Anyone else think the performance Golf's are getting a bit expensive ?

[Sootchucker]

Just been browsing the VW website and for fun configuring a MK 7.5 GTI. 5 Door, performance pack, in metallic with a few nice options (19" alloys, leather, sunroof, dynaudio, dynamic lighting, keyless etc.) and I then looked at the list price - nearly £38k !!

Now I know it's before any discount etc. but still doesn't it seem awfully expensive for a Golf ? I managed without really trying to get a Golf 7.5 "R" to over £40k !

By contrast, I went to Ford's website (yes I know there will be Ford haters on here), and a fully specced Focus ST3 (245ps) with every option ticked came out to around £29.5k. Now before you say it, yes I know it's just a Ford and residuals are going to be lower, (but by all accounts it still great fun to drive) but on drive the deal, it was coming out at around £24.5k new !

Now I love the Golf, looks, dynamics, equipment, performance, class etc. but I'm just starting to wonder if they are now just starting to get out of the reach of Joe public and now only really make sense as a second hand buy.

I realise this is contentious, and only my view, but I think VW are in danger of pricing themselves out of the market ?

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

I think that VW, along with every other mass-market manufacturer, now relies on the leasing market to shift new cars, so the list price becomes largely irrelevant.

As long as the monthly lease payment can be massaged to look attractive, they'll sell cars.  Look what happened with the Golf R over the last few years.  How many of those would VW have sold were it not for the sub-£250 per month leasing deals?

When it comes to having something new and spangly on the drive, the great unwashed can be easily manipulated.

[a9wyn]

All cars are expensive these days. If it wasn't for PCP lease deals most people would be driving around in the manufacturers 'base' models, and they know this, hence when you see car advertisements  they very rarely show the price of the car, only the monthly lease payments.

[fredgroves]

I think PCP has a lot to do with UK car sales.

(Have we ever done a survey on that? I'll do one now actually)

And if you PCP'ing then residuals play a massive part of the game.

I looked hard at all sorts of cars before buying my own GTD and despite the headline "price" being less for others, the monthly costs were more.

My more expensive Golf was cheaper for me than a (top end) Focus or a Honda or whatever.

Besides, everything increases in price, except the price which I command of my employer :-/

[maxie]

spec a golf r-line. i thought i'd give it a go as i might need to swap my new 7.5 gti pp for one. and it was around 35k just 3k less than the gti...

[dubber36]

As mentioned in another thread, the price of Amaroks 

When I bought mine (second hand) there was a bloke at the desk next to me signing the deal for a new one which was over £40k with the VAT. It seems no time at all ago since the first wave of double cab pickups like the L200 and Navara could be bought for around £15k.

[scotland67]

Yes they are expensive but I always look at the cost to change. My current golf is valued by my dealer at £15000 (2014 Gti). So buying a new one at say £28000 the difference is £13000 which seems to sound better and more manageable.

[fredgroves]

spec a golf r-line. i thought i'd give it a go as i might need to swap my new 7.5 gti pp for one. and it was around 35k just 3k less than the gti...

Did you add all of the GTI standard options to it or just the ones you wanted?

When I looked before, it was more expensive to take a lesser model and add extras than to have the GTI/GTD...

(I know why you are doing it though)

[fredgroves]

BTW I did create a poll about how your car is paid for...

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=282714.0

[Wide]

I agree  . In Sweden you have to pay 50 000Euro for a R with some option 

But i think the whole Golf Range have started to be expensive. No problem to option a Golf Gt vid only 150hk. Now i talk not full
fully equipped..