Pacific is New Sportline and Undermines value of GT TDI

[metrolex]

Having been awaiting for four months the arrival of my manual GT TDI I am disheartened to see that the Pacific, the new Sportline (but now with DSC) is available for $5,000 less than the GT diesel.

When I ordered my GT TDI it was just $1,210 more than a Sportline (taking into account the $790 DSC which was standard on the GT but optional on the Sportline).

Now, it would seem, VGA expects customers to pay a $5,000 (or 15.3%) premium for the GT diesel (for 22% more power, 10% more torque, Sports Suspension, Winter Driving program and 17" alloys (which are less practical and less attractive than the 16" rims on the Pacific).

This is instead of the $1,210 (or 3.3%) premium previously sought - fully $3,790 more than before.

Shouldn't VGA be either lowering the price of the GT by $3,790 or addressing this pricing anomaly by some combination of upgrading the GT to GTi spec (eg seats) and lowering the price?

I've all but decided to cancel my order for my GT TDI and go with a Pacific.

If you know anyone who is after a white, manual TDI with a roof that'll be available for almost immediate delivery (it arrived dockside on 21 April), let me know or call Melanie at Denlo Parramatta!

Cheers
JB

[Logzy]

I could be wrong but i think you need to do more homework on this.
From what i know the Pacific is actuly the replacement for the Comfortline.
Therefore of course its going to be cheaper than the GT Sport, youre not talking the same model car.

Trendline = Edition.
Comfortline = Pacific.
Sportline = GT Sport.
GTI
R32

I really think you need to go and do alot more reading.
Im sure you'll find that there are alot more differences between the models than what you have implied in your post.
This along with the different engine, suspension, brakes (i think) etc I'm sure justifies the price difference.
The GT Sport is close to the GTI in options / specs.

You dont get a more powerful motor plus other extras for nothing you know.!!!

[GoLfMan]

all you got to think is how do i drive and then make a choice based on that, as Logzy said they dont just change the alloys and trim and wack on an extra few grand for the privilage.

[Maverick]

I really think you need to go and do alot more reading.
Im sure you'll find that there are alot more differences between the models than what you have implied in your post.
This along with the different engine, suspension, brakes (i think) etc I'm sure justifies the price difference.
The GT Sport is close to the GTI in options / specs.

You dont get a more powerful motor plus other extras for nothing you know.!!!

The brakes are the same as the GTI, the only difference is that you don't get the red calipers (you only get a 10% performance increase in braking with the red calipers )

The GT sport also gets Winter Driving Program, GTI lookalike front grill/bumper, dual exposed tail pipes, the 17" wheels as noted, front fog lights, dual zone AC, large format display (actually I think this is now on the new pacific model) , sports seats and of course all the engine and suspension changes (same springs as the GTI but different dampers).

I think that covers them all.

Can the original OP cancel the order given that it's already here?? Sheesh stuff waiting another 4 months for a new car!

EDIT: Just took a look at the new brochure and the Pacific gets 16" alloy wheels up from 15", dual zone AC up from the standard standard AC, front fog lights, Electronic Stability Program, sports front seats.

So the original OP does have a point, a lot of increased value in the new pacific and no drop in price of the GTI or GT sport.

[metrolex]

Pacific = Sportline

Permit me to reiterate:

The Pacific has exactly the same spec as the old Sportline but with DSC included. While the Comfortline and Sportline variants no longer exist, the Pacific = Sportline + DSC ($790).

A GT TDI used to cost $1,210 more than a Sportline but now costs $5,000 more than a Pacific (which is a Sportline+DSC).

So, to maintain the same price differential and value for money the TDI should only cost $33,700 (ie $32,490 + $1,210), not $37,490.

(Okay, the GT Sport has Sports Suspension and winter driving program, the latter about as useful in Australia as the heated front seats and electric(!) lumbar support.)

