Author Topic: What to change a 7.5 for?  (Read 3009 times)

Offline Watts

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Re: What to change a 7.5 for?
« Reply #10 on: 11 August 2025, 22:39 »
Controversially just Keep it if its paid for, and don't become a sheep  :grin:

We all get sucked into accepting massive and continual depreciation in the name of desire, which is most likely the 2nd biggest purchase in our lives behind a mortgage. Imagine if we traded up in property every few years to then take a massive hit at resale, and then repeat like we do with cars!  :rolleyes: 

Every car after 2020 has more features you don't want, and things that are more complicated to turn off, or what's worse can't be turned off.

I've had a good few nice cars (to me), I've lost a lot of money on nice cars, and its taken me till 54 to work this out  :grin:

You are of course 100% correct. But I tend to keep my cars for a few years so I may only have a few changes left in me before I get too doddery to be safe behind the wheel and I really fancy a treat. Or two. Especially if I can get my OH to pay, she's loaded!
2019 Oryx White 5dr TCR.

Was - 2015 Tornado Red 3dr GTI PP, manual, Santiagos, Audi short shifter.

Offline david25

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Re: What to change a 7.5 for?
« Reply #11 on: 12 August 2025, 07:18 »
Thanks all.

David25 - I'm sure the Honda is well engineered and great to drive but it's a bit OTT for my taste. Boxster/Cayman is a possibility, I have looked but at my budget it'll be older and I'd be concerned at excessive running costs.

Could you live with the stealth sport line version, with the small spoiler and red seat delete? The cockpit is still full of buttons!

https://www.bramley.com/stock/2021-honda-civic-type-r-sport-line/14391

Another proper sports car option is the Alpine A110 or how about a fast BMW? Loads of models to choose from, maybe the compact M235i go older and you can find a 6 cylinder version.
Now = 2011 MK6 GTI - Reflex Silver
Past = 2006 MK5 GTI - Tornado Red and Solid Black

Offline EB2019

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Re: What to change a 7.5 for?
« Reply #12 on: 12 August 2025, 10:29 »
Controversially just Keep it if its paid for, and don't become a sheep  :grin:

We all get sucked into accepting massive and continual depreciation in the name of desire, which is most likely the 2nd biggest purchase in our lives behind a mortgage. Imagine if we traded up in property every few years to then take a massive hit at resale, and then repeat like we do with cars!  :rolleyes: 

Every car after 2020 has more features you don't want, and things that are more complicated to turn off, or what's worse can't be turned off.

I've had a good few nice cars (to me), I've lost a lot of money on nice cars, and its taken me till 54 to work this out  :grin:

You are of course 100% correct. But I tend to keep my cars for a few years so I may only have a few changes left in me before I get too doddery to be safe behind the wheel and I really fancy a treat. Or two. Especially if I can get my OH to pay, she's loaded!

 :grin: :grin:

Nice problem to have, you want a change, also want something fun, but can only have one car?

In that regard cars are like trainers, (hear me out) one pair trying to do it all.  Ideally you want one pair for running, one pair for smart, one pair for walking the dog in the winter etc. It becomes such a compromise to only have one pair trying to do everything.  Buying an RS3, A35 etc is only a slight change from your TCR imo.  I kept the Golf but bought a small sports car, compromised for space, but great on B roads.  It could never be our only car as its impractical for normal stuff, and the Golf could never be as fun to drive as its, well a FWD car but does everything else.

And to contradict my previous comment, now I have depreciation on 2 cars  :grin:




Offline fredgroves

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Re: What to change a 7.5 for?
« Reply #13 on: 12 August 2025, 10:59 »
You are of course 100% correct. But I tend to keep my cars for a few years so I may only have a few changes left in me before I get too doddery to be safe behind the wheel and I really fancy a treat. Or two. Especially if I can get my OH to pay, she's loaded!

If its a last hurrah then RS3 or some sort of mid life crisis/willy extending Porche...

