What can I get for £7k

[gchild]

Hello.

Hi All.

I'm new to this forum.

I'm keen on getting my first GTI. I have owned beemers and mercs...and a polo years back. so not so familiar with VWs.

My budget is around £7k. In terms of what i'm looking for:
- low mileage <50k
- good history
- cambelt done
- leather (not must have)
- manual as not keen on DSG
- has to have 5 doors

Is £7k realistic for all this? Appreciate your advice or even point me to members who may have a car for sale that ticks these boxes.

[woky]

I paid 7k last july for an 06 black 57k leather full service history, 3 door ( 3 doors fetch more money)

[gjseb16]

hi mate I have recently a 56 plate with every optional extra in laser pearl blue with sub 50k for 8 grand from a vw dealer mate

[gchild]

Thats impressive. i just went on the approved VW site and didn't see much this side of £10k

[pd9264]

There are plenty to chose from. Try and get as  good spec as you can. Even if you look at cars near 8 grand you could always try and hustle them down. I wouldn't really worry bout mileage as long as it has full service history and Cambelt done.

[bright blue]

Looking for similar or GTD 

[Mk5 GTian]

Save another 2 grand and get an Edition 30.

[gchild]

Is the edition version worth the extra 2k? From what I see its power and styling.
Are there more options or improved drive?

[Mk5 GTian]

Is the edition version worth the extra 2k? From what I see its power and styling.
Are there more options or improved drive?

Having owned 2 normal K03 GTi's at Stage 1 (around 230-240bhp realistically), a Stage 1 ED30 will get you around 280-300 bhp. That alone is enough for me to know I want one next. Add in the beautiful half leather/half Interlagos interior, wonderful BBS alloys and nicer rear end, and I'd say it's deffinately worth the extra. Only downside for me is not being able to get one in laser blue!!

[Scottymon]

Less lag on the K03 to K04, but ultimately the K04 is the outright winner... having said that a healthy S2 K03 wouldn't be far behind an S1 K04

[MrDo]

Thats impressive. i just went on the approved VW site and didn't see much this side of £10k

Not all used cars are sold under the approved label. Only the very smartest with full VW service history seem to fall under the top approved category from memory of my searches and viewings.

You should be able to get a GTI for your budget. Just make sure it has service history.

I wanted a 5 door (new baby, was coming from 2 seater rag top) which were going for more than 3 doors when I was buying last summer. I bought an 06 with 34000 with full leather, 18 alloys, FSH, cambelt done etc and the essential (to me) arm rest for £9.5k from a non VW dealer with warranty. The under 40,000 probably pushed that price up a bit. Mid 40,000 milers are cheaper and there more to choose from.

Do check your insurance. I live in inner London with secure gated underground parking and it costs more to insure the GTI than the 192 BHP 2.5L 6 cylinder soft top Z4 I sold (could just be the sad yearly jumps in insurance).

Parts are much cheaper than the BMWs or Mercs you have owned before

[JFJ]

I recently picked up an 05 5 door GTI, 62,000 miles, manual, VW service history but I had the cambelt done after I bought it...about £6800 from a Ford dealer. My budget was about 7K and I wanted a 3 door but couldn't really find a decent one that hadn't done too many miles for less than that so I settled for a 5 door.

[gchild]

Just come across this on Autotrader - is it known to anyone on here? opinions?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201304166300819?atcide=emc-cars-EAF004

[gchild]

Originally wasn't keen on dsg as didn't want any costly issues to resolve if it went wrong esp on an older car.
Seems quite a few are out there, should they be avoided it embraced?

[MrDo]

That black 05 plate has armrest and rear vents too:) You can't tell much from photos but worth viewing if it fits your requirements.

 

Originally wasn't keen on dsg as didn't want any costly issues to resolve if it went wrong esp on an older car.
Seems quite a few are out there, should they be avoided it embraced?

Depends if DSG appeals. Very much a personal thing.  As long as they have been serviced on time they should be fine.