Buying my first VW GTI...

[porsche911girl]

Hey all,

I'm looking at buying a 2007 Fahrenheit Edition GTI but wanted to know anything in particular to look out for.

I have my eye on an 07 GTI Fahrenheit Edition with 31k miles, 1 owner, the dealer wants $17,981 for it. From the research I've done, this seems to be the asking price. However, this is not the out-the-door price, and doesn't include taxes, tags, etc.

I'm not sure that the asking price is the out-the-door price, also, I was hoping for a bit of wiggle room. This will be my first car I've ever had to buy myself, and I know you're never supposed to pay the dealer's quoted price, but I've never had to haggle/negotiate before really...

Is there anything I should ask about to avoid any surprises down the road? I've read reviews of this car and lots of people have said they've had reliability issues with their VWs. I was of the opinion that VWs are very reliable cars that hold their value well, particularly the Golfs and GTIs.

What is the general consensus from those of you who own a Fahrenheit (or a 07 GTI in general)? Good, bad, ugly?

Thanks all!

[GothingNC]

From what I hear, the MKV Gti's are more reliabile with the 2.0 then the earlier versions.

Co-worker has a GTI, loves it and just picked up the MK VI GTI for his wife.



VWvortex Forums: Golf V Speed special edition

[Steve Carlton]

I know the DSG transmissions have had issues. Does this one come with the 10 year/100,000 mile warranty? Have you checked the Carfax? PM me the VIN and I can run it for you and ask about the car. Interesting it has the Charleston wheels. Those are the ones they're putting on the TDI Cup Edition Jetta.

[porsche4life]

I know I would like to have one.... Does that count...


But as Mr. Carlton mentions the TDI Cup car he reminds me of what my next VW will be...

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

I know the DSG transmissions have had issues.

All Fahrenheits come standard with the six-speed DSG twin-clutch gearbox. Here is a good review of the car: 2007 Volkswagen GTI Fahrenheit Road Test


And here is the Edmunds pricing report:

[LakeCleElum]

I rented a Golf GTI in Europe for 3 weeks and loved it........

[Talewinds]

Someone here in town has an orange Fahrenheit. I don't know much about them but that thing looks awesome!
Are they all orange?

[onewhippedpuppy]

A friend has a 2007 GTi, except for a few little issues like an expensive HID bulb going out, its been a good car. I've driven it a few times and came away impressed. We were rear ended on the Interstate by a Dodge Ram that pushed us into the car in front of us, I was very impressed at how well the car held up.

[willtel]

I bought a 2006 new and had plenty of issues with it. In 27000 miles the following went wrong.

Passenger seatback adjustment broke
2 coil packs failed
3 diverter valves
2 failed PCVs

Each of these things happened at different times and required trips to the dealer to fix, at one point it stayed at the dealer 14 days waiting on undated PCV parts that failed 5 days after they put them on. It was a moderately fun car to drive but an absolute drag to own and deal with service. I sold it and have been driving my 930 for 2 years and it has been far more reliable.

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by Talewinds

Someone here in town has an orange Fahrenheit. I don't know much about them but that thing looks awesome!
Are they all orange?

Why yes, yes they are!

[Z-man]

My wife's car is a 2009 Eos - same 2.0T and DSG tranny. Her car was effected by the DSG recall - they needed to replace a transmission fluid temp sensor. With that fix, the transmision has been fine for 6 months now. The motor is quite a gem -- IIRC, it is the successor to the 1.8T which, IMHO, was a decent motor as well. Za Turbo ist gut!

I wouldn't worry too much about the DSG transmission 'issues.' It is one of the slickest manu-matics out there.

As for the asking price -- go in and low-ball the dealer. Tell him you'll buy it for $15,000 plus tags, tax, and fees. He'll probably laugh, but eventuall come down a little. Given the current auto market climate, you should be able to get that car for under $17k (plus tags, tax, and fees). Note- just because certain documentation fees are on the sales order, that doesn't mean that price isn't negotiable either -- you should be able to get them to drop the 'documentation fee' by at least 50%.

Don't fall in love with the car, and don't show the dealer that you really want the car. Be willing to walk away. Don't listen to his "at $17,981, we're not making any profit on this car..." Trust me - they are making plenty of profit. And they deserve to make some money, but a. not that much, and b. not from your sale.

Even though it is at a dealership, you could still take the car for a Pre-purchase inspection at another place. If the previous owner was a younger driver, chances are that GTI was ridden hard, and put away wet. A PPI should be able to help you determine what condition that car's really in.

If you need to finance the car, you don't necessarily have to finance through the dealership or VW. Check with your own bank, and see if their rates are better. Also - if you have a checking/saving account and opt for the direct withdrawl to make payments, that can drop your interest rate by a little as well.

Good luck!
-Z-man.

