Advise on buying VW-Golf

Golf4GolfGti

I have:
Description: Volkswagen Golf 1.4
Body Type: Hatchback
Colour: Black
Fuel Type: Petrol
Transmission: Manual
Mileage: 42K
Year: 02D

Firstly, how much do you think I can get for my car, I'm the second owner and the car is in immac condition.

I'm looking to buy this http://www.grangemotors.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=131443853979368

I've never bought a car from a dealer before, in general would they take trade in on my car? Is it possible to haggle with dealers or is "the price, the price" ?

Thanks a million for any tips in advance.

coolbeans

Golf4GolfGti wrote: »

I have:
Description: Volkswagen Golf 1.4
Body Type: Hatchback
Colour: Black
Fuel Type: Petrol
Transmission: Manual
Mileage: 42K
Year: 02D

Firstly, how much do you think I can get for my car, I'm the second owner and the car is in immac condition.

I'm looking to buy this http://www.grangemotors.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=131443853979368

I've never bought a car from a dealer before, in general would they take trade in on my car? Is it possible to haggle with dealers or is "the price, the price" ?

Thanks a million for any tips in advance.

Sorry, thought you were buying. Ignore.

Bigus

Nice Car you're looking at there and not too dear for a Main Dealer for that GTI.

Yes Haggle but hold off on doing a deal there and then

Go and look at other GTi's even dearer ones and get a qoute on cost to change before you decide.

Your 02 golf is very saleable. but the price could fluctuate wildly depending on the salesman you get and his mood.

EPM

The only thing I'll say is they are nice cars but the only extras on that car are an armrest and metallic paint.

Try finding a better specced example.

Golf4GolfGti

Bigus wrote: »

Nice Car you're looking at there and not too dear for a Main Dealer for that GTI.

Yes Haggle but hold off on doing a deal there and then

Go and look at other GTi's even dearer ones and get a qoute on cost to change before you decide.

Your 02 golf is very saleable. but the price could fluctuate wildly depending on the salesman you get and his mood.

Maybe a dumb question....If i'm bringing my car down to the dealership to see about buying the gti, should I have it valetd?

Would you recommend to always buy off a dealer? Is it dodgey to buy from say donedeal.ie private sale?

166man

I would maybe look at selling the Golf privately, it sounds like it's a nice low mileage car. You would probably get a better discount off the dealer by nnot trading in and being a cash buyer.

Nice car alright but I'm not as keen on those wheels, there are better specced cars out there.

david

I bought an '06 MKV GTI recently. Make sure the timing belt on that car is done. It's due every 120k km or 5 years. You will get a lot more spec for your money IMO. I paid a fair bit less than that and got one with a personalised reg, sunroof, cream heated leather, auto wipers/lights, NCT 2014, warranty albeit from a non-VW but SIMI dealership.

The car may seem desirable to you but in real world its a 30mpg petrol hatchback and you should use this to your advantage.

After haggling there was 2.2k difference between my cost to change (incl. '06 Astra GTC trade-in) and the best cash price. Sold my car for 4k and saved 1.8k for the sake of a few days touting for a private sale and a couple of hours valeting.

I'd have no hesitation buying private if you know what you're looking at and it's been looked after but if you're going to a dealership cash is king.

Golf4GolfGti

Thanks alot folks, gonna soak up all you've said and have a further browse over the weekend. Ill come back to this thread in a couple days with an update on any better Gti's I come across.

Cheers

Tea 1000

Sell your Golf privately, give it a good cleaning yourself inside and out, and I'd also avoid any 4-owner GTi... everyone's had their cut in it.

smtdos

OP I went to see this car last week as I was toying between a GTI and 3-series.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2405964

One of the few around with colour coded bumpers, turbo felt solid.

It's in mint condition, owner really new the car inside out and maintained it perfectly.

Only for me getting a trade-in on a beamer I'd have bought it.

Might be worth checking out.

Zubeneschamali

EPM wrote: »

Try finding a better specced example.

It's got air-con, is there anything major missing?

Some people are mad for leather, but I quite like the tartan cloth seats.

