Golf R -v- Golf GTI

After finding out about further delays in the delivery of his new ride and facing a 8-9 month arrival time from order to handover, neighbour Ray cancelled his order for his almost fully loaded (minus recaros & sunroof) 68K + Blue 5 dr DSG Golf R. Golf R is now due in to our local Sutherland dealership late Aug or early Sep 2011. Ray is keeping in R32 for the foreseeable future and will contemplate his choices over the following 3-6 months. To add insult to injury, Ray business associate also cancelled his order for the Polo GTI after initially being told it would arrive in 4 months, then 9 months, and finally 12+ months after both ordered their vehicles in Dec 2010.
Cheers.
WJ

Heh... seriously?

Whilst 8 to 9 months sounds bad, "late August" is literally only 2 months away, thus he's already waited 6 to 7 months if your "8 to 9 months" statement is legit.

Why cancel when you're on the home stretch?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Corey_R

Heh... seriously?

Whilst 8 to 9 months sounds bad, "late August" is literally only 2 months away, thus he's already waited 6 to 7 months if your "8 to 9 months" statement is legit.

Why cancel when you're on the home stretch?

---

Probably because the frustration of the delays outweighs the excitement and enthusiasm of taking delivery.
I was in the same boat not that long ago, but my wife talked me out of cancelling the order. I had waited 6 months and was told it would be 1 more... by that time, I was well and truly over the anticipation, excitement etc etc etc.... (I even stopped lurking the forums). Anyhoo.... I'm glad that I have a wife that really knows me, cos I'm glad i didn't cancel the order.

but I can and do understand where others are coming from. I always thought the Germans were efficient.... hmmm... ;)

The Golf R ain't much better than what Ray has atm. Esp. considering his driving is predominantly city based. Spending 30K for something that is better in some regards like outright pace & refinement; but not as good in other respects such as driveability & low down power of the R32, it didn't take much for Ray to cancel his order, forfeiting his deposit to the dealer. His R32 is only just run in at 40,000km on the odo and is a damn fine vehicle. The hillclimb review that Ray and I did in the South of Sydney regarding the Golf R -v- Golf GTI had Ray making this statement, "May as well buy the GTI! I'm not getting much different than what I have atm (R32)" The tuning potential of the Golf R is a definite advantage, but Ray was not entirely convinced that would be the way to go with his new Golf R, apart from Haldex Controller and H&R sway bars. One end of the spectrum would see Ray spending 10-15K at European Autotech on APR stage II proper with fuel pump and intercooler for an 80K hatchback. The middle table view was a half-baked APR tune with about 220-225kW as Ray was not entirely convinced that 240kW stage I was adequate for the hot Australian summer months in terms of long-term reliability with standard intercooler. On another point, Ray is not considering the BMW 1 Series M Coupe as he believes it's overpriced for what it is and it's damn ugly or Golf GTI/Renault Megane RS250 for that matter as they are FWD. At the end of the day, Ray simply lost interest and stated that he will never wait any longer than 4-5 weeks for delivery of a new motor vehicle.
Cheers
WJ

Yeah I mean, with the 1 (2 max) wait that WhiteJames is talking about, there is literally nothing that you could order to spec from any company that would arrive earlier. So if it was really what you wanted...

Edit: WJ has posted since... well as I thought. Doesn't sound like he really wanted it in the first place.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littlejohn

Probably because the frustration of the delays outweighs the excitement and enthusiasm of taking delivery.
I was in the same boat not that long ago, but my wife talked me out of cancelling the order. I had waited 6 months and was told it would be 1 more... by that time, I was well and truly over the anticipation, excitement etc etc etc.... (I even stopped lurking the forums). Anyhoo.... I'm glad that I have a wife that really knows me, cos I'm glad i didn't cancel the order.

but I can and do understand where others are coming from. I always thought the Germans were efficient.... hmmm... ;)

---

If less people wanted Vdubs then waiting time issues wouldn't be a problem. I don't think their efficiency is the problem. Companies can be hamstrung by their own success. If their plants are at 100% capacity what more can they do. They can't simply extend a plant or build a new one overnight. They wouldn't have spare capacity at their plants and have the attitude of can't be stuffed fireing it up. If they could they would. More product means more money.

I was told a minimum of 4 months, maybe upto 6-7 months. I asked them if the minimum 4 months was actually calculated in engineering months. Had to explain to them that I always double the time an engineer tells me. I used this equation and aimed for an 8 month wait. If all goes well I should have my car in August if the ship doesn't sink.

Ray's business associate was in a different predictament. The dealer told him 4 months wait on the Polo GTI and offered a very good deal. Later that afternoon, the dealer rang to say it was no longer 4 months wait, but 9 months wait - that was later that day the contract was signed. The Polo GTI wait then became 12-13 mths for delivery. Ray business partner bought something else instead. A shame, the three of us were planning on having a Polo GTI -v- Golf GTI -v- Golf R drive comparison. Oh well.
Cheers.
WJ

So he ordered a car on a whim, thought better of it and cancelled the order? Fair enough.

If he really wanted one plenty of dealer stock around.

As for 4-5 weeks for desired options I'm guessing he is only getting Australian low demand cars from now on?

8-12 months is too long to wait for delivery of a new vehicle. Circumstances and buyer sentiments can change over that period of time. Plus new variants come out like this Golf GTI Edition 35:

Volkswagen GTI Edition 35 First Drive

Cheers
WJ

Yeah WhiteJames, but you know that argument is rubbish anyway. So the GTI Ed35 will be out in a few months. If Ray wants to get that and have the options he wants, he'll then be waiting the few months till release + 6 months for it to be built and shipped anyway. By that stage by your logic, you may as well wait untill the MK7... of course, by this time it's mid 2013...

As has been mentioned, there are plenty of Golf R's available for delivery now if he wants one now - he just needs to compromise on a few options.

If you want something, then get it. If you don't, then don't. But lets not cop-out with "something else is coming soon", because something is ALWAYS coming soon! :)