 3 MPS but a lot more economical. But it had a cheap interior. Before it was even run in, it had an intermittent rattle from the nasty hard plastic driver's door card, probably made worse by being by my right ear. I never felt it bad enough to ask the dealer to start pulling it apart. It then magically disappeared for months before recently returning, and now the passenger door has joined in too. Off course it doesn't annoy me now being on borrowed time!
By contrast my other half has a mk6 GTI with 30000 miles on it with never so much as a squeak from it. I hope the mk 7s are as well built?
Anyway, I have never bonded with it - miss not having a hot hatch as opposed to warm, and rattles don't help!
Once I start looking at other options, it's hard to stop the momentum - I'm sure I'm not the only one here like that!
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I ordered my new GTd with Agnews in Mallusk last week, they came within a couple of hundred ££££s of the brokers in England, that was good enough for me :smiley:
Now I just wish I ordered the 19 Santiagos :angry:
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I ordered my new GTd with Agnews in Mallusk last week, they came within a couple of hundred ££££s of the brokers in England, that was good enough for me :smiley:
Now I just wish I ordered the 19 Santiagos :angry:
I'm thinking I need to get up to Mallusk then - cheers guys
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Have to say wasn't wild about Mallusk. Nice coffee though!
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Now I just wish I ordered the 19 Santiagos :angry:
What's stopping you? You'll probably have several weeks to chop and change your order. Its only once the build week is confirmed that you can't change your order.
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I ordered my new GTd with Agnews in Mallusk last week, they came within a couple of hundred ££££s of the brokers in England, that was good enough for me :smiley:
Now I just wish I ordered the 19 Santiagos :angry:
Make the change now, before another VW price rise kicks in - I paid about £80 more for my Prets than I would have, had I ordered them with the car rather than after a price rise!
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It'll give Cossieian a good excuse to order another new one as soon as he's taken delivery of this new one... :whistle: :laugh: :grin:
(Yes, I'm a fine one to talk)
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I really, really dislike the way Agnews do business. The salesmen are all incredibly full of themselves and offer extremely silly trade ins etc, etc. I would go to an English dealer or broker just to avoid the awfulness of their badly made up receptionists and chancer salesmen.
PS I have lived in London for quite a while and had my GTI supplied by a North Circular dealer via DTD and couldn't have been happier with the service. (It was supplied by Fleet Sales and there was none of the silly Finance/Gap/Lifeshine spiel. Just paid the money, got the keys and left...)
GTi all the way for me. I hate the 2.0 diesel VW lump, no matter what power there is and along with DPF issues, I think the long term ownership prospects are awful. As long as you're not doing all urban mileage, the GTI is lovely and reasonably economical. My long term average is 35 and I drive it quickly on our lightly traffic-ed roads!
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Having had a GTi mk5 I loved that car and kept it about 4 years. I then went to a GTD mk6 as I was doing more miles and thought it would be a better bet for the fuel savings. I kept that for just over 2 years and then went back to the GTi mk7. For me the GTD reminds me of a ladyboy, it looks right but it's just not the same as the real thing. If you don't mind paying a little more for petrol in my opinion it has to be the GTi every time.
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I really, really dislike the way Agnews do business. The salesmen are all incredibly full of themselves and offer extremely silly trade ins etc, etc. I would go to an English dealer or broker just to avoid the awfulness of their badly made up receptionists and chancer salesmen.
PS I have lived in London for quite a while and had my GTI supplied by a North Circular dealer via DTD and couldn't have been happier with the service. (It was supplied by Fleet Sales and there was none of the silly Finance/Gap/Lifeshine spiel. Just paid the money, got the keys and left...)
GTi all the way for me. I hate the 2.0 diesel VW lump, no matter what power there is and along with DPF issues, I think the long term ownership prospects are awful. As long as you're not doing all urban mileage, the GTI is lovely and reasonably economical. My long term average is 35 and I drive it quickly on our lightly traffic-ed roads!
What dpf issues? This new diesel engine if nothing like previous ones and the dpf has been moved too so I doubt any dpf issues will occur. Explain long term ownership prospects being awful??
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The GTD is for the tight git parade who are only concerned with mpg. :grin: :grin:
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What dpf issues? This new diesel engine if nothing like previous ones and the dpf has been moved too so I doubt any dpf issues will occur. Explain long term ownership prospects being awful??
The constant regeneration is noisy and annoying or at least it was on the equivalent Seat Leon that I used to own. By long term, I mean that the cost of DPF replacement later in life will be prohibitive and negate fuel savings during the car's lifetime. I realise that this won't affect most of us who won't keep the car for long enough. However, I suspect that due to increased production of NOx pollutants, the UK government won't remain diesel friendly, so long-term taxation on diesel won't be particularly beneficial either. With both of these factors, I suspect residual values of diesel engined vehicles, will not continue to remain buoyant.