Personally I'm thinking very hard about a small car with long travel suspension given that the government can't maintain the roads any more (I've had 2 knackered shocks and a cracked wheel in the last year ffs) so possibly a Daccia (!!!) with steel wheels or more probably a new (electric) Renault 5
Current: Mk8 GTI DSG, Adelaides, DCC, HUD, HK, Winter Pack, Rear Camera.. Aka "HMS Weasel"

Gone: 2017 Mk7.5 GTD,manual, NavPro
Gone: 2014 Mk7 GTD, manual, NavPro, DCC

Offline jcrollie

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Re: What to change a 7.5 for?
« Reply #14 on: 12 August 2025, 11:22 »
Controversially just Keep it if its paid for, and don't become a sheep  :grin:

We all get sucked into accepting massive and continual depreciation in the name of desire, which is most likely the 2nd biggest purchase in our lives behind a mortgage. Imagine if we traded up in property every few years to then take a massive hit at resale, and then repeat like we do with cars!  :rolleyes: 

Every car after 2020 has more features you don't want, and things that are more complicated to turn off, or what's worse can't be turned off.

I've had a good few nice cars (to me), I've lost a lot of money on nice cars, and its taken me till 54 to work this out  :grin:

You are of course 100% correct. But I tend to keep my cars for a few years so I may only have a few changes left in me before I get too doddery to be safe behind the wheel and I really fancy a treat. Or two. Especially if I can get my OH to pay, she's loaded!

 :grin: :grin:

Nice problem to have, you want a change, also want something fun, but can only have one car?

In that regard cars are like trainers, (hear me out) one pair trying to do it all.  Ideally you want one pair for running, one pair for smart, one pair for walking the dog in the winter etc. It becomes such a compromise to only have one pair trying to do everything.  Buying an RS3, A35 etc is only a slight change from your TCR imo.  I kept the Golf but bought a small sports car, compromised for space, but great on B roads.  It could never be our only car as its impractical for normal stuff, and the Golf could never be as fun to drive as its, well a FWD car but does everything else.

And to contradict my previous comment, now I have depreciation on 2 cars  :grin:

Without having driven anything else to compare, I'd agree the A35 sounds like more of just something different (and frankly less interesting) but the RS3 does have a more interesting engine which that alone sets it apart in my eyes (especially a saloon). The problem now is most cars are 2.0 4cyl and whilst that's not a bad thing in itself, it can make it challenging to get some variety when hopping into and out of cars.
SOLD 2017/17 6C Polo Match Edition 3dr in Blue Silk
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Offline EB2019

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Re: What to change a 7.5 for?
« Reply #15 on: 12 August 2025, 13:05 »
You are of course 100% correct. But I tend to keep my cars for a few years so I may only have a few changes left in me before I get too doddery to be safe behind the wheel and I really fancy a treat. Or two. Especially if I can get my OH to pay, she's loaded!

If its a last hurrah then RS3 or some sort of mid life crisis/willy extending Porche...

Personally I'm thinking very hard about a small car with long travel suspension given that the government can't maintain the roads any more (I've had 2 knackered shocks and a cracked wheel in the last year ffs) so possibly a Daccia (!!!) with steel wheels or more probably a new (electric) Renault 5

I like the newer Dacia's with the revised front end, really nice actually.  Lexus LBX might suit as a premium option?

Back on topic: I'm not sure I look at an RS3 (Econobox with more power) as a last hurrah regardless of the engine.  Lots of power can get boring quickly when you are running to Dunelm for a new lamp shade on a sunday.  And the only people I see driving them have one hand on the steering wheel at 12oclock, a big watch, and love a traffic light GP.  :grin:

Only kidding they are nice cars

Perhaps with all the traffic fun doesn't really exist anymore with modern cars.

 
« Last Edit: 12 August 2025, 13:21 by EB2019 »

Offline Exonian

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Re: What to change a 7.5 for?
« Reply #16 on: 12 August 2025, 14:42 »
If the Mrs is going to be treating you from her millions Watts why not revisit the TT?
TT’s are popular with the ladies for various reasons (smaller but not too small, classy badge on the nose and rump, funky interior and plenty of conservative panache).
The last ones will still be under factory warranty (always better than any finance company derived warranty at least in the initial stages of ownership to ensure there are no hidden mechanical horrors) and have good spec on many of them.
It’s a car that will feel special sat at the traffic lights and supremely confident in anything you throw at it thereafter. It’s useable.

A proper sports car will set your pulse racing - but only when you’re on the right roads and in the right conditions.
I still think a GR Yaris would be a good bet as it’s genuinely practical for two people and has a smaller capacity engine meaning you actually get to drive the thing rather than be a semi passenger in a large engined auto box equipped mega power car that’s virtually unusable in the UK unless you do track days or live in parts of Wales or Scotland that have great roads and few tourists.

