Lack of used 3dr GTIs?

[majormick]

Hey guys, I've been reading this forum for a while but finally decided to register.
So I'm in the market for a car, and have narrowed it down to the GT Sport Petrol or the 3dr GTI. I was hoping to snag a used car bargain from a private seller, but there aren't many around. Obviously the GT Sport only came out a few months ago, so lack of stock is understandable - but the GTI is around 3 years old now - and a quick look at carsales/carpoint/drive shows there are only a few from private sellers in Sydney - and most of them are manual (I'm after DSG).

Anyway, I find this all quite interesting, as I thought the 3dr GTIs would have sold quite well, being a bit of a performance car (ie generally bought by younger males without families and the need for the back seat) and coupled with the built in Germany sticker.

Am I missing something? Or is it just such a good car that no-one wants to part with one!?

[STV4SYT]

If u want a 3dr DSG u can probably pick one up for not lot more than $40k brand new.


search thru the forum as there are lots of threads of what people have paid and how to get it.

[Tim]

3 door GTIs are still a bit rare on the road. I dont see many at all.
I think the average 3 door buyer is a different customer to 5 door purchasers so its a narrower market.
Also the first 3 doors come onto the market in 2007 or something like that. Up until that point they were all 5 doors. Although u will find some. Not many people are gonna buy a car and then resell it 12 months later.

[SmutsGTI]

I read on VWVortex that only 6 - 8% of GTI's sold are 3 doors. 65% of those are DSG's. Interesting though it would have been higher.

Smuts

[majormick]

Oh, so the 3 dr only came out in 2007? That makes sense then. And that is an interesting figure - only 6-8% of GTIs - I wonder how this compares with other competitors like the Megane Sport

Here's another question - does the fact that its made in Germany add anything in terms of reliabilty/quality etc?

Cheers

[Da GTi]

And apparently there were only 300 3dr gtis released into australia anyway in 2007.
I got one of them ... and prefer it so much better compared to the 5 door.

[RIS00]

i bought my GTI brand new because i couldnt find a second hand 3 door that i liked, plus the prices were too close to new.
I bought a 3 door cause of the sporty look im only 21 and it was cheap bang for my buck, but it seems still alot of people havent found how good a GTI is and how competitively priced they are

[SmutsGTI]

I've driven both, absolutely no difference i could tell. Had them both for a few hours back to back. I do think they look cool. As far as popularity goes it directly attributable to supply. I have two friends who both wanted one but when they can walk to subaru or ford and place an order and have it in 2 weeks with the options you want it certainly does have an impact on sales. I nearly went the honda accord / Audi A3 for the same reason.

Smuts

[firsttimedub]

I've gone for the 3dr purely on looks and in my opinion, fits the image of the car better, i.e. a bit more sporty.

One of the dealers I spoke to thinks the re-sale will suffer a bit but I tend to disagree. In 3 years or so when I go to sell the car the majority of prospective buyers would be single, young men to whom a 3dr is a better option, not mum/dad and the kids who would probably be buying a new car.

[Tim]

he is wrong!
in the short term 3 door resale may suffer a little. But in the long term they will be harder to come by and more desirable to the enthusiast.

You only need to look at history to see that.

Although im sure the bulk of new car sales go to people who use them as shopping trolleys. Hence the popularity of the 5 door model. At least we get a choice!

[ozgriff]

LOL at people who think a 3 door is a sports car and 5 door is a shopping trolley

[Tim]

I dont think anyone said that!
I did imply that non enthusiasts are buying them because they are practical. Which they are! Im sure most people on this site qualify as at least slightly enthusiastic

[gordon]

Here's another question - does the fact that its made in Germany add anything in terms of reliabilty/quality etc?

Cheers

The majority of people who report squeaks and rattles on this forum are usually 5 door owners. As a 3 door GTI owner and 10K under my belt i can honestly report not a single problem in terms of build quality. Very happy

Go the 3 door i say

[datracer99]

The majority of people who report squeaks and rattles on this forum are usually 5 door owners. As a 3 door GTI owner and 10K under my belt i can honestly report not a single problem in terms of build quality. Very happy

Go the 3 door i say

Me too. 12000km and car is perfect - well almost. No squeeks, rattles or other concerns.
Will be closer again to perfect when ST3 tune installed.

I looked at 2nd hand 5 door's but for 2 grand more I got a brand new 3 door.

I preferred the style of the 3 door - it looks sportier to me.

[Lima]

LOL at people who think a 3 door is a sports car and 5 door is a shopping trolley

I call 5drs a station wagon, just for a bit of wind up though.

Our 3dr was one of the first few delivered and we got it in November 2006. It's an August 06 build.

I don't think the fact it is made in Germany means anything more than feel good factor. Mostly, all GTIs delivered to Australia seem to be trouble free. Of the cars I've heard of with major problems there's been a couple of 3drs.

IIRC the Mk6 Golfs for all markets be built in Wolfsburg.