Another Golf GTI Thread

Royale with Cheese

I have my heart set on a Golf GTI (5dr manual), just looking for opinions on exactly what to get.

I was originally keeping an eye on the market for a Mk6, around 2010/11. Then I came into some more money and started looking for a 2014ish Mk7. I decided there was little value in the Mk6, dealers were still looking for 22/23k for a 5 year old car whereas a 2 year old Mk7 could probably be had for 30k. However I've just seen a Mk6 in a private sale though that has piqued my interest, and maybe if there was value to be had then the Mk6 might be a better option. I have a mortgage I'd like to clear asap so the extra cash would be happily thrown at that.

So let's say the difference in price is about 12/13k and there's a 4 year age gap between the two models. I'd probably be looking to keep the car about 5 years, so wondering what is the better option with regards to total cost of ownership plus resale value etc. I only do about 6000km a year, looking for max 65000km on a Mk6, 35000km on a Mk7. Tax is about €300 a year less on the Mk7 too.

Also there's the private sale vs dealer thing to consider too. The car I'm looking at checks out, but has had three owners already in under 6 years. The last two both had it for 16 months before wanting rid of it, should that worry me? Obviously there'd be no warranty, and I have a 2005 Ford Focus that I'd need to sell myself. Would be paying in cash either way so finance not an issue. Any other tips on a private sale?

I guess if the figures suggested that running costs and resale value over the cost of 5 years on the Mk7 would actually work out better, then I might be inclined to ignore the price a tag and hold out for that. It would probably be another 3/4 months before I had the money for a Mk7 too, maybe there would be a good few more on the market with new year trade ins?

Donnelly117

Have you got a link to the mk6? Is it s grey one for 15.5k by any chance? That car seems very reasonably priced but has been for sale for absolutely ages for some reason?! I would agree that the mk6 ones are very expensive, mostly as they have rarity on their side as they didnt sell well. I guess they didnt sell well due to them launching at the height of the downturn, but also they seemed to be more of a slight evolution of the mk5 (which was a great car) rather then a newly designed car. The mk7 seems like a much better car looking at reviews, as was redesigned from the ground up rather then being an evolution of the previous model.

If you can get into a mk7, then thats the option I would go for personally...

There is also a great thread for all thing mk7 that a few owners have posted in in the buying section, definitely worth a read if only for a look at the pictures!!

Royale with Cheese

Donnelly117 wrote: »

Have you got a link to the mk6? Is it s grey one for 15.5k by any chance? That car seems very reasonably priced but has been for sale for absolutely ages for some reason?! I would agree that the mk6 ones are very expensive, mostly as they have rarity on their side as they didnt sell well. I guess they didnt sell well due to them launching at the height of the downturn, but also they seemed to be more of a slight evolution of the mk5 (which was a great car) rather then a newly designed car. The mk7 seems like a much better car looking at reviews, as was redesigned from the ground up rather then being an evolution of the previous model.

If you can get into a mk7, then thats the option I would go for personally...

There is also a great thread for all thing mk7 that a few owners have posted in in the buying section, definitely worth a read if only for a look at the pictures!!

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/golf/used-2010-volkswagen-golf-golf-gt-dublin-fpa-201543237864216

Not quite €15.5k, but possibly the one you're talking about?

Donnelly117

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/golf/used-2010-volkswagen-golf-golf-gt-dublin-fpa-201543237864216

Not quite €15.5k, but possibly the one you're talking about?

Oh right, I was on about this one!

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/golf-gti-2010-15500/10347136

Your one does seem very well specced though! There is one for sale by a dealer for 19k which may be of interest? I think he has 2 2010 black ones, one with DSG and one without

JoeA3

I would try and stretch to a MK7 if you can. It's night and day tbh going from MK6 to Mk7. Very different car. The MK6's underpinnings date back to 2004, when the MK5 first came out. The MK7 is an all new car.

My old one (132) was recently sold on after sitting on a forecourt for a few months. It was a great spec too. Any MK7 older than 142 has a relatively poor spec (apart from the odd example like my one). VW upped their game about 12 months ago and made huge improvements in spec, so late 142's onwards are decently spcec'd.

Donnelly117

JoeA3 wrote: »

I would try and stretch to a MK7 if you can. It's night and day tbh going from MK6 to Mk7. Very different car. The MK6's underpinnings date back to 2004, when the MK5 first came out. The MK7 is an all new car.

My old one (132) was recently sold on after sitting on a forecourt for a few months. It was a great spec too. Any MK7 older than 142 has a relatively poor spec (apart from the odd example like my one). VW upped their game about 12 months ago and made huge improvements in spec, so late 142's onwards are decently spcec'd.

Was yours the one that was 132 g 81 or something like that? A white one?
That was a nice motor, I didn't realise it was so after selling. They had strong money on it didn't they?

JoeA3

Donnelly117 wrote: »

Was yours the one that was 132 g 81 or something like that? A white one?
That was a nice motor, I didn't realise it was so after selling. They had strong money on it didn't they?

Yeah that was it. Yes strong money but I think it eventually sold for less. Fella with an 11 MK6 GTI traded in for it.

Donnelly117

JoeA3 wrote: »

Yeah that was it. Yes strong money but I think it eventually sold for less. Fella with an 11 MK6 GTI traded in for it.

Ooh nice, I wouldn't mind a dsg mk6 despite my previous post saying an mk7 would be a better choice. Budget constraints unfortunately! I need something I can trade in my own car for though cause I'm. It sure will it be easy to sell privately. I wonder has it been advertised yet?

JoeA3

OP, to answer some of your other questions...
Yes, I think Jan/Feb would be a good time to go look for a 132++ MK7 GTI. I'd say there's quite a few out there already traded in, owners upgrading after 2 years, etc. Quite a few are going from GTI to R like myself. The MK7 will have a 3 year warranty too - so you'll get whatever's remaining on that. I think the MK6 was still 2 year warranty?

Running costs will be less on the MK7 (if you don't consider depreciation). Cheaper to tax, better on fuel, cheaper to insure. And as its newer you should be much less likely to run into costly service items.

MK6 GTI's have a well known and potentially catastrophic issue with their timing chain tensioners. If it pops, its goodbye engine, costing thousands to put right. If you go for a MK6, make sure you sort out a preventative fix for that! Loads of info on it here: http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=262793.0

MK6 GTI's are relatively rare on the ground. They weren't a big seller and that's probably actually helping keep their residuals up. 22-23k for a 4/5 year MK6 is very strong money imo.

JoeA3

Donnelly117 wrote: »

Ooh nice, I wouldn't mind a dsg mk6 despite my previous post saying an mk7 would be a better choice. Budget constraints unfortunately! I need something I can trade in my own car for though cause I'm. It sure will it be easy to sell privately. I wonder has it been advertised yet?

I don't think they've it advertised yet. I only got a glance at it myself as I drove by over the weekend, it's an 11-CE black 3 door. Looked a standard spec (17's, halogens...) but I didn't see the interior obviously :pac:

Donnelly117

This just came up on DD too, might be of interest?
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-golf-2-0-litre-petrol/11067757

Royale with Cheese

Thanks for the advice. Think I might hold out for a mk7, will see what's available in the new year.