My GTI Value Vs a new R

[monkeyhanger]

I didnt say the Polo would be MQB based

I know, but i'm sure you'd like it to be. The MQB platform is miles ahead for handling and refinement over the old platform as anyone coming from a MK5/6/Scirocco etc will attest to.

[Jimble]

I'm getting a bit fed up with all these threads about R lease prices, and people jumping ship over to an R because it's the cheaper option, for anyone that actually WANTED an R in the first place the difference in cost was never huge, i can understand that a few guys on here have had a GTI/D since before the R was available and changing is an attractive proposition, i personally wish i hadn't bothered and just got another GTI because in general day to day use the R just ain't all that! It's not as nice inside as the GTI imo, it's no more comfortable, less so in fact and apart from the odd day when you can give it a bit round the twisties the GTI PP is every bit as capable if putting a smile on your face.

I'll be honest i just don't get the hype thats surrounding the R atm, yes it's quick but for the majority of buyers who will never explore it's real capabilities, myself included whats the point?

Rant over....

I actually had a nose round a Touareg R line while at the dealers over the weekend, hmmm very nice!

[CraigW]

I'm struggling to understand VW's thinking behind these ultra cheap lease deals. It surely can't be good business financially for VW and imo it's devaluing the R brand by opening it up to so many who would never in a month of Sundays be able to afford this type of car. Hell, you have guys trading in 1.2ltr Clios and VW Ups for the R. 

The latest deal mentioned on the R forum was a 5-door DSG for £2k deposit and 23 x £175 (exc vat) inc metallic paint - that's just insane!!!!

[199016V]

Clarkson seems to rate the new R. But as he hates Audis made no mention of the S3 which is mechanically identical. Have had ours since March and love it.. when not in the old 16v :-)  -- well worth a look and I believe cheaper on a PCP...

[Exonian]

My take on it in as short a message as possible so as not to bore anyone:

MK6 R sold in very low numbers due to poor value hence high retained value.

VW considered not importing R at the time when a lot of us early adopters ordered.

7R GFV set high by VW and trade in general reflecting the low anticipated sales of halo model.

Lease companies saw a niche and filled it - then all hell broke loose thanks to hotukdeals threads (VERY popular website bringing the R to the general public who wouldn't generally have thought about this as a cheap car to run for a couple years) and general forum hysteria coupled with rave press reviews by journos who drive the thing flat out for half a day or whatever.

VW are being fairly sensible by limiting production enough and hence the long wait times which will help keep the car above the GFV figures which are gradually lowering.

However VW dealers are using their monthly allocation of GTI/D/R production to supply GTD's to company car drivers as they're cheaper to lease or PCP than a GT and R's as they're cheaper to lease or PCP than a GTI.

It's only really us existing cash buyers that will get stung by generally lower values. And we will either just keep our cars longer and VW won't give too much of a monkey's as we aren't paying VW finance anything, or we will jump ship to another marque who are also pricing aggressively such as BMW.

At the end of the day VWFS are leasing the R in reply to BMWs stunning deals on the M135i. It's a bit tit for tat and once these cars start getting stolen left right and centre which is what happened in the early 90's when hot hatches hit their prime sales the market on them will crash and the GTE and other such things will come of age…

Make hay while the sun shines people!!!! Things will settle down in a while and there will again be three distinct tiers of VW sporty Golfs and four when we look at the GTE which will take sales from GTDs.

[carl1]

I'm thinking of making some rear window stickers, something like "This Golf is not a R but at least it's not leased" 
P.s I'm not saying this will happen but i remember when someone i knew was looking for a petrol mk5 Golf, i expected prices to be dirt cheap as near enough every non Gti/R Golf on the road was diesel.To my surprise it was opposite, they were more expensive than diesels as they were so few. Now i'm not saying Gti's could be be worth more than R's in the future but it could help the Gti's resididuals. Or even the opposite as nobody wants them.   

[Raffe]

Just get your GTi remapped, I couldn't stomach losing £11k in just over a year to get an almost identical car.

[Misterp]

This is why forums are fantastic places. The opinions are what makes the choice of an R or Gti so personal. I'm looking to switch but to a GTI Pp or an R I don't know.

[GTI7me]

Lot's of wise words here!

My decision is purely based on a financial point of view. I absolutely love the GTI, especially with the tuning box on it. However, if it is actually going to cost me less to have an R for the remaining of my term with the GTI (around 36 months) then it is a no brainer for me. Not particularly because I want an R over a GTI but simply because it will cost less money.

I was never given the option to purchase an R when I bought the GTI as it hadn't been launched, had the R been available at the price it is now Vs the GTI then there would have been no question.

Here is where I am now (or at least where I will be if I ordered an R for APR 15 delivery):

Total outstanding balance: £16220
Total paid so far: £11000
GFV: £11800
Early trade in: £18500 (estimate)
Payment per month: £220

J

[James75]

My take on it in as short a message as possible so as not to bore anyone:

MK6 R sold in very low numbers due to poor value hence high retained value.

VW considered not importing R at the time when a lot of us early adopters ordered.

7R GFV set high by VW and trade in general reflecting the low anticipated sales of halo model.

Lease companies saw a niche and filled it - then all hell broke loose thanks to hotukdeals threads (VERY popular website bringing the R to the general public who wouldn't generally have thought about this as a cheap car to run for a couple years) and general forum hysteria coupled with rave press reviews by journos who drive the thing flat out for half a day or whatever.

VW are being fairly sensible by limiting production enough and hence the long wait times which will help keep the car above the GFV figures which are gradually lowering.

However VW dealers are using their monthly allocation of GTI/D/R production to supply GTD's to company car drivers as they're cheaper to lease or PCP than a GT and R's as they're cheaper to lease or PCP than a GTI.

It's only really us existing cash buyers that will get stung by generally lower values. And we will either just keep our cars longer and VW won't give too much of a monkey's as we aren't paying VW finance anything, or we will jump ship to another marque who are also pricing aggressively such as BMW.

At the end of the day VWFS are leasing the R in reply to BMWs stunning deals on the M135i. It's a bit tit for tat and once these cars start getting stolen left right and centre which is what happened in the early 90's when hot hatches hit their prime sales the market on them will crash and the GTE and other such things will come of age…

Make hay while the sun shines people!!!! Things will settle down in a while and there will again be three distinct tiers of VW sporty Golfs and four when we look at the GTE which will take sales from GTDs.

I am not that excited by the R.   It's a pretty awesome car but the excitement is really around 'Power' and this weird idea that more is better.

And i will be honest, I probably couldn't afford to run an R on a daily basis and truth be told, I don't need to.  If the GTD is a 'compromise', then it's a compromise i am happy to make.

I am more excited by the GTE, as a car person, the tech in plug in hybrids and the chance in the future to reduce running costs excites me for me than the power race.   

Yes, I do like the R, and I am slightly intrigued by the R Estate (it's as bonkers as VW gets surely).

As mentioned, what will tempt me out of my GTD is the GTE or something similar.  Believe it not Plug in Hybrids actually offer their own version of driving fun.

I own my GTD outright - it's going to be with me for sometime unless I move over to a GTE but a s private buyer i can't see that being a good idea immediately.  You will pay for the GTE tech and pay more for something in order to save money seems a bit back front to me.

The real reason the R exists is a 'halo' vehicle and so VW can compete with other manufacturers.  I am glad the R exists but if i had the choice, I'd still take the GTI PP.

The only thing I really really really really like on the R, the one thing you can't get on GTI's or GTD's is the Lapiz Blue paint.

James