Buying a high mileage MK6 GTI to add more miles to
Discussion
I'm considering a MK6 GTI, looking around 3 years old.
Dependant on mileage the prices vary by 5-6k which is a lot.
I do 20k miles a year and looking to keep the car 3 years (maybe longer if handed to my partner when mileage would reduce) - I have to have a car under 6 years for work.
I have been looking at some with 30k on the clock at the high end but there are others around with 70-80k on the clock at lower prices.
Are there any known problems with higher mileage vehicles? or with the GTI's generally?
I am currently thinking that my losses (as long as the car is good) will be less by going for a cheaper higher mileage car as in a few years time the value difference of the cars will be less than the current £5-6k asking prices i.e a 6 year old with 130k on the clock may be £6-7k where the other with 80k on the clock maybe £8-9k (£3k less in depreciation)
Anyone know of any good 2011/2 cars for sale?
Thanks
Dependant on mileage the prices vary by 5-6k which is a lot.
I do 20k miles a year and looking to keep the car 3 years (maybe longer if handed to my partner when mileage would reduce) - I have to have a car under 6 years for work.
I have been looking at some with 30k on the clock at the high end but there are others around with 70-80k on the clock at lower prices.
Are there any known problems with higher mileage vehicles? or with the GTI's generally?
I am currently thinking that my losses (as long as the car is good) will be less by going for a cheaper higher mileage car as in a few years time the value difference of the cars will be less than the current £5-6k asking prices i.e a 6 year old with 130k on the clock may be £6-7k where the other with 80k on the clock maybe £8-9k (£3k less in depreciation)
Anyone know of any good 2011/2 cars for sale?
Thanks
I agree with your thinking but you've got to tread carefully as the high mileage car will only be a good buy if its been maintained correctly. A 1 owner ex-company car which has spent its life going up and down the motorway and had all bills paid for by the leasing company should be safe. I'd also say stick to as new as possible as the early cars suffer from timing chain issues which can result in catastrophic engine failure
va1o said:
I agree with your thinking but you've got to tread carefully as the high mileage car will only be a good buy if its been maintained correctly. A 1 owner ex-company car which has spent its life going up and down the motorway and had all bills paid for by the leasing company should be safe. I'd also say stick to as new as possible as the early cars suffer from timing chain issues which can result in catastrophic engine failure
Thanks, when your talking early cars what years are considered early 2009/10 or beyond?I was reading the other thread about the Sweetpoint of the MK7 and people were recommending the diesel, am I mad not to be going for one of them, although a mk6.
I don't know if the same is true of the MK6 as it was of the MK4, but I owned a non-turbo 1.8GTi, a turbo GTi and a V5. I also drove a 150PD TDi from Scotland back to London (so got a good feel for it), and had an extended test drive in a 130 PD.
Of all of them, the 150PD was the best (for me). It may not have kept up with the GTi away from the lights, but I think in all other instances it was a better car. In fact, when I had my TT (225ps) my mate had a 150PD and I couldn't lose him on a country road. I only had yards on him.
My dad has been running diesels since the early 80's so all I remembered diesels being was slow and very noisy. It wasn't until I drove that Golf that I realised modern diesels have improved way more in the last 30 years than petrol engines.
There are also another couple of points to bear in mind. Diesels are normally bought/opted for by people doing lots of motorway miles - so it's likely (but not guaranteed) that it will have had an easier life. Diesels also tend to be better at dealing with higher mileages too.
Of all of them, the 150PD was the best (for me). It may not have kept up with the GTi away from the lights, but I think in all other instances it was a better car. In fact, when I had my TT (225ps) my mate had a 150PD and I couldn't lose him on a country road. I only had yards on him.
My dad has been running diesels since the early 80's so all I remembered diesels being was slow and very noisy. It wasn't until I drove that Golf that I realised modern diesels have improved way more in the last 30 years than petrol engines.
