Hi All,
Thanks for your varied and helpful responses earlier about a flash little motor for me - after much consideration, I'm off tomorrow to look at a 2000 W reg Golf GTI 1.8 turbo - it's got 23000 miles on and is £9k - how does this look to you guys - it's at a main VW dealership BTW. Should I get the milage verified & what's the best way?
Thanks, Ben
|
Ben,
check the service history and MOT mileage records to see that they match up (obviously from when the MOTs start).
My main question would be why has it only done 23k after 5 years. You should find out what they offer in terms of warranty etc and possibly get an AA or RAC inspection on the vehicle to make sure it is in reasonable nick, and that the wear on it matches the mileage it has done. Also see if you can take it out for a couple of hours to really get a feel for it.
I'm sure it'll be fine, but after a friend buying a low mileage beemer that was 6 years old from a main dealer and having loads of problems with it (albeit fixed under warranty) I'd just be a little cautious.
|
24k in 5 years is low I suppose but not unheard of. However, I'd be asking the question - why buy a Golf GTi and never drive it? I'd be out in it every day. I'm out in mine every day for the hell of it!
Maybe it's just be but I agree with Chris. Check it out.
--
Adam
|
|
My thoughts exactly... if it was a 'granny car' then maybe it would make sense, but a 150+ bhp GTi is the kind of thing someone buys to have fun in. First instincts would be either it's had loads of problems or has been sat in a driveway/garage for long periods doing nothing.
|
Yep. I'd agree with that.
--
Adam
|
|
|
|
|
Also check that it isn't one of the 1.8Ts that had problems with the coil. It just could be that with that low mileage this is yet to happen.
|
|
I've heard about this problem - I'm not mechanical, how can I investigate / ask about this? And do you think from a VW dealership I should still do an RAC inspection?
|
|
|
Coils should be OK at this age. Problems started on cars made between mid 2001 and late 2002.
Perleman - why don't you go and try a Seat Leon Cupra. Here you get 180BHP, 6 speed gearbox, climate control, 6-CD changer in the glovebox and tons more smiles per miles. Obviously you'll not get to much kudos in the golf club car park as HJ says, but in all other ways you'll be getting a better, more exciting car for less outlay than that 5yr old £9k Golf.
You could at least try and report back on your findings.
|
|
|
|
With such low mileage it may have been used as a shopping trolley! Check for multiple dings in the doors and that it's been serviced once per year as prescribed. Nothings worse than a car that's had short journeys and has had servicing neglected.
Or it could be that they only took it out at the weekend. I know someone who does this with his new Focus, as he requires an older car to lug his tools around in during the week.
You'll only know when you see it.
--------------
Mike Farrow
|
I had one on a T plate, brand new. From day one it needed a new gearbox....
My suggestion is to totally check it out. VW are not as reliable as perceived.... but that's another story (and I've had a Golf GTI 1.8T, 2 x Passat 1.8T Sport).
|
Am I the only one who thinks that nearly £10k for a 5 year old Golf is on the hilarious side of steep?
Thats proper prestige car money, that is.
|
Am I the only one who thinks that nearly £10k for a 5 year old Golf is on the hilarious side of steep?
No, I do as well. Suggest original poster hunts around, it seems expensive even for a Golf!
|
|
|
It looks like the dealer is trying to push up the price for the low mileage. It's probably low because it's been off the road a lot in five years with problems.... but that's my guess.
Does seem expensive for what you get. When I got one in 1999 I thought the quality of the interior etc was great. But all cars have moved on now and I'd not be impressed now.
|
Didn't even think about the price when posting before... but indeed it does sound high.
Take a look here for example -
www.cargiant.co.uk/cars/search3.asp?Id=241319
1.5 years old 15k more on the clock but only a grand more...
Shop around and don't be flattered by the fact that its on a dealership forecourt.
|
An extremely bad buy. Forget it and buy a 30k mile 02 - 03 reg SEAT Leon 20VT Cupra for £9,000. 30 more bhp, an extra gear, better looks, better build, better equipment, and far better handling, yet still a Golf IV/AudiA3/Skoda Octavia underneath.
