Golf R - The Wait Made Me Cancel My Order

[REXman]

I should add then that I went and checked out, test drove and almost bought a few cars.

I first thought I might save a few quid and get a MY11 WRX. Then I sat in one and other than the awesome new guards, it was the same car as my MY09 I had. So I went and checked out the STI MY10 model and couldn't bring myself to love it for the coin (7oK Suabru). I lastly went after a Audi S3 from the Audi dealer in Newcastle, but after driving all the way up there from nth shore Sydney, on a car listed for $62k, I offered $56k cash and he scoffed at the offer so no sale ( my R was over $60k) and I dropped that idea. (especially when I saw a black one, also an MY09 with the RECAROS and TV for $48k from a lady at Hornsby I was like whaaaaat!?!)

It should be mentioned that the Audi dealer still has it for sale.. Although now its going for $58k hahaha

[shauno]

Just all be glad that you *can* order an R and wait for it to arrive... The original R32 was only 200 cars for Aus, so if you were buyer 201 you missed out!

[Danny]

Well, I meant to cause a little discussion, but I didn't mean to cause analysis of the root cause of VW's lack of production numbers for this part of the world! I understand everyone's frustration at the time it takes to receive their car after placing the initial order (I am after all, the worlds most impatient car buyer bar none!), but wasn't trying to start another thread about wait times.

The point I was trying to make was this...after actually ordering my Golf R, I suddenly garnered a keen interest in all things V-Dub, and my eyes were open to the many virtues of the other models available, in particular the new Touareg (after buying the wife a Tiggy, the soft-roader has me thinking about big smooth comfortable rides) and the Passat CC (gadgets, gizmos, unique looks and again a very comfortable ride).

I leaped in feet first to order the Golf R (FFS, I own a 310Kw weapon as is, and am not rushing to sell it, and I have a new Tig to drive in the meantime should I sell the weapon) but the wait time has caused me to think, is this the ride for me after all?

I won't be changing my order anytime soon, as I'm sure a lot of you won't be but...has anyone actually cancelled their order for the Golf R and ordered another V-Dub, and if so, what and why?

Hey mate, Just off topic but how do you find the F6 in Comparison to the drive of the Golf R? I have an FPV F6 FG Ute (A6Speed ZF) and found the pull to feel quite similar.

[pologti18t]

I just got a call from the dealer telling me that the delivery is pushed back again!! I ordered in the start of September and now they're telling me that the ETA is going to be August as production will be in June. I'm now deciding whether to cancel the order as additional 6 months on top of the 3 months I've already waited is too much for me to handle waiting for a new car....

See if there is a car with similar spec coming in sooner. can you bend with what you want?

Have a look in the 6R Polo forum - similar issues are facing the new Polo GTI!

And yet those who want little or no options can usually find a car quickly. One dealer has 3 polo GTis in stock!

There is stock of Rs and Polo GTis coming in. Its just that it doesn't match the spec of the people ordering them. Apparently one dealer has 8 Golf GTIs!

If you want a car quicker then get on the phone, find out what dealers (and I mean even country dealers) have in stock and compromise on the spec. Otherwise... wait.

As I have said before... Blame VW for this mess. You give the customers so many options that it becomes impossible to build any to stock. Every car is unique.
Blame the dealers for not saying "hey if you order this spec you could wait a long time... if you compromise we have this car coming in 6 months earlier"

The Megane you choose the colour (more choice there), 2 model specs and basically leather seats and/or HIDs.

[PaulRozza]

Hey mate, Just off topic but how do you find the F6 in Comparison to the drive of the Golf R? I have an FPV F6 FG Ute (A6Speed ZF) and found the pull to feel quite similar.

OK, you found me out...I've ordered my R without even sitting in one, let alone taking it for a test drive! I trust you buggers, what can I say

You keeping the ute Danny, or are you , like me deserting the blue oval?

[shakespeare]

The wait only bothered me slightly, it got worse when I sold my MPS and had a rubbish Camry hire car! It was at that moment I almost decided to slit my wrists but I patiently told myself it's not long now. I also had 3 weeks holidays away from home and few visits east for work so the actual wait time in Perth was probably less than 4 months - in total was 5 1/3 months so not too bad really.

Since I test drove most of the cars in the spec I wanted (AWD, quick, fun to drive, comfortable, little bit of luxury, 4 doors and 5 seats) I was pretty well convinced the R was the one! So I waited and waited and waited a little more and now I have her I'm glad I didn't change my mind.