EPM

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

It's got air-con, is there anything major missing?

Some people are mad for leather, but I quite like the tartan cloth seats.

It doesn't have aircon despite what the ad says.

I'd also want cruise and Bluetooth at least.

166man

EPM wrote: »

It doesn't have aircon despite what the ad says.

I'd also want cruise and Bluetooth at least.

I'd be amazed if a 35k hot hatchback didn't have air-con. How do you know it doesn't have aircon?

Tea 1000

EPM wrote: »

It doesn't have aircon despite what the ad says.

I'd also want cruise and Bluetooth at least.

Surely VW didn't sell a €35k GTI without aircon????

EPM

166man wrote: »

I'd be amazed if a 35k hot hatchback didn't have air-con. How do you know it doesn't have aircon?

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Surely VW didn't sell a €35k GTI without aircon????

Well prepare to be amazed. Look at the dash. If it had air con there would be three rotary controls and three buttons above them. If it doesn't there are just two. Count the buttons in the pictures...

Air con was only standard from 07 on, prior to that you got a sunroof.

Atlantic Dawn

I'd be thinking €9k and your own, possibly €8.5k. You should valet your car, take photos of it there and then for possible private sale and then go down to see what the dealer is offering. If the car has an NCT it should sell private in days, price it at €3.5k and try to get as close to €3k as possible, then return to dealer and offer €9.5k cash and try to get it for less than €10k.

166man

EPM wrote: »

Well prepare to be amazed. Look at the dash. If it had air con there would be three rotary controls and three buttons above them. If it doesn't there are just two. Count the buttons in the pictures...

Air con was only standard from 07 on, prior to that you got a sunroof.

If you look at the picture there are three controls and I am almost certain that the two buttons above them one of which is the AC button, seen it on other Golf's. Not 100% sure though, that's just the picture.

EPM

166man wrote: »

If you look at the picture there are three controls and I am almost certain that the two buttons above them one of which is the AC button, seen it on other Golf's. Not 100% sure though, that's just the picture.

Well I'm 100% sure on my original answer. Those two buttons are the rear demist and the recirc buttons. A mark 5 will have three buttons if its got climatic air con and not climatronic.

166man

EPM wrote: »

Well I'm 100% sure on my original answer. Those two buttons are the rear demist and the recirc buttons. A mark 5 will have three buttons if its got climatic air con and not climatronic.

Ah right cheers for clarifying that EPM, well that sure as hell amazes me!No air-con on a €35k hatchback is mad really. In that case OP look for another GTI maybe.

bazz26

This one has leather heated seats and xenons for similar money:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201142205140772

And this 08 for not a lot more:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201143205274153

TheBully

Honestly ul be lucky to get 1300 for ur golf! 1.4 petrols are not at all desireable! buy the GTI straight and sell ur car urself, u might get 2k for it that way!

Golf4GolfGti

bazz26 wrote: »

This one has leather heated seats and xenons for similar money:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201142205140772

And this 08 for not a lot more:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201143205274153

Thanks for all the feedback everyone, I actually came across the red one above myself, looks nice, are these the standard alloys for all gti's?

Golf4GolfGti

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2695718

What is the process with VRT on a car of this value/spec, how much more would I need to pay?

STForSale

166man wrote: »

Ah right cheers for clarifying that EPM, well that sure as hell amazes me!No air-con on a €35k hatchback is mad really. In that case OP look for another GTI maybe.

Every mark 5 Gti I've seen with a sunroof has no A/C, must of been an either / or... but yeah, shocking that it wasn't standard as you say.

Without even looking at the revenue calculator to calculate the VRT for the BM, it's almost always cheaper to buy big petrols here than to import, I've seen similar cars going for 15K Euro, doubt you'll clear one for 3K.

http://www.revenue.ie/en/online/vrt-calculator.html

tossy

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

It's got air-con, is there anything major missing?

