The Joy of Specs !

[drisser]

Isnt it frustrating when you get close to thinking about ordering and cant decide on anything !?  Nav or not, sunroof or not, metallic paint or skip it... grr !

Anyway I conducted an experiement on the configurator - 3 dr, manual, carbon grey with basic nav, Perf pack and Sunroof most likely to be my order spec if I go ahead - total price around £28,500.  On the PCP the GFV after 3 years is just over £13000.


I then configured a 3 door with DSG, and ticked virtually every box possible to give an eye watering price of £35,500 !!  GFV after 3 years, £13,500.  So for an extra £7k of options it hardly has any impact on residuals after 3 years.  I guess in the real world that car might go for a bit more than the lower spec car but it shows you..

Incidentally I visited another dealer today to chat about it, always good to get a few opinions and she recommended me if you tick no other options, the basic nav would be the one to go for regarding re-sale.  Interesting as I wasnt that fussed but am slowly coming round to the idea that the basic nav is money better spent than the pano roof even though I love a sunroof.

Now entering negotiations with 3 different dealers to play them off for the best deal 

[GolfTi]

Most options are pretty worthless come resale/trade in.

Basic nav? Why?

I wouldn't want it if I was buying used.

[mjh_056]

Isnt it frustrating when you get close to thinking about ordering and cant decide on anything !?  Nav or not, sunroof or not, metallic paint or skip it... grr !

Anyway I conducted an experiement on the configurator - 3 dr, manual, carbon grey with basic nav, Perf pack and Sunroof most likely to be my order spec if I go ahead - total price around £28,500.  On the PCP the GFV after 3 years is just over £13000.


I then configured a 3 door with DSG, and ticked virtually every box possible to give an eye watering price of £35,500 !!  GFV after 3 years, £13,500.  So for an extra £7k of options it hardly has any impact on residuals after 3 years.  I guess in the real world that car might go for a bit more than the lower spec car but it shows you..

Incidentally I visited another dealer today to chat about it, always good to get a few opinions and she recommended me if you tick no other options, the basic nav would be the one to go for regarding re-sale.  Interesting as I wasnt that fussed but am slowly coming round to the idea that the basic nav is money better spent than the pano roof even though I love a sunroof.

Now entering negotiations with 3 different dealers to play them off for the best deal 

Seen a few on here mention Drivethedeal.com and must say if I was buying private I would be tempted as you pay no money to them and deal direct with a dealer but at an already agreed discount.

Think the consensus on options here is if you really can afford it and really want it then option it! and be damned with any residuals as to drive around each day kicking self and wishing you had is something have to live with otherwise 

[drisser]

I do tend to agree with you,

I think the one option that dates rapidly is sat nav because the technology moves so fast.  My e46 3 series for example, if you look at the nav in an M3 from the same era (2005) it was the dogs bits then and a Must Have option but looks truly awful now..  When I was considering an M3 like that I specifically looked for one without nav because the dash looked cleaner without it.

I guess ultimately if you like gadgets then go for it or other options, but knowing they add little value 3 years later..

[Bill_the_Bear]

mjh says it right.

[CraigW]

The pano roof on any other colour than white is lost on the car imo

[monkeyhanger]

Buy the options you want because you will use them or enjoy having them, don't be under any illusion that they will enhance GFV.

My dealer talked me out of Leather when I was tempted - £1740 spend on my Scirocco that would add £300 to the p/x value vs cloth.

DSG, about a £1400 spend, again you'll see about £300 back. Everything else? Next to nowt back, and i'd include satnav in that. If you want everything all integrated and you rely on satnav then by all means spend £700 ratehr than a high end separate unit that will brodit clip onto your vents.

I'm personally not speccing any options. The GTI and GTD are so well equipped, i'm not at all tempted. SatNav? Never used one, except on holiday. You can buy £200 units with better functionality than the optional unit.

Dynaudio? Can't see the point of high end audio in a car with so many noise intrusions to spoil it and the standard VW set-up is very good in itself.

ACC: I leave it in Sport on my Rocco except when there's pothole risk in the winter and i'll leave it in comfort to lessen any potential blow to the wheels, £800 - not for me.

Sunroof? Nope, looks good on a white car, but should you really be buying one for external visuals rather than function?

19" Santiagos? Prefer the Nogaros, and the brake discs look small enough behind 18"ers plus potential ride spoiling characteristics.

Lane assist? £500 for that, are you kidding VW? Seems like an option to help those who have a lack of attention on the roads.

Park assist? Cheap option but a bit of a gimmick for me (can see the value for those with back or neck problems)

Rear Camera? As per park assist.

Leather? Cold in the winter (until the heaters kick in), hot in the summer, £1700 and 1/2 the coverings aren't even leather. Jacara Cloth is great.

Xenons? I'd pay good money for these, but they're included already - VAG Halogens are like a pair of candles.

