GTI decent prices?

[crashdesk]

Hi,

Looiking for some advice on GTI prices.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/volkswagen/golf/postcode/bt69dx/radius/60/keywords/gti/transmission/manual/maximum-age/up_to_5_years_old/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/saved-search-id/2c9296263001fe3501300c81906b003f

I am thinking about purchasing the Steel Grey model as it has very low mileage and I will only be doing 6000 miles a year due to lift sharing. Therefore I should get a good price later when I come to sell? A bog standard GTI is good enough for me although I would like bluetooth added and my max budget is £12000.

What do you guys think. I'm sure some, if not most, of you have bought multiple GTI's.

Thanks,
C

[lippyx]

Are you wanting 3 or 5 dr? I am loving the white 2 dr 

12k should get you something pretty decent with low milage. All of those look like they are worth a look!

[crashdesk]

Definitely people pricing their cars better over here. Still a bit pricier than the rest of the UK. Will be viewing a couple this weekend. Thanks.

[Frenzy]

That Steel Grey GTI sounds good but i'd want to know a bit more info:

* FVWSH?
* Genuine non-grey import?
* Exact date of reg because if it is anything upto July 07 then it needs the cambelt and water pump change
* 17" or 18" alloys - if of personal interest

otherwise it looks a good example with low mileage   However you always have to go and have a look, take your time, don't be rushed, check everything external and interior. Then if all is ticking boxes start it from cold, take a test drive, bring it back and just let it sit idle and check that it isn't under revving or over revving or that the car isn't unduly shaking when idle. Check all the electrics - windows, lights, windscreen wipers, wing mirrors, etc. Then switch it off, wait a minute or two and then re-start it. (at all times tell him what you are going to do and if needs be what you are looking out for but the seller will know all this anyhow)

Then try and knock him down to 11k or better if possible. Good luck  

[DJM]

I;ve only just purchased my Gti, but when i was looking the prices are all over the place. You'd see a high spec silver one from a trader for say 9k with 45k on clocks but then see another trader selling one wiht less extras and more mileage for 10.5k.

Big price difference, even on say 2006 models they would range from 7.5k right to 12k.

I personally wouldn't worry about resale value, golfs tend to hold value well however nothing is certain and alot of time depends on what people willing to hold out for as seems its a buyers market at the moment so try get a few quid off. My car was up for 9650 from a trader, i paid 8900 a day after it was put up for sale.

All the best with your search though, your about to buy a cracking car 

[crashdesk]

Thanks. Couple of questions.
What do you mean by...* Genuine 'non-grey' import?
I thought cambelt and water change were due at 60000 miles?..* Exact date of reg because if it is anything upto July 07 then it needs the cambelt and water pump change

Cheers for any other thoughts.

[Frenzy]

The probability will be that it is fully UK spec and registered, grey imports tend to be rare but are out there and folks will keep quiet about them unless asked. These grey imports are so termedbecause they are bought from Europe on the cheap and then shipped over to the UK, generally these cars do not come fully spec'd compared with a UK car hence part of the reason why they were cheaper to buy and ship over.

Cambelts are a bit of a grey area but i've just bought a Feb 07 56 plate from the Stealers and asked them to replace the cambelt for free before i bought it which they did with absolutely no arguements because the motor is older than 4 years. You may have a bit more of an arguement on your hands buying from trade or private as they'll probably state what it says in the handbook about 80,000 miles or as you say 60k miles at best. This is no longer true - since VW printed that booklet a few will have gone ping much sooner so they have revised it to 40k miles / 4 years, trust me get it done if you can because if it goes pop then you're looking at extensive damage to the engine which will cost far more than parts & labour for a cambelt replacement.

If the trade dealer wont do it then get approx £400 knocked off the price so you can get it done but not at your expense 

If you look in another thread in this section there's a guying asking about buying advice and wrote him a little piece about the pros & cons of buying from Stealers vs Trade vs Private 

[crashdesk]

Great advice. Thanks. Will definitely ask about imports on any viewing.

Will also point out about the revised mileage for campbelt changes.

Thanks v much!

[Frenzy]

No worries, don't rush, be clear about what you want and stick to it. Don't be afraid to walk away from a motor because it ultimately isn't good enough. However also recognise when there is a motor which is ticking all the major boxes but there are a few minor ones (usually cosmetic or standard servicing stuff) which it doesn't but you could get the seller to put right through negotiations. Good luck 

[golf nutter]

The probability will be that it is fully UK spec and registered, grey imports tend to be rare but are out there and folks will keep quiet about them unless asked. These grey imports are so termedbecause they are bought from Europe on the cheap and then shipped over to the UK, generally these cars do not come fully spec'd compared with a UK car hence part of the reason why they were cheaper to buy and ship over.

not to nit-pick, but the term is "parallel import".  i had one a few years ago...exactly the same spec as UK model, just bought from a dealer in Holland and shipped over here...nothing missing from the spec.  the only difference was it was a 2 year warranty from new in Europe as opposed to 3 years in the UK.

[crashdesk]

How can I check for sure? And where can I get details of warranty? In log book?

Thanks

[bacillus]

How can I check for sure? And where can I get details of warranty? In log book?

Thanks

Look at the service book, it should show which dealer and where the car had it's PDI (pre delivery inspection) done.

[crashdesk]

Ah. Thanks. So the log book can't easily be faked. Going to see 2 GTIs tomorrow :-)

[crashdesk]

Got to view 2 GTIs today. Sadly they weren't up to scratch. The one I liked most had a problem with the driver seat material at the shoulder area. Apparently the previous owner was quite big and the insidenis permanenlt dented and the material worn :-)

Please let me find my gti soon!

[big al]

Don't be put off by higher mileage, if you aren't doing many miles you do not need the guarantee of a reliable low mileage car, (but most high mile ones will still be fine)
I bought mine 4 years old with 52 000 on the clock, have owned it over 2 years and it's only just 65 000.

And I wouldn't be buying with the plan of selling it on again in a few years. Buy it and drive it because you want it. There is no other car out there at the moment that I want to replace my GTI with, so just make the most of it.