[Steve Carlton]

If it's a VW dealer, is the car certified? If so, it'll come with a 2 year warranty and qualify for 3.9% financing (they actually make money on that, so don't let them bump up the rate). If it is a VW dealer and it's not certified, it can be, but it'll probably add $750 or so to the cost of the car. I'd suggest negotiating with certification included. They'll have to fix all kinds of stuff they don't want to. Make sure you get two sets of keys (required with certification, I believe). Those buggers are about $200 each.

In CA, the $55 documentation fee is standard across the state and non-negotiable.

Even if the car has a clean Carfax, still check it out, preferably at a body shop. Cars with major major damage have clean Carfaxes and vice-versa.

[KNS]

Anita Bryant! Steve you *are* dating yourself....

[porsche911girl]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

If it's a VW dealer, is the car certified? If so, it'll come with a 2 year warranty and qualify for 3.9% financing (they actually make money on that, so don't let them bump up the rate). If it is a VW dealer and it's not certified, it can be, but it'll probably add $750 or so to the cost of the car. I'd suggest negotiating with certification included. They'll have to fix all kinds of stuff they don't want to. Make sure you get two sets of keys (required with certification, I believe). Those buggers are about $200 each.

In CA, the $55 documentation fee is standard across the state and non-negotiable.

Even if the car has a clean Carfax, still check it out, preferably at a body shop. Cars with major major damage have clean Carfaxes and vice-versa.

It's at a Merecedes dealer. Hendrick Motors of Charlotte, to be precise. I don't know if it's certified, but I know the dealer quoted me 4.99% APR which I thought was a bit high given the economy right now but I might be wrong...

[Deschodt]

I've heard of some reliability issues, some due to heavy mods as those cars are very easier to modify for more HP, some due to bad luck or quality control I guess.

I've had my 08 GTI for about 2 years and 25000 miles, and ZERO issues... Well, the dealer may have replaced a buzzing speaker under warranty during a service, big whoop...

Day#1, that car got the REVO software upgrade - I'm not an ECU flash fanboy, but the dealer recommended it highly and promised it would not impact my warranty with them. $500 later, the damn thing pulls like my 3.6 996 used to ( I traded the 996 for the GTI actually). Seriously.. "That" quick ! Not in low gears because it's FWD and will have traction issues with all that torque in 1st and 2nd, but from 3rd onwards it's neck snapping torquey ! The handling is surprisingly good too, benign but fun if pushed.

Honestly, NOTHING comes close to a GTI (with REVO) for the trifecta of cost/practicality/performance mix. Not to mention upgradeability if that is your thing.

But, big BUT, it's a FWD car. Even though the torque steer is very well controlled, I just am not a FWD kinda guy since I discovered RWD. But i have nothing but good things to say about that car, for what it is...

[porsche911girl]

I have to admit, one thing that's been puzzling me is that of the 5 or so Fahrenheits that I've seen advertised for sale on ebay, autotrader.com and craigslist, all seem to have around the same amount of miles--31k to 34k. I just find that a bit odd.

It makes me wonder if there's something wrong with the cars that the owners want to get rid of them after so few miles...I don't know, just a thought...

[sprio]

If you want an earlier one, we're looking to trade our 2000 GTi VR6 with 82k miles on it toward a Volvo wagon, but could sell privately.

PM me if you want more details.

[Steve Carlton]

Okey-dokey. Carfax looks very good- no issues. 1 private party owner, dealer serviced at 19K and 26K. Apparently all 2007 & 2009 VWs with DSG got the 10 yr/100K warranty extension on the unit and it applies to subsequent owners, but verify that for yourself.

From what I can tell, low book is $17K, "auction" sales prices are $15,275 per Karpower.

[GothingNC]

Originally Posted by porsche911girl

I have to admit, one thing that's been puzzling me is that of the 5 or so Fahrenheits that I've seen advertised for sale on ebay, autotrader.com and craigslist, all seem to have around the same amount of miles--31k to 34k. I just find that a bit odd.

It makes me wonder if there's something wrong with the cars that the owners want to get rid of them after so few miles...I don't know, just a thought...

That sounds about right for a three year old car.

My 05 GLI just hit 40,000 miles, commute is 8 miles each way.

Maybe the ones listed are lease trade's

I would only prefer one if it came with a manual six-speed.

MkIV R32 is a fun car
AWD 24V-Six

This is in Hickory



Volkswagen : eBay Motors (item 380194926125 end time Feb-05-10 13:45:23 PST)

[JP911]

The similar miles are likely because they're cars that just came off 3-year leases (10-12K miles/year).

I have an '08 GTI DSG as my daily driver and I love it. No issues at all. This is the 5th VW-Audi product I've owned and it's been my favorite, by far. Great motor (better than the 1.8T in every way), DSG is the perfect compromise between manual and automatic, the handling is very balanced, and the traction control allows you to have just the right amount of fun.

All that good stuff said, I think $17k is high. IMO, you should target $14-15k. Good luck!