Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[Corey_R]

True... but I'd argue the first thing people look at is either:
1) What the car looks like, or
2) The name of the car

I mean seriously... how do you even SEE the fuel consumption figures in a showroom, without seeing the car, or online, without selecting the car's name from a list? lol

[Finance_Analyst]

Ignorance is bliss on that front and I'm sure my accountant (sister) will correct that, damn you bean counters

hahahahah - although if I was a REAL beancounter, I'd be driving a Camry

[worx]

I'm loving the R, all I do this thrash it all day. I get 400 KM out of a tank at best! over all running costs are low so I'm happy. My X5 and other cars cost a lot more than the R. The R is dirt cheap. Also looks good, that sealed the deal for me. Never buying a merc again! Stuff that!

[dave_r]

I mean seriously... how do you even SEE the fuel consumption figures in a showroom

Yeah its crazy but some of the tightwads I work with would fit in that category.

hahahahah - although if I was a REAL beancounter, I'd be driving a Camry

VW must be beancounter friendly as my sister has a Polo TSI on order lol

[Finance_Analyst]

VW must be beancounter friendly as my sister has a Polo TSI on order lol

As long as you are under the luxury car tax threshold ($57,466), then most beancounters would recommend any car... Hence the reason why most beancounters drive BMW 320is or Merc C200 CGI if they admit to liking cars as they fall in that vicinity. Although I do know of an accountant who drives an M3 - he is doing something right that I must not be!

No need to repeat past comments but once you past that threshold, the dreaded LCT kicks in - which is why your $50k+ Golf R all of a sudden becomes a $70k+ rip off to the government once a few options are added.......

[dave_r]

but once you past that threshold, the dreaded LCT kicks in - which is why your $50k+ Golf R all of a sudden becomes a $70k+ rip off to the government once a few options are added.......

True but I got mine below the threshold to avoid the stamp duty increase and LCT. Another ~$50-100 and the price would have jumped a few grand just due to the damn tax! Crazy

[teodeh]

True but I got mine below the threshold to avoid the stamp duty increase and LCT. Another ~$50-100 and the price would have jumped a few grand just due to the damn tax! Crazy

Maybe it's different in Vic, but LCT in NSW doesn't work that way AFAIK.

[Corey_R]

It's different all around the country.
Some states has a more "sliding scale" for stamp duty.
QLD's stamp duty is based solely on how many cylinders your car has.
NSW uses 3% up to $45,000 and then changes to 5%, but only for the value over $45,000

VIC on the other hand is terrible! Below the LCT threshold, the stamp duty is 2.5%. But once you get to the LCT threshold, the stamp duty changes to 5% for the entire value. Therefore, as dave_r stated, you get to the point where if the cost of the car increases by $1, it actually increases $1436.65 in stamp duty alone!

[Whistler]

Inevitable that the LCT becomes apparent in this forum.
But what is the difference that takes an optioned R into the LCT bracket whereas you would be hard-pressed to get a GTI there?
4WD and a better powerplant apparently!
Interesting definition of "luxury" IMO.
But hell, it is soooo worth it!

[Corey_R]

In NSW the drive away price for a fully optioned GTI would be $68,303.73 - so that includes LCT $1,685.71
The most expensive combination optioned R (Recaro's instead of Leather + Electric drivers seat) would be $77,038.71 - so that includes LCT $3,605.70

[Maverick]

Hence the reason why most beancounters drive BMW 320is or Merc C200 CGI if they admit to liking cars as they fall in that vicinity.

If they like cars they wouldn't buy a 320is or C200, I would suggest that their choice of car is all about image that they perceive is created by driving a Merc or BMW.

[worx]

If they like cars they wouldn't buy a 320is or C200, I would suggest that their choice of car is all about image that they perceive is created by driving a Merc or BMW.

320ci's are like driving a corolla, but the corolla is the better car.

[Finance_Analyst]

I agree with all the above comments. Unfortunately, in a image conscious industry, BMW and Benz have found a very good niche with those two cars. The A class and 1 series are for girls (or if you really want to tell the world you can't afford a real BMW and Benz) yet the 320i and C200 CGI look like their more expensive brothers (especially if you get the sports packs). In my workplace, they are as common as A-holes....

A GTI or R would not appeal to these types (a lot of which are beancounters, lawyers or 'entry' level real estate agents) as the VW badge does not have enough kudos and it is 'just a golf'....... (I admit that I was once like that though, when I was much younger)

[hentaiboy]

In my workplace, they are as common as A-holes....

Looks like the Global Financial Crisis bypassed some

[aussiegtidude]

Sorry to say it Finance but a SLK230 is the car a head hairdresser would drive.

The 1 is a genuine competitor to the Golf. The ONLY thing that stopped me getting into a 120i or higher was the power. The finish, the standard features, the drive......

For 42K on the road I could get a new 120i with leather, sunroof, electric seats, Bluetooth, media input, reversing sensors and 17" wheels.

You can't say it isn't good value. Put those features onto a golf and you are in the same ball park. When explaining my decision to the dealer he totally understood where I was coming from, I am young and I still want some power under my foot. That said, my next car will be a BMW, I just can't stay away and giving up my 325 is going to kill me.