Is this worth it? - UPDATE- Car from Dubai

[Jkctr]

Jersey is more expensive.

Get one from the UK. You could have a much better spec!

[GTIFIVE]

Have to say it is a very nicely specced car - I certainly found sunroofs to be rare when buying mine...
Used car prices are holding up generally very well at the moment too due to lack of new car sales and px'es.

Is white being considered a "premium" colour now? (the Oak Green on mk5s??!!) 
I have a white 5dr too and was a little nervous when I bought it but love it to bits!

[Moops]

Thanks for all the feed back guys.

I bit more info.  The garage is selling it on behalf of a private client.  The guy who owns the garage says he originally brought three of these in to the island (including this one) although they were via a supplier of his "who was handling the disposal of the cars for VW UK".  Apparently they were originally destined for Malaysia and are about as high spec as you can get.  It was registered as "New" in Jersey so it would have had to have low mileage and not been previously registered in another country.  The only thing that worries me is that he tells me that it has no remaining manufacturers warranty? 

This in itself doesn'y worry me too much as I could use this info to haggle down the price.  The thing that does worry me is that I think I heard the dreaded noise from the steering rack, which I beleive is a common problem resulting in a new rack?  I'm going to arrange to take it for another drive anyway just to see.

[JerseyAndy]

Hi mate, another Jerseyman here.

For that spec and mileage that doesn't seem an unreasonable price for here, but the lack of warranty seems strange for an 07 model. Remember the dreaded gst if you decide to import one, you won't be able to register it until you've stumped up for it either!

Have to say i've not seen a white gti around the Island before so if you do decide its the car for you'll have to get out and about in it more than the previous owner!

Andy

[Moops]

Hi mate, another Jerseyman here.

For that spec and mileage that doesn't seem an unreasonable price for here, but the lack of warranty seems strange for an 07 model. Remember the dreaded gst if you decide to import one, you won't be able to register it until you've stumped up for it either!

Have to say i've not seen a white gti around the Island before so if you do decide its the car for you'll have to get out and about in it more than the previous owner!

Andy

Hi Andy,

Yeah, you're right I haven't seen a white one around either.  I have arranged for another test drive next week, which will give me a chance to taker a closer look and also listen out for the steering rack issue.

[ub7rm]

Even though its not got the vw warranty, surely the garage thats selling it will provide some warranty?

If not, I don't think the noise is related to a safety issue.  You could take out a third party warranty (after checking the small print) and in a few months "discover" the noise and claim on that? 

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edit:

Just reread it.  I take it because the garage isn't really selling it (its a private sale?) there won't be a warranty at all.  Maybe get the buyer to pay for / knock the cost off a third party warranty instead?

[Moops]

Even though its not got the vw warranty, surely the garage thats selling it will provide some warranty?

If not, I don't think the noise is related to a safety issue.  You could take out a third party warranty (after checking the small print) and in a few months "discover" the noise and claim on that? 

---------------

edit:

Just reread it.  I take it because the garage isn't really selling it (its a private sale?) there won't be a warranty at all.  Maybe get the buyer to pay for / knock the cost off a third party warranty instead?

Hi ub7rm 

Correct, it's a private sale via the garage.  With regard to the warranty, that is exactly what I was thinking, and in fact the garage has already given me a price for a 3rd party warranty 

[Moops]

Further update...

Took it for another drive today (heard no noises from the steering rack this time) and also had a look at the service book.

Looks like the PDI was done by a VW dealer in Dubai called Al Nabooda?!  This was done in December 06 and the car came via the UK and was registered in Jersey Feb 07.

Also took the VIn number and this confirms that it is a european model and was built during 2006 so at least its not that old.

I'd heard horror stories about GTI's coming from here may have been sitting around for ages and were only shipped to the Uk "on the cheap".  But if you take into account the dates I.e. manufactured 2006, PDI done Dec 06 and registered in Jersey Feb 07 this doesnt seem to be the case?

Any body got any thoughts on whether this seems ok?

PS. I forgot to add that it looks like it was brought into the Uk by Sprint Auto Ltd in London, although I can't find any mention of them on the net so far.

Cheers

[DanoGTI]

Found THIS about Sprint Auto. No comments either way, but it seems like they do exist!!

Hope this helps a bit.

Dan

[Moops]

Thanks Dan.

I have a different address although the one I have could just be their registered office.