we are looking at one of these, what info can you all give me please!
mugenb20b,
Nov 18, 6:38am
Oh no.
jmma,
Nov 18, 6:39am
Jazz will be along shortly (o:
kelsie21,
Nov 18, 6:42am
hmmm ok this sounds bad.
mugenb20b,
Nov 18, 6:44am
Not at all. Just make sure you are sitting on a nice comfy chair with a cup of tea close by. Jazz won't be long.
kelsie21,
Nov 18, 6:47am
oh so we have a VW Specialist in here somewhere close by!So if I say im looking to trade a mazda axela for a golf will that stir up any debate!
mugenb20b,
Nov 18, 6:49am
How could you tell!
jmma,
Nov 18, 6:51am
You may become his best friend (o:
mugenb20b,
Nov 18, 6:51am
Normally, yes. But, I'll try and stay out of it.
a.woodrow,
Nov 18, 6:52am
I think I can hear him typing.
kelsie21,
Nov 18, 6:53am
hahaha im so waiting for Jazz's info. gee hope he hurrys up :-o
kelsie21,
Nov 18, 7:07am
oh yes I just read a wee bit of that one. but looking at 28G not 13G
thejazzpianoma,
Nov 18, 9:47am
LOL, Sorry Im running late. Yip as you guessed it glowing reviews from me. There is basically no competition for the Golf, when the Mk5 came along it just blitzed the competition because it offered a big leap ahead in drivetrain technology that the other manufacturers are only just barely starting to catch up to now.
The Mazda dosn't even come close in terms of economy/power and refinement.
Interestingly the turbo with the GTI dosn't add much to the fuel consumption and the usable power increase is significant. Oddly for a Turbo its very torquy so you get considerably benefit from the GTI spec even when just quietly knocking around town etc.
The addition of the flappy paddles is great and unlike other paddle gearbox's of the age its got properly quick changes. The paddles automatically engage manual mode so are more than a gimmick and an excellent tool for pre-empting a passing maneuver. The transmission as a whole was the best in the world when it came out (even considerably better than what the likes of Ferrari and Lamboroghini were using).
Maintenance is low and reliability is excellent. Its just typical annual maintenance and then every 4 years its a timing belt change and transmission service.
The big 4 yearly service can be done yourself if you are mechanically minded and requires minimal specialist tools. You will pay about $2300 for the full monty 4 yearly service but can do it yourself in a day for $800. Its a very easy car to work on especially with regard to the cambelt change.
Also, don't forget to consider the Audi A3 Turbo which is the same car with a different body shell. I picked up a bargain one of these the other day for $17'000 which was better value than the Golf despite being the dearer and more highly regarded car new.
Just be aware that the Golf tends to be sold in "packages" whereas the A3 comes with very little and its up to the person ordering to spec what they want. As a result you may find the Golf's tend to have better spec than the A3 but if you shop around you will find well appointed examples too.
Basically, you won't believe the economy considering the power and the car is supurb right across the board with the best of the best technology and design. Usually there are lots of things I don't like with a car that I can pick holes in easily. with the Golf its really hard to fault in any way.
Best of luck and hit me up if you have any specific questions.
thejazzpianoma,
Nov 18, 9:50am
How was that! Did I talk it up enough! Would hate to disappoint!
morrisman1,
Nov 18, 9:53am
Holy moly, thats insane. What is involved that costs so much!
magicmat,
Nov 18, 9:57am
Money no object, I would definitely have one of these in my lotto winners garage! Jeremy Clarkson sold me one (in my dreams) long ago and it is most definitely my hot hatch of choice.
thejazzpianoma,
Nov 18, 9:58am
Just had a thought, in terms of what to look for when buying. Its reallymostly maintenance.
If you are looking at a higher km's one you want to make sure its had its transmission served every 60'000km. A bit over probably won't hurt but I wouldn't buy one with say 150k on the clock that had never been done. No point in taking a gamble when there are plenty around.
Personally I prefer to buy one on a bargain thats due for its big service and then do it myself so I know everything is done right and no story's have been told.
Be aware that lots of dealers/sellers and even some garages will forget about the age part on timing belt changes. In terms of km's it only supposed to be changed somthing like every 160 or 180K (I forget because the time always comes up first).
Anyhow, you get the idea, its whatever km's OR 4 years whichever comes first. There is also some debate about whether its 4/5 years as this changed at some point. Personally I play it safe with 4 and usually the transmission falls due then too for most peoples use so its easy.
mugenb20b,
Nov 18, 9:59am
Spot on!
mugenb20b,
Nov 18, 10:00am
No no.not at all.
thejazzpianoma,
Nov 18, 10:02am
No, not insane. Thats much the same cost as any other similarly sophisticated vehicle. Its just that all your major work tends to fall every 4 years.
Think about it:
Cambelt $1100 Transmission service with new filter, fluid etc $500 Full regular service with filters, plugs, brake fluid, coolant etc $600
You could shop around and get it done for perhaps as cheap as $1500 or like I said its surprisingly easy to do yourself for about $800. I quote high as at least I know then there are no surprises if they rock into a VW specialist thats a bit prestige etc.
What you save in fuel over 4 years verses anything else similar will more than cover any difference in servicing cost several times over.
mugenb20b,
Nov 18, 10:03am
^^^^^^This is my favourite part^^^^^^
thejazzpianoma,
Nov 18, 10:04am
You could still have a lot of fun with a Standard 1.6 FSI without the cambelt service cost, a bit better economy and a lower price tag. 13K will get you one and you still have plenty of zip and the same cracker 6 speed DSG box. It would be hard to find a better value car thats as cheap to run and slow to depreciate from there on in.
mm12345,
Nov 18, 10:05am
Some luck.If it goes the wrong way, at 4 years and just out of warranty, it'll cost well upwards of $10k if you're less than lucky. DSG belongs in Porsches and other high maintenance cost vehicles, not ordinary family shopping baskets like corollas, golfs etc.
thejazzpianoma,
Nov 18, 10:06am
Cheers mugenb20b! Just quietly, its my favorite bit too!
BTW, was ordering a towbar the other day and noticed the A7 wiring looms. A bit dearer than what I thought but still good value at $200, must be more goodies as twice the price of the A6 ones I had ordered previously.
thejazzpianoma,
Nov 18, 10:09am
You couldn't be more wrong. DSG offers better reliability, easier servicing and significantly better economy and power. Its the perfect transmission for everyday vehicles.
I don't see how it could cost you 10K when you can buy a new complete replacement transmission for under 3K delivered.
Also, funny how Toyota and the others are all rushing their versions to market!
The DSG we are talking about here is more reliable than even Toyota's archaic but supposedly indestructible 4 speed auto in the likes of the Avensis.
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