Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[Maverick]

Hence the reason why most beancounters drive BMW 320is or Merc C200 CGI if they admit to liking cars as they fall in that vicinity.

If they like cars they wouldn't buy a 320is or C200, I would suggest that their choice of car is all about image that they perceive is created by driving a Merc or BMW.

[worx]

If they like cars they wouldn't buy a 320is or C200, I would suggest that their choice of car is all about image that they perceive is created by driving a Merc or BMW.

320ci's are like driving a corolla, but the corolla is the better car.

[Finance_Analyst]

I agree with all the above comments. Unfortunately, in a image conscious industry, BMW and Benz have found a very good niche with those two cars. The A class and 1 series are for girls (or if you really want to tell the world you can't afford a real BMW and Benz) yet the 320i and C200 CGI look like their more expensive brothers (especially if you get the sports packs). In my workplace, they are as common as A-holes....

A GTI or R would not appeal to these types (a lot of which are beancounters, lawyers or 'entry' level real estate agents) as the VW badge does not have enough kudos and it is 'just a golf'....... (I admit that I was once like that though, when I was much younger)

[hentaiboy]

In my workplace, they are as common as A-holes....

Looks like the Global Financial Crisis bypassed some

[aussiegtidude]

Sorry to say it Finance but a SLK230 is the car a head hairdresser would drive.

The 1 is a genuine competitor to the Golf. The ONLY thing that stopped me getting into a 120i or higher was the power. The finish, the standard features, the drive......

For 42K on the road I could get a new 120i with leather, sunroof, electric seats, Bluetooth, media input, reversing sensors and 17" wheels.

You can't say it isn't good value. Put those features onto a golf and you are in the same ball park. When explaining my decision to the dealer he totally understood where I was coming from, I am young and I still want some power under my foot. That said, my next car will be a BMW, I just can't stay away and giving up my 325 is going to kill me.

[hentaiboy]

But what is the difference that takes an optioned R into the LCT bracket

Adaptive chassis control
Alloy wheels (Talladega Black) 19x8” with 235/35 R19 tyres
Rear View Camera (RVC) with static guidance lines
Bluetooth® phone connectivity
Dynaudio Excite premium audio system 300W
Media Device Interface (MDI)
Motorsport style front seats in ‘San Remo’ Microfibre / Vienna leather with individually heated front seats
Electric adjustment for driver’s seat, 8-way
Electric glass sunroof

Sounds like luxury to me!!!

[aussiegtidude]

Didn't the LCT originally align with the price of a Holden Statesman or something? I thought that was how the Government worked it out.

[hentaiboy]

Sorry to say it Finance but a SLK230 is the car a head hairdresser would drive

"The Mercedes SLK has became the transport of choice for everyone with a tanning salon, all female television presenters, and Nicole Kidman — although hers, it must be said, has a 6.5 litre V8 under the bonnet.

The SLK is girlie central, bought only as an accessory to make your hair look good rather than rip it out in lumps by the roots".

- Jeremy Clarkson

[Corey_R]

Didn't the LCT originally align with the price of a Holden Statesman or something? I thought that was how the Government worked it out.

It doesn't really matter how it was originally calculated, because since it's introduction it's only increased from $57,000 to $57,466 in the 11 years since the GST and LCT were introduced. So that's a 0.8% increase in 11 years. How much has inflation been since that time? If we assume that inflation has averaged 3% per year, that's 38.4% since the introduction...

So clearly the LCT is just another money grab from the government rather than a legitimate tax on luxury items (lets not even get into the fact that no other luxury item is taxed specifically...)

[markwid]

That said, my next car will be a BMW, I just can't stay away and giving up my 325 is going to kill me.

OT.
Likewise, I had the 325 before. Bad experience with BMW's insistence on Run Flats - lost me there. Should at least give us option to use normal tyres, i.e. have a spare tyre in the boot.

I wouldn't go back to BMW for now - I think they have lost their way. Merc is on the cards as I get older - I prioritize comfort a bit higher than power.