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There's a lot of crap in the news about diesels at the moment.
None of them pointing out that the Euro6 spec engines have changed the game beyond belief.
Take a look at the table on this page:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_emission_standards
Any legislation will either be against pre-Euro6 (or 7 by the time they get their act together) or non-existent when the FTA and the London cabbies get lobbying.
Its certainly not an issue for anyone buying a Mk7 Golf - this will drag on for years.
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Let's not forget dual mass flywheels either. ;-)
You're probably right about the issues dragging on Fred; I'm just expressing my opinion about why I wouldn't buy one again. I really don't like the way they feel and the lowish capacity petrol engine has come a long way in the last few years thus negating the benefits for me personally. I've had plenty of diesel cars in the past but probably won't buy another.
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The GTD is for the tight git parade who are only concerned with mpg. :grin: :grin:
I'll take the bait :smiley: :smiley:
Maybe its because they couldn't stand the silly red band across the front of the GTI and the dreadful axe wheels.
Just a personal opinion of course. :laugh:
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The GTD is for the tight git parade who are only concerned with mpg. :grin: :grin:
I'll take the bait :smiley: :smiley:
Maybe its because they couldn't stand the silly red band across the front of the GTI and the dreadful axe wheels.
Just a personal opinion of course. :laugh:
:grin: :grin:
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx40/CraigW_01/Mobile%20Uploads/3C961A3A-DDAC-41D2-B683-1A27472685F1.jpg) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/CraigW_01/media/Mobile%20Uploads/3C961A3A-DDAC-41D2-B683-1A27472685F1.jpg.html)
First catch of the day
Well the wheels can easily be replaced with the santiagos and that just leaves the red stripe. Mmmmm I think I'll have the tractor cause I don't like the red stripe :grin: :grin:
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The red strip in the lights is really a deal breaker for some people? Wow.
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The red strip in the lights is really a deal breaker for some people? Wow.
If you really don't like the red stripe, still want petrol and budget permits, there is an alternative. But for all the wrong reasons.
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The red strip in the lights is really a deal breaker for some people? Wow.
Frankly it was one of the reasons strange as it might seem together with the stock wheels
I had a Mk5 GTI which I enjoyed.
Having tried both GTD /GTI I much preferred the GTD.
The R is probably another ball game..
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The red strip in the lights is really a deal breaker for some people? Wow.
Having tried both GTD /GTI I much preferred the GTD.
I would be interested to hear why?
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People need to get this thing about only buying a diesel for cost purposes out of their heads. I hate the stupid wheels on the gti and the red strip is like something a chav would have done in the 90's. The gtd drives aswell as the gti and it just happens to get 50 odd miles to the gallon but it doesn't mean your tight for having one.
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People need to get this thing about only buying a diesel for cost purposes out of their heads. I hate the stupid wheels on the gti and the red strip is like something a chav would have done in the 90's. The gtd drives aswell as the gti and it just happens to get 50 odd miles to the gallon but it doesn't mean your tight for having one.
So let's for argument sake take the mpg out of the equation. You would choose the GTD over the GTI only because you don't like the alloys and the red stripe through the lights?
I bet you 9 out of 10 people don't even notice the red stripe
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People need to get this thing about only buying a diesel for cost purposes out of their heads. I hate the stupid wheels on the gti and the red strip is like something a chav would have done in the 90's. The gtd drives aswell as the gti and it just happens to get 50 odd miles to the gallon but it doesn't mean your tight for having one.
So let's for argument sake take the mpg out of the equation. You would choose the GTD over the GTI only because you don't like the alloys and the red stripe through the lights?
I bet you 9 out of 10 people don't even notice the red stripe
But can hear the Diesel rattle! :evil: :grin:
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I hate the stupid wheels on the gti and the red strip is like something a chav would have done in the 90's.
Nah, back then we were busy taking the red stripe off the mk2 grille :grin:
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The GTD is a compromise. I understand people will defend their choice but some of the defence on here is delusional!
I had a MK6 GTD. There's no way in hell that the diesel drives as well or is as rewarding to drive as the GTI. When I had the MK6, I really really missed the revvy punch that I had in my old MK5 GTI. Sure, on the motorway at cruising speeds it was great but everywhere else it felt noisy and unrewarding. It sounds like a Caddy van for heavens sake!!
