Should I buy my 1st VW?

[volx]

learn to drive manual it'll take all of 3 hours i promise if you were in sydders id teach you myself for a six pack of beer lol.

Three hours, you reckon Mischa? If I was in Syds I'd take you up on that! Don't know anyone with a manual, so might hit up a driving school! There is a point - get a manual comfortline... have to learn tomorrow afternoon and order on Thursday ha ha, think I'm a bit pushed for time

[volx]

howdi

Speak to a car broker....www.carbroker.com.au

Will get you the best price for a small(ish) fee. Have never used it myself but have heard plenty of success stories. I'd give that a go.

PS I'd stay away from Pug's. Have you considered a Mazda 2?

Hey Bailey, I know you're a VW-er, but why stay away from Pugs? And the 207 specifically? (I know the 206 falls apart... apparently quality has improved, but I guess it's a matter of time to see the proof.)
...maybe that's why there's not many on the road yet-

[THR]

Hey Bailey, I know you're a VW-er, but why stay away from Pugs? And the 207 specifically? (I know the 206 falls apart... apparently quality has improved, but I guess it's a matter of time to see the proof.)
...maybe that's why there's not many on the road yet-

^ Wide range of quality and build issues - particularly with the 206 and 307. By all accounts the 207 and 308 are of better quality, but from having driven and sat in both, they didn't do it for me. While they felt sturdy and well built, the materials themselves still felt cheaper. Although I still love the external design (but not so much the interior).

It was suggested earlier that foglights are standard on the 207. That is the case from the XT upwards, but not for the entry level XR model.

For me, $30,000+ for an XT auto is just too much. The Golf is a better buy IMHO.

[bailey78]

Hey Bailey, I know you're a VW-er, but why stay away from Pugs? And the 207 specifically? (I know the 206 falls apart... apparently quality has improved, but I guess it's a matter of time to see the proof.)
...maybe that's why there's not many on the road yet-

I just have a general interest in cars and also know a mechanic at a PUG dealership and hear of a few horror stories.

At the end of the day, cars are mechanical entities and these mechanical objects eventually breakdown/cause hassles. Some brands are more likely to give you grief than others.

I came from a SAAB 9-3 and had SOOOOOOOOOO many hassles with it (They replaced the car for a new one after 10 months because it was a lemon! Plenty of $$$ in lawyer fees involved etc. Trust me - you don't want to go through that.

I'd get the Golf.

[volx]

Thanks for the advice Mischa - and all you lovely vdubbers. Will post the verdict after Saturday's yard rounds. !

[balkanac]

Have you tried posting on a Peugeot forum? see what they have to say, i bet their opinions would be totally different!! Try the European car Club of Australia forums, they shouldn't be biased

[volx]

I'm back to your side of the fence

...loving the sound of people's new arrivals! Jealous!
Having all but signed for my 207 XT with glass roof (why did I get hooked on that - bane of my existence), I discovered while it was 08 compliant, it was built in April 07...

So I am back to Golf, the coming special edition Edition, with everything from Comfortline but auto headlights/wipers. And the bonus of body coloured strips and handles + sunroof (despite 16 week wait).

My question is, is it folly to buy a 'shape' that will be superseded in around 18 months (going on a late 08 Europe release, guessing it will hit us end of 09)?

Will resale plunge? Thanks again !

[rabbitoh]

Hi Volx,

Never owned a Pug but my previous car was an Alfa 147. Great little car, loved the looks, steered well (for the time), nice little rorty engine (again for the time) and actually basically stayed together for 6 years. I had a cracked sump late last year when I first nearly sold her for an R32 and a faulty air bag that turned out only to be a cheap fuse. So my ownership experience was by and large good. Problem compared with the same eras Golf (MK IV 2002) was that it depreciated badly.

So, would I buy an Alfa again? Yes, but only one that is a few years old and has depreciated. Buying them new is murder. If your Pug has good re sale and is the car you really want, go for it. I am sure if you pick the Golf, you will be very happy as well.