[PaulRozza]

The wait only bothered me slightly, it got worse when I sold my MPS and had a rubbish Camry hire car! It was at that moment I almost decided to slit my wrists but I patiently told myself it's not long now. I also had 3 weeks holidays away from home and few visits east for work so the actual wait time in Perth was probably less than 4 months - in total was 5 1/3 months so not too bad really.

Since I test drove most of the cars in the spec I wanted (AWD, quick, fun to drive, comfortable, little bit of luxury, 4 doors and 5 seats) I was pretty well convinced the R was the one! So I waited and waited and waited a little more and now I have her I'm glad I didn't change my mind.

Nice one shakespeare, just the sort of comment I was looking for when I started the thread. I think it's just like the right mix of bits in a box...you could buy many other flavours of vehicle, but none seem to offer this kind of refined build quality in an 'enjoyable' package.

Oh, and good one on not only surviving the Camry drive, but the flak your mates prolly gave you for driving one, even if you had too for a while!

[Danny]

OK, you found me out...I've ordered my R without even sitting in one, let alone taking it for a test drive! I trust you buggers, what can I say

You keeping the ute Danny, or are you , like me deserting the blue oval?

Nah dude, am keeping the ute as we need them for work (We're builders and have two FG's actually the F6 and an XR6T both about 3 months old). In comparison to the R I test drove (both manny and DSG), the utes feel pretty boring!!

I was so impressed with the R. I thought nothing would get me out of my Clio 182 Cup, but the R did. I'm not 100% sure if there is any other car that can make me change my mind on the R even If the wait is a bit OTT

[Corey_R]

See if there is a car with similar spec coming in sooner. can you bend with what you want?

And yet those who want little or no options can usually find a car quickly. One dealer has 3 polo GTis in stock!

There is stock of Rs and Polo GTis coming in. Its just that it doesn't match the spec of the people ordering them. Apparently one dealer has 8 Golf GTIs!

If you want a car quicker then get on the phone, find out what dealers (and I mean even country dealers) have in stock and compromise on the spec. Otherwise... wait.

As I have said before... Blame VW for this mess. You give the customers so many options that it becomes impossible to build any to stock. Every car is unique.
Blame the dealers for not saying "hey if you order this spec you could wait a long time... if you compromise we have this car coming in 6 months earlier"

The Megane you choose the colour (more choice there), 2 model specs and basically leather seats and/or HIDs.

That's right dude. Sure, the times have blown out, and that's unfortunate, but people are somewhat being unreasonable here by comparing this situation to what? Previous Toyotas/Hondas/Renaults/Pugs/etc they've purchased? How about comparing it to the last custom built car you had built. I have friends who have waited 6 to 8 months for BMW, Audi and Merc products in recent years. Friends (more like acquatences) who've waited for almost 2 years for Porsche or Ferraris in the past 5 years.

Yes, I know, a VW isn't any of them. But they are still "made to order". Any of your who doesn't like the wait can get your VW TOMORROW. You are chosing to get a custom order though rather than take one which is already in the country and doesn't match what you want.

VW are doing what they can to fix it, but these are extremely popular right now and it isn't just a case of having multi-billion dollar plants laying around doing nothing until they're needed.

Thanks for the link. Lot's of good things they are doing now to increase production...kudos.

But one line stood out for me -> VW in past years consistently failed to use up its budget for capital expenditure.
Fail... Same as #badoptus in 2008, same as #Vodafail now.

You forget (or maybe you are new and so unaware), but the reason the MK6 Golf is really only the MK5.5 is because VW couldn't make any money from the MKV because of how long it took to manufacturer each MKV. When that's your "volume model", you're in trouble. So they made the MK6. Then every magazine / motoring organisation in the world gave it all these awards and VW have been inundated with orders. So VW made huge strides to increase production volume, and were successful, and then were still caught offguard.

And all this happened during the GFC.
And the GFC caused VW to then have to rescue Porsche and take on all their debt from their previous CEO being a douche bag and trying to buy out VW!

Anyway - I'm not trying to make excuses. All I'm saying is that they've finally been able to raise capital now, they're committing US$71 billion, they're committed to resolving this. But it takes time.

