Buying a Golf GTI
Discussion
Have pretty much decided on buying one of these but had a few questions.
1. Reliability, how are they for Australian roads. There seems to be a few comments regarding Euro cars not being as 'tough' as Japanese or Australian - Is this true?
2. Manual vs DSG - which is better, DSG seemed to drive OK but it still felt like an automatic and it still seemed to be slow at changing down. Is the manual gearbox good?
3. Is it worth waiting for the Mark VI Golf. My current thinking is that cars don't depreciate much in Australia and that Euros/GTIs seem a hold value better than Aussie cars, even when a new model comes out.
My biggest nagging doubt is the existence of the new Subaru WRX sedan which by all accounts is a very rapid and well-sorted car - but I'm willing to compromise on this because I think the Golfs interior is still class leading.
1. Reliability, how are they for Australian roads. There seems to be a few comments regarding Euro cars not being as 'tough' as Japanese or Australian - Is this true?
2. Manual vs DSG - which is better, DSG seemed to drive OK but it still felt like an automatic and it still seemed to be slow at changing down. Is the manual gearbox good?
3. Is it worth waiting for the Mark VI Golf. My current thinking is that cars don't depreciate much in Australia and that Euros/GTIs seem a hold value better than Aussie cars, even when a new model comes out.
My biggest nagging doubt is the existence of the new Subaru WRX sedan which by all accounts is a very rapid and well-sorted car - but I'm willing to compromise on this because I think the Golfs interior is still class leading.
I use my 30mm lowered S3 on country roads all the time and live down a dirt road. The only issue I've had us coming down hard over a speed hump, dislodging the oil level sensor, a $60 fix. Look at the cars people in the country actually use. Turbo diesel pugs, mercs, golfs and the like are very common. Many country professionals have a euro (the first owner of both my bmw and my S3 were country doctors)
Obviously they don't respond to offroad driving, but neither would a Mazda MPS
Obviously they don't respond to offroad driving, but neither would a Mazda MPS
I would think there is little truth in Euro cars being poor quality and is probably something left over from the days when hatch backs were perceived as all being tiny biscuit tins from Korea or Italian s
te. I would also not read as much in to issues you read about UK cars...IMO cars there get more of a pounding on the roads and things fail quicker than they would here.
How do they feel compared to you Civic? I have kept an eye on EP3 Type R imports and they look the goods for around the $25K mark.
Manual V DSG...I think DSG would suit the day to day aussie driving conditions of lots of straight line, steady speed cruising with the occasional traffic foul up. I have not tried a DSG yet but I normally dont like automatics at all so not sure how I would get on or if the 'manual' control would be enough to keep me happy.
How long did it take for VW aus to get the MK V Golf and how long after that did the GTI appear? You might be in for a bit of a wait for the MK VI. I think you are right in thinking the MK V prices will hold well even when the new shape car is out...dont forget that with options a GTI nudges $50,000 so good used cars will always have decent value unless the MK VI is massively cheaper.
I have read that in 2010 the hot version of the Scirocco is coming here but no base models.
I like the look of the new WRX sedan but would take a hatch back, I find small sedans to be less practical than the load lugging hatch.
The 2009 model has been substantially tweaked over the first batch....now up to 195KW and a better interior and they have given it decent tyres and an aus tuned suspension so the car is back to being a proper WRX (and quicker than previous gen STI's apparently!). I would think owners of the first 'new gen' cars are a bit peeved about this!
I had a look at one last week and thought the interior is improved over previous WRX but is no way near as good as a euro hatch...it felt like something you would be impressed with 5 years ago if you understand me? It only has a 5 speed box so I would think on a run the fuel economy would not be as good as other cars...But all this is fairly minor when you consider the 'every mans supercar' performance and the $40,000 drive away deals being offered.
te. I would also not read as much in to issues you read about UK cars...IMO cars there get more of a pounding on the roads and things fail quicker than they would here.How do they feel compared to you Civic? I have kept an eye on EP3 Type R imports and they look the goods for around the $25K mark.
Manual V DSG...I think DSG would suit the day to day aussie driving conditions of lots of straight line, steady speed cruising with the occasional traffic foul up. I have not tried a DSG yet but I normally dont like automatics at all so not sure how I would get on or if the 'manual' control would be enough to keep me happy.
How long did it take for VW aus to get the MK V Golf and how long after that did the GTI appear? You might be in for a bit of a wait for the MK VI. I think you are right in thinking the MK V prices will hold well even when the new shape car is out...dont forget that with options a GTI nudges $50,000 so good used cars will always have decent value unless the MK VI is massively cheaper.
I have read that in 2010 the hot version of the Scirocco is coming here but no base models.
I like the look of the new WRX sedan but would take a hatch back, I find small sedans to be less practical than the load lugging hatch.