[volx]

Thank you! Someone once told me never to buy a 'new' car ending in the sound 'o'! I think, like Alfas, Peugeots plummet pretty quickly... either one will probably be shelved for a MK6 when it arrives, so want to get as much $ back as I can. (Would wait, but currently car-less.)

[Mischa]

...loving the sound of people's new arrivals! Jealous!
Having all but signed for my 207 XT with glass roof (why did I get hooked on that - bane of my existence), I discovered while it was 08 compliant, it was built in April 07...

So I am back to Golf, the coming special edition Edition, with everything from Comfortline but auto headlights/wipers. And the bonus of body coloured strips and handles + sunroof (despite 16 week wait).

My question is, is it folly to buy a 'shape' that will be superseded in around 18 months (going on a late 08 Europe release, guessing it will hit us end of 09)?

Will resale plunge? Thanks again !

vw is bringing out the new shape early (initially this one was meant to be till 2010) due to high build costs of the current model (takes a long time to build basically). the new one isnt going to be any better (imo) because they're basically cutting costs and (again imo) i dont believe the engines will be any different. so no, theres nothing against buying a model that will be superseded in 1.5 years in this case and im speculating but i dont think resale values will suffer. they're in such high demand right now. remember most of that was MY OPINION i dont want anyone flaming me for what i've said

[LiFers]

Most Auto reporters are saying you can take a hint of the new shape/styling from the Sirocco that was just released. Personally I much prefer the old front end. The silver jetta etc is much nicer than this old style horizontal job on the Sirocco

I would expect the internal electronics to be upgraded - Push to start, MP3 compatibility accross the range, etc.

The petrol engines in the Sirocco look to be the same as the current golf, only they've dropped the 2.0 litre and have a 1.4l with a turbo only that they also call TSI.

Most of the diesel engines are all new and are currently shipping in the new Sirocco and A4 drop top. They seem to hit all the same power points as the existing pumpe duse but comments are that they're more refined with a larger power band. No comments yet that they're class beating so one would assume it's class average refinement. They continue to be labeled TDI and I'm sure they all have PF to meet Euro V.

[Mischa]

the new diesels which are to replace the pd are common rail for better emissions

[volx]

..you're right, V is still in hot demand... used ones are gone in days. Just the thought of buying a 'new car' carries for me a certain expectation that it will be 'current'. Still, V is nice and may be better than the cheaper-to-produce VI.
Anyone have an idea on time to reach Aus of a new model, after unveiling?
If it's in Paris this October 08, would we get it Nov/Dec 09?

Happy Easter!

[rodrocco]

Most Auto reporters are saying you can take a hint of the new shape/styling from the Sirocco that was just released. Personally I much prefer the old front end. The silver jetta etc is much nicer than this old style horizontal job on the Sirocco

I would expect the internal electronics to be upgraded - Push to start, MP3 compatibility accross the range, etc.

The petrol engines in the Sirocco look to be the same as the current golf, only they've dropped the 2.0 litre and have a 1.4l with a turbo only that they also call TSI.

Most of the diesel engines are all new and are currently shipping in the new Sirocco and A4 drop top. They seem to hit all the same power points as the existing pumpe duse but comments are that they're more refined with a larger power band. No comments yet that they're class beating so one would assume it's class average refinement. They continue to be labeled TDI and I'm sure they all have PF to meet Euro V.

Sorry LiFers, but I must point out that it gripes me when i see "the" word spelt as VOLKSWAGON, and as a previous owner it also gripes me when SCIROCCO is spelt the wrong way too. Nothing against you personally.

[volx]

... last question, I promise.
What would you say about a 2006 MY07 2.0l comfortline with sunroof, travelled 18,000kms (versus brand new 1.6 no sunroof)? What should I be paying (carpoint says around $28,000, but I'm thinking max $26,000).

Course to get a true price against a new one, I'd need to know
Is the 30,000km service expensive? And at what distance will it need new tyres? Brakes?

Thanks dubbers,

x