Weeks away from owning GTI hopefully!! ADVICE needed plz

[STU-HILL]

Hi guys!  Fantastic forum btw. Been lurking for days, mainly in the FOR SALE thread 

Looked at lots of buying guides etc and googled just about everything I can think of but I'm still unclear on few things and was hoping one of you GTI geeks (I want to be one, so no insult intended!!) could help me on few things.

Basically, I have a top budget of £7,000 to spend and I've narrowed my choice down to a Red, Manual, 3 door.

From what I've seen, looks like I can get a 2005/2006(at a push) under 70k for that kind of money. Sound right?

Does anyone know whether there were many changes made from an early 05 plate to say a later 06? I've read somewhere that VW tried cutting costs a bit on the later models. Is that true and would that potentially mean an 05 would be better than waiting or paying slightly more for an 06? Also read though that early 05's may have still had teething problems that 04's had? Anyone know if true and what they are?

Second question... The 17" Vs 18" Monzas! Seems to be about 50-50 for sale at moment and obviously love the look of the 18s but is that enough to justify sacraficing comfort and performance? I know ppl say its personal preference but any experiences ppl had with either be great to hear and would sway my deciscion.

That's pretty much it. Other than the old cloth vs leather (think ive decided on cloth), I think i'm pretty clued up for now! Just need to find a good one!

Seen quite a few on autotrader, low mileage 05's for 7,495 or low mileage 06's for 7,995.  Are they good prices or do you think I could look to cut them down a few hundred each?


As you can all probably tell by now. This is first time buying and I am going from a 1.2litre bog standard Clio to a GTI!! 


Thanks for any help and hopefully be posting pictures of my new beast very soon!!!


p.s Are these cars still selling fast or can I afford to play waiting games with dealers to lower their prices? Risky if a good one pops up but if they arent flying off the forecourts then could save myself a bundle ??     

[TIGER-UPPERCUT]

You have plenty of choice mate thats for sure, I think there were some changes between early cars from 06 onwards, bee sting arieal, colour of the air con controls etc

18's look better but dont let that put you off a car with 17s.  The 17s ride better and dont corrode like the 18s cheaper tyres etc etc

I got my 06 done 66k for sub £6k but had to go over to NI, but it needs cambelt etc so by the time Ive sorted bits and bobs on it may end up costing £6800.

I chose cloth seats as I think they age better than the leathers unless precious owner has taken care of the seats.

Xenons was a must for me as I think it makes the front end look a lot better apart from better visability at night.

If you intend to mod it then see if you can pick one up with mods as in most cases it will work out cheaper in the long run.

Good luck.

[andrewparker]

The wheels would be dead last on my list of preferences, purely because they're such an easy thing to change further down the line.

[Black9]

What sort of teething probs are the early 05 models meant to have? Mines a 05/54 & from what I know has had no other probs later 05/06s have had

[RedRobin]

What sort of teething probs are the early 05 models meant to have? Mines a 05/54 & from what I know has had no other probs later 05/06s have had

....Mine's a 05-plate 06-Build (VW revise factory line build specs every July) and I've had her from new and now 101,000 miles. The only trouble I had was the DSG Mechatronics Module which was replaced under warranty. If the car you are looking at has had such an issue it will have been sorted a long time ago.

If you intend to remap you'll need to change from the original DV. Volkswagens typically are good well-built and trouble-free German cars.

As with all secondhand cars you should carefully check the history and be satisfied the car has been loved, well maintained and sympathetically driven.

[Tortaruga]

Red, Manual, 3 door.

Nice choice, the red looks fantastic. So much so that I stopped at a 2nd hand dealer today to have a look at an 08 red 3 door I spotted as I went past. The red really catches your eye more than any other colour.

I am going from a 1.2litre bog standard Clio to a GTI!!

You'll have a large cheesey grin when you accelerate

[STU-HILL]

What sort of teething probs are the early 05 models meant to have? Mines a 05/54 & from what I know has had no other probs later 05/06s have had

I just read a buying guide from clubgti.com and it said aim for a mid 05 if possible as 04's had some small issues and later 05s had improved component quality?? Didn't specify so that's why I thought I would come on here and ask but if it's not a common knowledge thing then I guess it's not an issue.

Only reason I'm being fussy is that it seems my budget is spot on for an 05 but I could also push harder/wait for an 06 if was worth it for this "improved component quality" etc 

Good to hear yours has been trouble free!! Be my first VW so hoping it lives up to the well built rep 

[STU-HILL]

....Mine's a 05-plate 06-Build (VW revise factory line build specs every July) and I've had her from new and now 101,000 miles. The only trouble I had was the DSG Mechatronics Module which was replaced under warranty. If the car you are looking at has had such an issue it will have been sorted a long time ago.

Oh that's interesting. So if one of these 05's I am looking at has been registered post July then it is likely to have had some "improved" specs perhaps.

I have noticed small details such as an aluminium tray in the front compared to a black (guessing) plastic one on different 05's so perhaps that was one of the changes made in that July period.

Don't spose anyone knows or has link to exact changes made over 2005/2006 models.

Hopefully looking at one on Tuesday! 


 

[RedRobin]

Oh that's interesting. So if one of these 05's I am looking at has been registered post July then it is likely to have had some "improved" specs perhaps.

I have noticed small details such as an aluminium tray in the front compared to a black (guessing) plastic one on different 05's so perhaps that was one of the changes made in that July period.

Don't spose anyone knows or has link to exact changes made over 2005/2006 models.
 

....Yes, if built post July. Registered date isn't always reliable - For example, GTI's which may have been shipped to Saudi and stored there before imported and registered in the UK. The improved specs are somewhat random and not usually major - A bit like a computer operating system's dot update (Mac).

If you Google you might find a list posted by someone somewhere either on a forum or Wikipedia. Note that American specs are very different.

[STU-HILL]

Guys! Advice needed asap....


Found nice red, 3door one today 67k, 56 plate, great condition apart from two small scratches on door which have been touched up etc.  6months warranty, no tax tho  £7,500......

Does that sound a fair price?? 

Ringing him back today with answer. Any feedback much appreciated..     

[Rachael]

Doesn't sound too bad. See if you cam knock him down a bit? Mines a 06, 5 door, 45 k on clock and 11 months tax for just over. That price. Don't know if that helps. Took a lot of haggling!

[STU-HILL]

It was at 7,995 so already got 500 off but might try for bit more off  . It's pretty basic but condition is very good and only 1 owner etc

Appreciate your feedback and looks likely I am set to join the Tornado gang on here!! Can't wait 

[Rachael]

Keep going :). Has it had cambelt done?

[RedRobin]

.
I'm not up to speed on prices because I ain't looking to replace mine. But, £7.5k sounds okay when compared to others. One owner, if good service history, is a positive.

Again, if properly serviced and looked after, 67k miles isn't a worry - It's a German built Volkswagen!

If you don't mind spending 50 squid and are seriously interested, the AA do a service where one of their specialists does an in-depth report on the individual car for you.

[Rachael]

I had a look into that. £140 the aa wanted! Make friends with a mechanic. Thats what I did