Newbie - lots of questions and thanks in advance

[Avalyn]

OK folks .. just registered, so a complete newbie. I'd be very grateful if a few clued up peeps could answer me a few questions 

A bit of history, I currently drive an 06 Subaru Forester STi (litchfield performance pack to 330/330  ) and have come from 2 previous WRX's (both with PPP).

I'm moving house soon and will be able to walk to work. I've made the sensible decision to sell the Forester  as I don't see the point in having it sitting on the driveway 5 days a week. It's a fantastic car but much more suited to my old commute of 15 mins B-roads, 10 mins through town.

I want something a bit easier on the wallet, a bit 'classier' to sit in and a bit smaller. It'll be mostly used for pootling through town, the odd weekend blast and the occasional long haul.

So I've arrived at the Golf GTI. Did think about a Megane R26 but it's probably a bit hardcore for what I'm looking for (too similar to the Scooby) and it's French 

I like to drive so want a manual box (I know, I know a bit of a luddite) and it'll be no surprise looking at my last 3 cars that I really don't care about being fully loaded. I'd rather have a TomTom than integrated Sat Nav, I hate loading in 6 CD's so happy with 1, not too fussed about leather (It can be slippy/hot/cold and poor quality).

I only really want a 3 door, manual, 18's, a centre armrest, maybe heated seats and possibly Xenon's 

I have used the search and tried to do some research but it's better asking owners than some review by 1 person.

So questions, questions ...

1. I have about 6K to put down as a deposit, looking at drivethdeal and brokersforcars this seems to get me in a GTI or Edition 30 with PCP deal over 48 months for about £250 a month.
I want to keep my payments down to around this amount. Does this sound about right?

So I seem to have a choice, GTI (with a few more options) or ED30 (less options).

2. Would a stealer match the deal these online brokers offer (about 1K off both)?

3. Interior quality, I hate rattles, I want a nice quiet rattle free environment on cruise. Is this the a Golf GTI/ED30?

4. What are the differences between the GTI and the ED30. I can figure out it's some red interior trim, a few badges, bodykit and obviously the extra 30 BHP or so. Also the 18" design alloys. Is there anything else I have missed?

5. Can of worms time. Is there really much difference between the ED30 and the 'normal' GTI on a day to day basis?

6. I am guessing that the ED30 just has a different ECU map to the GTI. Could a dealer (if they were so inclined) just load the ECU maps from the ED30 into the GTI and voila a 230 BHP GTI?

7. I'm used to and like bucket/sports seats. Are the standard tartan seats in the GTI any good? How do the they compare to the ED30 seats. Are they the same seats as the GTI just with leather bolsters etc? Are the ED30 seats heated as standard?

.. so assuming I'm correct in my PCP calculations I have 2 options to consider.

a. 3 door, manual, ED30, silver/black, centre armrest, rear tints
b. 3 door, manual, GTI, 18's, Candy White, Xenons, winter pack, centre armrest, rear tints, possibly leather (and eventually Revo/Bluefin)

Thoughts? Opinions?

Thanks in advance ..
Avalyn 

[Hurdy]

Hi Avalyn and welcome to the forum

Good questions I'll give you my perspective on some of them.

1. Don't really know as I paid cash. a few questions that others will ask though are:-

what is the APR?
What is the final payment?

2. Generally a dealer cannot match online prices. It all depends on whether you are willing to pay a little extra for the piece of mind of having a locally based dealer to buy from, rather than a faceless online site.

3. My ED30 doesn't rattle but as with most cars you can get some rattles. The only one that I had was a common one which is that the front centre mesh on the dash can buzz. I solved this by sticking velcro in it to hold and cushion it.

4. ED30 has 30bhp more due to uprated engine bits (just a remap gives over 300bhp). The seats are half leather and heated as standard - where as std GTI has cloth and no heated seats. Body kit is all colour coded on the ED30 - and the front lip spoiler and rear bumper are slightly different than the std GTI (look a bit more aggressive!). Red stitching in the ED30 splits opinion. 18" alloys on the ED30 as standard (pescara's - BBS multispokes) - std gti gets 17" Monza's. ED30 gets smoked rear lenses and a full set of interior mats included.

5. Definitely but then I am a little biased of course. Drivingwise I would probably say you wouldn't notice any difference in town driving, but pressing on the ED30 is definitely the faster brother.

6. No. ED30 has a different turbo. I'll let you peruse some of the forum for the continuous discussions on the engine internals. Remap on std GTI gives you 240-245bhp, a remap on an ED30 gives you 307-316bhp

7. Ive driven both std and ED30 and the seats in the ED30 with the leather bolsters do seem more supportive....IMO of course.

Looking at your 2 options I'd still go for the ED30 but then I would wouldn't I
Especially the silver one

[paulm007]

Avalyn welcome

Hurdy has answered most questions in the same way i would have except number 1 as I didnt have £23k hanging around!!

I got my ED30 through a broker (www.carfile.net - ask for Emma) who were brilliant.  Have bought mine on PCP only 2k deposit but £350 a month.  Apr is 7.9.  Main dealer couldnt touch it, quoted £500 a month, same deposit and no discount.  Even when I tried the old, "I have been quoted this figure by a broker etc etc, the sales manager said to take it as he would never be able to match those figures.

Car was deliverd as stated from a main dealer in the midlands, came on a car transporter so only had 20 miles on the clock.

Ref the other points, go for the ED30.  Mine is almost totally standard and I love it (even after 6 months of ownership) I cant wait to drive it.  Mine has no rattles at all and goes like stink (have had it around the track at Castle Combe!)

