Opinions needed.......

[Hurdy]

And silver tends to be the least specced colour.

Which means a 5dr silver DSG is quite rare for an ED30

[ifti]

True - very rare. Found a few 3 door silver DSG, but not 5.
Found LOADS of 3 door silver manuals though!!
A very rare car you have there Hurdy, you lucky git!!

Thats why Ive gone to the next best - grey

[pazz]

I have never been a massive fan of 5-door hatchbacks - I have an A4 Avant 3.0TDI V6 for that job.

When i was looking for my ED30 I limited myself to 3-doors, xennon's, cruise, MFSW + highline.

Turns out all I could find at the time was one that had DSG. But to say I picked it up for the same price as several manuals that were floating around was I suppose the main factor in why I went for it.

I'm just trying to guage how sort-after 3-door DSG ED30's are? As it seems every 3-door I come across is manual.

[celica]

interesting read

did the original VW dealer not ring you back then

also what's:
MFSW, Highline

[ifti]

I have never been a massive fan of 5-door hatchbacks - I have an A4 Avant 3.0TDI V6 for that job.

When i was looking for my ED30 I limited myself to 3-doors, xennon's, cruise, MFSW + highline.

Turns out all I could find at the time was one that had DSG. But to say I picked it up for the same price as several manuals that were floating around was I suppose the main factor in why I went for it.

I'm just trying to guage how sort-after 3-door DSG ED30's are? As it seems every 3-door I come across is manual.

Yup, most 3 door models Ive seen are also manual. The dealer that I originally spoke to said the DSG in ED30's are quite rare. Not sure why that is, but there do seem to be a lot of 3 door ED30's with manual transmission floating around.
I wouldnt mind a 3 door, but want to go for a 5 door since it will also be used as a family car with my 2 children. As they grow older a 5 door will be much better, since I dont change cars very often, so am looking to keep the GTI for a long while if poss!

interesting read

did the original VW dealer not ring you back then

also what's:
MFSW, Highline

The original dealer did ring me back late in the afternoon - not in the morning as promised.
I was pretty busy at work, so couldnt answer straight away. I did mean to ring him back but just never got round to it. He didnt bother ringing me again either after that.
Ive lost interest since hearing its a demo car though, so Im not too bothered

MFSW = Multifunctional Steering Wheel - the steering wheel with buttons for volume, phone (if you have a compatible Bluetooth Kit installed) etc.
Highline = the computer in between the dials. On many GTI's you get a midline, where the top half of the computer display has a blanking plate over it. The Highline is where the entire display is viewable, and I believe you are also able to change more options etc then you can with a midline.

Having both the above also means you can change many of the options via the steering wheel buttons I believe.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Rather then open a new thread I thought I'd just post here.....

What are your thoughts on this......

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/770991.htm

Ive emailed the guy with an offer of £18k!

Eeek.  You really shouldn't offer any price in advance of viewing.  That just makes you look a little too keen - and they may be less inclined to bargain later.

And don't forget, if you want me to check out the full spec, then PM me the VIN. 

[Teutonic_Tamer]

And silver tends to be the least specced colour.

Not mine!    It had virtually every option ticked!  :embarassed:

[ifti]

How much do you think I should offer if I go see it?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

How much do you think I should offer if I go see it?

I personally don't know.  Used car prices really arn't my strong point.  But as a rule of thumb, if he advertises it at £19k, and you genuinely would be happy paying £18k - then try opening negociations at £17k - and take it from there.  You may get a few raised eyebrows, and the obligatory 'sharp intake of breath through clenched teeth'!  But keep going.

But you obviously need to show to the seller that you are genuinely interested in actually purchasing the car.  If the seller happens to think that you are not serious at wanting to purchase, they might not be prepared to spend an hour or so haggling.  Find out how long hes had the car, lay it on thick about the recession and cars not selling, and remind him you will be doing HIM a big favour to his cashflow account. 

Just think of it like a game of Poker - keep all your cards close to your chest - but put a realistic opening offer on the table, and both work from there, and keep it friendly.  Unfortunately, with a non genuine dealer, you can't add 'sweetners' into the deal quite as easily.  But you can still ask for 12 months road tax, a full tank of fuel, and maybe a set of floor mats (if it already has the carpet ones, say you live down a muddy road, and would also want the rubber mats thrown in too).  But don't bother with anything like AutoGlym Lifeshine - 'cause that is pants.

[ifti]

Well its listed at 20k at the moment, which I do think is overpriced.
I offered him 18k via email, since I didnt want to waste time viewing the car if he wasnt gonna budge. He said he couldnt do that low, but would drop to £19k - a clear grand already!

However, he doesnt know it was me emailing. When I rang I didnt mention the fact that I had already been in touch with him! lol
Hence Im really going as a 'new' customer.
If all is well I may offer him £17.5k, and try to get him to come down further. If he drops even more, nearer to £18 or £18.5, I'll strongly consider it

It was registered in August 08, and he says it cost him just over £25k when new, because of the options it also has on it, such as the Bluetooth, MFSW, etc. So its literally 8 months or so old, with just under 4000 miles on it. Although he has a dealership with the more higher priced cars, like Astons etc, he bought this privately for his son, who hardly uses it, hence the reason for sale....