Clubsport Availability

[drisser]

Hi guys

been a while since I posted..

Well I was picking up my old Fiat Coupe from its MOT at the weekend and it was sat am so decided to pop into my local VW dealer as the head guy moved from Audi recently in the same group and we have had 3 Audis from them.

Had a chat about cars in general and special editions and obviously talked about the CS.  When I discussed availability and pricing I was expecting he was going to say all the allocation is gone, but to my surprise I could still do a factory order if I wanted, they had a couple of cars going through that could be spec amended.

All this led me to believe that it hasn't sold nearly as well as planned.  Of course there is not really any discount although they would "look after me"

Don't know if others are finding it is sold out, but might just be the allocation of that dealer.  I specced up a 3 door manual with bucket seats, 19s, sunroof and warranty I think that was all and it came to bang on £35k.  Given I might be looking next year for a fun 2nd car I was giving it some thought but the real issue is the new Cayman is £39k and I can spec it nicely with only £4k of options and maybe get a small discount.. so it leaves me thinking a Golf (no disrespect) for £35k or a Cayman for a tad over £40k ? 

Hard to predict CS residuals right now but hard to think they will be better than a cayman..

Any thoughts appreciated from those who have ordered, or those who have been spun yarns about allocations !

Cheers chaps.

[monkeyhanger]

We're all used to not paying close to RRP for a Golf, an undiscounted CS looks very expensive next to a discounted R. With that in mind, unless you're set on bucket seats, the CS doesn't make a lot of sense at the proce you'll pay for one. I'd get the Cayman or a TTS (big deposit contribution from Audi) if you don't need the rear seat space of a Golf.

[drisser]

Given this dealer seemed to have ordered 2 cars speculatively I they weren't customer cars as they were spec amendable, I wonder if several of these might end up as ex demo's in a few months..

[p3asa]

http://www.arnoldclark.com/new-cars/volkswagen/golf/2-0-tsi-gti-clubsport-40-3dr/0/ref/blk_ko3h32qp7cl8aew8

have some with a couple of thousand off.

[TurboTrev]

http://www.arnoldclark.com/new-cars/volkswagen/golf/2-0-tsi-gti-clubsport-40-3dr/0/ref/blk_ko3h32qp7cl8aew8

have some with a couple of thousand off.

Looks like £1,940 off list and in addition a £2,000 deposit contribution if bought on a PCP?  Doubt if that is right?

[matchboy]

Drisser, get the Cayman!  35k for a Golf is outrageous, and its not even that quick.  I'd have an R over the CS any day of the week (and save a min of 5k) - but if you want something different I can highly recommend the Cayman.

I will say however that residuals on the 718 are a big unknown - reviews have all said its quicker, more economical, slightly better drive etc than the outgoing 981 - but (and it's a big but) - the sound is a massive let down because of the switch to turbos.  It's my guess that this will effect the 718 residuals, but its just a guess.  If I were you I'd pick up a second hand 981 and enjoy the noise 

[drisser]

To be honest, a used 981 is definitely a possibility with AUC's now coming in just over 30k, and the base 2.7 model is supposed to be quite a sweet drive..  I drove a 2.7 boxster and liked it a lot tbh.. 718 does have some newer features though but you are right the turbo engine is proving controversial.  That said the new base model looks like a bit of a bargain with 300 HP, as quick as the old S model etc and now £2k cheaper than the boxster..

[matchboy]

To be honest, a used 981 is definitely a possibility with AUC's now coming in just over 30k, and the base 2.7 model is supposed to be quite a sweet drive..  I drove a 2.7 boxster and liked it a lot tbh.. 718 does have some newer features though but you are right the turbo engine is proving controversial.  That said the new base model looks like a bit of a bargain with 300 HP, as quick as the old S model etc and now £2k cheaper than the boxster..

If the new 718 had the same engine as the 981 then there would be no comparison, and I would say 718 every day of the week.  Inside has been tarted up, handles even better than before etc etc - but for me its all about the sound.  The 718 just sounds like an Impreza.  Big mistake from Porsche IMO.  Last time I visited the dealership up from me they said its put a lot of current Porsche owners off as there's no drama to the drive, you put your foot down and it just doesn't excite; it's just not an event putting your foot down anymore.  And I'll be honest yes its quicker, but my Cayman S or a Golf R is plenty quick enough in 99% of situations.  If I were you I'd drive a used 981 Cayman S and a 718 Cayman base model - very similar speeds and see what you prefer, its the only way to decide!  I did that just to see - and I was more than happy to get back into my car 

[drisser]

I am sure it will polarise opinions for sure - I haven't had the pleasure of living with a 981 before so it might be a little easier to accept for me !  The other possible upside is if it doesn't sell so well, there might be more movement on the price if a lot of 981 owners don't trade in..

One of the issues with looking at a used 981 though is many are specced to the hilt and are still over £40k from dealers, even at 2+ years old and I would want the 2 year warranty..  Whereas a new base model with manual box and a few nice options would come in at just over £40k for me with the benefit of a 3 year warranty etc.

That said I take your point, I did drive actually a 2.7 cayman and it made a lovely sound at the top end, plus given it isn't really THAT fast you can wring its neck and not lose your licence..  Engine is an important part of character, especially a non daily driver and I would say my 6 cyl 330d probably makes a better noise than the new 4 cyl Porsche !

[matchboy]

I am sure it will polarise opinions for sure - I haven't had the pleasure of living with a 981 before so it might be a little easier to accept for me !  The other possible upside is if it doesn't sell so well, there might be more movement on the price if a lot of 981 owners don't trade in..

One of the issues with looking at a used 981 though is many are specced to the hilt and are still over £40k from dealers, even at 2+ years old and I would want the 2 year warranty..  Whereas a new base model with manual box and a few nice options would come in at just over £40k for me with the benefit of a 3 year warranty etc.

That said I take your point, I did drive actually a 2.7 cayman and it made a lovely sound at the top end, plus given it isn't really THAT fast you can wring its neck and not lose your licence..  Engine is an important part of character, especially a non daily driver and I would say my 6 cyl 330d probably makes a better noise than the new 4 cyl Porsche !

Yes, there is that, I agree - if you haven't had the previous version then you could accept the lack of noise far easier!  It's a bit like the soundaktor on the R - loads of complaints about it, but I loved it!  Thought it sounded great, but that's because I hadn't had a car that had sounded like that before (nor as quick!) - now, I would struggle to accept the sound of the R having had the noise of the Cayman.  That being said, the R is still a fabulous car and I certainly wouldn't be disappointed having one after the Cayman (I do miss a VW, no matter what I try there is just something about a Golf that always brings me back, and the R is the best all round car I've ever owned).  Personally, I'm hoping the 718 bombs because it will mean the resale value on mine will hold well 

At the end of the day it comes down to personal preference.  I think if I was in your situation and not being used to the noise previously I'd probably go for a 718 as its a brilliant car and it is an upgrade on the 981 (bar the engine).  Just be careful of those Porsche extras - they're well stingy with the spec and a 40k car can suddenly become a 55k car before you know it - hence why I had to get a second hand one    Also, if you're buying new get some kind of service pack - had a minor service a few months back and it was not cheap in any way!  Neither were tyres!