6 to 7

[dubber36]

I tend to keep my cars for a lot longer than most. 8 years for a Peugeot 307 that the Golf replaced and very nearly that long for my Passat that I replaced with another one. I have found this to be by far the most economical way of owning/running a car, but it is a bit of a shock to the bank balance when the time comes to change.

Having had my 6 for 3 years, I'm fancying a 7 now whist the 6 is still worth something, but what is putting me off is that I don't think it will feel like a significant change and will soon loose that new car feeling. Having skipped a generation with my Passat, that really does feel like an upgrade from my old 2004 one. It's better built, more comfortable, more efficient, better performance and up to date technology, but ultimately it is still quite similar.

Has the Golf moved on enough to warrant (for me) an early change? Or should I wait for the Mk8? 

[matchboy]

IMO there's a massive difference.  I've had mk 4's, 5, 6 and now a 7 - there wasn't a massive difference between the 5 & 6 but there's a significant difference to the 7 - it's like a different car (but still retains that Golf feel).  Go for it, you won't be disappointed! 

[ajmoir36]

I tend to keep my cars for a lot longer than most. 8 years for a Peugeot 307 that the Golf replaced and very nearly that long for my Passat that I replaced with another one. I have found this to be by far the most economical way of owning/running a car, but it is a bit of a shock to the bank balance when the time comes to change.

Having had my 6 for 3 years, I'm fancying a 7 now whist the 6 is still worth something, but what is putting me off is that I don't think it will feel like a significant change and will soon loose that new car feeling. Having skipped a generation with my Passat, that really does feel like an upgrade from my old 2004 one. It's better built, more comfortable, more efficient, better performance and up to date technology, but ultimately it is still quite similar.

Has the Golf moved on enough to warrant (for me) an early change? Or should I wait for the Mk8?

I didn't go for it in the end the cost of change was too great from a mk6 GTD to a mk7 GTD. And the fact that if I had of paid full price for my mk6 it would have lost 16k in 3 years. I am not prepared to throw another 16-18k in three years. I could only lose the remaining 12.5k for the rest of its life.(which he touches wood will be trouble free).

[monkeyhanger]

Ajmoir36: Not sure what your part-ex expectations are to think you’d be chucking upwards of £16k depreciation over 3 years. More like £10k (part ex value vs RRP, which is still a lot) unless you do huge annual mileages or add £6k worth of optional extras that you don’t see much back on. MK7 is a huge jump in interior quality, equipment levels, safety equipment, handling/comfort and looks. Get the car at significant discount and (if you can be bothered with the hassle) sell privately, you could be down to as little as £6k depreciation between 3 year changes based on 10k miles per annum.

[dubber36]

Get the car at significant discount and (if you can be bothered with the hassle) sell privately, you could be down to as little as £6k depreciation between 3 year changes based on 10k miles per annum.

£6k? Never in a million years.

Anyone can manipulate numbers to make them say what they want them to. My Brother in law is a prime example. He's had more cars than anyone can remember, all of them being "a really good deal". However after all these deals, he's still got nothing. He's 40 years old, still got a monumental mortgage and not enough money to take his kids on holiday. A bit of a digression I know, but I'm not having it that anyone can ride around in a new car that retails in the region of £27k and it only cost them £2k a year in depreciation.

[ajmoir36]

Ajmoir36: Not sure what your part-ex expectations are to think you’d be chucking upwards of £16k depreciation over 3 years. More like £10k (part ex value vs RRP, which is still a lot) unless you do huge annual mileages or add £6k worth of optional extras that you don’t see much back on. MK7 is a huge jump in interior quality, equipment levels, safety equipment, handling/comfort and looks. Get the car at significant discount and (if you can be bothered with the hassle) sell privately, you could be down to as little as £6k depreciation between 3 year changes based on 10k miles per annum.

60k in three years and the new mk7 GTD was coming in at 29k.

[Mark V GTD]

the new mk7 GTD was coming in at 29k.

Thats full retail I presume? - you can take £3k off that with a discount.

I think where Monkeyhanger is coming from is the fact that its possible to buy a brand new GTD (3-door manual, no options) for only £22,500.

Its not inconceivable that if kept in top class condition it could be worth £15k in a private sale after three years with moderate mileage. Result - £7,500 in depreciation!

The factors that erode this are:

Getting less than the best available discount
Adding optional extras
Higher than moderate mileage
Not looking after the car

[Poached]

Get the car at significant discount and (if you can be bothered with the hassle) sell privately, you could be down to as little as £6k depreciation between 3 year changes based on 10k miles per annum.

£6k? Never in a million years.

Anyone can manipulate numbers to make them say what they want them to. My Brother in law is a prime example. He's had more cars than anyone can remember, all of them being "a really good deal". However after all these deals, he's still got nothing. He's 40 years old, still got a monumental mortgage and not enough money to take his kids on holiday. A bit of a digression I know, but I'm not having it that anyone can ride around in a new car that retails in the region of £27k and it only cost them £2k a year in depreciation.

Indeed, that is the nature of long term vehicle renting.

It isn't a deal, the only winners are those lending the money.

[Mark V GTD]

I'm not with you - surely the indvidual who is the recipient of the shiny new Golf s getting something out of it? Its not really about 'winners and losers' - its simply a purchasing decision.

The alternative is to buy an older, cheaper car - pay less and (some would say) get less!

[dubber36]

We are going slightly off the original point, and that was partly my fault, but I do struggle to believe that it is possible to only suffer £2000 a year in depreciation on a new £27k car.

Money aside, as everyone's priorities and circumstances are different, will it give me that new car feeling for long enough to make it worth while? If in 3 months time, it feels just like my current car does now, I don't see the point in changing.