The GTI wheels aren't the nicest for sure, my main bugbear is the diamond cut finish but the GTD wheels have the same stupid problem. Hence why I've spec'd Pretoria's on my soon to come R.
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For me the GTD reminds me of a ladyboy, it looks right but it's just not the same as the real thing.
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: awesome! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
It's funny how people's tastes vary and I'm firmly on the fence as to whether the GTI or GTD is the better car in mk7 guise. Swings and roundabouts for me.
The red stripe on my GTI drew loads of comments from passers by seeing it in the flesh rather than looking at pics on t'interweb.
The red detailing works well, but better on some colours than others.
When I ordered my GTI back in April 2013 I tossed a coin for it and the GTI won mostly because the LED red stripes in the GTI cabin look better and it had the VAQ and big brakes.
The GTI has the torque of the Diesel (give or take a few lb ft's) and runs on cheaper unleaded yet can still do 40mpg if you drive it like a Diesel.
But I still have a massive soft spot for the GTD and was sorely tempted to get one next year.
Tough one to call, neither is better by a large margin in any one area. Nor is the R... :whistle:
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People need to get this thing about only buying a diesel for cost purposes out of their heads. I hate the stupid wheels on the gti and the red strip is like something a chav would have done in the 90's. The gtd drives aswell as the gti and it just happens to get 50 odd miles to the gallon but it doesn't mean your tight for having one.
So let's for argument sake take the mpg out of the equation. You would choose the GTD over the GTI only because you don't like the alloys and the red stripe through theghts? s?
I bet you 9 out of 10 people don't even notice the red stripe
The point here is I do and I'm the one spending my cash.
I wouldn't worry as to whether other people notice the red stripe or not.
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People need to get this thing about only buying a diesel for cost purposes out of their heads. I hate the stupid wheels on the gti and the red strip is like something a chav would have done in the 90's. The gtd drives aswell as the gti and it just happens to get 50 odd miles to the gallon but it doesn't mean your tight for having one.
I know where you're coming from with the 90's comment.
I was disappointed on that myself.
I must admit the single pipes on each side at the rear didn't do it for me either.
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For me the GTD reminds me of a ladyboy, it looks right but it's just not the same as the real thing.
Hilarious! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
A ladyboy without lipstick!
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The only valid reason that I can fully understand and accept that you would choose a GTD over a GTI is for efficiency and economical reasons. Choosing it over the GTI based on aesthetics makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever given that they are near identical.
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The only valid reason that I can fully understand and accept that you would choose a GTD over a GTI is for efficiency and economical reasons. Choosing it over the GTI based on aesthetics makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever given that they are near identical.
I primarily chose the GTD over the GTI for a £110 a month saving all in - between residuals, road tax and fuel economy, it added up to about that in the early days. Now the residual differences are out of the window because the diminished residuals of the GTD, although still higher than that of the GTI, are cancelled out by the deposit contribution the GTI gets.
Now i'm in the R, it costs about £80 a month more to fuel, but personal circumstances have changed and i'm a 100% cash buyer (used to be a PCPer prior to the GTD which was bought with a loan off my Dad at the rate he would've got via an ISA - 2.8%), so the interest savings are more than subsidising the extra fuel. I don't like the Austin wheels, and I really don't like the Cadiz, but I wouldn't let the wheel design dictate the car I bought.
An options tightarse like me was willing to spend £895 on Prets so as not to have the Cadiz rather than discount the car based on the look of its wheels. I slightly prefer the GTD's lack of lipstick, but you'd not notice them on a TR GTI.
It's not always about being tight on fuel costs alone, some prefer the low down torque of a TDI - to be honest I think if they made an R TDI with 270PS or more, I may be tempted. It takes some getting used to milking the R to get anything out of it you wouldn't get by driving the GTD hard, but I had some fun today on the way home, screaming away from a standstill at a traffic lighted roundabout up 2 sliproads.
Right now the GTD won't save you much against a GTI when doing lowish miles, but money is not the only reason to pick it over the GTI. People bang on about rattly tractors, but the truth is that once you're rolling, the GTI and R are just as noisy on acceleration and the GTD is a quieter cruiser because of it's higher gearing
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I'm I the only one on here who likes a bit of red lippy :kiss:
Seriously though I love, and have always loved, the Austin axe head wheels and red stripe. Oh and while I'm at it Cadiz alloys too! I Feel like a pariah :laugh:
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Just taxed my MK2 GTI 8V, will be driving that in the morning, now that's a proper car :wink:
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Just taxed my MK2 GTI 8V, will be driving that in the morning, now that's a proper car :wink:
If it starts :grin: :whistle:
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Just taxed my MK2 GTI 8V, will be driving that in the morning, now that's a proper car :wink:
If it starts :grin: :whistle:
It will, VW used to trade on their reliability back in 1987! :tongue:
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Started first turn of the crank. Makes you appreciate the Brakes on the MK7 :smiley:
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Hand on heart - GTI is the one to have and to be truthful the running cost advantage of the GTD is probably not as great as VW would have you believe.