There are also another couple of points to bear in mind. Diesels are normally bought/opted for by people doing lots of motorway miles - so it's likely (but not guaranteed) that it will have had an easier life. Diesels also tend to be better at dealing with higher mileages too.
tjdixon911 said:
Thanks, when your talking early cars what years are considered early 2009/10 or beyond?
I was reading the other thread about the Sweetpoint of the MK7 and people were recommending the diesel, am I mad not to be going for one of them, although a mk6.
I've been casually looking recently and GTD/ GTi used prices seem about the same, but I think the petrol offers better value for money and more character. I'm potentially going diesel next time though due to doing more miles than I anticipated.I was reading the other thread about the Sweetpoint of the MK7 and people were recommending the diesel, am I mad not to be going for one of them, although a mk6.
As for early cars yeah it's definetely 2009 ones most susceptible but I've seen some newer ones suffer too. There is a lengthy thread on golfgtiforum.co.uk in the Mk6 section worth a read
Kell said:
I don't know if the same is true of the MK6 as it was of the MK4, but I owned a non-turbo 1.8GTi, a turbo GTi and a V5. I also drove a 150PD TDi from Scotland back to London (so got a good feel for it), and had an extended test drive in a 130 PD.
Of all of them, the 150PD was the best (for me). It may not have kept up with the GTi away from the lights, but I think in all other instances it was a better car. In fact, when I had my TT (225ps) my mate had a 150PD and I couldn't lose him on a country road. I only had yards on him.
My dad has been running diesels since the early 80's so all I remembered diesels being was slow and very noisy. It wasn't until I drove that Golf that I realised modern diesels have improved way more in the last 30 years than petrol engines.
There are also another couple of points to bear in mind. Diesels are normally bought/opted for by people doing lots of motorway miles - so it's likely (but not guaranteed) that it will have had an easier life. Diesels also tend to be better at dealing with higher mileages too.
I've had a number of VAG TDI's from the 90bhp MK4 Golf, Fabia VRS, Scirocco 2.0 140BHP, and currently a 126k mile Polo 1.4 tdi - the only one I've not taken beyond 100k was the Scirocco as I sold it for the reason I wasn't using my Porsche enough as it was just as easy to go out in that and have some fun (saved having to move cars around) I don't have anything quick now hence the pining for a GTI - my head keeps telling me that a GT or a GTD would be plenty for my Commute and abit of fun...also my mileage can fluctuate massively 20k is low for me, it could easily go up beyond 30k.. Of all of them, the 150PD was the best (for me). It may not have kept up with the GTi away from the lights, but I think in all other instances it was a better car. In fact, when I had my TT (225ps) my mate had a 150PD and I couldn't lose him on a country road. I only had yards on him.
My dad has been running diesels since the early 80's so all I remembered diesels being was slow and very noisy. It wasn't until I drove that Golf that I realised modern diesels have improved way more in the last 30 years than petrol engines.
There are also another couple of points to bear in mind. Diesels are normally bought/opted for by people doing lots of motorway miles - so it's likely (but not guaranteed) that it will have had an easier life. Diesels also tend to be better at dealing with higher mileages too.
tjdixon911 said:
I've had a number of VAG TDI's from the 90bhp MK4 Golf, Fabia VRS, Scirocco 2.0 140BHP, and currently a 126k mile Polo 1.4 tdi - the only one I've not taken beyond 100k was the Scirocco as I sold it for the reason I wasn't using my Porsche enough as it was just as easy to go out in that and have some fun (saved having to move cars around) I don't have anything quick now hence the pining for a GTI - my head keeps telling me that a GT or a GTD would be plenty for my Commute and abit of fun...also my mileage can fluctuate massively 20k is low for me, it could easily go up beyond 30k..
Well incidentally I've today just picked up a 2011 Golf 2.0 TDI 140 to replace my beloved GTI, I'm already missing petrol power loads! The diesel is torquey for sure but doesn't have the same urgency. Just got it for the MPG but already I feel boring and anonymous.va1o said:
Well incidentally I've today just picked up a 2011 Golf 2.0 TDI 140 to replace my beloved GTI, I'm already missing petrol power loads! The diesel is torquey for sure but doesn't have the same urgency. Just got it for the MPG but already I feel boring and anonymous.