[Lima]

All manufacturers over spec cars as they get close to the end of their model cycle. When I bought my Mk4 GTI it had a dash cluster the same as a 1.6 model, no remote central locking, no alarm and no trip computer. By the time the Mk4 was in runout mode a few years later, the 2.0 Sport had a dash cluster similar to the Bora V6 4motion, trip computer, flip key, and I'm pretty sure remote central locking, if not alarm as well.

C'est la vie.

[Lima]

...useful in Australia as the heated front seats...

Haha, the heated seats in our GTI are its best feature during Canberra winters.

Next you'll tell me we never get fog in Australia.

[Mixer]

(Okay, the GT Sport has Sports Suspension and winter driving program, the latter about as useful in Australia as the heated front seats and electric(!) lumbar support.)

Hey! Don't mess with my heated seats. They are great in winter, as someone with a bad back it means I can have fresh air but still be warm.

I think given the extras the GT is easily worth the extra money over the lower models - extra power + better suspension is easily worth the asking price.

[Logzy]

The heated leather seats are great.
I didnt think I'd really use them much either until i got the car.

Sorry, but i need to say this.

Its DSG not DSC.

[Greg Roles]

I'd pay $5k for that drive and grunt.

Crikey, I did!

[metrolex]

I meant ESP, not DSC (or DSG).

The heated leather seats are great.
I didnt think I'd really use them much either until i got the car.

Sorry, but i need to say this.

Its DSG not DSC.

Apologies, I meant ESP, not DSC (or DSG).

And clearly heating leather is not without merit. But putting electric lumbar support ahead of an 8-way (tilt adjustable) seat in a $40k car . . .

[Tim]

I dont really think you can consider $1000 difference in value "undermining"

You either want a car just like everyone else wants or you want a GT sport. The distinction is clear. And to be honest I think the GT sport is excellently priced. Does this car have a direct competitor in the australian market?

$1000 is not the end of the world. Dont let the wait get to you! Im sure once you take delivery of the car you will have a grin on your face for weeks

[STV4SYT]

Yep, to be honest when i bought mine, i didnt even consider any of the lower spec models, and even now i would still go the GT over pacific.

The GT is aimed at buyers that want the handling/performance of the GTI with the economy of diesel. And is therefore priced and specced as such, the Pacific is aimed at the small family car market but with a better spec than the base model.

[Maverick]

I dont really think you can consider $1000 difference in value "undermining"

You either want a car just like everyone else wants or you want a GT sport. The distinction is clear. And to be honest I think the GT sport is excellently priced. Does this car have a direct competitor in the australian market?

$1000 is not the end of the world. Dont let the wait get to you! Im sure once you take delivery of the car you will have a grin on your face for weeks

Did you miss the part where I posted all the other extras that it's getting?

The Pacific gets 16" alloy wheels up from 15", dual zone AC up from the standard standard AC, front fog lights, Electronic Stability Program, sports front seats same as those on the GT's but without the red in the pattern.

The only difference now on the GT Sport is the 17" alloys, GTI look front grille, dual exposed tailpipes, engine with more power and suspension similar to the GTI.

So the OP does have a point and VW has just screwed the resale value of all of those who purchased a comfortline, trendline or sportline in the last 2 years and possibly to a certain extent that of the GT Sport. Whilst they have added a lot of fruit to the two base models they haven't added anything to the upper spec. Why not offer standard bi-xenon's to the GT Sport and GTI along with PDC? (these will offer value but not really affect resale value of the current ones - unlike the addition of a heap of extras to the lower models)

[Tim]

I think VW should be commended for bringing their lower spec cars to the masses. If there are even more VWs on the road im happy

Just have a look at Porsche. They take stuff out of a car. Put an "RS" Badge on it and charge you thousands more! Its all about positioning a model at a competitive price point. And i still think the GT sport has no competition in its segment. Why should they reduce the price?

As for resale. This sort of thing happens as minigolf has already said. With each new model year or slight update of spec things change. Do you propose that VW dont bring out a mk6 so that our mk5s done devalue as much? Just watch when the mk6 comes out. Your car will lose 20% value overnight.

If VW dont do things like this then their volume models wont continue to sell as there is already a lot of talk "should i wait for mk6 or should i buy now"