First time GTI'er - Looking for help to buy my first :)

[Shifted]

Hey guys,

I'm about to embark on a sales journey to get myself a new GTI (or possibly R) so wanted to touch base with you guys to get the low down on everything I need to know, particularly, as this is my first "real" car purchase that hasn't been 10 years old and $20k cash!

I've test driven pretty much everything, and had been torn between an A3/A4 with the DSG/GTI engine and the Golf GTI / Golf R - as I was looking for something premium with a look and feel, but after driving both the Audi's I was left very uninspired for the money...

I even looked at the A5 - but apart from amazing looks - it's boring (on my budget that doesn't stretch to the Quattro!)

So after test driving just about everything, I'm pretty sure I want to get the new GTI, and I'm hoping that I can negotiate decently well for one in the next few weeks, but to be honest, I'm not sure what dealers I should be talking to and what Options I actually need...

I'm still assuming that an "R" is a 3-6 month wait, and there will be no negotiation?

I'm pretty flexible for Options, and happy to roll with none, or some, so long as I can get a great deal with reasonably quick delivery time.

So I guess my first questions are on the GTI:

1) What is the best 2-3 dealers in Sydney that I should be talking to?
2) What price should I be looking to negotiate down to?
3) What options should I be pushing for them to include?
4) What "extras" are realistic to push to be thrown in?
5) Who do you guys get insurance through?
6) Service costs? For the first 3 years?
7) APR chip/exhaust - does this void warranty?! Is it worth the $$ in comparison to an R?
Would you wait for an R if you could? and would you expect a deal? If so what have people got them for and where!?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm literally about to buy, so want to know every trick, what to expect and where to get the best possible dead Then I'll post back the full shopping experience once I've completed the deal for all future newbies to learn from!

Thanks guys.

[Oli]

hi mate...
just few things..
I had gti awesome car ....but RRRR is everything that you need and want (but you still dont know that...haha) and not much more for everthing that you get...
There is one R in Liverpool mcgrath blue with black wheels .no words how it looks... siting there for few weeks..check it out but maybe you get it good deal probably there is better dealars there..also suthern classic cars in Wgong...they have one white give them call...
option leather,,maybe... sunroof and depends on you DSG or MAN,,,afther get RNS 510(worth every cent. much cheaper then from dealer...
and best for last...
APR CHIP ( of course want void warranty)
and who cares for service how much it cost when you have car like this....15-30 45kms service around 450-500 60kms service 1000-1200
Cheers mate
Oli

[Shifted]

Thanks Oli,

I'm def after a DSG. And thinking that the only option I might need is the Leather... But super flexible...

Thanks for the tips!

[nickows]

Welcome to the forum mate. Plenty of great info here.

You'll find answers to many of your questions by checking out the search function.

In regards to best dealers in Sydney it is hard to say. One person will have a great experience with one dealer, the next person not so great.

Ive recently ordered a Golf R and was able to get a decent discount. There is the very odd dealer who has one sitting in the showroom, but the wait time is normally still 3-4 months (maybe more if you get one of the very last builds)

Although you asked questions about the GTI, if you're considering the R as well I'd act quickly because they are becoming thin on the ground (especially manuals). There are no MK6 Rs slated for build in 2013. Mine is due for delivery in December and have been told it is one of the last batches to be built. There are a few more GTIs around.

Best advice I can give is test drive the GTI and R back to back, and if you prefer the R and can justify the extra cost go for that. You may find a heavily optioned GTI will cost you just as much as a basic R.

[AdamD]

Somehow I missed this thread when it was first posted. Oh well, for the benefit of you and perhaps others, here are a few answers.

I'm still assuming that an "R" is a 3-6 month wait, and there will be no negotiation?

Not necessarily. Deals are there to be made. However, there are no more special orders for Golf Rs (or GTIs for that matter I believe), so current or inbound stock is all that will be available. This will have a small impact on prices - particularly for the R.

1) What is the best 2-3 dealers in Sydney that I should be talking to?

Recommended VW salesman in Sydney

2) What price should I be looking to negotiate down to?

Golf GTI Mark VI Specifications and Prices
Golf R Specifications and Prices - 2nd Edition

5) Who do you guys get insurance through?

Which Insurance company are you with?

6) Service costs? For the first 3 years?

7500K service - who's getting it done?
15,000km Service Cost from Each Dealer Outlined
30,000KM Servicing Costs.

7) APR chip/exhaust - does this void warranty?! Is it worth the $$ in comparison to an R?

Very complicated question, and NOT a straight-forward yes/no answer.

There are many threads on the subject in the Tuning and Performance (inc ECU upgrades) forum. Have a good read through there. Here's the latest:

VWA Detection of a Tuned Vehicle and the Manufacturer's Warranty?

Would you wait for an R if you could?

Many (most) would and did. I didn't. You really should drive both and decide for yourself. You can also bore yourself senseless reading this thread:

Golf R -v- Golf GTI

Last but not least, you will want to bookmark this thread - it has links to everything you need, and it sounds like you'll want to do a lot of reading:

The Official MK6 Forum Important Threads & Posts Index **LOOK HERE FIRST**