Golf GTD rant

[d8666]

Rant incoming!
So I’m in the market for a mk7 GTD to use as a commuter to replace a VW Caddy.
Looking for DSG, keyless entry and if possible DYN audio and 5 door.
Not overly concerned about high mileage but is every Golf for sale, either crashed, badly modified, from Bradford. Birmingham with a dodgy seller.

I’m looking to buy private if possible from someone who’s had the car a few years. I’ve had good success with this in the past. The Mk7 Facebook groups would make you loose the will to live!

[SteBrown91]

DSG and keyless is an easy one to find - all GTDs built for the MY16 (so roughly 65 plate onwards) have nav, keyless and winter pack as standard.

Dynaudio is a much harder one to find. If you find a good car without get someone like VW retrofit to install the Helix VW accessory system, which is not as good as the dynaudio but still decent enough.

But yes, these cars now they are 8-9-10 years old and are sporty/german are now sold buy car dealers of a certain demographic. It doesn't mean the cars are rubbish but you just need to go in with your eyes wide open.

[ZX10R NIN]

The DYN audio isn't a must have any good audio specialist will provide an upgrade that's a clear step on from the DYN system.

[Richard-D]

d8666 said:

Rant incoming!
So I’m in the market for a mk7 GTD to use as a commuter to replace a VW Caddy.
Looking for DSG, keyless entry and if possible DYN audio and 5 door.
Not overly concerned about high mileage but is every Golf for sale, either crashed, badly modified, from Bradford. Birmingham with a dodgy seller.

I’m looking to buy private if possible from someone who’s had the car a few years. I’ve had good success with this in the past. The Mk7 Facebook groups would make you loose the will to live!

Plenty of Mk6/7 Golfs available if you go to Bradford (Mk6 front end, Mk7 rear).

A colleague of mine once bought what he thought was a MGZR that turned out to be half MGZR, half Rover 200. We noticed something was wrong as the spoiler didn't match the roofline, turns out the shells are slightly different. Found the seam underneath when we looked more closely.

[Richard-390a0]

Maybe have a look at some of the Jap Imports as they are usually dsg & might be a way of finding an unmolested car perhaps?

[d8666]

Unfortunately all the Japanese import Golfs are petrol. I need a diesel due to the annual mileage greater than 30k per year.

[ZX10R NIN]

Have you looked at other options as there are some great alternatives out there.

[macron]

^ this, I really don't get the hype and following these have.

There are 269 post 2016 5 doors on AT with sub 70k, which on cars of this vintage seems low. They're not rare, 0-60 in 7.5 is hardly exciting especially with the gruff noise, and they are getting on.

[White-Noise]

I have the dynaudio and honestly it's a pile of crap. Some aftermarket bits will probably be much better and you can expand your search a lot.

[d8666]

I’m open to other options, just needs to be automatic, have radar cruise, do 45mpg plus and be hatchback.
I’ve a Touareg for long spins with family or towing.
Previous commuter car was a Passat CC which was great but had no radar cruise and the small boot opening was a pain.

I’m well equipped with special tools, diagnostics etc for VAG group cars so will stick with those brands.

[BlindedByTheLights]

Loved my GTD and did 30k trouble free in it. When I had to sell it I struggled to sell it, it was immaculate. Lots of them are ragged, thrashed and generally abused unfortunately being that they are economical gti’s.

What about an Octavia vrs as an alternative VAG?

Edited by BlindedByTheLights on Thursday 5th December 20:54

[d8666]

Very rare to find an Octavia VRS with radar cruise. But I would consider one, just prefer a Golf though.

[Uncle boshy]

SteBrown91 said:

DSG and keyless is an easy one to find - all GTDs built for the MY16 (so roughly 65 plate onwards) have nav, keyless and winter pack as standard.

Dynaudio is a much harder one to find. If you find a good car without get someone like VW retrofit to install the Helix VW accessory system, which is not as good as the dynaudio but still decent enough.

But yes, these cars now they are 8-9-10 years old and are sporty/german are now sold buy car dealers of a certain demographic. It doesn't mean the cars are rubbish but you just need to go in with your eyes wide open.

The helix in my opinion is better, but the sub has to sit in the spare wheel well

[Gastons_Revenge]

d8666 said:

Very rare to find an Octavia VRS with radar cruise. But I would consider one, just prefer a Golf though.

Looked into retrofitting the system? There's a whole cottage industry of VAG specialists who will retrofit & code modules.

[SteBrown91]

Uncle boshy said:

The helix in my opinion is better, but the sub has to sit in the spare wheel well

So does Dynaudio. You can fit the Helix inside the spare wheel is long as its not the R and its the 18" spacesaver I think.

[Drive Blind]

d8666 said:

The Mk7 Facebook groups

dare i suggest thats the root cause of your issue?

[Skodillac]

Peugeot 308 is a nice alternative, a bit under the radar and ignored by the VW Bruv types.

This sorta schemozzle:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408142...

[Madness60]

Seat Leon??

Pretty much the same car, high spec like Excellence should have all the goodies. Less image problem?

[123DWA]

d8666 said:

Very rare to find an Octavia VRS with radar cruise. But I would consider one, just prefer a Golf though.

I'm fairly sure ACC was standard on Octavia VRS from 2013 onwards i.e when they changed it to MQB

[SteBrown91]

123DWA said:

I'm fairly sure ACC was standard on Octavia VRS from 2013 onwards i.e when they changed it to MQB

It’s not standard on the VRS mk3 or facelift but the facelift did come with the radar for anti collision I think so surely can’t be too hard to retrofit the feature.