VW made it easy for me with the equipment they supplied as standard on the GTI/GTD, and adding nigh-on no value for high ticket extras i'll be keeping my money in my wallet for other wastes of money like beer! 

[mjh_056]

Buy the options you want because you will use them or enjoy having them, don't be under any illusion that they will enhance GFV.

My dealer talked me out of Leather when I was tempted - £1740 spend on my Scirocco that would add £300 to the p/x value vs cloth.

DSG, about a £1400 spend, again you'll see about £300 back. Everything else? Next to nowt back, and i'd include satnav in that. If you want everything all integrated and you rely on satnav then by all means spend £700 ratehr than a high end separate unit that will brodit clip onto your vents.

I'm personally not speccing any options. The GTI and GTD are so well equipped, i'm not at all tempted. SatNav? Never used one, except on holiday. You can buy £200 units with better functionality than the optional unit.

Dynaudio? Can't see the point of high end audio in a car with so many noise intrusions to spoil it and the standard VW set-up is very good in itself.

ACC: I leave it in Sport on my Rocco except when there's pothole risk in the winter and i'll leave it in comfort to lessen any potential blow to the wheels, £800 - not for me.

Sunroof? Nope, looks good on a white car, but should you really be buying one for external visuals rather than function?

19" Santiagos? Prefer the Nogaros, and the brake discs look small enough behind 18"ers plus potential ride spoiling characteristics.

Lane assist? £500 for that, are you kidding VW? Seems like an option to help those who have a lack of attention on the roads.

Park assist? Cheap option but a bit of a gimmick for me (can see the value for those with back or neck problems)

Rear Camera? As per park assist.

Leather? Cold in the winter (until the heaters kick in), hot in the summer, £1700 and 1/2 the coverings aren't even leather. Jacara Cloth is great.

Xenons? I'd pay good money for these, but they're included already - VAG Halogens are like a pair of candles.

VW made it easy for me with the equipment they supplied as standard on the GTI/GTD, and adding nigh-on no value for high ticket extras i'll be keeping my money in my wallet for other wastes of money like beer! 

Agree on all of that and very reason swapped brands is most Audi options were standard on GTD

I gave into ACC as reflex to my poor experience now and taking no chances and use Sat Nav irregularly but as spending my lease 'credit' the OCD in me had me take it though if own monies I would have likely passed.

DSG and 5 Door were what were going to be spec regardless of brand and again part of my overall spend allowance.

Getting a lot of car with all the real essential options such as them Bi-Xenon, which will be another huge leap for me.

The final decider is as said above in no matter what spec are you personally happy with it, as if you feel you compromised every time sit in it you should have paid the money - We pay for the feeling a car gives us more than anything and if have a nag of doubt that feeling is dented each and every day.   

[sam67GTD]

I went for a shed load of options on my GTD, but then I'm a perfectionist and I have found that in every area of my life being a perfectionist has cost me a lot of money! 

Remember spending over £1,000 in 1985 for a top end hifi, oh well, enjoyment is the name of the game and if you are going to enjoy it, then it's worth paying for. 

[matchboy]

Buy the options you want because you will use them or enjoy having them, don't be under any illusion that they will enhance GFV.

My dealer talked me out of Leather when I was tempted - £1740 spend on my Scirocco that would add £300 to the p/x value vs cloth.

DSG, about a £1400 spend, again you'll see about £300 back. Everything else? Next to nowt back, and i'd include satnav in that. If you want everything all integrated and you rely on satnav then by all means spend £700 ratehr than a high end separate unit that will brodit clip onto your vents.

I'm personally not speccing any options. The GTI and GTD are so well equipped, i'm not at all tempted. SatNav? Never used one, except on holiday. You can buy £200 units with better functionality than the optional unit.

Dynaudio? Can't see the point of high end audio in a car with so many noise intrusions to spoil it and the standard VW set-up is very good in itself.

ACC: I leave it in Sport on my Rocco except when there's pothole risk in the winter and i'll leave it in comfort to lessen any potential blow to the wheels, £800 - not for me.

Sunroof? Nope, looks good on a white car, but should you really be buying one for external visuals rather than function?

19" Santiagos? Prefer the Nogaros, and the brake discs look small enough behind 18"ers plus potential ride spoiling characteristics.

Lane assist? £500 for that, are you kidding VW? Seems like an option to help those who have a lack of attention on the roads.

Park assist? Cheap option but a bit of a gimmick for me (can see the value for those with back or neck problems)

Rear Camera? As per park assist.

Leather? Cold in the winter (until the heaters kick in), hot in the summer, £1700 and 1/2 the coverings aren't even leather. Jacara Cloth is great.

Xenons? I'd pay good money for these, but they're included already - VAG Halogens are like a pair of candles.

VW made it easy for me with the equipment they supplied as standard on the GTI/GTD, and adding nigh-on no value for high ticket extras i'll be keeping my money in my wallet for other wastes of money like beer! 

You forgot the Performance Pack - a no brainer surely?