My long GTI Story So Far...

[blue_reality]

I've been looking for a MKV GTI for about 6 - 8 weeks now. I didn't want anything other than a white, manual 5 dr, stock (any options not needed but would be a bonus).

My budget was $35,000 or under.

Lots of people had been talking to me about the DSG so I went to VW and test drove a DSG and I've gotta say, as a manual driver for 12 years it wasn't for me. I think they're amazing, but not my bag.

So I rang around and found one privately in QLD advertised for $37,000. Got him down to a bit under $35,000 but had to fly up there, sort out money, his car was on finance and communication wasn't great, and I needed two days off work. By the time I factored in flights, fuel, accomodation for a night, money lost by 2 days off work etc wasn't looking that good.

Went into VW again and they gave me a price of $47,000 for a red one (5dr manual sunroof) that was on the floor (mentioned it in another post) I said I don't want red so they dropped the price to $43,000 straight away. I said I wanted white.

Next day they call me, and say "We found you a white one - do you want it?" to which I reply "Is it the same specs as the red one in the shop?" Yes she says. OK "so it will be $43,000 then" I ask?

"No" she replies. That price doesn't include sunroof.

I reply "But yesterday you said I could drive away in the red one for $43,000 and it HAS a sunroof so why is the price different?"

She says "Well yesterday the sunroof was on top of that price"

I realise pretty soon I'm wasting my time with car salesperson games and it's way over my budget anyway.

I found a second one one with basically no KM on it - just what I wanted. White, manual, 5 door at a Volkwagen Dealer out of town but still in NSW. (around 3 hours drive)

Problem was they're asking $39,999 drive away because it's basically new, (11 months old with under 15,000km)

So I rang them and we had a good chat over 2 days and we've agreed on $34,999 drive away. So I booked a flight and I fly down tomorrow.

All sorted - so I think - I can finally relax.

THEN, I get a call from my brother (he's like a real estate agent but for cars - finds exotic cars for people etc) and he has got me a price on a Brand New white, manual GTI drive away for under $40,000. Arrives in 4 weeks.

So now I have to work out - pay the extra and get one brand new but wait (I currently don't have a car - only motorbike and its raining like crazy here) or save the $5000 and get one AS NEW and save on someone elses depreciated value.

These thoughts keep cycling around in my head:

"Stick to your budget - the extra $5000 can go of the home loan, you'll have a car tomorrow and can enjoy it straight away and take it on your road trip this long weekend"

THEN

"Buy new - you know it will be perfect and you'll have full 3 year warranty. 4 weeks isn't that long"

Then this process repeats over and over...

I keep thinking I should pay the extra, but then I remember my original budget was $35,000.

Don't know what to do - but I think I just want to buy the 2nd hand one tomorrow so I can stop thinking about it and use my brain power for something else. It's basically all I've been thinking about for a month.

[STV4SYT]

Damn, decisions decisions. thats a tough call. 4 weeks isnt that long really. but then again $5k spare is a decent amount.

put yourself forward 8 weeks, where would u rather be? in a car with 1000km and that new car smell or a car with 15000km needing it's first service but an extra $5000k in the bank?


budgets are there to be broken, mine was My old car + $20k max, ended up going to $32k. no regrets.

[Manaz]

In the same situation, assuming the budget is a soft one (ie you'd rather not go over it, as opposed to you simply can't afford to), I'd go new. Full warranty, and the car will be worth more (as it's an MY08, and is newer) at any stage down the track than the used one. You'll also know the full history of the car, and won't come across any "nasty" surprises that don't come from the factory and are thus VW's responsibility.

[Mischa]

how long do you plan on keeping the car?

if you want to keep it 6, 7, 8 years or more (ie till oil runs out) then buy new.

if you only want it for a few years save the 5k and buy the second hand one. theres always extended 2 years warranty for 1500$

[DAN682]

New is always nice to have, but if you have found one with very low K's on it, for $5K off in the configuration you want and it is at a VW Dealership therefore it has been checked out, I would go with that one and do the smart thing and drop the $5K onto the out of control mortgage, you me and every other home owner in Australia has at the moment.

Just my 2 cents worth anyway!

Either way it seems like you will have the car you want, it just comes down to the wait and the extra $$$

Bear in mind even if you did buy the 2nd hand one and didn't use the $5K on the mortgage, $5k could go a long way in making that GTI sweet as!

e.g
Nav Unit
Lower it
Mess with sway bars etc
Mess with the ECU
and probably have change left over to still drop on the mortgage!

[Alfy]

i was caught in the same situation..

I was initially looking at ex-demo GTI's, but after weighing up the figures it payed me better to go for a brand new one (08 Model).. At least you know the car hasn't been thrashed, you have a full history of it, and you get that NEW car smell!

ex-demo GTI with 3dr/manual/red/cloth interior was like 40k on road with approx 3,000kms.. I got a new one 5dr/manual/red/leather for $44,200 on road! picking it up tomorrow yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

[Splashalot]

The question really is how much do you need the $5,000.

Assuming the as-new GTI hasn't been in an accident, and it checks-out well, either car will be great. Don't sweat on the differences between them. Ask youself instead what else you can do with the $5,000.

However, if the budget can stretch, I'd go for the new one - that's a killer price and come trade-in time you'll recoup a little of that current $5,000 difference.

[SoVeReIgN]

Go new.

You get the new car smell, full warranty, can do the extra oil change + run it in how you like etc etc. Especially if you plan on keeping it for a while!

[alcoop]

Newer ones have full MFD as well

[gareth_oau]

put aside the cost difference for a moment.

Which one would you rather drive?

analyse the differences between the 2 cars from an objective perspective, then put a price on those differences of $5000.

Are the differences worth it?

[chinpakt]

Hi,

For me, it would come down to how much you can get a new GTI for, driveaway. You should get some pretty good deals, with the financial year coming up.

[Greg Roles]

Simple.

Buy the cheaper car,and spent the $5k on a chip, suspension and other goodies.

Will be a lot better than the new one for the same money!

[GT 12 WA]

Buy the used one. New car smell, some extra warranty and a bigger MFD screen aint worth 5 grand.

[VW Convert]

Interesting the divergence of opinions on this one. Sounds to me like a win win situation, either car will be fine assuming the 11 month old one has not been thrashed and has been serviced. I'd be asking about it's history and previous owner.

Cheers

George

[STV4SYT]

Hmm, 11 months old, will need new rego soon then plus a service, so the saving is only $4000.

Does that price include stamp duty too.

what is the on the road price of both vehicles after u have paid stamp duty, a years rego and done a 15,000km service?