GTI Prices/Deals & Car Supermarkets, any Experience?

[laney]

Just spoken to Alex at Motorprovider who said that he's been chasing his dealer every day to get some english books and not had any luck.  He did offer to put a cheque in the post if I can get one from my local dealer  - worth a try I'd have thought

[Hully]

No the V5 does not show the car as an import - it's exactly the same as a car bought in the UK.

The manuals are Dutch - I guess because the PDI dealer (i.e. the dealer the cars are ordered by) are Dutch. You can buy UK manuals from a dealer, but they will charge you.

The only comment would be, just check the warranty as I think it starts when the car is delivered to the Euro dealer by the factory.  I.e. if you buy one that's been sat on an importers forecourt for a while it may not have the full 2 years warranty left.

I also bought mine from motorprovider last year.  I had it delivered the week after it was shipped. Would be nice to have English manuals but with a 3+K saving on the equivalent UK car I'm not too fussed.  The UK dealers weren't interested in giving any form of discount so I bought one with DSG & leather from motorprovider.  So far no problems at all and full UK spec.

Don't imports only come with only a years Pan European Warranty?  Also I thought that the V5 has to state that the car is an import, or is it just that you have to notify the person whoever you sell the car on too?
I agree that imports are a good deal, but I don't think it is that clear cut as I've looked at imports before.  One of the downsides is that they are worth substantially less when it comes to resale.  I know the cars are virtually, if not exactly the same as UK cars, but I guess if you pay less to start with you have to expect less when you sell it.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying buying an import is a bad thing, you just need to weigh up the pros and cons with the savings you are making to see if its worth it.  A £3k or more saving would probably be worth it in the long run.  Just adding my three pennies worth.  

[farina]

Don't imports only come with only a years Pan European Warranty?  Also I thought that the V5 has to state that the car is an import, or is it just that you have to notify the person whoever you sell the car on too?
I agree that imports are a good deal, but I don't think it is that clear cut as I've looked at imports before.  One of the downsides is that they are worth substantially less when it comes to resale.  I know the cars are virtually, if not exactly the same as UK cars, but I guess if you pay less to start with you have to expect less when you sell it.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying buying an import is a bad thing, you just need to weigh up the pros and cons with the savings you are making to see if its worth it.  A £3k or more saving would probably be worth it in the long run.  Just adding my three pennies worth. 

No imports definitely get 2 years manufacturers warranty.  UK cars get an extra years 'dealer' warranty which you can buy if you want (about £350).

There is nothing on the V5 that states the car is an import (that flag has gone).  There is a "previously registered overseas" marker - but the cars are first registered in the UK.  There's nothing to say that you have to inform the next owner that the car was an import.  It would be nice, and I would.  If it's within 3 years then you'd have to given that there would only be two years warranty.

As for resale price - well there's a lot a differing views on this.  Some say no difference - it's just the VW dealers lowering the prices (have to agree somewhat).   Others say 'oh an import will always be less'.  I'm of the opinion that in the first three years there will be a difference - if only because of the cost of the extra years warranty and because some people still have concerns about imports.  It certainly wont be as great as the money saved.  After three years the prices will be identical - fact - mileage and condition will be far more important.  Oh and yes the cars are identical - in effect they're all imports - after all they're built next to each other.

Looking at today's prices I saved about £3,500 on mine

[Hully]

Hi Farina,

My father has been in the car business for over 30 years, and he has said that imported cars always seem to make less money when it comes to resale.  Rather unfair IMO  .  A good example of this was when a friend of mine tried to px his MkIV GTI PD150.  It was 6 months older than mine, but was fully loaded with split rim alloys, heated seats, xenons, etc, yet he was offered over £3500 less than I was.  Bit ridiculous really as his car has far more extras on than mine.  The dealer told him that he'd struggle to sell it as the wheels were different.  Another good fib from a dealer I think.   

Anyway, sounds like you got a good deal, and hopefully you're still enjoying it. 

[qureshia]

motorpoint - get my car this week

2.0 gti 3 door, DSG , 2 year warranty, air con (not sure about this one as they all come with climate ??))  - rest std

will be on a 07 plate - i will be the first and only owner - £18,900 (on the road, tax, plates etc)

I looked long and hard and this was the best deal I could find on 07 dsg cars

this is a minimum £3k less than  uk lisit !! when the cars are a couple of years old being an import has little or no impact to private sales - traders use it as an excuse to discount.

 

[Dan-Brown]

I've just ordered a 5dr GTi from allbrandsnew.co.uk.

DSG, Elec Sunroof, Xenon lights, Elec driver seat, CD Changer in armrest, 18" Wheels, Park sensors, Cruise control, flappy paddle steering wheel! and climate for £20,278 plus and extra £199 for the 3rd year warranty. A saving of £4k on dealer price, I showed the dealer the quote and he said he only had 7 GTi's to sell this year and he'd sold 4 which meant he wouldn't knock more than £200 off the rest, i could see his point and he didnt knock the import and said he'd be happy to service it!

I searched around for ages and really wanted a 3dr but decided this was too well specced to pass up, they have more availiable if you want them! mine should be here in 3.5 weeks I'll keep you posted.

Oh and ive a mint 02 Mini Cooper for sale if any ones interested 

[acwats]

I looked long and hard at these too - it seemed too good to be true.
I  think you've got a great deal and I'm sure it'll pay off. 
For others who may be interested you need to understand that (and I can only speak about the enquiries I made) the VW warranty ran out in November 07. The dealer offered to make up the warranty with their own version so you can still get 2 years (and the 3 year extension) but this means the cars were built late 05 (hence the arm rest cd option which is no longer available) and were in Cyprus when I enquired.

I did put a question on the forum but got no response at the time as to whether a car being idle for so long could affect it adversly (eg tyres).

It's still a new car with a warranty and will have been moved around so I assume will be ok.  The spec for the price is a great deal. In the end I wanted leather so went with a new build via Motorprovider.

[Dan-Brown]

Update on the car buying progress from allbrandsnew.

Spoke to salesman yesterday and he made up some excuse about it being delayed getting a certificate of conformity.

Upshot is its now going to be ready on 21st April which is a good 3 weeks later than i was hoping for and promised.

Still good things come to those who wait!   

[qureshia]

Spoke to a vw dealer (franchised) said he would be more than happy to take my car when it comes to trading it in – will offer £1k less than the equivalent UK car. This will still leave me with will well over a £2k saving on a UK car.

Other than missing books the only other issue my import has is the blood lights are always on (much like Volvo’s)

3 door
Dsg  - 07 plate – no previous owners
6 cd changer
Arm rest
Heated seats
Highline
Heated mirrors
Headlight wash
Metallic paint
18” wheels
Cruise
Tinting mirror

less than £20k

[gonnahavemesomefun]

Hope I'm not being off topic...

I bought a 1 year old GT TDI a couple of weeks ago, it was originally bought through Gilbert Lawton by the previous owner (and is registered on their system) - do I therefore get the extra +1 year warranty, so I have 2 years left?

I suppose what I am asking is: is the extra 1 year warranty transferable?

cheers