And no one has to wait 11 months. You chose to wait 11 months to get your custom order rather than take one of the cars available today! So yeah, 11 months is crappy, but stop feeling hard done by and like you don't have options, cause you do

[Capercat]

I lastly went after a Audi S3 from the Audi dealer in Newcastle, but after driving all the way up there from nth shore Sydney, on a car listed for $62k, I offered $56k cash and he scoffed at the offer so no sale ( my R was over $60k) and I dropped that idea. (especially when I saw a black one, also an MY09 with the RECAROS and TV for $48k from a lady at Hornsby I was like whaaaaat!?!)

It should be mentioned that the Audi dealer still has it for sale.. Although now its going for $58k hahaha

Maybe at $57K you may have got yourself a deal. Now he's trying to sell the same car for $58K! oh well someone will snap it up.

[markwid]

And no one has to wait 11 months. You chose to wait 11 months to get your custom order rather than take one of the cars available today! So yeah, 11 months is crappy, but stop feeling hard done by and like you don't have options, cause you do

Yeah, I hear you. There is a choice - and that what's we are discussing here. Including the choice to cancel and walkaway, sadly.
None of it gives the customer the satisfaction you would aim for.

[Rosemead]

Im okay with a 6-7 month wait (I've done it twice now) but 11-12 would have me worried that something better might come along in the meantime - a lot can happen in car world in 12 months

[Capercat]

The longest I've waited was 5.5 months.

[Corey_R]

I had to wait 22 months!

My MKV Golf GTI was written off in Jan 09. At that time the GTI Pirelli was already here. You couldn't do a GTI to order anymore and I didn't like the Pirelli's interior and options (more limited than the "standard" GTI). So I looked around at about a dozen alternatives at the time, not being as happy with any of them as with the GTI. I then found this site, where I sold lots of aftermarket pieces from my GTI and found that people spoke really highly of the Polo GTI's performance. So I tried one of them, and bought one.
I then waited for the MK6 Golf GTI to be released (~Sept 09?) and considered doing a factory order at that point - but by that stage the details of the Golf R were pretty well known, and that would basically be the "S3" drivetrain in a GTI - perfect! So I ordered my Golf R on June 12th (The R release date), and received it on December 13th. 6 months and 1 day after the initial order and basically 22 months since my GTI was prematurely taken away after only 4 months of ownership!


All I can say is keep looking around. At VW dealers to see what stock they have or are about to receive. Some people decide they can't wait and cancel their orders, or have to cancel for other reasons. A car very similar to what you want may be arriving and you could take that. If your dealers are cooperative, you may be able to do a swap and not have to cancel your order at your current dealer.

Even if you find some other car from another brand that you want to get instead, be open and honest with your dealer. There have been members who have canceled their orders after the car had been produced and their dealer decided to refund their deposit. The dealer DOES NOT HAVE to, they just did because they're nice, and because they know they'll be able to sell your car as floor stock, probably for more than they had sold it to you anyway!

If the dealer miscommunicated the ETA on your contract and it goes too far past that ETA, then you can usually cancel and receive your full deposit back anyway.

That's all assuming that there is something else which will be released that you want.
But with the STI being updated recently, possibly no more Evo's being released, the Renault's just releasing completely new models, Pug not being interested in making hot hatches anymore, replacement Audi S3's and BMW 1xx's being a few years away, what else in this style of car could actually be here in the next year anyway?

[hooba]

Yes it is unacceptable for waiting 11months i am very disappointed and find it ridiculous but as others have mentioned VW has their own system which i can do nothing about. Secondly this is the first VW i was going to own so i don't consider myself as a fanboi. Plus any other suggestions would be much appreciated looking for understated and refined ride and doesn't cost an arm and a leg for insurance.

May need to consider demos to shorten the wait.....

Sorry jackysta, my post was directed at the apologists who had moved the discussion from an 11 month wait to an unrelated 3 month discussion.

I bought my car in March, it was built in April, arrived in June. If I would have been asked to put up with an 11 month wait I would have cancelled my contract. The worst part is that you've been made to waste three months so far whilst waiting for some clarity.

But since you have rudely asked the question...
What possible reason would VW or VGA have for purposely "delaying" cars for 11 months. If 11 months is the current wait because they've had so many orders, and you find it unacceptable, then you know what you need to do already...

I don't know why you're asking me to provide a reason for VW's delay, for the sake of transparency I'm not on here to manage their PR. Since you've asked, the only rational reason I can offer is incompetence with respect to managing their supply chain and customer expectations.