Stiff competition for the Mk7 Golf GTI - Second Edition

[clip]

seems to mirror my needs in options. thanks for your thoughts following the test drive. I know you have mentioned you a past alfa QV guilietta owner. would care to share some thoughts how that compares with some of the other contenders here ? I was close to considering one. but love to know what you think about that particular car and how compares to merc a250/golf gti

Happy to share my thoughts, but please don't take any notice of them alebonau! I haven't owned the QV, but have had a few drives in one thanks to work mate who is and always will be an alfa nut. While it's light years away from the a250, TBH I did enjoy getting in it. Maybe it's an alfa thing, hard to explain, it doesn't go as well as either the 250 or the gti, doesn't handle as well, actually doesn't do anything better at all, but it does love to be thrashed! And the harder you thrash it, the more it seems to like it. So maybe the power level and dynamics are just right. You can have a ball thrashing it and not get yourself into too much trouble, which is not such a bad thing IMO. I love the look of it too- from the rear to half way up the bonnet - but then I just start vomiting.

[alebonau]

hehe thanks for the comment clip, I did drive a standard G with QV pack and TCT but never got around to drive a full QV. so intersting to read. yes theres something definitely about alfas even though they are in some way or the other not quite there ! yeah think I'll push any thoughts about it behind me....maybe one day I will own an alfa ...just not now hehe

[cktsi]

This is where VW need to stop fart arsing around, and actually give the Australian market specifications like the Highline and price it competitively.

http://www.motoring.com.au/news/prestige-and-luxury/mercedes-benz/a-class/benz-a-class-to-wedge-golf-sales-35257

We all wear the costs of extra depreciation by speccing up cars like GTI and comfortline all because the creature comforts we want are options instead of standard features. I've long been unhappy that there's no Highline Golf.

Well... MB have beaten VW to the punch in speccing a really nice 2Ltr car.

I know some people may like a stripped down R, but I'm sure there are others who for $50k even today have an "optioned up" GTI that is around that sticker price. This is where the MB starts to make sense - plus will depreciate less than the similarly specc'ed GTI.

Come on VW... start giving us customers some value here. Look how long it took VW to add bluetooth or cruise control for the Trendline !

[alebonau]

interesting article that one. I'm very thankfull mb has stocked their models pretty well. the $10k of options on my golf gti which heck isnt much thats just dsg, leather, sunroof, mdi and towbar. not like I'll see that extra spent come back at trade in time. whereas with the a250 fully loaded the command all really need to add. As the article says looks like volvo have done the same as well.

not to say vw wont do the same with the mk7 to come. they might have the stripped back model and then anotehr spec with is lot more laden. not to say a standard gti wont come lot more loaded at stock than the mk6 too. time will tell

by the time the golf gti mk7 lands nd in ready supply will be early next year. be an interesting time as the heat problably lifted a tad from the merc, maybe more willing to discount by then. the bmw 1 series is going to be looking a bit like yesterdays news by then too as with the opel astra. definitely be a buyers market ! be definitely plenty of stiff competition about by then !

[sheckster]

No discounts being offered from what others are saying and what my dealer told me Ryan. However, they do have the equivalent to VW corp+ discount if you are eligible. That drops a few thou off, gives you 3 years free servicing and a few other things.

Clip, are you sure the new A class is available via Corp Discount? Did you hear that directly from MB or assuming?

[sheckster]

Benz A-Class to wedge Golf sales?

[clip]

Clip, are you sure the new A class is available via Corp Discount? Did you hear that directly from MB or assuming?

I just did the deal sheckster, signed, sealed -just not delivered . For some reason though, they weren't too forward about it. When I mentioned it would be a deal breaker, a few calls later it was all signed up.

[alebonau]

I just did the deal sheckster, signed, sealed -just not delivered . For some reason though, they weren't too forward about it. When I mentioned it would be a deal breaker, a few calls later it was all signed up.

yep was same in my case re corp deal. had to push for it !

[TuNeS]

I just drove past Centenary MB on Friday and stopped in just to look at the A250. When I saw it, I thought 'wow'. Anyway, went home that night and read some of the reviews from Europe and the journo's in Australia. Went back with my wife and our pram (had to prove it would fit) to view again and take it for a drive.

The drive was beautiful. It was the perfect balance that I was looking for - luxury to drive, but fun when you felt a little ambitous with the right pedal and steering wheel. The interior is also what sold me - just oozes SLS. I am also 6'6" and I felt really comfortable. Also, the blip on the downshifts without healing and toeing was brilliant (something I would miss form a manual).

2 hours later after a coffee and discussion with my wife, I paid a deposit on a White A250 in standard trim (never a fan of options as you never get your money back as I turn my cars over every 3.5 years). I will get it in June/July.

To give you a bit of background, I currently drive a Skoda Octavia vRS Wagon which is the family/fun car in one. I have always wanted a Golf GTI (hence why I bought the skoda) but at the time, we only had one car and it had to do both functions - shopping and fun. We now have two cars and family car is just going to be standard bland car thats gets cained by the kids and my car will be the fun one that can still carry the kids when needed. I looked at the Golf GTI again which is always what I wanted, but the MK6 is the outgoing model just looks so bland compared to the Merc and the MK7 is just too far away for me to consider with the wait. The merc just spelled bling, but not overdone cheap bling. It is classy bling and something different.

[TuNeS]

Also, I got the corp discount which includes 3 years free servicing and 4 years of roadside assist which jsut sweatened the deal.

[Ignoramus]

With regards to the discount on the A250s for corporate, were they willing to offer both discounted dealer delivery and 3% off? Most places, I've spoken to said they're only willing to do discounted dealer delivery of $1600, which really only about 6-700 off.

[TuNeS]

With regards to the discount on the A250s for corporate, were they willing to offer both discounted dealer delivery and 3% off? Most places, I've spoken to said they're only willing to do discounted dealer delivery of $1600, which really only about 6-700 off.

I only got the discount off the dealer delivery and the normal corp perks. There is more demand than supply at the moment, so they are standing their ground. Still a great deal though.

[pologti18t]

If the Merc A250 AMG Sport can be de-optioned with sunroff, satnav and leather being deleted, the price should come in at base level DSG Golf GTI ... if that's possible. The Merc is definitely a looker imo.

Sat Nav and leather aren't standard on the A250.
The point is that Merc don't want to offer a de-specced A250... it's not what the market wants.

[cktsi]

Congrats to those who pulled the trigger on the A250! Pity this isnt the forum to share your experiences :-P

With the amount of stuffing around I am getting on the deliverm of my bimmer I am tempted to cancel and join you. Particularly as it seems you can get discounts on a newly released car!!

[kaktusdigital]

Is it stupid to consider the lack of even a space saver wheel as a deal breaker? Not thrilled at the prospects of no real backup measure on a long trip. (ie melb-syd)