But that doesn't make the GTD a poor relation, it has a different a distinct driving experience compared to the GTI (GTI more agile and eager - GTD very torquey), I also prefer the lack of red detailing, particularly on my white car.
For me, it was initial cost, I'd want the PP GTI - so that's more money on the asking price and as a private buyer, that mattered. i had a budget and I wanted a few toys, so decision was made.
I don't discount the idea of moving to a GTI in a few years time.
James
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Hand on heart - GTI is the one to have and to be truthful the running cost advantage of the GTD is probably not as great as VW would have you believe.
It was, it isn't now, due to falling GFVs on both cars since 2013, but steeper falls on the GTD, and the difference being negated by the GTI's current deposit contribution, the only real saving now for the GTD is in the fuel.
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Hand on heart - GTI is the one to have and to be truthful the running cost advantage of the GTD is probably not as great as VW would have you believe.
It was, it isn't now, due to falling GFVs on both cars since 2013, but steeper falls on the GTD, and the difference being negated by the GTI's current deposit contribution, the only real saving now for the GTD is in the fuel.
And I doubt that's as great as people think or as i said, VW claim! :)
Still completely happy with my GTD though - I mean, for me, I probably won't get the chance to own a new car outright again, so the experience is one I am enjoying and grateful for :)
James
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I'm really pleased that what I thought was a question that would have probably received a fairly curt "look it up" answer on any other forum has prompted such a lively and stimulating debate. It was asked with a degree of naivety as I've had experience of neither before, but was genuinely intended, and all the replies have been very very helpful.
Thanks all.
Now just waiting for those blooming texts from VW :laugh:
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Glad we all agree that the GTI PP ( In white , 3 door, cash Purchase ) is the way to go :smiley: :whistle: :whistle:
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I think both are excellent cars.I ordered my GTD last week.Dealer reckons del at end of Sept but maybe a wee bit sooner.Don't know how accurate this will be.He seemed pretty positive.
I find it's wierd my part-ex has been 'underwritten' for it's value.This is fixed no matter how many more miles i do,or how long it takes for my Golf to show up.
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Glad we all agree that the GTI PP ( In white , 3 door, cash Purchase ) is the way to go :smiley: :whistle: :whistle:
^^^
This :smiley: :smiley:
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I think both are excellent cars.I ordered my GTD last week.Dealer reckons del at end of Sept but maybe a wee bit sooner.Don't know how accurate this will be.He seemed pretty positive.
I find it's wierd my part-ex has been 'underwritten' for it's value.This is fixed no matter how many more miles i do,or how long it takes for my Golf to show up.
Congrats on your purchase..
Its how it is on the day for the dealer, what used stock to shift,, throughflow , new sales targets etc.etc.
I was unable to get an underwritten value at one dealer and then at the next dealer ( part of the same group ) was given an agreed underwritten value no mileage limitation & max discount on the new car order.
As much as I would want to be loyal to a good dealer I have had to go elsewhere a few times when you are talking these sums of money.
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Glad we all agree that the GTI PP ( In white , 3 door, cash Purchase ) is the way to go :smiley: :whistle: :whistle:
nah, has to be red to hide the lipstick....
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I'm really pleased that what I thought was a question that would have probably received a fairly curt "look it up" answer on any other forum has prompted such a lively and stimulating debate. It was asked with a degree of naivety as I've had experience of neither before, but was genuinely intended, and all the replies have been very very helpful.
Thanks all.
Now just waiting for those blooming texts from VW :laugh:
That's how it is here and now you're sucked in you're doomed!
Congrats! (champagne popping smiley)
Glad we all agree that the GTI PP ( In white , 3 door, cash Purchase ) is the way to go :smiley: :whistle: :whistle:
^^^
This :smiley: :smiley:
Yes, that ^^^^^^
Oh, hang on a minute...
:lipsrsealed:
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Funny, my part ex value has been guaranteed too. Maybe we were just lucky walking in towards the end of the quarter on the day they were chasing sales!
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Funny, my part ex value has been guaranteed too. Maybe we were just lucky walking in towards the end of the quarter on the day they were chasing sales!
