golf R prices and spec on website now!!

[JellyCat]

Did you dare to ask for a discount (and did you get one?)

After I said it was a rip off, it's now burning a (little) hole in me, thinking hmmm my order for a GTI last weekend, do ask if I can swap it out? But then I look at the GTI and think, nah GTI looks way better than the Golf R from the front. Still I think I'll visit the local dealer again just to look at the GTI in the flesh (and hope the sales guy doesn't latch on to my thinking lol).
Don't think I'll budge from the GTI order, the Golf R price just makes me feel like a new a*ss hole being been ripped into me by VW at that price (the little tightwad in me).

Got to say interesting that people are slapping cash down without even a test drive seems brave, but hey if you want one then why not I guess!

But..... the new S3 is out next year (I hate the current S3, went to check it out before the GTI order, looks like someone with a Halfords charge card has maxed out their limit on the thing), and the dash looks like a huge blob of nasty plastic vs the Mk6 golf very nice interior.

[p3eps]

I got a discount 
It was only £500 and took a lot of doing - but I felt like I accomplished something!!
They've also agreed to pay HALF the VAT increase if the car arrives after the 28th Feb (which it will) as the VW offer only goes till the end of Feb.

I went into Audi today and asked them to spec me up an S3.  They gave me NINE percent discount off it!
The salesman told me they're expecting the new A3 at the end of 2010, and the S3 shouldn't be far behind as their last few 'sports' models have been released at the same time as the normal one (the new S4 was released at the same time as the A4 etc).

The S3 is too ugly - and with a replacement due very soon, its not the choice for me.  Sure, it would've been about £4k cheaper for almost the same car... but the Golf R will be the current model for a few years still - and hence will hold its value better.

[JellyCat]

I agree, the current S3 is bland from the outside and looks cheap inside. No wonder you can get good discounts, especially with the backdrop of the current Golf GTI and the spectre of a new model S3 next year(ish).

By the way, nice work on securing half of the VAT increase was a good move and worth (guessing) about £350, so that with the £500 token discount works out at about £800-£900 which is not bad work on a brand new model that people are putting cash down without a test drive, and has a very limited run! I recall you could sell an R8 just after delivery at a premium so any discount is very good work.

[p3eps]

By the way, nice work on securing half of the VAT increase was a good move and worth (guessing) about £350, so that with the £500 token discount works out at about £800-£900 which is not bad work on a brand new model that people are putting cash down without a test drive, and has a very limited run! I recall you could sell an R8 just after delivery at a premium so any discount is very good work.

Even though it was only £500, I felt quite pleased with myself afterwards!
I also got them to agree to change the VagCom on my car to tell it I've got an RNS510 and Bluetooth before I drive it away - so I can retrofit them without having to worry about spending an extra £200 on a VagCom!

Its unlikely ANYONE who orders an R will get to test drive it according to the dealer today - as they are only allowed to order customer orders (as per the VW memo posted on here).  That means they can't order demonstrators, and with the limited 500 cars in the first year between about 260 VW dealers across the UK - most dealers will be getting 1 or 2, with the bigger dealers getting 3 / 4 each.

Its going to be a LONG next 4 months!  They can't even confirm a March 1st delivery yet - although he did seem to think that VW would 'open up' some slots for building R's to get some on the streets quicker.

Even if it did arrive in Feb, I'd be tempted to wait until March to get it.  Unfortunately I booked my annual snowboarding holiday a couple of months ago, so I'll be in Canada from 24th Feb - 4th March 2010... so I'll miss the release (IF its the 1st March!).

[JellyCat]

Regarding "Even if it did arrive in Feb, I'd be tempted to wait until March to get it"
If you do get the car in Feb and therefore a 59 reg, VW should pick up the VAT due to the date you put your order in, so dealer should pass on or is the Golf R excluded? So if they went halfs with you make sure you get March 1st to max out the saving and also the new reg (sure that will impact the resale price in 3 years time).

