Help deciding please

[BBP]

I disagree. My MKV GTI had every option except Metallic paint (oh, and the additional useless doors ). Also, BMW's, their 3 door models are higher spec too! It just depends on what you want.

Of course, G-Rig is right. Sorry Coreying, the BMW example is not valid. BMW only does a 3 door version of its 1 Series with its moe expensive 6 cylinder engines. So, obviously, the specs in those vehicles is going to be higher than the 4 cylinder 5 door versions of the 1 Series.

Further, the 3 door versions of the 1 Series are "coupes" rather than 3 door versions of the 5 door hatchback, like the Golf. The BMWs use entirely different body work from the B-pillar back. This alone would provide an explanation for the added cost.

Anyway, every knows that the 3 doors are base models in hatchback world and G-Rig is correct, buyers expect them to be cheaper on the second hand market because they were cheaper from the dealer.

[Corey_R]

Of course, G-Rig is right

That's rubbish. That is your opinion and G-Rig opinion, just like my comments were my opinion.

To determine someone being "right", you'd need to provide a comprehensive study of purchase costs and resale costs of 3dr and 5dr GTI's, and determine the % of depreciation to establish whether there is a different trend between the 3dr and 5dr models. So far, I haven't seen anyone do that.

So until someone does do that, we're all just talking opinions, and so there is no wrong or right

[BBP]

That's rubbish. That is your opinion and G-Rig opinion, just like my comments were my opinion.

To determine someone being "right", you'd need to provide a comprehensive study of purchase costs and resale costs of 3dr and 5dr GTI's, and determine the % of depreciation to establish whether there is a different trend between the 3dr and 5dr models. So far, I haven't seen anyone do that.

So until someone does do that, we're all just talking opinions, and so there is no wrong or right

I'm not sure why we need a depreciation table. The issue is pretty simple. G-Rig's suggestion was that he wouldn't throw too many options into a 3 door Golf because buyers (and, incidentally, VW) consider them to the base model. That's makes sense to me, unlike the head-scratching BMW example.

There is no need to get worked up here. Everyone knows you prefer 3 doors Coreying, that's fine. No one is saying they are worse and no one is saying they can't be optioned up to suit your heart's desires.

[elisiX]

Here's 2 pics I took of my CSG the day I picked up the car.

[hooba]

^ There's two things you don't see often.

1) A clean looking dark coloured car.
2) Sunshine in Sydney.

[G-rig]

Yeah I didn't mean to start a fight here, just put it out there as something to consider if you're worried about resale. At the end of the day the options may not add value to the car but make it easier to sell. Resale is terrible at the best of times but I still wanted to get more options this time than i did last time and get the most out of them will i have the car.

I agree with BBP here that the BMW 1 series is different and it's a coupe not a 3 door version of the 5 door hatch. It also has the upgraded motor and other differences to separate it from the 5 door models.

I'm not trying to say the 5 door is heaps better, but then again I'm not trying to convince everyone that the 3dr is heaps better..

[Corey_R]

I'm not sure why we need a depreciation table. The issue is pretty simple. G-Rig's suggestion was that he wouldn't throw too many options into a 3 door Golf because buyers (and, incidentally, VW) consider them to the base model. That's makes sense to me, unlike the head-scratching BMW example.

There is no need to get worked up here. Everyone knows you prefer 3 doors Coreying, that's fine. No one is saying they are worse and no one is saying they can't be optioned up to suit your heart's desires.

And your post here is fine, but your previous post specifically came in and said that my opinion was wrong and G-Rig's was the right one - which was what I was pointing out. You can't prove anyone's opinion wrong with another opinion - only with factual data. Factual data in this case would be depreciation values to establish G-rig's opinion that it might be harder to sell an optioned up 3 door vs an optioned up 5 door.

But as G-rig said in his latest post, options often don't equate to resale - that is very obvious. All I'm saying is, I don't think anyone here has the information to say whether the number of doors has any additional effect on that.

As for BMW - I didn't mean the 1 series, clearly they are different cars. I was talking about the 3 series. Same engines between the 4 door and 2 door, yet the 2 door is more expensive.

Also - I'm not sure that VW does consider the 3 door models to be base models. I mean, the only Golf's you can get a 3 door on in this country are the GTI and R, not the trendline or comfortline.

Admittedly, the Australian consumer far prefers 5 door hatchbacks to 3 door hatchbacks, so it's a different market here to the USA or Europe where 3 door hatchbacks are very popular.

Anyways, back to the topic

[elisiX]

I would not go as far as to call a 3DR GTI a base anything - but I agree in not optioning up a 3DR.