The 2009 model has been substantially tweaked over the first batch....now up to 195KW and a better interior and they have given it decent tyres and an aus tuned suspension so the car is back to being a proper WRX (and quicker than previous gen STI's apparently!). I would think owners of the first 'new gen' cars are a bit peeved about this!
I had a look at one last week and thought the interior is improved over previous WRX but is no way near as good as a euro hatch...it felt like something you would be impressed with 5 years ago if you understand me? It only has a 5 speed box so I would think on a run the fuel economy would not be as good as other cars...But all this is fairly minor when you consider the 'every mans supercar' performance and the $40,000 drive away deals being offered.
The Civic was a sublime handling car, pretty much like driving on rails and had a great sound while in VTEC and the best gearbox I've ever used. I still think that EP3 looks better than the current model.
Unfortunately the dealer was with me and we only did straight roads and freeway driving, but compared to the Mk IV GTI I had previously, it felt much, much better. Totally different car.
Subaru were not doing any drive away deals on the new sedan, leather & satnav pushed it to high 40's
Lowest I've had for the Golf is $41,500 drive away for leather, manual, metallic paint and $44,000 for the DSG version with leather and metallic paint.
Unfortunately the dealer was with me and we only did straight roads and freeway driving, but compared to the Mk IV GTI I had previously, it felt much, much better. Totally different car.
Subaru were not doing any drive away deals on the new sedan, leather & satnav pushed it to high 40's
Lowest I've had for the Golf is $41,500 drive away for leather, manual, metallic paint and $44,000 for the DSG version with leather and metallic paint.
that is a brillant price for the golf when i looked in to buying one with the same options that you have it was over 50k, thats why i got the first of the my08 wrx (stupid move now with the new one) my resale for this car is aroung 34k after buying it for 45k so 11 grand loss in ten months not happy.
Go with the golf i wish i had
Go with the golf i wish i had
deviant said:
Jeez if your set on a Golf and you have found them at that price I would leap on one before they change their mind!
That's from 2 dealers without any haggling. Most variants/colours are in stock with 10 days delivery. On one VW forum someone got the 5 door Pirelli edition for $47k, but I couldn't live with the seats unfortunately. They are waiving on-roads at the moment.I think most car dealers are struggling at the moment and any 'sensible' offer isn't refused. Was even looking at a dealer demo XR6 turbo with a sticker price of $45k and they were willing to let it go for $37k.
Definitely a buyers market.
btw : if you ever buy a new car ask for a fleet discount, they will usually give you a form for your 'employer' to sign and they won't really care who signs it, but it's worth a few grand off.
Edited by thehawk on Thursday 22 January 11:45
sensible said:
that is a brillant price for the golf when i looked in to buying one with the same options that you have it was over 50k, thats why i got the first of the my08 wrx (stupid move now with the new one) my resale for this car is aroung 34k after buying it for 45k so 11 grand loss in ten months not happy.
Go with the golf i wish i had
Yes, there must be a lot of really annoyed buyers of the 08 WRX, especially now that that model has sort of been downgraded in the US to be beneath the 09 WRX.Go with the golf i wish i had
Hahaha sorry for the thread hijack Hawk 
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I found it at a wholesaler in Perth. This place is a huge warehouse with a sheet load of ex mining 4X4's. Most of the cars they have seem to be around 2005 onwards.
I was actually really taken by suprise...I have never encountered a dealership that is so open and not at all pushy. In fact it was more up to me to tell them I had some questions which is how I like it!
They gave me the same for my Astra as I would have got in a private sale...$9K...which was a huge suprise, its a 2003 with 110,000kms on it!
They also arranged RAC insurance cheaper than I could get it and they arranged finance with an interest rate so low that I lobbed a 3 year warranty, insurance, stamp duty etc on the loan and it did not make a difference to the total payments. Their finance lady knows her stuff and was very open with how they get comission (a set amount, the same from all the finance companies they use no matter what the car or value) and why she put us with the finance package she did. She also operated so quickly that we agreed to buy on wednesday evening and I picked the car up Friday afternoon.
The way they operate suits me nicely...they dont negotiate the price of their cars (which all seemed well priced) and they offer a good trade in to keep people coming back. If you dont like their prices bugger off!
I know I am gushing a bit but this place was such a breath of fresh air and made buying a new car SO easy and stress free. There was no haggling and bargaining and being stitiched in to some ste dealer finance with 18% PA and only getting 0.50c for the trade in.
I need to get me some more PH stickers though...the others went all weird when I tried to get them out of the Astra.
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I found it at a wholesaler in Perth. This place is a huge warehouse with a sheet load of ex mining 4X4's. Most of the cars they have seem to be around 2005 onwards.
I was actually really taken by suprise...I have never encountered a dealership that is so open and not at all pushy. In fact it was more up to me to tell them I had some questions which is how I like it!
They gave me the same for my Astra as I would have got in a private sale...$9K...which was a huge suprise, its a 2003 with 110,000kms on it!