Mine is guaranteed also, I wouldn't want it any other way
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I'm really pleased that what I thought was a question that would have probably received a fairly curt "look it up" answer on any other forum has prompted such a lively and stimulating debate. It was asked with a degree of naivety as I've had experience of neither before, but was genuinely intended, and all the replies have been very very helpful.
Thanks all.
Now just waiting for those blooming texts from VW :laugh:
It's a debate set to run and run - anyway I thought (with 5 of my last 6 cars being diesel) that I would go for a GTD - had a drive in one and thought it was glorious.
Took the advice of MJ26 and went to Mallusk - even though I'm still waiting for their Boucher boys to ring me back after almost 4 weeks - and had a drive in the manual GTI - loved it.
So I took my quotes from carwow etc and while most of those were for 2 door I ended up going 4 door - having said that the discount prices were a good starting point and I placed the order so now it's just a waiting game but I'm happy not least because I almost bought a Cupra 280 when I really just wanted to scratch the GTI itch I've had since my MK2 back in the day
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I think both are excellent cars.I ordered my GTD last week.Dealer reckons del at end of Sept but maybe a wee bit sooner.Don't know how accurate this will be.He seemed pretty positive.
I find it's wierd my part-ex has been 'underwritten' for it's value.This is fixed no matter how many more miles i do,or how long it takes for my Golf to show up.
Congrats on your purchase..
Its how it is on the day for the dealer, what used stock to shift,, throughflow , new sales targets etc.etc.
I was unable to get an underwritten value at one dealer and then at the next dealer ( part of the same group ) was given an agreed underwritten value no mileage limitation & max discount on the new car order.
As much as I would want to be loyal to a good dealer I have had to go elsewhere a few times when you are talking these sums of money.
Cheers.Got an update of BW35 today.So good to go for Sept whenever.I'm not too bothered as long as it arrives before the snow.I'm not into buying an expensive set of Winter tyres for my Beemer. :shocked:
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Will you put winters on the VW?
I've been RWD for last nine years and have had ContiWintercontacts swapped onto the car for last three years. Just idly wondering if I should invest in some winter rubber in anticipation of the new car.
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Will you put winters on the VW?
I've been RWD for last nine years and have had ContiWintercontacts swapped onto the car for last three years. Just idly wondering if I should invest in some winter rubber in anticipation of the new car.
Well,i'm not going to bother.I'm in Central Scotland.So Winter round here isn't too bad.Certainly nothing like you get North of Perth.My current baby M car has 18" wheels as standard.I didn't use it at all last Winter but it was pretty mild anyway.I've heard they(BMW'S) are virtually unusable when it snows.This was my first ever BMW.I've only had it about a year.Then I found out I would have to use 18" steelies or the original wheels with Winters because of the size of the massive brake set up.Just an expense/hassle I couldn't be bothered with.
So i'll plow on with my standard Golf tyres.
All that diesel engine weight over the front wheel drive set up must be a help I would think.
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Glad you got sorted Greerso. I'm also glad you resisted the temptation of the Cupra. The current Leon is a sharp looking good value for the money product. But I have found the cheap interior with its rattles and creaks spoilt any longterm feel good factor. Well, in my opinion anyway. And I can't see the Cupra with 19" wheels being much better. The Golf is just classier inside and out, end off. What colour did you go for?
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I'm really pleased that what I thought was a question that would have probably received a fairly curt "look it up" answer on any other forum has prompted such a lively and stimulating debate. It was asked with a degree of naivety as I've had experience of neither before, but was genuinely intended, and all the replies have been very very helpful.
Thanks all.
Now just waiting for those blooming texts from VW :laugh:
It's a debate set to run and run - anyway I thought (with 5 of my last 6 cars being diesel) that I would go for a GTD - had a drive in one and thought it was glorious.
Took the advice of MJ26 and went to Mallusk - even though I'm still waiting for their Boucher boys to ring me back after almost 4 weeks - and had a drive in the manual GTI - loved it.
So I took my quotes from carwow etc and while most of those were for 2 door I ended up going 4 door - having said that the discount prices were a good starting point and I placed the order so now it's just a waiting game but I'm happy not least because I almost bought a Cupra 280 when I really just wanted to scratch the GTI itch I've had since my MK2 back in the day
Sounds like a few of us will be collecting our new cars from Mallusk in September then :smiley:
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Excellent. I'm picking mine up from another local-ish dealer, but yes, we should hopefully be getting them at about the same time :smiley:
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Yes guys it's looking like September will be a good month for deliveries - I'm a bit behind you guys but I remain hopeful - I went for red although I do like some of the darker colours on the MK7.
Went out for a test drive in a red car with the pan roof - red was always my colour and the wife liked the pan roof so much she insisted on paying for it :laugh: :grin: :laugh: :grin: so glad I took her with me now
What about MJ26 - any decisions yet?
