Buying a Golf GTI, MK5
Discussion
Hello people. Totally brand new here.
Basically I have around 12k to buy a Golf GTI, 3 door in Red white or silver. No luck yet finding one yet though, they all seem to be black!
Anyhow some Q's for people in the know...
1) Are there any "typical" things to look for/avoid when viewing cars? I've heard about "whitewormed" alloys, that are covered by warranty though yes?
2) 18" wheels look amazing, but does the ride suffer too much?
3) Some Car Ads list the trim as Black leather, Grey leather, Anthracite leather etc. Was there more than one Leather seat trim option? VW site only tells me about the MK6 now, so unsure.
4) I can't vouch for a secondhand car having been run purely with Super unleaded. How important is it? Is it a deal breaker?
That's it for now, cheers.
Basically I have around 12k to buy a Golf GTI, 3 door in Red white or silver. No luck yet finding one yet though, they all seem to be black!
Anyhow some Q's for people in the know...
1) Are there any "typical" things to look for/avoid when viewing cars? I've heard about "whitewormed" alloys, that are covered by warranty though yes?
2) 18" wheels look amazing, but does the ride suffer too much?
3) Some Car Ads list the trim as Black leather, Grey leather, Anthracite leather etc. Was there more than one Leather seat trim option? VW site only tells me about the MK6 now, so unsure.
4) I can't vouch for a secondhand car having been run purely with Super unleaded. How important is it? Is it a deal breaker?
That's it for now, cheers.
Going by the 2007 brochure I have in front of me, 'Interlagos' Anthracite cloth seats were standard, and 'Vienna' Leather in Anthracite or Beige was optional.
If the seller is advertising it as a different colour then they probably just don't know the proper name, or are just thick.
Not 100% sure on the others so rather than guess I won't answer. Might be worth asking on http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/ as its quite a active forum with lots of knowledgeble members.
If the seller is advertising it as a different colour then they probably just don't know the proper name, or are just thick.
Not 100% sure on the others so rather than guess I won't answer. Might be worth asking on http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/ as its quite a active forum with lots of knowledgeble members.
Cheers for the replies.
I have tried a DSG Golf and liked it. However I am after an out of warranty car, and don't want to risk giant repair bills.
...So there are 3 leather trims, Beige, Black, and Expensive Black!
I just found the brochure online if anyones wants it, at
http://www.scribd.com/doc/12586427/Golf-GTI-VW-Bro...
Saved a copy by clicking Print, Print to PDF.
I have tried a DSG Golf and liked it. However I am after an out of warranty car, and don't want to risk giant repair bills.
...So there are 3 leather trims, Beige, Black, and Expensive Black!
I just found the brochure online if anyones wants it, at
http://www.scribd.com/doc/12586427/Golf-GTI-VW-Bro...
Saved a copy by clicking Print, Print to PDF.
Edited by dino_jr on Monday 3rd August 10:57
In terms of your questions:
The ride is fine on 18s. The car I bought happened to have them and I was a little cynical but they are very good. I'd be more worried about curbing than white worms as the rim is very exposed. VW have set the car up beautifully for UK roads.
The expensive leather options were Recaros. Very nice I'm sure but the price put most people off. The leather is ok but does seem to wear quite fast, the stitching expecially is not the greatest.
Otherwise, think about anything you want that cannot easily be retro-fitted. The obvious options here are the centre armrest (a marmite thing IMHO) and sunroof (very nice but a rare expensive option). Cruise is an easy retro fit and even built in sat-nav doesn't seem to cause too many problems.
I'd probably shy away from a solid red car as without obcessive polishing it will fade. This will hit resale a few years down the line as the cars move into enthusist hands and fading becomes a serious issue. I was again a little cynical at first but it seems that now the mk5 is out of production, White is THE colour!
On the fuel issue, the engine has a knock sensor so will map more power on 98+ octane fuel. Lower grades will not do any damage but I'd avoid non oil major fuel from quiet garages or supermarkets.
Jon
The ride is fine on 18s. The car I bought happened to have them and I was a little cynical but they are very good. I'd be more worried about curbing than white worms as the rim is very exposed. VW have set the car up beautifully for UK roads.
The expensive leather options were Recaros. Very nice I'm sure but the price put most people off. The leather is ok but does seem to wear quite fast, the stitching expecially is not the greatest.