They also arranged RAC insurance cheaper than I could get it and they arranged finance with an interest rate so low that I lobbed a 3 year warranty, insurance, stamp duty etc on the loan and it did not make a difference to the total payments. Their finance lady knows her stuff and was very open with how they get comission (a set amount, the same from all the finance companies they use no matter what the car or value) and why she put us with the finance package she did. She also operated so quickly that we agreed to buy on wednesday evening and I picked the car up Friday afternoon.
The way they operate suits me nicely...they dont negotiate the price of their cars (which all seemed well priced) and they offer a good trade in to keep people coming back. If you dont like their prices bugger off!
I know I am gushing a bit but this place was such a breath of fresh air and made buying a new car SO easy and stress free. There was no haggling and bargaining and being stitiched in to some s
te dealer finance with 18% PA and only getting 0.50c for the trade in.I need to get me some more PH stickers though...the others went all weird when I tried to get them out of the Astra.
A couple of the guys I work with have Golf GTIs. I have only driven the Auto one and that was amazing although I was comparing it to a Commodore 4 speed tank-box! I spent all the time driving it messing around with the gearbox. Not a slow coach either. I have driven it twice now. Sadly the second time also included a drive of an EVO9...admittedly not a stock one but quite possibly the best car I have driven. I had driven the fellows EVO8 but the 9 with the 6 speed and upgraded turbo was fantastic. It had been played with by the fellow that wins a lot of the Dutton rallies. I think it had 210rwkw at all the wheels or somewhere around there, so not over the top. Another car I have driven in auto and manual is a BF Typhoon. The ZF 6 speed version was very good but then so was the manual version. The manual gear change on the Typhoon was a lot better than my departed manual SV8. The BAII XR8 was the same gearbox-wise.
The Auto Golf has done a lot of kms now, 60,000 or 80,000 somewhere around there. I know the last service was not cheap as it involved a gearbox oil change which I don't believe has a drain plug on it. The oil cost a fortune, as did the labour.
Another fellow I work with was seriously considering a Golf too. Only problem he had was it couldn't carry his 2 dogs comfortably. However he picked up the next best thing, a Golf GTI clone! A manual Skoda Octavia VRS wagon. I think it was a demo so had about 10 or 15,000 kms on it but it came in well under $40k.
The Auto Golf has done a lot of kms now, 60,000 or 80,000 somewhere around there. I know the last service was not cheap as it involved a gearbox oil change which I don't believe has a drain plug on it. The oil cost a fortune, as did the labour.
Another fellow I work with was seriously considering a Golf too. Only problem he had was it couldn't carry his 2 dogs comfortably. However he picked up the next best thing, a Golf GTI clone! A manual Skoda Octavia VRS wagon. I think it was a demo so had about 10 or 15,000 kms on it but it came in well under $40k.
The DSG does seem impressive, in 'D' it is very smooth and like an auto, but better. In 'S' it very responsive and seems to always be in the right gear when you need it.
In manual mode it takes a bit of getting used to, the paddles are quite small to and hard to operate if you are turning, although you can use the gear lever to change up/down.
I've pretty much always driven manuals so I've had a couple of embarrassing moments - like flooring it in 1st and then trying to change gear manually and using my left foot for the clutch, which of course hits the brake pedal.
Will get a Bluefin ECU update and possibly an APR catback, but don't won't the sound to be loud, just sporty. Would also like some BBS/OZ Racing 18"'s but they can wait for now - so expensive compared to the UK/US.
In manual mode it takes a bit of getting used to, the paddles are quite small to and hard to operate if you are turning, although you can use the gear lever to change up/down.
I've pretty much always driven manuals so I've had a couple of embarrassing moments - like flooring it in 1st and then trying to change gear manually and using my left foot for the clutch, which of course hits the brake pedal.
Will get a Bluefin ECU update and possibly an APR catback, but don't won't the sound to be loud, just sporty. Would also like some BBS/OZ Racing 18"'s but they can wait for now - so expensive compared to the UK/US.
I always have to conciously keep my left foot jammed on the footrest when I'm in an auto! Sounds like you get the comfort of an auto but you dont get the horrid slow shifting, slushbox crap that goes with it.
I have read that those VAG engines are in a very low state of tune and are capable of some silly numbers with just a tweak of the ECU.
I have read that those VAG engines are in a very low state of tune and are capable of some silly numbers with just a tweak of the ECU.
They are about 197BHP as stock, the Bluefin and catback add about 60BHP so are a pretty cheap option. (about $6-700).
After that you need to start spending a lot more money on things like a bigger turbo etc. There are a few on YouTube with 370BHP+ but would definitely need an LSD and huge bank balance. I think the S# turbo upgrade is about $9000 alone.
After that you need to start spending a lot more money on things like a bigger turbo etc. There are a few on YouTube with 370BHP+ but would definitely need an LSD and huge bank balance. I think the S# turbo upgrade is about $9000 alone.
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