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Hey Greerso, red with pano roof looks fantastic, sounds like the one I was out in too.
I shook hands on an S3 two weeks ago. The sales guy was heading off for 3 weeks hols, leaving me time to decide on gearbox and colour before putting pen to paper. All well and good. But last weekend I discovered that from July 3 door S3s were getting a £1000 pcp contribution.
Now when I was negotiating with VW Mallusk I was told the £1250 contribution on the GTI was coming from VW finance and was additional to any discount secured from a dealer. I'm assuming it's the same situation with Audi as they're all part of the VAG group....?
Suppose I'll find out for definite next week, but if the dealer try's to hold me to the original pcp proposal or mucks around with his discount etc, I could still do a u-turn and go back to the GTI....or even an R. My missus's mk7 Match just arrived in Mallusk today so I'm sure they'd welcome me back with open arms.
They're all fantastic cars so you can't really lose....Just feel a bit in limbo land at the moment ha
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Both great cars but a grands a grand - I had an issue when ordering that's really bugging me although I let it go at the time - I noted how I thought the 6.4% apr had changed and mentioned it to sales guy saying how I thought it had dropped to 6.3% - he said it was actually coming up on his screen at 6.7 and it was set by VW so he had no control over it - yet it's all over VW web configurator still as 6.4%.
So we were both wrong and it's bugging me.
Hope you get sorted - I can't dee you going for the Golf now - you sound like you're emotionally committed to the S3 so I hope you get that 1k issue sorted to your liking :smiley:
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Emotionally committed lol, never thought of it that way, but yeah, suppose I am. It took 3 tests in each car plus one in an R before I made my mind up. In end it came down to the Audi only being £35 more per month, and that could reduce further with a £1000 pcp contribution. Was just too tempting!
Can't understand why interest rates on the VW website differ from what the dealer offers is offering. I'm sure they cover themselves with small print somewhere, but it's hardly transparent and just doesn't seem right. Think I'll be checking them online myself now before seeing the dealer again....
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Emotionally committed lol, never thought of it that way, but yeah, suppose I am. It took 3 tests in each car plus one in an R before I made my mind up. In end it came down to the Audi only being £35 more per month, and that could reduce further with a £1000 pcp contribution. Was just too tempting!
Can't understand why interest rates on the VW website differ from what the dealer offers is offering. I'm sure they cover themselves with small print somewhere, but it's hardly transparent and just doesn't seem right. Think I'll be checking them online myself now before seeing the dealer again....
I used to get 0.2% below published rate consistently when I was PCPing, are the published APR% rates not for a typical customer and there's a personal adjustment either way, dependent upon your credit rating?
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Didn't know that. Salesmen are not always very forthcoming. Isn't it funny that they always seem to know when price increases are due but not always if any extra kit is becoming standard. Sometimes you wonder what they really know. Or am I just being cynical...
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The flat rate has lowered fractionally on MK7 golf PCP campaigns which will impact the APR however beware that the GFV's have dropped a bit as well.....
So be careful the dealer can repropose you on the slightly lower rate but you may find yourself with a lower GFV so it may actually be more per month......
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Will the lowering of gfv's affect gtds bought in 2013? Say you have a gfv of 15k from 2013 but people buying now are getting 13k what happens when you trade your 2013 model in?
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Will the lowering of gfv's affect gtds bought in 2013? Say you have a gfv of 15k from 2013 but people buying now are getting 13k what happens when you trade your 2013 model in?
Chris,
You'll get what your finance documentation says at an absolute minimum. If yours says £15.5k at 3 years or £13k at 4 years, then you are contracted to be able to walk away and hand the car back. If the GFV has dropped by £2k in the meantime, likelihood is that you won't be offered as much "equity" to hook you in to another deal - I think most people have traditionally expected to see £1500 equity when chopping in their old £20-25k VW (when new) for a new one - that's likely to have seriously reduced.
Example: For someone who's PCP'd an R on the old £18.5k/3 year GFV terms, I expect them to be handing the keys back with absolutely no equity, seeing as the new terms are £3k less and costing people £100 a month more as a result. I expect a 3 year old R to be on a VW forecourt for £20-21k, and the p/xer to be getting 15% less than sticker price.
If a 3 year old GTD is commanding £17k on the VW dealership forecourt, i'd expect them to be getting offered £14500 (85% of sticker price) - if their GFV is higher than that then they'll likely hand the keys back with no equity.