The thing for me is the GTI TCR when clean and presented looks at good as almost anything in all the right ways, and it’s easy to forget with familiarity what a fantastically accomplished engine and chassis it has. It’s just whether you actually use its best virtues owing to that familiarity issue.
‘25 8.5R, ‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten 

Offline Adam T7

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Re: What to change a 7.5 for?
« Reply #17 on: 12 August 2025, 15:43 »
Controversially just Keep it if its paid for, and don't become a sheep  :grin:

We all get sucked into accepting massive and continual depreciation in the name of desire, which is most likely the 2nd biggest purchase in our lives behind a mortgage. Imagine if we traded up in property every few years to then take a massive hit at resale, and then repeat like we do with cars!  :rolleyes: 

Every car after 2020 has more features you don't want, and things that are more complicated to turn off, or what's worse can't be turned off.

I've had a good few nice cars (to me), I've lost a lot of money on nice cars, and its taken me till 54 to work this out  :grin:

Wise words.
MY2019 GTI Mk 7.5 Performance. DSG, 5 Door, Rear Camera, Climate Windscreen and Rear Window Factory Tints, Indium Grey.

Offline Exonian

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Re: What to change a 7.5 for?
« Reply #18 on: 12 August 2025, 16:34 »
Controversially just Keep it if its paid for, and don't become a sheep  :grin:

We all get sucked into accepting massive and continual depreciation in the name of desire, which is most likely the 2nd biggest purchase in our lives behind a mortgage. Imagine if we traded up in property every few years to then take a massive hit at resale, and then repeat like we do with cars!  :rolleyes: 

Every car after 2020 has more features you don't want, and things that are more complicated to turn off, or what's worse can't be turned off.

I've had a good few nice cars (to me), I've lost a lot of money on nice cars, and its taken me till 54 to work this out  :grin:

Wise words.

Well, unless buying before and then selling in a boom you’d have to recover stamp duty, solicitors fees, removal costs, all the bits of necessaries you have to put into a newly bought house and if you bought a new build (equivalent of buying a new car but also needs flooring, furnishing, garden sorting, curtains, blinds, shelving etc etc) then you’d certainly see a huge hit to your finances.
Houses are longer term investments just like stocks and shares.
Cars depreciate far less once (ironically) they’re out of warranty and the associated risks actually increase, so could be argued a far better long term purchase like a house if nothing serious goes wrong. Unfortunately the last of the VW’s you could actually sit on your drive and fix with basic tools and a swear box would be an up! which went out of production several years ago. Anything newer than that is just a motorised iPad and heaven help us when they get old.

Plus I’d argue that buying a sports car or hot hatch isn’t sheep like these days as the sheep all “drive” SUV’s. And I use the term drive loosely. Real sheep would actually do just as good a job of piloting those things as your average human driver.

And then there’s renting. Rent a house and you’re at the mercy of the landlord, your costs will go up and not down as the market changes and if the nice lady who rented you the house pegs it then chances are the family will sell it and boot you out. At that point it gets very financially painful, I watched my sister go through that process a year or two ago.
Most buyers of new cars are technically renters.

I still think a well kept mk7 is worth hanging onto, just like mk2’s and mk5’s stood the test of time (only the former two were arguably better built).

What to do eh Watts?

Maybe talk the wealthy wife into buying a house with a bigger drive and space to fit a car to suit each of your moods?
‘25 8.5R, ‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten 

Offline Adam T7

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Re: What to change a 7.5 for?
« Reply #19 on: 12 August 2025, 17:26 »
I walk more miles now than I drive most months, especially in the spring and summer so struggle to justify in my head re. a new car, but each to their own. I opted out of the company car scheme in 1999 and was fortunate to have a generous car allowance that easily paid for the GTI before I retired from there 3 years ago, so in terms of capital, its cost me nothing.

I know loads of folk who are religious car changers after a couple of years, each to their own.

I have an itch however for an old new car to keep as a ‘project’ in addition to the GTI and keep getting drawn to a Jaguar XJR Supercharged😂
MY2019 GTI Mk 7.5 Performance. DSG, 5 Door, Rear Camera, Climate Windscreen and Rear Window Factory Tints, Indium Grey.