My new VW UP GTi sorry !
Discussion
Ordered 6th September and took delivery today 28/11/21. That is some going considering the current climate. We arrived to collect it at 11am this morning and signed the papers. The keys were handed over and the salesman looked at us and said. "Ok are we ready". And there it was chilling out in its own little showroom. Now I have seen an UP GTi a few times before but to me it was just lovely. Perhaps because its mine. I dont know. The picture below does not show just how vibrant the Tornado red paint is. In my (arguable) opinion the best colour for a GTi. So with the black roof, mirrors and spoiler its just gorgeous. A special day for me as its my first ever brand new VW. And a Tornado red GTi like my first ever GTi. A Mk2 Golf which I adored.
For some these cars are regarded as nothing to be excited about. I can understand that when compared to the kind of machinery seen here on PH. But to me it is something special. The 3 door, 5 door option was something I was very unsure about. But SWMBO had put down her leather stiletto heeled boot and declared it would be 5 door. Again its subjective but I really think it looks more balanced and sort of more grown up & complete. Our previous Fiesta Vignale was a really good car and handled well. But it was just so full of tech and push buttons for almost everything. Gizmo's that I felt were there just because. Yes nice things to have but It just never really excited me. Yes I have specified some tech on the UP. But only what I feel is really useful. Like cruise and auto lights & wipers. But the GTi has an ignition key to start it and overall just feels more analogue.
Honestly as I saw it sat there. Almost glowing. I felt like that kid who just got his first bike at Christmas. I didnt know what to look at first. As we arrived at the dealership there was a red 5dr UP GTi in the main showroom. I thought oh that must be mine. But I noticed there was no black roof so obviously not. But my eye was drawn to the spoiler on the hatch and thought it looked really good. I had seen an option for a spoiler when ordering mine and thought this must be it. Instantly I was thinking, damn I should have added it. But on seeing my car with the same spoiler I was beaming. A bit sad I know but I was so pleased. Another thing which really made my day was the sight of floor mats. I had mentioned in passing that I would love some if they had some kicking about. And sure enough the sales guy made it happen. And talking of making it happen. I had requested the soundaktor be turned down to 75% and the plates to be stuck on rather than screwed on. All done without question or misunderstanding. Brilliant service in my book. As was the choice of reg plate. My wife told me the salesmen had selected a plate from their allocation that had a similar meaning to my christian name. Again trivial but I loved it all the same. Talking of trivial I noted VW has moved away from the cheap looking GTi sticker and gone back to the much nicer chrome GTi dagger.
Driving home was also pretty special. With the soundaktor turned down it sounded much more realistic. But the UP Is actually a cheaper car than the Fiesta it replaced but feels in no way substandard. I would go so far as to say it feels superior. Sort of solid & chunky if you know what I mean. From the sound of the indicator tick to the feel & look of the buttons and instruments. It feels like a premium car. Anyway you dont need to know what it drives like. You have heard & read it all before.
So if you bothered to read this far I thankyou. And apologise for my over enthusiastic ramblings.
For some these cars are regarded as nothing to be excited about. I can understand that when compared to the kind of machinery seen here on PH. But to me it is something special. The 3 door, 5 door option was something I was very unsure about. But SWMBO had put down her leather stiletto heeled boot and declared it would be 5 door. Again its subjective but I really think it looks more balanced and sort of more grown up & complete. Our previous Fiesta Vignale was a really good car and handled well. But it was just so full of tech and push buttons for almost everything. Gizmo's that I felt were there just because. Yes nice things to have but It just never really excited me. Yes I have specified some tech on the UP. But only what I feel is really useful. Like cruise and auto lights & wipers. But the GTi has an ignition key to start it and overall just feels more analogue.
Honestly as I saw it sat there. Almost glowing. I felt like that kid who just got his first bike at Christmas. I didnt know what to look at first. As we arrived at the dealership there was a red 5dr UP GTi in the main showroom. I thought oh that must be mine. But I noticed there was no black roof so obviously not. But my eye was drawn to the spoiler on the hatch and thought it looked really good. I had seen an option for a spoiler when ordering mine and thought this must be it. Instantly I was thinking, damn I should have added it. But on seeing my car with the same spoiler I was beaming. A bit sad I know but I was so pleased. Another thing which really made my day was the sight of floor mats. I had mentioned in passing that I would love some if they had some kicking about. And sure enough the sales guy made it happen. And talking of making it happen. I had requested the soundaktor be turned down to 75% and the plates to be stuck on rather than screwed on. All done without question or misunderstanding. Brilliant service in my book. As was the choice of reg plate. My wife told me the salesmen had selected a plate from their allocation that had a similar meaning to my christian name. Again trivial but I loved it all the same. Talking of trivial I noted VW has moved away from the cheap looking GTi sticker and gone back to the much nicer chrome GTi dagger.