This whittling down of GFVs seems to be a recent VW phenomenon, never seen it to any noticeable degree over the finance term before, certainly not when it amounts to £2k less on a GTD or £3k less on an R. Are VWs going to fetch less than they used to used, or are the dealerships being ultra cautious in offering a low GFV and expecting to surprise the customer with a big equity?
Audi do this and have done it for a while. Looking at A1s for the missus yesterday, the preferred spec of a 1.6TDI 3 door Sport comes in at £17600 new with no options, a 3 year old one is up for £13k and the GFV is around £9k. I'd expect a fair p/x to be £10.5k. Same story with the S3 - GFV is £17k, you're likely to be offered £20k in p/x according to the salesman I spoke to when thinking about one all that time ago.
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My missus's mk7 Match just arrived in Mallusk today so I'm sure they'd welcome me back with open arms.
They're all fantastic cars so you can't really lose....Just feel a bit in limbo land at the moment ha
Did the Audi dealer allow you to drive along the road to George Best? Great test to see how good the suspension is :wink: (Unless they resurfaced it recently!) You should drive your new Golf along that road. Then take an S3 for another test drive there. See if they have one with Mag-Ride. It would be top of my options list on an Audi with sports suspension. It is never going to be as comfortable as your new Golf, but it will help.
My wife has a new A3 SE 1.6 Stronic. I have a Mk6 GTD with adjustable suspension. Her car has 16 inch tyres, standard suspension and is far more comfortable on the rural roads we drive, than my car. Though obviously, the steering is not as direct. Therefore, it does not handle as well when being pushed. When we travel together we nearly always take the A3. I guess I have the best of both worlds.
For my next car, I have a dilemma. I really like a little bit of performance. However, I have come to realise that performance will mean lack of comfort on the rural roads where we live. (I have never been into tuning cars.) Took a new GTD for a weekend test drive. Realised by the time I arrived home that the suspension was too hard for our roads. It had no DCC suspension. Sport suspension is great on a good road, but terrible on a bad road.
So, decided that my next car will be a new VAG with adjustable suspension. Decided against the Golf R and S3 because of the reduced boot size, difficulty fitting a tow bar and they need super unleaded. My wife will not let me fit a tow bar to her car :sad: I think the new A3 with LED DRLs looks better than the new Golf LED DRLs. Though I do think the back of the Golf looks better. Also I prefer the inside of the A3. Even though I generally prefer the style of the A3 - I have decided my next car will be a Golf.
There are several reasons for this decision. I want as practical a car as possible. The Golf has more room in the boot. The Golf can have a factory drop down tow bar fitted. If I need work done on the car VW will usually be able to work on the car within a week. Audi take a minimum of 2 weeks. The Golf (AFAIK) can have mud flaps fitted. (Not available on Sline). Last but not least, the Golf has a right foot rest. Seriously! If I drive the A3 too much on cruise control I get a sore knee and sore back. There is nowhere to rest my right foot except on the floor.
So, which Golf? A lot may depend on where I am working in a few years time. There are big changes coming down the line at work. If I still have to do 20k+ miles a year then it will probably a GTD with DCC. If I am doing around 12k miles then it will be a GTI PP with DCC. Hope my work changes :evil:
Sorry for rambling on.
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I shook hands on an S3 two weeks ago.
Have you joined the Audi Sport forum yet?
You'll find me lurking there also. Though you may find my views on Quattro a bit controversial. If you think of four wheel drive as safety feature, then think again!
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Matt if i hand it back and walk away I'll have to pay any additional miles penalty. Looks like I'll be paying them to trade mine in when time comes! !
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Hi Daz,
All my test drives were with "standard" suspension. I found the GTI broadly similar to my current Leon with the R and S3 slightly firmer. Now everybody's opinion of what is firm or to firm can only be individual to them but my own point of reference is an Mazda 3 MPS which I had prior to the Leon. Now it was almost comically too harsh, seemingly made of concrete. But I lived with it for nearly 4 years, so anything more supple is okay for me. I think if the adaptive suspension was say like around £500 as on the 135i I might be tempted, but at £1000 on the VAG cars, I think I'll be happy staying standard. But as you rightly say, it depends on the roads you drive most on...
Boot size isn't an issue to me but the super or standard unleaded decision definitely is. I have read copious threads on this forum and others (no, not joined Audi forum yet), but all my test runs were on standard unleaded, and both VW and Audi have been adamant that standard unleaded is perfectly acceptable. This is a biggie for me considering how hard it is to get super unleaded in N. ireland - I don't think any supermarket does super here? Having said that, there is a BP a mile up the road which does super, so I'm sure I'll be experimenting. But if super unleaded was mandatory, there is no way I would even have been anywhere near an R or S3 etc.
