When collecting your new GTI/GTD

[CraigW]

That looks brilliant Joe. Makes our wait feel even longer 

[Exonian]

My parents tended (mum and step father dead and dad unwell now so can't drive) to buy new cars so I've plenty of experience of different marques. They only used to buy fairly mundane stuff but even there its interesting the difference between different dealerships.
My step father used to buy new fords when I was young but switched to Volkswagens then after that moved marques depending on what deals he could get.
My dad drifted into VWs because I was always into them but then moved away from them again due to poor dealers.

I'm a serial car swapper as I tend to buy them, change a few bits on them then move onto something else hence I normally buy used to minimise depreciation.
The mk7 was going to be my first new car ever just to scratch an itch and from the delays and general feedback here I think it will also be my last!

I've bought plenty of 'nearly new' cars though and have used lots of VW dealers and my general experience is that with a few exceptions they are very corporate. The salesmen don't normally try all the 'add ons' sales patter with me as they know that I know exactly what I want from the offset so it's normally just a drive up the motorway, have a pee, drink a coffee whilst signing bits of paper, thoroughly inspect car and head off home as I'm normally needing to get back in time for something to eat then a night shift to look forward to after a long day on the road (I have only twice used my local dealer and twice they've been rubbish).
The best experiences were from Holders of Congresbury when buying sporty SEATs over ten years ago when VW were going through their 'lost the plot' era of mk3 then mk4 Golfs. Holders were great to deal with. Family owned, reasonably priced and looked after their customers, flowers in the boot, follow up courtesy calls, completely non corporate and even didn't use VW/SEAT used car scheme or finance unless the promotions were better than what they could offer. So I bought a couple of cars from them.
My local SEAT dealer were stingy but the sales guys were ok.

My experience of nearly all VW dealerships were just of them wanting you to get the paperwork signed and off out the door as the sales guys always gave the impression that they were too busy.
So I just treat buying a car the same as any other disposable item now.


Anyway, to cut a long story short, never mind the flowers, how many coffees you get offered or whether the girl on reception flutters her eyelids at you; The important bit (especially if you're travelling a long distance) is to thoroughly check the car over. Look through all the pomp and waffle and make sure the car is 100% as it has been travelling quite a distance before it gets to you and is quite likely to have had some damage en route.
Check the PDI has been done correctly and check the fluid levels if you're about to take it on a long journey.
Put your business head on and remember that you've just signed over the thick end of £30k and you don't want to spend the next few days on the phone trying to deal with the after-sales people whilst your blood pressure goes through the roof!!

[Gung-Ho]

I'm with you on this one Exonian.... I've bought enough new cars in my time to realise that the trick is not to get over excited with the whole "picking up" a new car experience, but to check & DOUBLE check the car over & over.  Lift up the bonnet, check underneath the car, boot, spare wheel, locking wheel nut, missing door grommets, pieces of interior trim, paint defects, body damage, blanking plates, seat mechanism etc etc  I know I'm stating the obvious, but its surprising how many just jump in and drive off.

It's surprising what you find.

[Bill_the_Bear]

Pretty good list here:
http://www.a5oc.com/forums/a5-s5-topics/11437-what-check-when-picking.html

Also if you go down to here:
http://www.a5oc.com/forums/a5-s5-topics/11437-what-check-when-picking.html#post120064
Someone has attached a check list for the A5, very comprehensive!

And here:
http://www.a5oc.com/forums/a5-s5-topics/11437-what-check-when-picking.html#post120231
Is an example of paintwork being crap.  Does anyone have any more examples of this or anything else a noob like me should be looking out for?

[Jules Winfield]

If I were in Joe's position, I'd be worried about people sticking their mucky paws over my lovely new car or trying to sit in it.  There should at least be security guard or twelve, plus a guard rail or electric fence.

[JoeGTI]

 
I've warned them to keep messers away from it and its locked.

[skippy]

I've warned them to keep messers away from it and its locked.

Good move, I always cringe somewhat when I see toddlers being allowed to get into the drivers seat and putting their grubby mitts over everything.