Otherwise, think about anything you want that cannot easily be retro-fitted. The obvious options here are the centre armrest (a marmite thing IMHO) and sunroof (very nice but a rare expensive option). Cruise is an easy retro fit and even built in sat-nav doesn't seem to cause too many problems.
I'd probably shy away from a solid red car as without obcessive polishing it will fade. This will hit resale a few years down the line as the cars move into enthusist hands and fading becomes a serious issue. I was again a little cynical at first but it seems that now the mk5 is out of production, White is THE colour!
On the fuel issue, the engine has a knock sensor so will map more power on 98+ octane fuel. Lower grades will not do any damage but I'd avoid non oil major fuel from quiet garages or supermarkets.
Jon
Edited by jcelee on Tuesday 4th August 16:24
I bought a 2005, DSG, 5 door in silver with a nice spec last month, it took me 4 months to find the right car but it was worth it. I swapped a 330D Sport E46 and was concerned the build quality would be a significantly worse but I've been pleasantly surprised - I guess the Golf is a 6 year newer design. I'd describe the GTi as a Jekly and Hyde character, it can be a very quiet, civilised and comfortable cruiser (I have leather seats which are supremely comfortable) or use the paddle shifts/sports mode and give it the beans and you can really hustle the car along, the engine seems setup for quick mid-range acceleration which is great for overtaking. The DSG is fantastic and allows you to drive in numerous ways - auto, paddles, sequential, sport mode or a mixture.
Its just flown through its MOT.
One other thing that struck me was how quick you can be travelling and how serene and quiet it is in the car - they've done an excellent job on the NVH.
My only criticism is I'm getting avg 28/29 mpg but it is a GTi and most of that is round town also they do hold their prices so you pay alot for an older car.
Am I pleased with my Gti? Oh yes!
Its just flown through its MOT.
One other thing that struck me was how quick you can be travelling and how serene and quiet it is in the car - they've done an excellent job on the NVH.
My only criticism is I'm getting avg 28/29 mpg but it is a GTi and most of that is round town also they do hold their prices so you pay alot for an older car.
Am I pleased with my Gti? Oh yes!
FL07AAV said:
Mine is for sale if you want it for £12k?
2007 GTi, owned since new, FSH, 40K, check my profile pic......
Did you definately do 40k miles in your Golf? Your car is for sale again, and 10k miles LESS since August?2007 GTi, owned since new, FSH, 40K, check my profile pic......
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1371286.htm
What's that all about!
Edited by dino_jr on Wednesday 2nd December 08:18
jcelee said:
Otherwise, think about anything you want that cannot easily be retro-fitted. The obvious options here are the centre armrest (a marmite thing IMHO) and sunroof (very nice but a rare expensive option). Cruise is an easy retro fit and even built in sat-nav doesn't seem to cause too many problems.[/footnote]
Is cruise control really an easy (cheap?) thing to retrofit?Lefty Two Drams said:
Is cruise control really an easy (cheap?) thing to retrofit?
Yes as the actual system is aleady there, its just a case of fitting the stalk and telling the car computer to enable cruise control. A VW dealer can fit it for you for less than the cost cruise was as a factory option.Cruise control is really cheap if you get someone like www.vwcruise.com to fit it, only around a hundred pounds if i remember correctly
dino_jr said:
FL07AAV said:
Mine is for sale if you want it for £12k?
2007 GTi, owned since new, FSH, 40K, check my profile pic......
Did you definately do 40k miles in your Golf? Your car is for sale again, and 10k miles LESS since August?2007 GTi, owned since new, FSH, 40K, check my profile pic......
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1371286.htm
What's that all about!
Edited by dino_jr on Wednesday 2nd December 08:18
My Email:
There seems to be some issue with the mileage of this car, it was advertised before with about 40k on the clock.
Are you trying to flog a clocked motor on PH? Not a wise move.
And his reply:
bought this car in the trade for £8000 so probeley been clocked 5 times but i am not warrantin the miles so if not warranted always take the miles to be incorrect on any car.plus clocking is not illegal long as the buyer no this.
dino_jr said:
FL07AAV said:
Mine is for sale if you want it for £12k?
2007 GTi, owned since new, FSH, 40K, check my profile pic......
Did you definately do 40k miles in your Golf? Your car is for sale again, and 10k miles LESS since August?2007 GTi, owned since new, FSH, 40K, check my profile pic......
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1371286.htm
What's that all about!
Edited by dino_jr on Wednesday 2nd December 08:18
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