GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: gypsymoth on 26 October 2015, 09:46
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Morning all
I've been evaluating whether to splash out on a new GTE with a few options (and grab that £5000 government contribution), or get a used vehicle. On balance, I'm going with the used option because depreciation will have already taken a chunk and it saves me a few thousand quid (if you think I'm wrong tho, pls say so).
However, when I'm in the VW dealership:
a) what should I be wary of with used GTEs, especially given they're relatively new cars... and..
b) what sort of discount do you think I could get out of them on a £27,000 GTE with 2000 miles on the clock?
Any constructive advice appreciated!
Thanks, GM
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The thing I would check and check again is battery warranty.
What was the original from new warranty position and what were the details?
Whats the secondhand warranty and is it any different?
I'm increasingly interested in a GTE to replace my GTD after 3 years (because of the BIK position) but have massive concerns about the battery life fading like it does in a phone/laptop... and that's me being concerned about something I won't have to actually pay for, let alone owning it myself!
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I'm guessing all used GTEs are going to be demonstrators, so relatively well looked after?
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Not necessarily, there are always fleet returns even on quite new vehicles.
Employees leave or get fired or companies leasing vehicles go bust.
Plenty of ways those end up back on the forecourt in weeks/months after delivery.
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The thing I would check and check again is battery warranty.
What was the original from new warranty position and what were the details?
Whats the secondhand warranty and is it any different?
I'm increasingly interested in a GTE to replace my GTD after 3 years (because of the BIK position) but have massive concerns about the battery life fading like it does in a phone/laptop... and that's me being concerned about something I won't have to actually pay for, let alone owning it myself!
Thats a very good point. Batteries are consumerables and I'm sceptical battery tech for hybrids is as advanced as something like an iphone (which despite everyone's complaints, isnt bad at all)
Another factor is this supposed facelift next year and upgrade in battery capacity.... which begs the question: if the facelift is on it's way, could that info be used to chip a bit of money off? Never used that tactic before
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BTW - this would be a personal purchase. Can't get the money out of company because it's a massive faff and I don't want any run ins with the HMRC :D
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Yes, its still early days with this tech, certainly from VW.
I've been talking to a few GTE owners I know and its tempting but you can see the current drawbacks and certainly see where these things will improve given some time...
I'd be surprised if it happened as soon as you suggest though.
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Yes, its still early days with this tech, certainly from VW.
I've been talking to a few GTE owners I know and its tempting but you can see the current drawbacks and certainly see where these things will improve given some time...
I'd be surprised if it happened as soon as you suggest though.
For reference, this is where I got that facelift info (you'll need to translate if you dont speak german)
http://www.autobild.de/artikel/vw-golf-vii-facelift-2016-vorschau-5519781.html
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Its not a very traditional VW approach, but maybe in the post-scandal hit VW world, some things will have to change.
Interesting.
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I'm guessing all used GTEs are going to be demonstrators, so relatively well looked after?
I take it you are joking Andrew?
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em on a £27,000 GTE with 2000 miles on the clock?
Any constructive advice appreciated!
Check out the black one at Wrexham VW - its now showing as delivery miles and has Winter Pack on it - for much less than 27k (although you would need to call them to verify obviously)
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I'm guessing all used GTEs are going to be demonstrators, so relatively well looked after?
I take it you are joking Andrew?
Lol, you mean the well looked after part of my comment?
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A serious question - by what is the draw of a GTE?
I appreciate this technology is the future whether we like it or not, and that with each generation the power plants and batteries will improve.
A 1950's 4 cylinder petrol engine was generally a pretty nasty thing for example, and a 1970's Diesel Golf vibrated and clattered dreadfully - show it a hill and it was as reluctant as a cat being thrown out the front door in a rain storm.
So early days for PHEV technology.
The ONLY people I can see buying one of these is someone who gets a decent company car allowance - which begs the question as to why you'd compromise on a few measly quid a month when you're already getting a pretty high salary?
I can't see the emissions argument aside from London pollution charges - the vehicle takes both petrol ( it also carries a big heavy battery and a huge vacuum cleaner motor to be dragged around by a little 1.4 engine so it won't be fuel efficient on anything but a downhill stretch or a constant speed on a dead flat road) and the electricity generally comes from a hugely polluting power station.
Why compromise driving enjoyment so much for so little reward?
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Its all about the BIK rate... 5% of list price per annum for the GTE (this tax year) vs 22% for the GTD.
Thats £1400 vs £6160 in benefit, then taxed at your income tax rate (25 or 40%) so about 200 quid a month for the GTD and 50 quid a month for the GTD (both at 40% tax)
I could do a lot with an extra 150 quid in my pocket per month... well, I say "I", I should probably say "my wife could"
From what I've heard, with the full hybrid mode its really quite rapid. The only problem is the range that full hybrid will run to.
I've been told that the running on petrol and charging the battery is terrible - both in car performance and fuel economy.
The secret seems to be to charge it at both ends of your journey.
Basically, if your typical driving day will allow you to be in hybrid mode all the time, its a skyrocket that saves you 150 quid a month.
If not...
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Thanks fredgroves. That clears it up nicely.
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Lol, you mean the well looked after part of my comment?
Yep that bit, lol....
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Lol, you mean the well looked after part of my comment?
Yep that bit, lol....
Possibly a bit of misguided optimism!