how did you decide?

[bailey78]

I forgot to mention too. STOCK!

When you buy an R32 it's the whole package and there's nothing much more that you need to do with it.

Wheels could be an option but that wouldn't be a factor to make or break purchasing one =)

I agree with that statement.

Although I appreciate great looking mods and faster pick up etc, I turnover my cars every 3 years - and its a heap easier to sell a car stock rather than modded.

[balkanac]

Mate, what you need to get as an MK4 R32. It looks better, it differs a lot from other golfs, better resale value just because there are 200 of them. I drove an '07 yesterday with recaros and a DSG and i prefer mine. I have better seats, better steering wheel, better looks. New R32 looks too much alike other golfs. you have to take a good look at it to recognise it. If you look straight at the front, if there was no badge, it could easily be a bora. not to mention that MK4 sounds better with the exsaust flapper mod, which takes 5 minutes to complete.

[gtimk5]

After over 30 years of driving VWs it was an easy decision for me to go with the GTI. Economy and more power than a stock R32 for less than the cost. I have mainly been a front wheel driver and it suits me down to the ground!
Love my car and with the exhaust it makes an excellent deep sound.
Cheers, Andrew

[eestison]

That is some food for thought, thanks for all the responses. It is great to see that everyone is pretty happy (for one reason or another) with what they have chosen. Nice representation from GT TDI, GTI, and R32 owners.

I have organised today for another round of test drives pre Christmas. I am quite keen to take the R32 for an extended drive (as offered), but am a little disappointed as the GT TDI and GTI are not road registered vehicles (demos to be sold), and the Km have to be kept down. Am hoping that more driving will assist me with my decision.

bailey78 I see that you managed a fleet price. i have been offered a similar package (on any of the three choices i am weighing up).

I work for a large company, I am an employee - not an owner. In Australia, we have (primarily) fleet deals with Toyota... there are between 900 and 1100 fleet vehicles. I am not sure of the intricacies of the arrangement (it is a private sale, after all), but VW can cut me a pretty reasonable deal based on that... any takers on how that works? *scratches head.

I am pitching for a 3 door R32 with; sat nav, reverse sensors, and dsg (easy on the flames folks),

or

a 3 door GTI with; sat nav, utd grey, reverse sensors, leather, xenons, and dsg (again, no flames people)

or

a GT TDI with; sat nav, utd grey, reverse sensors, leather, xenons, and (you guessed it) dsg.

i understand that state to state there are variations in statutory charges, but any indication of OTR costing (incl. any options) from everyone would be appreciated.

thanks again for your input

*edit

for what it's worth, i intend to keep the car for around three years - my current golf will be 2 1/2 when i change over. i appreciate that for a minimal outlay R32 like performance can be had from a GTI, and no doubt GTI like performance can be had from a GT TDI... But mods really don't do it for me, and i like the idea of staying stock (just my thing i guess).

[GermanwithaVdub]

i'm getting the feeling that my new gt is almost as fast as a gti... its really quite goey. if you drive it to its limit you will be rid of 900$ worth of tyres in no time.

remember, the gt and the gti are both FWD, which puts the r32 in a league of its own. since options are obviously important for you (r32 has almost everything standard) then the price difference between the gti and the r32 is going to be less than 10k, and id say the r32 is much more than 10k better than a gti you should be able to manage a better deal on an r32 anyway. the r32 is a far superior car. oh and you'll have nice linear, non-turbo power

so if i was you, and lookign for the totally kitted out experience and dont give a stuff about petrol usage and the overall price is not AS important as it might be to someone buying outright, just go the damn r32

but if you're looking for a moderately quick and fun car, that uses jack-all fuel, go the gt tdi. it sounds like the gti is a bit of a fence sitter in your case

this has prompted me to make a thread of my own

GL

[eestison]

GermanwithaVdub, your words echo my thoughts on the GT TDI. it is a worthy contender to the GTI. the engine is so willing, with zero (noticeable) lag. i was shocked to see the needle race out to 5000rpm (on the dsg model i drove) before shifting... my current 2.0TDI will only hit a touch over 4500rpm (redline) if i push it. as i said in my opening post... it is light years ahead, and to quote the salesman "it is how a diesel should perform".

don't get me wrong, i love the GTI. it is a very complete package, rev happy and very nimble... edgy, but in a very good way ( thanks Tim, well put ). the 2.0T engine plays a sweet tune, making the right noises at the right times. i would be very happy with this car.

...but the R32 still has me grinning like a village idiot. there was one thing that caught me off... under steer/body roll was apparent (if only a little) in the test drive - with more effort needed to turn in (?). i found myself using more road (one and a half lanes), where i was using only one lane in the same s-bend/chicane stretch of road on the GT TDI and GTI. that being said, it was a first drive... and the dynamic of an AWD ~1500kg vehicle is worlds apart from a FWD ~1350kg. vehicle. other than that, no complaints

i am trying so hard to iron out the decision. as outlined, this is going to be a weekend driver - and economy is not such a big deal. i can't wait to go for another drive.

any help with what everyone has paid would be appreciated. the salesman i am dealing with is good, not at all threatening or pushy, and quite genuine... but i don't want to be the wood-duck that thinks his deal is great - when in fact it is not.

thanks.

[GermanwithaVdub]

few prices on gti's in here. you'll be able to get better though if you order an my07 as the my08s have been sold for a while now. http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ead.php?t=6047 there is a forum member here "lowveedub" who is a salesperson, swing those prices by him, he might be able to make it worth it for you

[eestison]

Thanks for the link, made interesting reading RE actual OTR prices.