So when do you have to make a decision? Big difference between 12k and 20k + mileage? Can you wait to see what happens work wise before deciding? I found the GTI fantastic, and I'm sure the GTD would be too...
And intrigued to hear your observations on quattro, not that I'll ever be pushing hard enough to have any issues myself!
Cheers.
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Matt if i hand it back and walk away I'll have to pay any additional miles penalty. Looks like I'll be paying them to trade mine in when time comes! !
Shouldn't be an issue if you get another VW, they'll swallow the extra mileage at least (unless it's crazy huge) for you showing your loyalty, but handing back the keys and moving elsewhere will probably see you paying out. Did you short your requested mileage allowance Chris? You only have a 3 mile commute! :grin:
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...everybody's opinion of what is firm or to firm can only be individual to them...
True.
Some people on the Audi forum bought Sline cars and found them too firm. Others deleted the Sport Suspension and find the car too soft. It is a personal thing. Our Audi dealer said the Sport Suspension was comfortable. We had it for a 24h test drive and did not agree. My wife had a Mk5 Match and wanted similar comfort levels. She did not want a car as firm as my Mk6.
So when do you have to make a decision? Big difference between 12k and 20k + mileage? Can you wait to see what happens work wise before deciding? I found the GTI fantastic, and I'm sure the GTD would be too...
Just paid off my car and it is good for work. So I'm gonna hang on for the Mk8. The GTD has more smiles per gallon :wink: Though there probably would not be much in it if I was doing a lot of small journeys. As for work - if I don't get pushed, I will probably jump in a couple of years.
And intrigued to hear your observations on quattro, not that I'll ever be pushing hard enough to have any issues myself!
As we live in a rural location I did some research into buying a Quattro for my wife. Like many people I though it would be safer for her in the winter. What I discovered surprised me. Four Wheel Drive is definitely safer if you are in a tractor/SUV in a wet field with an unstable load such as a slurry tanker/stock trailer. Engine braking on all 4 wheels is really useful. I am from a farming background and have experienced this first hand.
What I discovered was - on snow and ice, in an emergency, a 4WD car will stop and corner the same as any other car on similar tyres. All things being equal - an 4WD SUV will take longer to stop and not corner as well as a car in similar conditions, as they are much heavier. A lot of 4x4 drivers discovered this last winter. My friend wanted his car serviced in March but his local garage was full of SUVs that were able to drive up icy hills, but could not safely drive back down them.
Notice how every winter Audi have adverts showing poor weather and a Quattro. Also notice how they say something like, 'better in all conditions.' They never use the word safer! Yet the Audi forum is full of people saying how safe Quattro is. I don't argue with them any more. I just ask them to show me the independent evidence. If what they are saying is true, then surely youtube would have lots of videos showing this. Also, there would be loads of independent articles written about the safety advantages of Quattro. There are NONE that I can find. Yet I can find videos and articles showing how winter tyres offer much better braking and cornering on snow and ice. You can google 'all wheel drive myths'. If you want to read some of the articles for yourself.
Both our cars are fitted with winter tyres. I have driven up and down mountains in snow with winter tyres in a front wheel drive, 170hp, automatic Golf. I know my wife won't get stuck or crash going down a hill because the car has no grip.
Having said all that, the S3 definitely needs Quattro. It is a great performance feature for all conditions :wink:
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I agree if you want to be safest in winter conditions you need to consider winter tyres on a 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive as the rubber compound is suited to colder temperatures.
I didn't think the s3 or R was marketed as a snow friendly vehicle anyway.
The 300bhp all wheel drive is so it can get all that power onto the road without wheel spin or tramping.
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I agree if you want to be safest in winter conditions you need to consider winter tyres on a 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive as the rubber compound is suited to colder temperatures.
I didn't think the s3 or R was marketed as a snow friendly vehicle anyway.
The 300bhp all wheel drive is so it can get all that power onto the road without wheel spin or tramping.
Definitely the main purpose of 4Motion/Quattro - prevent tramping and drive the 0-62 time right down. The system will get you moving easier when you find yourself in an icy or snow-bound car park at work, but it won't help you stop any easier on an icy road.
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Matt if i hand it back and walk away I'll have to pay any additional miles penalty. Looks like I'll be paying them to trade mine in when time comes! !
Shouldn't be an issue if you get another VW, they'll swallow the extra mileage at least (unless it's crazy huge) for you showing your loyalty, but handing back the keys and moving elsewhere will probably see you paying out. Did you short your requested mileage allowance Chris? You only have a 3 mile commute! :grin:
It's all these trips to Skye, arran and visiting our friends in Pickering!