Looking to buy a GTD

[Badluck]

Hi, I've joined the forum as I was thinking of buying a new Golf GTD.

The standard spec seems pretty good and I was looking at adding a few things:
Met Paint
Dynaudio

I'm leaning towards a manual over a DSG box.

In 2 minds about the following options:
90% tint
Climate windscreen
High-beam assist

Any other options you'd suggest are worth going for ?

What sort of discount can I expect off a new car ?

Any news on a facelifted car anytime soon ?

How long are the build-times for GTDs at the moment ?

Thanks
BL

[monkeyhanger]

If you're after a 4pot single turboed diesel, then they don't get much better than the GTD. The performance Golf treatment given makes it feel more special than the competition - the linear power delivery makes it feel slower than it is (lacking the shove of the old 170TDI unit) it is transformed with a box or remap, and unlike the GTI/R, adding the extra horses and torque almost certainly won't kill the clutch.

For your options - do you really want darker rear glass? The driver won't see the benefit in use. The wife's A1 has high beam assist, as you've got to remember to put it on every time and it only really comes into its own on pitch black country roads, we've used it just twice, I really wouldn't bother unless you live in the sticks on unlit roads.

You'll see better mpg with the manual rather than the DSG, if mpg is the motivation for getting a GTD, but if you spend all your time crawling through inner city traffic you might prefer the DSG.

[Exonian]

Welcome and bad luck Badluck!

Yes, there is an imminent facelift heading our way. Have a good read of this forum and Google and you'll find a fair bit of information.
There are several threads on here which are quite long but if you read back to as far as early to mid October then you'll see some definitive news.
I'm not sure if the order books are closed on GTDs yet but they are for other performance Golfs and they're due to cease production in the new year.
Therefore, if you can get a bona fide order slot you won't have long to wait for build.
There will probably be quite a few in the system that dealers have coming through and there are bound to be used ones on forecourts for you to have a look at to see what you make of optional extras.
Personally I'd just get a standard one as they come with a good spec, but that's a very personal thing.
Dynaudio is bound to be loads better than the stock stereo but to my ears the standard audio isn't too bad at all. If you spend a lot of time in the car and like very loud music then it's £600 or so well spent.
Climate screen very useful if you park outside overnight.
High beam assist a cheap but useful option.

All the options are useful to be fair, but none of them essential.

As for discount, that depends on whether you have a part ex to a certain extent.
You can get loads of money off via a broker if you can dispose of your old car, but if you're wanting a good part ex factored in then you'll need to bargain with dealers to get a fair price for your old car and a sensible discount off your new one.
There's only ever so much money in a deal as far as the dealer is concerned as they have to make a living, but the deals are there to be had.

Having spent a bit of time recently in some of the GTDs main rivals I'd say personally the Golf is still where I'd rather be sat cabin wise. Great cars.

[mcmaddy]

If you look around you can get 17% off list price and then see if your local dealer will match. You can still order a gtd and a Gti for now but I think you'll only have approx 2 weeks and then orders must be stopped for the facelift order books to open.

[Badluck]

Thanks for all the feedback, much appreciated.

I got a quote of £23.5k through a broker. I called up a dealer this morning who said the facelift should be available to order in the New Year so I'll hold fire till then.

I decided to ditch the 90% tints but added the climate windscreen. I have a long commute twice a week and a decent sound-system helps. My daily drive for the last 8 years has been an auto and it's coming up to 240k now! Autos are great in traffic but jumping in a manual every now and then makes driving an event. Not sure how reliable a DSG box would be which is my main reason for picking a manual.

Problem now is I've been reading about the Clubsport S, I know, a very different car to the GTD but something I would have been interested in. Anyone heard of a cancelled order?

[mcmaddy]

Chances are when the facelift comes out the deposit contribution will no longer be available so that's a risk to weigh up. And also what if face lift ends up being a munter like the Octavia? You'll then wish you'd ordered now. I think Pulman vw at Durham have an order for a club sport for sale.

[fredgroves]

I don't think any of the performance Golfs are available to order until a few months into 2017...

Got a feeling you might have to sit tight now unless you can find something from stock.

[GTD1414]

Just remember when the facelift comes out there will be a price increase and it might not come standard with the likes of nav, winter pack, keyless as it is now..

[jjgreenwood]

While its always a difficult choice when a facelift is due, as this isn't a full new vehicle I wouldn't worry too much. While I doubt the spec will be any less, if anything it may well be better for Golf 7.5, I'm fairly confident that the car will be more expensive. If digital dashboards, more connectivity with remote control via phone and LED lights turn you on you are probably better to wait as I'm sure we will see that sort of progress in the latest iteration. The chances of them giving all that away for the same price as today's car are slim at best. Expect to pay £1k or more on the price and forget any deposit support.

With regards to your options I think the climate windscreen is a good option. There is a youtube video somewhere which demonstrates how good it is and sadly I can't find it now. The screen heats up very quickly without having all the wires which past windscreens suffered from through the glass. It also insulates from heat very well at the same time. The car comes with 65% tints so I personally wouldn't go for 90% but it doesn't cost much so if you like it maybe. The standard stereo is good enough to show up low bitrate DAB stations so if you are going to upgrade to Dynaudio then make sure your main source is the CD player or decent quality files from your phone/media device. If going for Dynaudio I'd spend the extra £600 and get the Tech Pack which includes nav pro. The screen and processor in this unit is better than the standard system and makes the most of google maps and the connectivity. DCC is worth considering as it enhances the drive of the car if you plan to use the car as a sporty drive. I wouldn't bother with HBA.