Help me convince my better half...

[Declan]

Hi all,
My partner and I are currently driving a Mazda 121 with no air con, no power steering and is starting to chew through the oil; needless to say it's time for a new car. We've been looking at new hatches; Corolla, i30 etc. I always thought people were exaggerating when they called them white goods, but I drove the Corolla the other day and it was just so dreary; geez it was boring and had no personality at all. Given that we are looking to spend about $25k on the new car I have been tempted to stretch the budget to around $30k and get a Mk6 GTI (most likely a manual, seen a few for sale around that price). Alternatively, going the other way and spending $20k on a Mk5.
Anyway, my partner has been a bit resistant because of the price, so I need you're helping in providing me with some solid reasons (or man maths) to help me convince her that it's a good option!
I just can't imagine myself hopping into a Corolla every day for the next 8-10 years.
All comments appreciated; thanks in advance.
Declan

[SilvrFoxX]

Re: Help me convince my better half...

Firstly get her bum into one, the interior alone should sell the rest of the car. Next hand her the keys , the kick in the forementioned bum will have her giggling all the way to the bank to get the down payment

Then there is the badge, she will be buying Euro and they really know how to put cars together.

Now it sounds more that she has an issue with money not the car, the real game here is to work through the options and if financing getting the best deal given interest rates are record low.

As for which series get a mk6, the mk5 are starting to get long in the tooth and you will have much higher mainenance costs

[BluChris]

I recently went through this but from another perspective - sick to death of unresolved minor problems and ripoff dealers with questionable competence (so no VAG products). Bought a manual Focus Trend. No question the interior is not as nice as VW but the drive is way good. Had it 9 months and still a joy just to commute in. You'd get a Trend with change or a Sport demo/near new for 25k.

Despite the bagging Ford dealers also tend to get, the one I'm using is fine and a huge relief after the BS pedalled by so many VAG group dealers.

Also might be interesting to see if your wife likes the GTI. A friend recently bought a new MK 6 without his wife driving it (she agreed to it though) and she finds the seats and ride uncomfortable. In the end they had to buy yet another car for her. Bonus for him - he gets the GTI to drive. Swears it wasn't a sneaky plan all along.

[noone]

Lots of options for $25K, what are you looking for?
How many kms will you be doing? Do you need to carry 5? Is there a reason the GTI appeals other than good write-ups and reasonable power? What sort of driving will you be doing (city, windy, freeway)?

IMO, any turbo VW is only going to get better, you would end up with a much faster / better car if you get an older one that already has the mods you may want. On the downside, its lovely to transform a stock car into your own personal beast.

Good luck.

[AdamD]

Airbags and vehicle safety are always a good selling point when trying to con (err... convince) your other half. The Mk6 has 7 airbags and is a very safe small car.

[brad]

In many ways I agree with BluChris but if you have a competent independant VW specialist available you can divorce yourself from VW dealers.

I would also cross-shop Ford Focus or Fiesta; Mazda3 & used Citroen (if you have a good specialist available).

Also go & have a look at Skoda. You might be surprised at what you can get for your dollars. The Octavia 90tsi basic is on runout for $18k drive-away, they have a 90tsi special edition for $21k drive-away & the 118tsi should be under $30k by now. You'd be surprised how well they drive.

[davo]

I have driven a few Corolla hatches as rental cars. The boot size is tiny compared to a Golf. Just one more data point that may help sway the argument.

[Ryan_R]

There's a new version of the Holden Cruise coming soon that looks quite good value for money, although performance won't be anything like a GTI. (But then you could also look at a Mk7 Comfortline based on that criteria).

As for the man maths, work out how much extra stretching to a GTI would cost (i.e. 5000) then divide that by how long you plan to keep it (8 years / 96 months.... extra $52 per month to get a nicer car assuming no loans).

[Njay]

Re: Help me convince my better half...

I would consider the xr5, they look ok and go pretty well and prices are reasonable

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[Declan]

Thanks for the input guys, I will include it all into my well thought out, empirically-based argument for the GTI.
I am looking at the GTI because I am a big fan of hot hatches and the GTI seems to be the best blend of performance and everyday driveability; and I love the understated looks. We will be having kids in the next few years so we need a car than can carry 2 kids, but by that stage we will probably have another larger car as well. Our driving will be around town a lot, but we also do fortnightly 400-600km round trips on country roads and freeways.
We did have a look at the Focus, it was certainly my favourite out of the new mid-range hatches but the interior was a bit of a deal breaker for my partner. I am a big fan of the XR5, but it doesn't have anywhere near the interior quality or kit levels of the GTIs.
Looks like I have some spreadsheeting to do to so I can figure out the cost difference, and then try and get her to test drive and hope emotion takes hold a bit!
Keep the tips coming.

[greg32]

RE: Help me convince my better half...

The Skoda would make a nice long term car. Still in the VAG family at a slightly lower price for the equivalent options.
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[brad]

The Skoda would make a nice long term car. Still in the VAG family at a slightly lower price for the equivalent options.
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And bigger.
Boot space Golf hatch = 350L / 1305L
Octavia Hatch = 560L / 1420L

Like for like the Octavia is usually better appointed. At GTI / vRS spec the Octavia is about 10% softer so a better family proposition for some.

Octavia 118tsi is a 1.8L (and they generally put out 120-125kw) and doesn't have a reputation for oil burning (unlike the 118tsi 1.4L Golf).

Apologies to the OP but I'm a very happy Octavia owner & find it a better family car than the Golf GT Sport that I almost bought.

[dArK5HaD0w]

And bigger.
Boot space Golf hatch = 350L / 1305L
Octavia Hatch = 560L / 1420L

Like for like the Octavia is usually better appointed. At GTI / vRS spec the Octavia is about 10% softer so a better family proposition for some.

Octavia 118tsi is a 1.8L (and they generally put out 120-125kw) and doesn't have a reputation for oil burning (unlike the 118tsi 1.4L Golf).

Apologies to the OP but I'm a very happy Octavia owner & find it a better family car than the Golf GT Sport that I almost bought.

+1
convinceyourbetterhalf.com.au

[MadWorm]

Firstly get her bum into one, the interior alone should sell the rest of the car. Next hand her the keys , the kick in the forementioned bum will have her giggling all the way to the bank to get the down payment

I agree with SilvrFoxX.

You could do what I did of course. Before I bought the R I took Mrs Worm for a ride in an XR6 turbo on a wet Saturday afternoon and drove it like it was stolen. She got out utterly terrified, speechless, nearly in tears and just about kissed the road (that night was very quiet, cold and lonely). I, on the other hand quite enjoyed turbo oversteer. Then we went down to the VW joint and into a GTI and an R. She immediately picked up on the quality of the fitout in the dubs, their safety features, and she particularly loved their 'solid hold on the road' compared to the XR6 turbo. VW purchase approved!