Mr Valo, how could you 
head over heart...my company have recently reminded me mine is now 6 years old so my time left with the GTI could also be limited. Tempted to stick 2 fingers up t the car allowance and get what I want, older car and money in the bank..va1o said:
Well incidentally I've today just picked up a 2011 Golf 2.0 TDI 140 to replace my beloved GTI, I'm already missing petrol power loads! The diesel is torquey for sure but doesn't have the same urgency. Just got it for the MPG but already I feel boring and anonymous.
That's definitely the downside. So many are/were specced as company cars, that you'll look like just another rep/buyer.Having a powerful petrol car definitely marks you as a private buyer - or as a company buyer that doesn't give a feck about tax.
It's part of the reason that I wanted a 3.0TDi A6 rather than the company car spec 2.0TDi.
This was my ex company car - 93k over 4 years:
Well maintained and loved by me (I still miss it) - it did, however, need a new gearbox and clutch. It had many tyres, brakes and a service every 11k - It was also rear-ended but that was fixed nicely. It was bought by someone off the vwaudiforum that I use and last I heard it only needed a rear shocker.
It was a TDi GT though
Well maintained and loved by me (I still miss it) - it did, however, need a new gearbox and clutch. It had many tyres, brakes and a service every 11k - It was also rear-ended but that was fixed nicely. It was bought by someone off the vwaudiforum that I use and last I heard it only needed a rear shocker.
It was a TDi GT though
Pretty similar to what I've got now then! I've found today if you grab it by the scruff of its neck and hold it in the power band it's fairly entertaining, but runs out of grip quite quickly if you throw it about too much. I like the fact the mpg barely drops below 40 even when you're thrashing the hell out of it.
I had to get something out of my head yesterday so tried out a MK6 Bluemotion - it was pretty dull and as they are very basic spec wasn't a nice place to be, if I wanted something bland I wouldn't spend that sort of money on it!! I was also fortunate enough to drive my mates MK6 GT TDi (140bhp) yesterday afternoon for 100miles or so, much nicer place to be and a bit of performance on offer.
So, I have decided the GT (or equivalent) needs to be my minimum, I'm actually going to test drive a New Leon (150BHP TDi) later as they look good value compared to what I'm looking at in the Golf, also been looking at this online http://www.robinsonsmotorgroup.co.uk//used-cars/38... which also looks very good value compared to the equivalent Golf GTD's...
So, I have decided the GT (or equivalent) needs to be my minimum, I'm actually going to test drive a New Leon (150BHP TDi) later as they look good value compared to what I'm looking at in the Golf, also been looking at this online http://www.robinsonsmotorgroup.co.uk//used-cars/38... which also looks very good value compared to the equivalent Golf GTD's...
Early Bluemotions were properly poverty spec to reduce weight - If you can find a Bluemotion SE, they're pretty well spec'd. In fact, the Match offers pretty good value.
They'll both be 1.6 diesels, so no performance on offer - The GT is good but I found that the ride, on 18s, was not that great on poorly surfaced roads (like they all are in North Lincolnshire...). Handling was pretty good - far better than my A3 Sportback SE which is dire.
They'll both be 1.6 diesels, so no performance on offer - The GT is good but I found that the ride, on 18s, was not that great on poorly surfaced roads (like they all are in North Lincolnshire...). Handling was pretty good - far better than my A3 Sportback SE which is dire.
Ok, I let my head rule slightly in the end and have purchased a Seat Leon SC FR (150BHP TDi) - i gave less for it than most of the 3year old GTI's I'd been looking at - the spec is huge and they look like they've taken a big step forward in terms of quality over the previous model.
Collection on Wednesday.
I think I will still hanker for a GTI but this is right for my current situation - maybe I'll get the mrs a Mk5 GTI at some point which I can then also enjoy...
Collection on Wednesday.
I think I will still hanker for a GTI but this is right for my current situation - maybe I'll get the mrs a Mk5 GTI at some point which I can then also enjoy...
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