Mk7 Golf GTI Discussion Thread

[Arnold]

. . . it kinda sucks that they've taken the individuality away from the GTI. It just feels like a bulk item now, like you go to VW and say "Can I have some GTI please?" and they sorta wheel one out luck of the draw style.

Well, the distinctiveness of the GTI as a separate model came and went with the Mark V. There's no mistaking a Mark V GTI from the front.

The problem I see is that a well-optioned standard GTI, say with leather, roof and Xenons, will cost almost as much as a PP.

VWA needs to either offer an option pack on the base GTI or offer the PP in manual.

It is a joke that the sportier of the two versions does not have a manual option. If anything, it should have been the other way around!

Will Rud Centrax and such chains fit on the 18" rims. May one presume that it is a +1 fitment so the rolling diameter is the same as the 17" rims. Clearance same too?

[Jimi]

Agree with everything you've said. I reckon they will fit, in my very scientific view the mk 7 arches look slightly bigger, almost to the point of it looking slightly underwheeled compared to the mk 6

[Arnold]

Sydney dealers and sales staff are attending the GTI briefing today I understand. They will all have their cell phones on them!

For all of those die-hard manual drivers who want either a PP in manual or a well-optioned base version GTI that does not cost almost as much as a DSG PP, look up the mobile contact details for any dealer staff you know and send something along the following lines:

"Hi [insert name here], I hope you're having a great briefing day. Just saw new GTI pricing online. Can you ask VWA if they might do an option pack of Leather / Roof / Xenons for say $5,000 for base GTI so the base manual GTI does not end up costing almost as much as a DSG PP? Or else PP should be offered in manual! Thanks, [insert your name here]."

It would be great if the VWA marketing team were peppered with a steady stream of such questions during the day to let VWA know what PP really stands for . . . People Power!

[Edit: While VWA should still offer a bundle of options on the standard GTI at a special price, it is now apparent that as Alcantara is not the same as $3150 worth of leather trim the effective price difference between a standard GTI and a GTI PP is $1850 on a like-for-like basis, not minus $1300 as I apprehended when I wrote this post.]

[pologti18t]

It would be great if the VWA marketing team were peppered with a steady stream of such questions during the day to let VWA know what PP really stands for . . . People Power!

Get over it! VW have reduced the ridiculous option/model combinations of the previous GTI models.
The new MK7 GTI has a reasonable price increase ($1000) for a heap of extra equipment ($4000 worth?):

18 inch wheels
sat nav
Adaptive suspension
parking sensors

Use the logic that you now have all that extra money to spend on the Leather/Sunroof/HIDs you desire now that you don't have to option 18 inch wheels, sat nav, Adapative suspension and parking sensors.

It is a joke that the sportier of the two versions does not have a manual option.

Hmmm, you did notice that the M135i and A250 (and A45) come standard with an autobox. The vast majority of Golf GTIs are DSG. Hence the restriction of the PP to the DSG model.

[Jimi]

I think part of the issue is that the pricing isn't consistent. A regular GTI with leather and xenons is over $49k whereas the PP will
be $48k and it's got the rear LEDs, diff, brakes and 7kw as well (I realise alcantara isn't directly comparable with the leather but it's similar)

A manual R may not be a lot more than the PP too

[Spook]

I like all my pricing in the one place. so

GTI manual: $41,490
GTI DSG: $43,990
GTI PP DSG: $47,990

Options:
Metallic paint: $500
Driver assistance package: $1,300
Panoramic sunroof: $1,850
Bi-Xenon headlights: $2,150
Vienna leather seats: $3,150

[Arnold]

Get over it!

What's your problem?

And, no, I'd rather not get over it. I'd prefer a well-optioned manual offering the same relative value for money as a similarly equipped PP, thank you very much.

However, the issue, lest you missed it, not least from a resale perspective, is that a GTI manual with leather / roof / xenons will cost only $1200 less than a similarly equipped PP with DSG, so DSG drivers get the PP benefits for less than nothing!

That is, for $1200 more than a similarly-equipped base manual, you get DSG, worth $2500 plus all of the PP features. So free PP and DSG for $1200! Bargain!! But not so good for those optioning the base car because they prefer a manual.

That's the logic I am concerned about, not your "logic" of taking comfort in getting free some options I do not particularly want (eg SatNav) as a way of rationalising paying more for laether and Xenons than they appear to cost if taken with the PP.

The lack of a manual in the PP still remains a joke to some of us, especially as GTIs are much higher volume cars than Bimmers and Mercs and for which rationalisation might make more sense.

PS - "pologti18t", you forgot RVC and, per my earlier post, I am well aware that there is $4200 or more net extra value in the new GTI.

PPS - it is always bemusing when in response to others, such as me, being one-eyed people such as pologti18t become so one-eyed that reason and logic are the first casualties!

PPPS - Perhaps a better comment to SMS dealers, especially at the briefing today, would be:

Based on pricing online, a DSG PP is just $1200 more than a similarly optioned manual GTI. Unless VWA is wanting to force us all into autos, they need to address the pricing anomaly of the standard car costing so much with leather and xenons.

[Edit: While VWA should still offer a bundle of options on the standard GTI at a special price, it is now apparent that as Alcantara is not the same as $3150 worth of leather trim the effective price difference between a standard GTI and a GTI PP is $1850 on a like-for-like basis, not minus $1300 as I apprehended when I wrote this post.]