Reason simply being that it will usually be looked to as a cheaper way into a GTI once 2-3 years old.

ie; the younger crowd who will be swayed toward a GTI will not have the budget for a loaded 5DR.

Really though, the whole argument is a little silly because all the options I have on my 5DR wont be worth **** in 3 years.

[Corey_R]

Really though, the whole argument is a little silly because all the options I have on my 5DR wont be worth **** in 3 years.

That's really what it comes down to. 3dr vs 5dr is $1500 at new. At 2nd hand, from what I can see by going through carsales.com.au - there is little if no difference. Options are making some, but nowhere near their purchase price, difference. So in the end, buy what you want. And you never know, come time for sale, since there are ten 5 door cars for every 3 door, maybe you'll be in a better position due to that person who must have a 3 door but also must have one of the options you have!

[Karlosovic]

When it comes to resale, I see two types of new car buyer.
1. Is buying a car to last them a long time
2. Likes to update frequently

The person in example 1 is going to be living with their car a long time, and their own preference/budget for options is going to far outweigh any consideration of resale in 5-10 years. You dont go without a sunroof for 5 years just so you can attract a buyer who wants to save $200 on a second hand car, and you certainly dont spend 3 grand on leather just to make a few hundred at resale

The person in example 2 probably loves to talk about "ticking all the boxes", and given how new cars depreciate in the first couple of years, they're already prepared for the cost


Bottom line is - choose the options that are right for you, not for who you think will buy the car from you once you're done.

Unless you're talking about paint colour. "Watermellon" ages badly (and to be honest, it looks $#@+ new, too)

[Troy Boy]

From personal experience:

1. November 2006 - ordered 3dr R32 in favourite colour (blue)
2. March 2007 - took delivery of 3dr R32
3. July 2009 - Had to trade 3dr R32 for 5dr R32 (new car is silver, as blue was not available with the options required
4. Kicked myself for not ordering the 5dr originally, when I could have gotten colour and options I wanted and not have to compromise with the silver colour)
5. Cost myself $16000 after trade

[REXman]

From personal experience:

1. November 2006 - ordered 3dr R32 in favourite colour (blue)
2. March 2007 - took delivery of 3dr R32
3. July 2009 - Had to trade 3dr R32 for 5dr R32 (new car is silver, as blue was not available with the options required
4. Kicked myself for not ordering the 5dr originally, when I could have gotten colour and options I wanted and not have to compromise with the silver colour)
5. Cost myself $16000 after trade

Yeah I bought a MY08 WRX then bought a MY09 cause of the huge performance difference. Copped an $11.5K smack in the mouth for the decision.

For the other posts, I think its interesting how some people feel aout there rides.

I mean as someone who was looking at buying a car, I never really looked at the 3DR as being the cheap one or anything like that. I mean the cost is like an unbargained rrp of $1500. For me, I have always seen 2 doors as having been the more expensive option. Even my mum and dad thought that, cause they were trying to get me to pick up a 5dr thinking it was cheaper.

I told them this was not the case and that VW charges more for the 5Dr which they thought was interesting. Also, VW uses the 3DR as there promotions photo car, so take from that what you want.

Further, I remember someone I know bought a BMW 325CI, it cost $99730 on road with all the options on it. This was a good $10,000$15,000+ difference between the 2 and 4 dr.

No questions the used car market has a lot of factors. But my 3 door optioned out and on road r.r.p was worth $57,000.

I dont see it as being cheaper at all than 5DR, especially when I know some are just stock, or have an option or 2 such as leather and mdi cable. Or they have a sunroof. Or whatever.

I mean anyone who bought one, knows that the price of the base car is irrelevant to the actual value of buying one with everything on it, as al it takes is the 3DR to have a sunroof ($1900), and there you go.

Not much really!!

[REXman]

PS I changed to Black. I regretted on my last car that I didnt go Black. Then I regretted on the car before that I didnt go black. Then I sort of went the Carbon Steel cause I got told it was a "new" colour and it was a "GTi colour". And unless its in the sun I just couldnt like it as much the baseline, black.

And damn I loved white. Some of the best cars I have seen modded are white.

So It came down to White, Black and Red for me. Solid colours for this type of car IMO.

If I had the balls I would have gone white as I have never owned a white car.. but yeah.. anyways.. black it is!

[pologti18t]

So It came down to White, Black and Red for me. Solid colours for this type of car IMO.

If I had the balls I would have gone white as I have never owned a white car.. but yeah.. anyways.. black it is!

Isn't the black metallic on the GTI?

[REXman]

Isn't the black metallic on the GTI?

Sorry figure of speech, Solid collours as in classic GTi colours at least in my eyes.

And I just love how these look with aftermarket work.