[p3eps]

or is the Golf R excluded?

ALL VW cars are included in the VAT deal - but its only for orders placed before 31st November - which arrive between 1st Jan and 28th Feb 2010.

I'd rather pay half the VAT (probably about £350) and get a '10 plate than a '59 plate. 
Its VERY unlikely I'll have to make the choice anyway as I doubt it will be in time for a March 1st collection 

[Snoopy]

From VW website.

Concerned about the VAT increase?

It's predicted that on the 1st January 2010 VAT is going to increase to from 15% to 17.5% . Volkswagen have created an offer to help minimise the impact of this increase on the on the final price you'll pay for your vehicle when it is delivered.

 If you order a new Volkswagen before the 30th November 2009 and take delivery before the 1st January and 28th February 2010, we will give you a 2.5% discount on the pre VAT basic recommended retail price or the vehicle including factory fitted options.

Please contact your local retailer for more information, or view the tables below for an example of how this offer will be applied.

Golf S 1.4 3dr 5 speed manual (VAT at 15%)
Basic recommended retail price                                                       £11,652.61
Plus factory fit options or accessories                                            £0.00
Pre-VAT basic recommended retail price                                         £11,652.61
VAT (15%)                                                                                        £1,747.89
Total recommended retail price                                                         £13,400.50
Manufactures recommended 'On the road' price                             £14,075.00
You pay                                                                                            £14,075.00
 
Golf S 1.4 3dr 5 speed manual (example with VAT at 17.5%)
Basic recommended retail price                                                        £11,652.61
Plus factory fit options or accessories                                             £0.00
2.5% discount offer                                                                          £291.32
Pre-VAT basic recommended retail price                                         £11,361.29
VAT at 17.5% (predicted VAT increase from 1st January 2010)    £1,988.23
Total recommended retail price                                                         £13,349.52
Manufactures recommended 'On the road' price                             £14,024.02
You pay                                                                                            £14,024.02

Terms and conditions:

This offer applies to vehicles ordered between the 29th October and the 30th November 2009 and delivered and registered to private retail customers between 1st January and 28th February 2010. At participating retailers only.This offer is not a VAT ‘Price Protection’ offer. The 2.5 per cent discount is on the pre VAT basic retail price of the vehicle plus any factory fit options. This is available on Retail sales only (including scrappage offers). All models are eligible. Volkswagen UK reserves the right to change/withdraw this offer as required. For more information on this great offer and to arrange a test drive contact your local participating Volkswagen retailer by calling 0800 333 666.

 

[Snoopy]

I agree, the current S3 is bland from the outside and looks cheap inside. No wonder you can get good discounts,

I have a different view i think the quality of the interior is superior to the golf and the car looks far more aggressive from the front. It also come with far more equipment like leather for example. At the prices you can get them at ~£25K its GTI money never mind R money. Each to there own though but if i was an S3 owner and the new R turns out to drive very similar i would be laffing my back off at every R i spotted on the road.

[JellyCat]

Just before you put your deposit down on the high priced Golf R..... Check out the following!!!

I wondered what will happen about the S3 etc with such a quick Golf R (as would expect Audi S2 to be quicker as it's supposed to be the upmarket version etc.), and found the following regarding RS3... 2.5 turbo based on the TTRS
http://www.caradvice.com.au/27764/2010-audi-rs3-spied-at-nurburgring/
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-new-cars/Search-Results/Spyshots/Audi-RS3-2010-spy-photos/

If that's the case oooo..... and if the starting price is about the £30k\£32k mark (I would expect a little more than the Golf R) then with performance figures like the TTRS then  Hmmmmm...... Guessing release date is a wile off so As this point, I'm going to still sticking with the GTI on order, but will check out the RS3 when its released. Me thinks about 335bhp with a 0 to 62 in 4.6 seconds for a 5 door hatch back that's also wrapped in a fairly descreet looking and would give an M3 and Focus RS's one hell of a shock!!

[Snoopy]