Buying advice - '14 Performance model vs '15 model & options vs stretch for '16 model

[TCR]

Hi Guys,

Looking for some advice on buying a GTI. I have a budget around 25-26K, which will either get me a 2014 Performance model, or a 2015 "base" model. The most appealing thing to me about the Performance model is the diff. Does it make that much difference to every day driving? Would I be better off getting a 2015 model with some other factory options, or even stretching the budget for a 2016 model? What options are worth having on these models?

TIA.

[Dutch77]

Those that say the diff makes a difference in every day driving live on some pretty winding roads, but certainly for the spirited weekend run there will be an edge.

The xenons are whatever were on the Performance are definitely worth it, the standard halogens are absolutely awful (although can be partly rectified via a globe upgrade). Interestingly the 'tacky at the time' red strip in the headlight unit has ended up aging fairly well to the slightly tired halogen front end.

If I were buying now I'd pick a 14 Performance over a 15 base, even if I didn't have the immediate budget to ditch those awful wheels.

Otherwise the choice will come down to what options YOU rate over others, but there's definite value in a Mk7 now. Maybe stretch to the anniversary model if someone is being sensible with the pricing as another option, although I haven't looked at what these are worth now so might be out of reach on your budget.

[Ozsko]

You won't get an advantage from the diff unless you are truly pushing it or braking very very hard and some drivers may not be willing to push a car that much. The Zenons are worth having as mentioned.

[westenderbender]

You could scrape into a high km MY16 for that money which has the bi-xenon as standard, as well as push-button start, keyless entry and Apple CarPlay.

If you’re in Queensland there’s a bare basic red MY16 with 23km (!!!) for the $27-$28k mark.

If you’re in Victoria there’s an MY16 with driver assist and leather, but 97km for the 24-25k mark.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TCR]

Thanks for the replies guys. The car is primarily for my partner as a daily driver, and occasional weekend car for us both. I am certainly more likely to "give it the beans" on the weekend runs, but 95% of the time it won't be driven anywhere near the limit, so the diff might be unnecessary for our needs.

Good to know about the push button start and keyless entry in the MY16 model, as these are some thing my partner was after. Looked a bit more into this model, and it seems to tick all the boxes for us, so I'll start looking for a MY16 with the DAP. I really like the tartan cloth seats, so not interested in the leather option, or sunroof either.

I'm in Brisbane, and had seen the red one. Maybe not the colour I would choose, but might be worth going to check it out. Doesn't have the DAP though right?

[Lucas_R]

The xenon headlights alone would be enough to choose the Performance Pack over a newer base model. The standard halogen lights not only perform horribly at night, but worse still they look dreadful on the GTI. Its amazing how much nicer (and more aggressive) the front of the GTI looks with the xenon headlights.

[westenderbender]

Good to know about the push button start and keyless entry in the MY16 model, as these are some thing my partner was after. Looked a bit more into this model, and it seems to tick all the boxes for us, so I'll start looking for a MY16 with the DAP. I really like the tartan cloth seats, so not interested in the leather option, or sunroof either.

I'm in Brisbane, and had seen the red one. Maybe not the colour I would choose, but might be worth going to check it out. Doesn't have the DAP though right?

That one doesn’t have the DAP (you can tell by the square cut out underneath the front number plate, the little steering wheel symbol in the middle button next to the gear selector and a little car with radar in the cruise control button on steering wheel, instead of CNL)

But it’s an absolute steal at that price. And being an MY16 it’ll have bi-xenon lights, keyless entry, push button start and Apple CarPlay. Make sure it’s got full service history.

I personally LOVE the red! And you don’t need the diff, these things are enormous fun as is.

[TCR]

Yeah looks like a decent price. I noticed the grille after I posted my reply, and should have known better because my Octavia RS has the ACC and that piece in the grille

MY16 is definitely the go for us, but I think I'd still prefer one with the DAP.

[westenderbender]

Yeah looks like a decent price. I noticed the grille after I posted my reply, and should have known better because my Octavia RS has the ACC and that piece in the grille

MY16 is definitely the go for us, but I think I'd still prefer one with the DAP.

Good idea to keep an eye out for those visual cues of it being DAP-equipped, some sellers don’t even know what they’ve got and may not mention it in the ad

And another tip: if you manage to find a mk7.5 for your price, they don’t have the grill cutout as the front radar is buried in the VW badge