DSG
Xenons
18" rims

OP its a buyers market especially on a car like the GTI,my advice is sell your own golf privately and then do your research and go shopping,bring a decent mechanic with you when you find a car you think you might want.Is there any reason you are going for a 5 dr? these look manky in 5 door,if you want a 5 door GTI buy a Skoda vRS

Zubeneschamali

tossy wrote: »

DSG
Xenons
18" rims

Each to their own. I'd prefer a manual, I don't like low profile tyres and I'd take or leave Xenons.

Air conditioning, though, would be a must.

tossy

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Each to their own. I'd prefer a manual, I don't like low profile tyres and I'd take or leave Xenons.

Air conditioning, though, would be a must.

the 17" wheels are also fitted with low profile tyres i.e 'low profile tyre' is a real Irish term (i hate it ) by saying you don't like low profile tyres you are ruling yourself out of drivingf/owning pretty much every desirable car ever i bet most people who say they don't like 'low profile tyres' only have experience driving on sh!t rep alloys with budget tyres fitted.

I would normally prefer manual but i've driven a few cars with DSG boxes including a GTI and i would take the DSG all day everyday.

Xenons is just a personal thing but i would find it hard to be without them plus the help separate a GTI from the hundreds of Irish/poverty spec ones on the road.

Anyway OP best of luck with your search and future GTI motoring,you are going from one of VWs worst ever cars into one of their best.

L-M

TheBully wrote: »

Honestly ul be lucky to get 1300 for ur golf! 1.4 petrols are not at all desireable! buy the GTI straight and sell ur car urself, u might get 2k for it that way!

Op ingore this silly advice. Ask 2350 for your Golf privately for a quick sale and do not take a penny less than €2,100.

My brother in Law had a mint 08 GTI for sale for about 3 months and couldn't sell it, it has cream leather, perimetric alarm, fogs and a sunroof. He got €11,800 for it in the end about 4 months ago so please take that into account when looking at the 06 for similar money. They're a hard sell atm.

Zubeneschamali

tossy wrote: »

i bet most people who say they don't like 'low profile tyres' only have experience driving on sh!t rep alloys with budget tyres fitted.

Actually, I have experience blowing one 50 profile tyre, and wrecking another whole alloy wheel in Irish potholes.

I don't feel like putting up with that attrition, the extra cost of every tyre plus the daily harder ride just to look cool on those gangsta wheels.

tossy

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Actually, I have experience blowing one 50 profile tyre, and wrecking another whole alloy wheel in Irish potholes.

I don't feel like putting up with that attrition, the extra cost of every tyre plus the daily harder ride just to look cool on those gangsta wheels.

That's unfortunate hope you and car escaped undamaged? ,what was the brand of tyre and wheel for pig iron?

I ran 18's for years and i never felt gangstai feel so left out,come here don't ruin a decent debate/post with silly remarks

bazz26

These type cars are really cheap these days once you are comfortable with the running costs:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201122202689503

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201142205098683

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201145205422657

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201129203451805

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201141205015317

EPM

The silver vrs was well looked after by the first owner. It was mint.

Have heard it's one to really avoid these days though. And it was only sold a year ago.

-Corkie-

I cannot believe how cheap the ST is. They are a lovely looking car especially in silver. UK prices look to be a way more...

Zubeneschamali

tossy wrote: »

That's unfortunate hope you and car escaped undamaged? ,what was the brand of tyre and wheel for pig iron?

Pirelli P6000s, they were 205/50 profile I think, on 17 inch telephone dial Speedlines on an Alfa. Car was fine.

bazz26

EPM wrote: »

The silver vrs was well looked after by the first owner. It was mint.

Have heard it's one to really avoid these days though. And it was only sold a year ago.

The close up photo of the rim tells alot then.

Carson10

any 1 see this one.? i've viewed this. Looks great in the pics but not in the flesh..engine sounds like a 98 diesel passat, engine bay filthy. alloys are touched up with a spray can. bits broken off the interior. some scrapes and dents on the bodywork. Weird service history. Looks like it was driven very hard around the city and never cared for..Have to say the guys in the garage seemed nice though, but the car is about to pack in. rear boot cover strings hanging off, caps missing from the alloys, passenger seat adjust knob is gone, and u can see the yellow foam on the seat.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=131923133496865