[newconvert]

I'm with you Arnold - pologti18t your comments continue to verge on sarcastic and rude to people making reasonable statements. It's fair to assume that most people on this thread like the idea of these cars, but you don't have to continue beating the VWA drum so hard, justifying their every move and criticising dissenters. And for goodness sake, stop telling us we get heaps of extra value for only a little extra cost - that's just plain progress. Features get cheaper as technology advances, and most new models of cars get new features without being saddled with extra cost.

That said, I'm OK with the new costs - was fearing much higher.

Got this from my dealer just now which makes the PP seem even better value as it states 19inch wheels are included. Boy do I wish it came in manual.


“We are very pleased to be able to confirm for you that the much publicised GTI Performance model will arrive as a fulltime member of the Golf model range in the first half of 2014.

For the first time the Golf model range will feature the GTI in two different technical and specification configurations.

For the driving enthusiast, the GTI Performance is equipped with a unique technical package that consists of increased power
output from the 2.0 litre TSI engine (169kW), the 6 speed DSG transmission, an electro-mechanical front differential lock and a larger brake system.

These performance orientated technical components are combined with a list of visual enhancements. Externally these features include
19” Santiago alloy wheels, dark tinted window glass, Bi-Xenon headlights and LED tail lights. Internally the GTI Performance can be identified
by a unique interpretation of the classic tartan upholstery featuring alcantara.

With this complete and exclusive package of equipment over and above the standard features of the GTI, the GTI Performance model with a recommended retail price of $47,990 will clearly stand apart as a very special, factory enhanced GTI. “

[team_v]

I see no problem with the GTI PP (if one is ever released here) being DSG only.
Given that almost all sports variants are going to quick shift auto's now it makes sense.
It also helps with standardisation and reducing costs in manufacturing = lower end cost for the consumer which is what the majority of Mk7 GTI buyers really wanted more than anything.

Also 99.5% or so of the people who buy one would be driving it on regular roads and would derive no benefit from the PP.

Sure it may not be good news for people who want a manual version of the PP GTI but VW isn't forcing you to buy it so you can look elsewhere and if you are lucky might find something (doubt it will happen but you could try).

[andrew7]

Nice work newcomvert. The GTI PP looking the biz and excellent value for money. I'll be looking at the PP or the R, Question will be is the extra kw and AWD of the R be worth the extra spend...and what will the increased spend be..

[pologti18t]

$6500 difference between the base GTI and the PP.
Remove DSG and the difference is $4000.

The PP (as far as i am aware) doesn't get leather or a sunroof. So your price comparison is invalid.

[Arnold]

I see no problem with the GTI PP (if one is ever released here) being DSG only.
Given that almost all sports variants are going to quick shift auto's now it makes sense.
It also helps with standardisation and reducing costs in manufacturing = lower end cost for the consumer which is what the majority of Mk7 GTI buyers really wanted more than anything.

Also 99.5% or so of the people who buy one would be driving it on regular roads and would derive no benefit from the PP.

Sure it may not be good news for people who want a manual version of the PP GTI but VW isn't forcing you to buy it so you can look elsewhere and if you are lucky might find something (doubt it will happen but you could try).

Thank you for that resfreshing departure from logic, team_v.

You either did not read or did not understand my post, or did not grasp the point above relative value of two similarly equipped GTIs and that a base GTI with DSG, leather and Xenons would cost $1300 more than a PP.

So it is not just about the manual GTI, it also affects auto buyers.

Given what "newconvert" said, above, about 19" wheels on the PP, the value discrepancy will be even greater if VW does not offer a special package price on options for the standard GTI.

Without incentives to put multiple options on the base GTI, why would you be lining up now to buy a GTI, DSG or manual, but especially DSG, and end up paying more for the same car than it would cost if you got the PP?

Even as a manual driver, I would wait for and buy an auto PP before I paid $1200 less for a manual with less power and features.

That would be dopey and asking for massive depreciation after the PP arrives. But people who are first in line rarely care about value for money. Or time.

Get it now, team_v?

[Edit: While VWA should still offer a bundle of options on the standard GTI at a special price, it is now apparent that as Alcantara is not the same as $3150 worth of leather trim the effective price difference between a standard GTI and a GTI PP is $1850 on a like-for-like basis, not minus $1300 as I apprehended when I wrote this post.]

[pologti18t]

T
Get it now, team_v?

Now who is being sarcastic? Perhaps you would be better in a Merc

[Arnold]

$6500 difference between the base GTI and the PP.
Remove DSG and the difference is $4000.

The PP (as far as i am aware) doesn't get leather or a sunroof. So your price comparison is invalid.

Edit: The sunroof being standard is neither here nor there if you add its cost to each car, as I did, for purposes of comparison.

According to Car Sales, the PP includes Xenon and Alcantara, which I took to mean leather:

Volkswagen Golf GTI $41,490, Performance Pack $47,990 |Â*CarAdvice

"Buyers will have to wait until quarter-two 2014 for the Golf GTI Performance Pack however, which further adds an electronically-controlled limited slip differential, larger brakes, Alcantara seats, xenon front headlights with LED daytime lights, cornering lights and LED tail-lights, and an extra 7kW of power."

If Alcantara is a cheaper option than leather, which I now suspect, then the pricing anomaly would be less and we can breath a slight sigh of releif.

Nothing like going off half-cocked, eh?

Be interesting to see how it all stacks up when the numbers on Alcantara vs Leather are in.

[Arnold]

Now who is being sarcastic? Perhaps you would be better in a Merc

No sarcasm was intended, nor have I suggested that anyone was being sarcastic (just illogical in your and team_v's cases) so I do not understand the pointed question about sarcasm, even if it were on topic.