You will not regret it

[Phil mcavity]

if i had 23k in hand,(without already owning my car) no question , ed30 because its faster!!!, but you may wanna have a think, just a few things to take into account

To be honest, if i had a choice, id go for the car that has the most extra's rather then a basic spec'd version.The ed30 has the slight edge on performance the the standard,as mentioned if youir into performance chipping(which not everyone is)the ed30 is a better bet. Worth having a go with the dsg gearbox if you can test drive one.
Ive driven both cars and did like the extra mid range grunt of the ed30 but not much else over what i already own.If you find a GTi with loads of extras approx 1 year old, i think all round will give you best value for money.In the 1st year you WILL loose at minimum £3000 in depreciation(vat),if your getting car on pcp, then you MUST consider this!!!!!!!!
I myself are on the lookout for a high spec ED30 but because they are still new, am waiting for a year for the main depreciation to happen to 56/07 models,but thats another story.
Both are cracking cars, both blistering performance, and will make the suburu feel in a much lower league.
5 door is a must if you have a family to consider.Fuel econamy is marginally better in the Normal GTi.If you like full leather then thats NOT an option on the ED30 ,or if you dont like tartan then also avoid it.
Having revo added to the normal GTi is also very good. For £500 you can add 40bhp, making it have the edge on the ed30 (due to the slightly smaller turbo) spins up more freely.

So after all my blubbering, its: go for 1yr old standard GTi with lots of extras   or...   Get basic ed30 for same price with not as many toys.(again look out for 2nd hand as they have been out now 10 months) TRY AVOID NEW ON A PCP DEAL.

 oh and if you like Blue as a personal favorite, doesnt come as an option on the ED30   

[joesgti]

just get a gti fully loaded and a revo remap or custom remap, make sure its got some good boots on it and your laffin, fair enough ed30's have the extra 30bhp and the colour coded splitter, skirts and rear valance but you can just get some sprayed up for cheap and then ul have a ed30, 

[Russ.C]

just get a gti fully loaded and a revo remap or custom remap, make sure its got some good boots on it and your laffin, fair enough ed30's have the extra 30bhp and the colour coded splitter, skirts and rear valance but you can just get some sprayed up for cheap and then ul have a ed30, 

but get a ed30 and a remap and u'll have a rocket 

[Peskarik]

just get a gti fully loaded and a revo remap or custom remap, make sure its got some good boots on it and your laffin, fair enough ed30's have the extra 30bhp and the colour coded splitter, skirts and rear valance but you can just get some sprayed up for cheap and then ul have a ed30, 

but get a ed30 and a remap and u'll have a rocket 

 

[Avalyn]

Thanks folks .... just what I was after.

As for the PCP I can't remember the exact details, think the APR was 9.4% and final payment was £7250. I think the purchase price for an ED30 3dr (standard) was about £21.5K. I'll give carfile a shout once I've sold my current car (still for sale   )

I do realise that buying new doesn't make much sense but it's the monthly payment that's the over riding factor at the mo, irrespective of what position I'll be in 3 years time.

I also didn't realise the ED30 had a different turbo. I guess it's the usual story, standard GTI will start blowing a bit earlier, ED30 a bit later but harder.

As for a remapped ED30 ... I have no interest in driving a 300 BHP car through 2 front wheels   must be fun, I already have a 330 BHP 4WD turbo nutter car why would I want a 300 BHP 2WD turbo nutter car  

I'm maybe coming from a different angle to you folks, I'm not looking at the GTI/ED30 as a fast car and wondering how I can make it faster   I already own a car that'll do 0-60 in about 4.8, 0-100 somewhere in the 12's  

I'm looking for a quick, sensible, nice to own, cheaper to run hot hatch. I've done the 4WD Jap nutter thing. I want to up the 'feel good to own' factor, it's not costing me as much factor, whilst not losing the fun. I want to see something on the drive that still makes me smile, costs less to buy/own/run and doesn't frustrates me when I drive it due to a lack of poke  

I guess I need to try a GTI and see whether it has enough under the right foot for me before deciding  

I love Candy White but think the ED30 looks a bit clumpy (have I just made that word up?) with the colour coded sills, the GTI looks fantastic in Candy White. I'm also not sure about the 18's on the ED30. I do love the Tartan/leather seats and the extra 30 BHP.

What I really want is an GTI with 18 Monza's, ED30 turbo and ED30 interior.

Any more opinions welcome
Avalyn.
Oh and if you know of anybody interested in an 06 Forester STi then get them to give me a call  

[Stiggy]

I had a similar dilemma.  I looked at all hot hatches around at the time and it didn't take long to shorten the list to std gti and ed30.  Both cars are excellent all rounders - good performance, quality (no rattles yet), practicality and economy, and to be honest, both fit your requirements.  However, I think the ed30 has the edge over the std gti - maybe a little more expensive, but you get what you pay for - extra 30hp in the way of stronger internals (not just an ecu remap), about 1mpg less than std gti, same CO2 emissions, upgraded cosmetics (inside and out - depends whether you like part leather i guess, and the alloys.....; heated seats as standard; colour coded body bits), generally a little more classy and exclusive.  And as others have mentioned, more reseptive to mods.  Ofcourse, I maybe a little biased

[Russ.C]

What I really want is an GTI with 18 Monza's, ED30 turbo and ED30 interior.

Just buy a set of Monza's and slap em on yer Ed30 then (then stick the pescaras on ebay!)