Next car purchase following Mk7/7.5?

[Exonian]

After having a catch up read of the thread it’s good to see it’s still going strong several days later.
Loads of good insights from different angles all still pointing to how good a car the 7(.5) GTI still is and how good value they are for what you get as a package.

Wherever anyone stands from a personal viewpoint on a mk8 GTI/R there’s no denying how expensive a well specced new one has become compared to the deals going on 7.5’s a few short years ago before the world fell on its arse.

Now, being a peasant I know nothing about Porsches, but decided that as a well specced GTI or moderate R is knocking on £45k to £50k I’d have a look and see what a 718 is nowadays. I had in my mind around £60k starting price bearing in mind an RS3 is that sort of level and TT’s probably not far off.
I fired up the Porsche configurator and was surprised to see a 718 starts around £47k.
I don’t know what sort of power they have or what kit you get or how you’d fit grandma in the back or your 2.4 metre decking planks but it’s food for thought.

[joe6]

Never looked as thought they were out of my price range. If the accessories list includes a roof rack for grandma I might  be interested 

[Splashalot]

....Believe it or not, I have always loved Alfas (it’s that badge!), and I have a guilty secret yearning for a nearly new Giulia 280 Veloce.

My best mate purchased a 2y/o, 40,000km Giulia for approx half the new price.  I've driven it and really rank it.  Just a brilliant thing to drive - refined and sporty.  The drive-by-wire brakes are weird and take some getting used to, but everything else about the car is top notch.  The only reason I haven't bought one is that it bottoms out on my steep driveway hump. 

His has been faultless and from what I read, once Alfa sorted the early (and substantial) electronics gremlins the car is now reliable.

[symonh2000]

I have had quite a few Alfa's and always found them pretty decent. The Mrs' current Giulietta is a bit Meh though in terms of how it drives. 

I considered a Giulia before getting the Golf, but the model I was after (280bhp Veloce) was too expensive at the time.

[Hertsman]

After having a catch up read of the thread it’s good to see it’s still going strong several days later.
Loads of good insights from different angles all still pointing to how good a car the 7(.5) GTI still is and how good value they are for what you get as a package.

Wherever anyone stands from a personal viewpoint on a mk8 GTI/R there’s no denying how expensive a well specced new one has become compared to the deals going on 7.5’s a few short years ago before the world fell on its arse.

Now, being a peasant I know nothing about Porsches, but decided that as a well specced GTI or moderate R is knocking on £45k to £50k I’d have a look and see what a 718 is nowadays. I had in my mind around £60k starting price bearing in mind an RS3 is that sort of level and TT’s probably not far off.
I fired up the Porsche configurator and was surprised to see a 718 starts around £47k.
I don’t know what sort of power they have or what kit you get or how you’d fit grandma in the back or your 2.4 metre decking planks but it’s food for thought.

Prior to the lease system opening up to me, MK 8 Clubsport was on my list to look at, but where previously the GTD and the R were exceptional company lease deals next to even standard spec other brands, only the GTD appeared as an option and it required an extra £100 above allowance.

Times have changed dramatically, that early £30,000 GTI is a distant memory. Due to being extremely good value (more so in comparison to the VAG pricing) the final choice came between the Mini Cooper JCW and the BMW 128Ti and due to the all around practicality the 128Ti was one pushed button on, and paying much less than paid for pleasure of TCR 3 years ago.

Only 12 weeks left before the TCR heads off into the distance to be someone else pride and joy, so really making most of driving it at moment.

Lease companies really profited from Covid, the auction prices they receive are well above previous which is in part to the reduced mileage, mine has always been circa 27,000 miles over the 3 years, the TCR will be going back with 21,000 miles, and that's with me throwing in a Scotland trip.

[davo245]

I'm sorry and don't take this the wrong way but a TCR is a much better car and is worth the extra. Just looking at a Pure Grey on Belvederes you can see it's different and a bit special. 7.5 Performance is still a great by the way.

I don't disagree but can't really see how they are worth the massive  6-10k extra over a 7.5 pp

have you driven a TCR?

Yes I have, very good they are too just can't seem to convince myself they are worth that much more than 7.5 performance. All decent ones are well over 30k now.

[Yusee]

I’ve had a couple of Alfas, including a very nice silver 156. It was a £21k car, which I bought two years old for £9k.

Damn nice looking car, fun to drive, but in truth inferior to its german rivals in every way.

Haven’t followed the alfa brand since the late 90s but I don’t expect much will have changed- the initial reviews will praise the styling and the engines( “ a car you can buy with head as well as heart etc etc”) but long term reviews won’t be so complimentary. The badge is the best bit of any alfa.

You may remember Harry metcalfe’s video.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2k0M50u7n2k

[fredgroves]

I'm sorry and don't take this the wrong way but a TCR is a much better car and is worth the extra. Just looking at a Pure Grey on Belvederes you can see it's different and a bit special. 7.5 Performance is still a great by the way.

I don't disagree but can't really see how they are worth the massive  6-10k extra over a 7.5 pp

have you driven a TCR?

Yes I have, very good they are too just can't seem to convince myself they are worth that much more than 7.5 performance. All decent ones are well over 30k now.

It's surprising they held their value tbh.

When I looked at buying one new they were expensive on pcp as the gfv was barely more than a standard gti pp. Which made it very poor value...

[Meister]

After having a catch up read of the thread it’s good to see it’s still going strong several days later.
Loads of good insights from different angles all still pointing to how good a car the 7(.5) GTI still is and how good value they are for what you get as a package.

Wherever anyone stands from a personal viewpoint on a mk8 GTI/R there’s no denying how expensive a well specced new one has become compared to the deals going on 7.5’s a few short years ago before the world fell on its arse.

Now, being a peasant I know nothing about Porsches, but decided that as a well specced GTI or moderate R is knocking on £45k to £50k I’d have a look and see what a 718 is nowadays. I had in my mind around £60k starting price bearing in mind an RS3 is that sort of level and TT’s probably not far off.
I fired up the Porsche configurator and was surprised to see a 718 starts around £47k.
I don’t know what sort of power they have or what kit you get or how you’d fit grandma in the back or your 2.4 metre decking planks but it’s food for thought.

Interesting post! Never ever thought a new Cayman (however basic) could be bought for 47k. This actually looks a bargain compared to everything else on the market at the moment. Unfortunately still massively too much for me to consider though! I always used to buy outright a 12 to 18 month old GTI for no more than 22k (which is my limit!). Now 22k doesn't seem to buy much at all

[Guzzle]

I always used to buy outright a 12 to 18 month old GTI for no more than 22k (which is my limit!). Now 22k doesn't seem to buy much at all

There are two sides to that.

What did you pay for current car, and how much is it worth now?

Cost to change is more important than screen price.

I paid just over £17k for mine about 2.5 years ago. It's still worth that today, so I know full well the next car will have a higher screen price than the current one.