HJ
|
get a golf!!!
just look for a better deal?
|
get a golf!!! just look for a better deal?
Sorry but HJ is spot on here. Why waste your money on a Golf when you can get a considerably newer, better Leon or Toledo for the money? They are the same car underneath but becuase it doesn't say VW on the front (Why do people think the VW badge has some sort of kudos? It directly translates to Peoples Car and IMHO is no more special than a badge saying Peugeot) it's considerably better value.
|
I would waste my money on the Golf simply because I fit in it better and it is available in 3 door which the Leon isn't. I know its the same car underneath, but it isn't the same car inside. The Golf must have more seat and steering wheel adjustment as I find it easier to get in and out of and more roomy once sat inside, than the "equivalent" Leon.
I haven't tried an Toledo, but can't be bothered to as that is a 4 door saloon. If I am going to buy a VAG 4 door saloon I will just get a Passat as used values are more inline with an Leon or Toledo.
|
|
|
|
Always better to buy newer and higher mileage rather than older and lower mileage.
|
|
|
same as yesterday!
used car prices say your wrong?
|
|
sorry that replys for m.r
|
Michael Rodgers, you're missing the whole issue of image, and it's crucially important in today's world of extensive platform sharing.
VAG did not make the decision to let Skoda/Seat/VW/Audi all sell cars on the Golf/Bora platform without very carefully differentiating the four brands.
VW spends a fortune on promoting the Golf image of "affordable quality", and (rightly or wrongly) this results in the public having a higher perception of the Golf than the Leon.
I'm sure the Leon is a fine car, but the general public will still prefer their car to wear a VW badge and this is reflected in resale values. Totally unjustified, but that's the public for you.
|
I'm sure the Leon is a fine car, but the general public will still prefer their car to wear a VW badge and this is reflected in resale values. Totally unjustified, but that's the public for you.
I just find it utterly ridiculous to buy a car with badge in mind and end up buying a VW. If you want a posh badge buy a real one - BMW, Mercedes Benz or Audi. If you want a decent, affordable car, buy a Seat or a Skoda.
Or you could buy a VW, and pay near prestige prices and get a regular car..
|
MichaelR, I don't disagree with you on the whole "is a badge worth the money?" issue. After all, I drive a crappy Y-plate Ford Fiesta.
I don't drive a VW myself, but I do admire their successful differentiation of their group brands (Skoda = value, Seat = sporty, VW = quality mainstream, Audi = premium).
It's no mean marketing feat to establish all of these brands strongly (witness the way people have vigorously defended both Seat and VW) and successfully promote all four of them without undue detriment to each other.
|
Michael R. wrote >>I just find it utterly ridiculous to buy a badge and end up buying a VW. If you want a posh badge buy a real one - Audi.
Because of course Audi are made by a completely differnet company to the Golf.
|
Because of course Audi are made by a completely differnet company to the Golf.
I never said they were not - what I said was that if you are going to pay more for a car just to get image and prestige, at least do it properly and get an Audi.
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks everyone... I'd just like to say I'm honored that HJ replied on one of my posts - I am a keen fan of his and only buy the Telegraph on Saturday to read his superb pages - nobody can suggest a sub 4k car with air-con for a family that need to tow a caravan with such concise and accurate aplomb. Keep it up guys.
|
|
|
|
Totally agree with HJ.Having driven both GTI and Cupra's numerous times.The Leon is DEFINATELY the one to go for.
|
|
You don't have to spend that much more money to get a Brand New Octavia vRS which also is on the same platform.
|
volkswagen'audi'group.
badge!!!!!
|
As an American friend of mine likes to say: "Keep yer fancy badge. That ain't gonna help me when I'm stuck by the highway waiting for the tow-truck".
|
|
Was he referring to you and your HD, Growler?. 8-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