Driving home was also pretty special. With the soundaktor turned down it sounded much more realistic. But the UP Is actually a cheaper car than the Fiesta it replaced but feels in no way substandard. I would go so far as to say it feels superior. Sort of solid & chunky if you know what I mean. From the sound of the indicator tick to the feel & look of the buttons and instruments. It feels like a premium car. Anyway you dont need to know what it drives like. You have heard & read it all before.
So if you bothered to read this far I thankyou. And apologise for my over enthusiastic ramblings.
Congratulations. I'm hoping to pick up a nearly new one soon in a very similar spec to yours, so I will be looking forward to your first impressions.
What other options did you go for?
For me, it would have been a 3dr as I feel small 5dr cars can look a bit odd, and I love the rear window shape on the 3dr (it is unique compared to the Mii and Citigo), but work state I must have a 5dr!
What other options did you go for?
For me, it would have been a 3dr as I feel small 5dr cars can look a bit odd, and I love the rear window shape on the 3dr (it is unique compared to the Mii and Citigo), but work state I must have a 5dr!
Very nice indeed. One of the few cars which I stop and stare at, regardless of the price point. Love the red, but looks great in any colour.
My only advice would be to look out for the issues around water ingress which affects the range as a whole.
Please don't take that as a negative comment. I could still see me buying one on a whim if I happen to be walking past my local dealer and there's one parked up!
My only advice would be to look out for the issues around water ingress which affects the range as a whole.
Please don't take that as a negative comment. I could still see me buying one on a whim if I happen to be walking past my local dealer and there's one parked up!
Max M4X WW said:
Congratulations. I'm hoping to pick up a nearly new one soon in a very similar spec to yours, so I will be looking forward to your first impressions.
What other options did you go for?
For me, it would have been a 3dr as I feel small 5dr cars can look a bit odd, and I love the rear window shape on the 3dr (it is unique compared to the Mii and Citigo), but work state I must have a 5dr!
Thanks Max and thanks all for the really positive comments. Im loving this as my other analogue car next to my 'do it all and thrashable' Panda.What other options did you go for?
For me, it would have been a 3dr as I feel small 5dr cars can look a bit odd, and I love the rear window shape on the 3dr (it is unique compared to the Mii and Citigo), but work state I must have a 5dr!
So options wise I went for the black roof which at about 125-150 quid is worth having I think. As is the passenger seat height adjustment at about 80 quid. Air con is standard so I decided to spend money on other options rather than climate. Plus I kind of like the three retro style control knobs. Next I went for the light & sight pack. This being auto wipers and auto lights. I hesitated a little over the cruise & park pack. As I only really wanted cruise and it was something like £450. In the end I thought feck it this is my car and I want it how I want it. So with the heated seats its a nicely specc'd car in my opinion.
Sorry rambled on again.
blearyeyedboy said:
Well bought!
I'm intrigued by these; do keep us updated.
I have a car that's too big for what I use it for these days, so I'm interested in real world stories of cars like yours.
Funny you should mention your car too big. We decided a small car even smaller than our Fiesta was all we needed. And the UP just doesnt feel small. Yes agile but not small.I'm intrigued by these; do keep us updated.
I have a car that's too big for what I use it for these days, so I'm interested in real world stories of cars like yours.
Trophy Husband said:
No need for the apology!
Probably the only VW I look at twice!
Redolent of this other epic supermini which will probably be valued highly in 20 years time.
Thats nice I had considered one of these in the past but GTi plays such a strong part in my driving career I had to have one. In all honestly I cant really afford a Golf GTi but I dont feel like im scraping the barrel.Probably the only VW I look at twice!
Redolent of this other epic supermini which will probably be valued highly in 20 years time.
Dolf Stoppard said:
Very nice indeed. One of the few cars which I stop and stare at, regardless of the price point. Love the red, but looks great in any colour.
My only advice would be to look out for the issues around water ingress which affects the range as a whole.
Please don't take that as a negative comment. I could still see me buying one on a whim if I happen to be walking past my local dealer and there's one parked up!
Thanks for the heads up. Yes always found myself staring at these too. I had a High UP prior to this and I was so impressed by how it drove. So it was a bit of a no brainer. My only advice would be to look out for the issues around water ingress which affects the range as a whole.
Please don't take that as a negative comment. I could still see me buying one on a whim if I happen to be walking past my local dealer and there's one parked up!
That's the 2nd thread I've just read about a red VW GTi! And yours also looks great in that colour. 
You should be excited picking up your first ever new car - I know I would be if I ever had one. Nearest I got was a 3 month old pre-registered car and I was pretty excited about that!
You'll enjoy those heated seats just now.
You should be excited picking up your first ever new car - I know I would be if I ever had one. Nearest I got was a 3 month old pre-registered car and I was pretty excited about that!
You'll enjoy those heated seats just now.
Just picked my new one up too earlier this month-I wish I could have shared similar excitement to you, but the service from the dealership aftersales department in not correcting a problem has utterly ruined the enjoyment of the car for me so far, being honest 
My first and last VW!
My first and last VW!
Edited by itcaptainslow on Monday 29th November 12:40
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