Just for laughs I popped into my Ford dealer (I'm currently in an XR5) and I can get a new ST Focus for well under $40K driveaway.
This Gti was to be the car to finally get me to upgrade to Euro premium hot hatches. I'm not a fan of the new Focus ST having driven it and lots of competitors. But if the Gti comes in about 10% above Mk6 prices it's way out of the ballpark. Shame. Dealer almost had me putting down a deposit till I read that article. I know it's just a "leak" at this stage, but they seem very confident about the numbers and they're very precise.
The argument for higher spec = higher cost is pretty lame. Every new model gets more gear as technology gets cheaper. Just about everything has sat nav these days, Xenons are not that special anymore and a surprising number of similar vehicles can give you adjustable dampers.
Instead, I just drove a Fiesta ST (don't laugh) and bang for bucks it's one of the best cars I've driven in a long time.
Come-on VW - gives us a good price!
Once had a Red mk6 GTI + DSG + leather + sunroof + mdi + towbar
now have a gorgeous Red Merc A250 AMG Sport
Stop comparing RRP prices with "what i can get at a dealer for a different brand". I don't see the logic in that argument at all.
The reason you can get good deals on Focus ST is that really people aren't buying them. Otherwise discounting would not be available.
If you can't afford a GTI that costs maybe $3000 more than the outgoing model (RRP) then get the Focus ST! Then again you don't regard the ST as a premium euro hatch judging by your comments.
The argument for higher spec = higher cost is pretty lame. Every new model gets more gear as technology gets cheaper. Just about everything has sat nav these days, Xenons are not that special anymore and a surprising number of similar vehicles can give you adjustable dampers.
Not sure the A250 has sat nav as standard or adjustable dampers. Then RS265 has none of those items as standard. You are just trying to diminish the "worth" of those items to suit your argument.
Would you buy a MK7 GTI if it came with no sat nav, no ACC, no 18 inch wheels and no reversing camera for the same RRP as the outgoing MK6?
Last edited by pologti18t; 05-09-2013 at 10:58 AM.
Wow - plenty of passion in these posts! Not sure if I've committed a fatal newbie error by referencing another brand.
Yep both Focus models are produced in Europe, but I get the feeling most people on this forum have the same impression as I do, that there is a real sense the VW offerings are more "premium" for want of a better word. It's hard to quantify, but there is a sense of depth of engineering that seems to go beyond some other marques.
I'm not making a simplistic argument of price with the comparisons above. In the real world of people buying cars from dealers, not just speculating on what we'd like, it does come down to what price you can get a car for. It's clear VW's prices stay firmer than other brands, so it is more realistic to compare the VW price with a seemingly discounted Ford price, as you never really pay the Ford list price.
Thanks also for the condescending comment about what I can afford or not. I expect that the Golf will prove a better car, but sooner or later value for money starts to be a consideration for most people. I would like to buy the Golf and have already decided the Focus is not for me. I've loved my XR5 and felt the Golf would be a justifiable step up, but that step is looking bigger and bigger.
I also fail to see how I'm diminishing the "worth" of items now standard on the Golf to suit my "argument". I wasn't really making an argument, just expressing disappointment that prices seem to be rising.
You are right - I would not buy a Mk7 if it came with the same spec as the Mk6 for the same price. No-one would - that would be ludicrous given the progress/price changes in all these items over the lifespan of a car.
You simply cannot argue that a new car should cost significantly more than it's predecessor because it has some new features.
Current ride: 2014 Range Rover Evoque 5 Door TD4 Pure | 9 Spd Auto | Fuji White | Black Leather | 19 inch 'Dynamic' Wheels
Previous rides: MY11.5 Golf GTI 5 door | DSG | Candy White | 18' Detriots | Bluetooth | K&N Air Filter | Dancing Dials (Oh Yeah!)
| 1989 Porsche 944S2 Coupe| Guards Red| Leather| Sunroof| LSD
2014 VW Golf TDI Highline DSG - Limestone Green, DAP, Xenons
2018 VW Golf R Hatch DSG - White Silver, DAP , Dynaudio
2016 Skoda Superb 140TDI - Family Members
2013 VW Amarok TDI420 Highline Auto - Family Members
Get used to it as the AUD drops against the AUD and Euro. Manufacturers can't keep developing new chassis. engines etc and not raise the price at some stage. Even ford raised the price of the ST over the previous XR5.
Conversely, the price of the GTI has been pretty stable in this country for 5+yrs.
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