I was searching the web for cars and I found this GTI with low miles and the price was cheaper than other GTI. It had a very good price and I was about the call the dealer. But reading the ad again I realized the car was imported from Germany. Some specs: 2010 Black 3-door (the only 3-door for sale in Sweden) only 600 kilometers on the speedo Manual gearbox 18" wheels Navigator with touchscreen Bi-xenon Headlights with Adaptive Curve Feature etc etc I dont like buying imported cars. I dont think you get the same warranties as a 'swedish Golf'. You never know if someone mixed with the speedo and changed the kilometers. I swear if it wasn't imported from Germany I would trade my current car for it, this weekend. Seeing the good in the bad I dont really need a new car right now. I travel by train everyday to work and only use my car for the weekends. So economical point of view its not a good deal. But darn, the car looks good. Here it is
I see it from another point of view, used cars in Finland (and Sweden) have gone through lots of streetsalt et.c. while the Germans haven't had to gone through it (as much at least), I also think the Germans "respect" their cars better than we Finns do so they are often cleaner and haven't got any scruffmarks et.c., and the price is also easier to swallow. Our E61 530da Touring M Sport was also brought from Germany and we saved about 10-15K compared to similiar Finnish examples. So my point is you shouldn't judge the car instantly without having a good look at it. That looks like a nice example :t-hands:
Oup!!, what a pitty not have bought it, there are few car on this segment that look better than this marvel.
I wouldnt have turned it down cause its imported.. Who cares..? You still have your warranty and other deals.. Probably is a better car to..as the germans spec their cars more than cheap swedes..
Think about it. When Im going to sell the car its going to be difficult to sell the car + for a good price. Swedes are afraid of imported cars.
^Well isnt it cheaper than the equivallent swedish GTI? Thats about as much as you will loose in the end..so it evens out.. PS And best of all..you will get rid of a Bmw haha
I had totally forgotten you drove with a BM So personally I'd stay with the bimmer, what engine did this little 1er have? 118?
IMHO, I believe that the Golf GTI is one of the very best and most cohesive automobile packages offered on the market. The variety of its' assets is formidable: compact yet spacious, nimble and swift yet not totally neglecting comfort, impressive assembly and detail quality inside and out, relatively economical, generally affordable, good residual value (here in Germany, at least), with the right color and rims can be downright gorgeous( o.k.-that's pretty subjective), class transcending image. Me being the sentimental old sod that I am, I am finding it difficult entertaining the thought of finally trading in my 7 year old Audi TT for something new (or newer). Perhaps I will keep it. My taste in automobiles can be considered broad thus there could be many candidates. But a Golf GTI is most certainly on my shortlist.
Golf GTI - one of the very few cars in the world that transcends its class. It always looks good, its interior always feels special, even in the presence of much more expensive machinery. One of the best cars in the world. You shoulda bought it.
To add to Martinbo's comments, no matter the car I step out of and into the wife's Mk6 GTI the car never ceases to amaze with it's solid build and upmarket feel, then you take it for a spin and the amazement continues.
The car is only equipped with AC (Air conditioning) and not the 'big' clima control. Thats a big big NO for me. No deal on this car.
In your climate I would be more concerned with getting heated seats. In any case keep looking because for the money there is very few better cars than the GTI.
I drove a GTI today. The difference between a GTI and R are big imo. Not in terms of acceleration but it got stability and highspeed stability and traction which is much better on R. But the pricetag is far from same. I felt the GTI to be nervous compare to my babybimmer with M-suspension. I took the corners with ease while with the GTI you had to adjust the steering. Highspeed stability in my car is better than the GTI. I also felt the steering too sensitive compare to steering in my car. Maybe you get used to it but driving GTI and my babybimmer next to next you felt more secure in the bimmer. Engine flexibility and engine sound are better than my car. I new Golf is coming next year, I think I'll wait for it.
What is clear is that, if you don´t have economic problems, it would be a mistake to change to a worse car. You have to mantain the level or move upmarket. I´d look forward to the new 128i 3dr M or to the new A3 2.0 TFSI S-Line. Both of the 2012 releases I guess.
Golf R impressed me more and I had high hopes about the new GTI. Last time I drove a GTI was previous version and back then I left the car more impressed than I did this time. Perhaps my hopes were too high and since it didnt fullfill my expectations it may be the reason why I left the car dissapointed this time. Its times like these that make me appreciate my current car.
What about giving a Subaru hatchback a go? Perhaps the Impreza could offer you the same cutting-edge finesse as the 1er. Either was a new 1-Series is around the corner and that might be the only hatchback that's good enough for you.
Subaru, I dont like the exterior or interior. I doubt next 1er going to offer the same driving experience as current 1er and the price is ridiculous compare to a GTI and Im not intrested in a 3-cylinder BMW. Just like with every new BMW its gone heavier and softer. The perfect car for me would be a Z4 but unpracticality and two seats are holding me back.
