MK7 GTI PP vs MK7.5 GTI (£3,000 difference - is it worth it?)

[kmpowell]

To be fair though, something like that 15 plate I linked to looks like great value for money and as you say, does leave extra money for mods!

A car like that will also have done the majority of its depreciation. So is a more financially sound buy, providing you budget for things outside of warranty, MOT's, servicing etc.

My brother has a 15 plate 5dr Manual GTI which he's owned from new and came to the end of its 4yr PCP in March. GFV on it was £12k, p/x values were around £14k-£15k. So instead of chopping it in for something esle he got a cheap (2%) bank loan for the £12k) and has kept it because he doesn't think the 7.5 differences are that appealing to him (especially on a manual) to make another financial depreciation jump.

[GTIJamie]

To be fair though, something like that 15 plate I linked to looks like great value for money and as you say, does leave extra money for mods!

A car like that will also have done the majority of its depreciation. So is a more financially sound buy, providing you budget for things outside of warranty, MOT's, servicing etc.

My brother has a 15 plate 5dr Manual GTI which he's owned from new and came to the end of its 4yr PCP in March. GFV on it was £12k, p/x values were around £14k-£15k. So instead of chopping it in for something esle he got a cheap (2%) bank loan for the £12k) and has kept it because he doesn't think the 7.5 differences are that appealing to him (especially on a manual) to make another financial depreciation jump.

Did he end up test driving the 7.5 I imagine? I can see why the jump would be worth it if it was a new DSG gearbox and it was a lot better but it's all about the manual for me

[fredgroves]

I'd just ignore the "is the later car better" thing and just look at it as a "is a newer car a better second hand buy"

I don't think there is a premium around Mk7 vs Mk7.5, only the usual price differentiation - age, mileage, condition, additional options on the vehicle.

Then of course factor in your budget. Its definitely not worth being skint just to own a "Mk.7.5" vs a Mk7 IMHO.... but only you can answer whether the bragging rights are something that you care about.

[kmpowell]

To be fair though, something like that 15 plate I linked to looks like great value for money and as you say, does leave extra money for mods!

A car like that will also have done the majority of its depreciation. So is a more financially sound buy, providing you budget for things outside of warranty, MOT's, servicing etc.

My brother has a 15 plate 5dr Manual GTI which he's owned from new and came to the end of its 4yr PCP in March. GFV on it was £12k, p/x values were around £14k-£15k. So instead of chopping it in for something esle he got a cheap (2%) bank loan for the £12k) and has kept it because he doesn't think the 7.5 differences are that appealing to him (especially on a manual) to make another financial depreciation jump.

Did he end up test driving the 7.5 I imagine? I can see why the jump would be worth it if it was a new DSG gearbox and it was a lot better but it's all about the manual for me

He did yes, in a manual 7.5 230, he also had a quick spin around the block in mine (7.5 245P DSG). He said mine was noticeably faster than his and pulled much more urgently, but the 230 not so much. I also put that down to the addition of mine being DSG which really is sublime in the 245P.

If you're looking at a manual 7 versus a 7.5 230, then there really isn't that much difference apart from the styling, lights, and infotainment. It's only it you go to the 7.5 245 when you start to see a difference in both performance, LSD, and gearbox (if you go DSG).

It sounds as if budget is a consideration for you, so IIWY buy something you know you are going to be happy with and try not to get too hung up on the differences unless they really matter to you. Chasing the latest model/spec might be great now, but remember, the 7 in PP spec certainly isn't a bad car by any means.

 

[GTIJamie]

To be fair though, something like that 15 plate I linked to looks like great value for money and as you say, does leave extra money for mods!

A car like that will also have done the majority of its depreciation. So is a more financially sound buy, providing you budget for things outside of warranty, MOT's, servicing etc.

My brother has a 15 plate 5dr Manual GTI which he's owned from new and came to the end of its 4yr PCP in March. GFV on it was £12k, p/x values were around £14k-£15k. So instead of chopping it in for something esle he got a cheap (2%) bank loan for the £12k) and has kept it because he doesn't think the 7.5 differences are that appealing to him (especially on a manual) to make another financial depreciation jump.

Did he end up test driving the 7.5 I imagine? I can see why the jump would be worth it if it was a new DSG gearbox and it was a lot better but it's all about the manual for me

He did yes, in a manual 7.5 230, he also had a quick spin around the block in mine (7.5 245P DSG). He said mine was noticeably faster than his and pulled much more urgently, but the 230 not so much. I also put that down to the addition of mine being DSG which really is sublime in the 245P.

If you're looking at a manual 7 versus a 7.5 230, then there really isn't that much difference apart from the styling, lights, and infotainment. It's only it you go to the 7.5 245 when you start to see a difference in both performance, LSD, and gearbox (if you go DSG).

It sounds as if budget is a consideration for you, so IIWY buy something you know you are going to be happy with and try not to get too hung up on the differences unless they really matter to you. Chasing the latest model/spec might be great now, but remember, the 7 in PP spec certainly isn't a bad car by any means.

 

I've still heard brilliant things about the MK7 GTI Performance Pack and I think it's the best route to go down hearing about things. A manual MK7.5 GTI Performance would break the bank entirely so it's not worth the hassle.

Thank you for your help insights.