hi from Zephre...

[Zephre]

They say that your first car is like your first lover - never forgotten...

For me it was a 1976 Golf (and come to think about it, it also led to my first lover - but that's another story)

It was 10 years young, canary yellow, with 130k on the clock, in need of new suspension and my first experience with a manual car - but I've been smitten ever since.

I had a lot of fun in that car - it taught me how to drive, it also taught me that I was mortal - after rolling it (a full 1+1/2 times) on the road between Wiseman's Ferry and Pitt town I was very lucky to come it of it with just a scratch on my hand. No traction control or air bags in those days!

Also, that marked the end of my first car - I put up with a second hand family car from Mum - a Holden Astra (yawn) until I could get some readies behind me.

And so a few years down the track, after a new job was landed, I rewarded my self with a brand new 1998 Golf GL - Silver mk 3. I still have it as a second car and it provides a fun escape from the subaru station wagon that transports the family around these days.

.. but time moves on and the 1998 version is beginning to cost a bit, the aircon compressor has seized up (lucky it's now autumn), one of the back windows refuses to open - and it needs new tyres - but I still love giving it a bit of a fang now and then - it's just great fun to drive...

To end my little intro, I've come across this community as I begin to pursue my mid life crisis... I've always dreamed of owning a Golf GTI - hell if I can have a mate with a modern Cooper S, and another with an Alfa then my GL is looking a little tired - time to muscle up.

I'm looking for a Mk 5 GTI - still wavering between the fully manual and the 'not so manual' DSG. It doesn't need to be the latest and greatest, but I know it'll be in my garage for the next 10 years, so I need to make the right choice.

I'm looking forward to meeting and chatting with like minded Golf tragics - cheers and if you hear of a good deal - let me know!

regards - Zeph

[mikepologti]

nows a good time to buy a car, car yards are willing to to do anything to offload vehicles.if your after second hand try these sites your bound to find somthing.

http://carsguide.news.com.au/?referrer=ghead&colseo=n

http://www.drive.com.au/

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Home

[RhysQ]

I'm looking for a Mk 5 GTI - still wavering between the fully manual and the 'not so manual' DSG. It doesn't need to be the latest and greatest, but I know it'll be in my garage for the next 10 years, so I need to make the right choice.

Welcome to the forum mate!

If the above is the case, I would be looking at getting a manual gearbox if I were you. If you plan on keeping the car that long , you don't know what problems will arise with the DSG which would be VERY costly to repair. I wouldn't risk it and in the long run, I would put money on the manual being cheaper to maintain.

Good luck with your car hunting mate, I hope you find what you want.

One last thing I have to ask, how do you hang onto a car that long?? Do you not get the urge to buy another more frequent than that. I sincerely don't think I could hang onto a car that long (unless it was a barely used collector) and for that, I congratulate you!

Cheers,
Rhys

[Zephre]

One last thing I have to ask, how do you hang onto a car that long??
Do you not get the urge to buy another more frequent than that.

Thanks for the welcome and advice Rhys.

I guess when it comes to cars, turning them over every couple of years seems an expensive exercise given that I would rarely do more than 15,000 km pa.
My GL has been very good to me - 160k on the clock and I've only had to replace the clutch and suspension once (at 100k) and tyres a few times - it's very reliable. It cost me $32k at the time and is probably worth about $5k now, so over 10 years that's $2.5k pa in depreciation. In the mean time apart for a couple of minor little dings and some general wear and tear there's not much wrong with it. It'll be a good first car for some kid.

In terms of the DSG, I read somewhere that it's supposed to be engineered for the life of the car (a big promise) that also means that when they go it's going to be an expensive fix - so I might find myself going with the "ye olde clutch pedal" option

regards
Zeph

[RhysQ]

so I might find myself going with the "ye olde clutch pedal" option

Nothing wrong with that mate, I actually prefer it! Have a read through our threads, some people are already having issues with the DSG gearbox....after not even a year . Luckily they are still under warranty, but a few years down the track they won't be

[Zephre]

Rhys,

You're quickly making up my mind for me - call me an old fart, but a standard clutch and gearstick might suit me. I certainly enjoy the greater sense of 'engagement' in the driving process - even around the city!

Here's an article I tracked down that might be of interest - it's from 2005 but it's still relvant:
http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring...gti-review.htm

regards
Zeph