Buying a 9N GTI

[deewhy]

Hi everyone. For those who post on the MK5 Golf/Jetta forums, will know I am currently on the lookout for one of those however a 9N GTI has now crossed my mind. SOO a few questions.

1. As the MK5 polo gti is about to come out, do you guys think these will come down in price.

2.I haven't driven a manual in 5 years, is the car a difficult one to drive. Will I most likely pick it up easily?

3. Generally any model specific issues I should be wary of?

4. This is the car I'm looking at getting 2006 VOLKSWAGEN POLO GTI 9N MY2006 Private Cars For Sale in QLD - carsales.com.au (http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=8659431&__Qpb=true&keywords=&Cr=7&__Ns=pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32 |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&SearchAction=N&__N=1216%201247%201252%201282%204294962746%20413%2 04294962745%204294927728&silo=1011&PriceTo=413&seot=1&__Nne=15&trecs=49&__sid=1296F53D5337) what are your thoughts?

5. The car posted above has a ecu reflash upgrade done by superchips (perhaps by Jmac?) Does that result in the same 152kw output as the APR ones?

Cheers,
D

[break]

1. Yes, prices will come down a fair chunk, hence why I sold mine a few months back to get rid of my car before the priced moved too much.

2. Won't be a problem.

3. Control arm bushes, drop links, dog bone mounts, leaking radiators (around the thermostat), leaky blow-off valves, synchro/gearbox issues when shifting fast 1st/2nd and 2nd/3rd and LOTS of rattles.

4. Too much cash for that car, particularly seeing it doesn't have leather or sunroof.

5. Superchips are a little lower in overall power, and they have quite a bit less torque as they aim to flatten out the power curve (for a much more daily-drive friendly experience) as opposed to GIAC/REVO/APR which all have a BIG torque/boost spike around 3k rpm.

[Whubbsie]

Hi everyone. For those who post on the MK5 Golf/Jetta forums, will know I am currently on the lookout for one of those however a 9N GTI has now crossed my mind. SOO a few questions.

1. As the MK5 polo gti is about to come out, do you guys think these will come down in price.

You could safely assume that


2.I haven't driven a manual in 5 years, is the car a difficult one to drive. Will I most likely pick it up easily?

Hadn't driven a manual since I was 16 so a good 10 years pick it up easy.


3. Generally any model specific issues I should be wary of?
as break said more so the gearbox issue the rest are less common I think, mines had none of those.

4. This is the car I'm looking at getting 2006 VOLKSWAGEN POLO GTI 9N MY2006 Private Cars For Sale in QLD - carsales.com.au (http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=8659431&__Qpb=true&keywords=&Cr=7&__Ns=pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32 |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&SearchAction=N&__N=1216%201247%201252%201282%204294962746%20413%2 04294962745%204294927728&silo=1011&PriceTo=413&seot=1&__Nne=15&trecs=49&__sid=1296F53D5337) what are your thoughts?

yep over priced would expect either the sunroof or leather at that price

[noone]

I do not expect much more depreciation with the new Polo GTI, as they are already fairly cheap fit what you get.

I'd think about looking for one with more mods, like suspension and nice wheels. The suspension is the biggest letdown once the car is chipped.

Have a drive? Let us know what you think.

[Spec83]

I have a white 2006 Polo GTI I might be willing to let go for ~$15.5k... completly stock with custom leather, 62,xxxkms and all log books, serviced by JMac!!

/end hijack :)

[Returner]

I too am looking at one and just wondering if there are any known issues with them.
The one I am looking at has 147000 kms and logbook service reciepts.

[noone]

Damn, I have not done 30 in mine yet...

Personally I'd hold out for one with lower k's, but of course you will pay more...

[flat6]

when i got mine i had the option of buying a 2008 one with 5,000k's on it from some guy who $%@#ed me around for about 2 weeks for about 23g, so i decided stuff it and held out

Few weeks later i noticed a 2010 ex dealer model for sale with exactly 1000k's on it asking 25k, got it for $23k! practically new with full 3 years warranty.. either way i believe the new model will be less "fun" than the current if you know what i mean, less raw in a sense like all tsi's.

[deewhy]

I may as well just see how prices are affected by the mk5 polo release, as I'm waiting for my current car to sell anyway!

[kmli5]

I bought mine GTI about 2 months ago, brand new for $23990.
That is about $6000 off RRP. I bought the 2nd last one:)
Price might dropped, but mind you the new GTI only comes in automatic, so ours still have the manual advantage.

As for driving it, it is so easy. Clutch is light yet very precise. You will pick it up in no time.

I haven't experienced any problems yet, touch wood. However, gearbox is a bit notchy, that's all.

[seangti]

How much have the mkV golfs when the mk IV came out??? Not a great deal is the answer as a mate just bought one last night. I can't see the polo dropping much due to the new one as it's not a typical upgrade, plus you're comparing a car at ~$20k, versus a new polo at around $30k. $24k for a brand new older shape is still good value in anyones language and I don't think it'd depreciate any quicker being end of model as opposed to a 1st off the boat new model. If the new model was closer in price than it'd be a different story. As the brand recognition increases, that can only benefit us, Mk IV golfs have to be somewhat holding there value on the coat tails of the success of the mk V.

[insanekiwi]

I agree with Sean.
Also the fact that new Polos do not come with any manual gearbox - may deter some people away. The new car price will be much higher than what current Polo GTIs go for. I don't think it will cause any sudden drop in price.

[R1 Crasher]

Huge drop in price atm with 9n Polo GTI's,maybe in time the price will firm up slightly,but I doubt it. I have a mint 08, 38k's one owner looking to trade at the moment and the best offer I can get against a new Focus XR5 is 15K. One dealer I went to said, and showed me the paperwork, of a three month old Silver GTI with 3K on the clock the best wholesale price was 17K and he took it.

I think I might have to re-evaluate what i thought was a good value second hand vehicle down quite a lot.

[noone]

Agreed, price drop is already impressive. Don't know how much lower it will get in the coming months with the Polo GTI, but I think the Polo can't drop much more over all...

Interesting to compare to the Golf IV GTI pricing.

[PeterHBne]

I always bought my GTI as a keeper. You could always tell they would loose money hand over fist. Specialist new cars do. Keep it, go some nice mods (chip, suspension, brakes) and have a top little car that will last. it has all you want and need. Me + 1 sometimes. Why go for something bigger??

[hibijibis]

for any recent sellers of their 9N polo, i was looking to sell recently. 2008 with leather pack. i think it was about $33k at the time i bought. done about 15km. how much do you think i can get it for? also want to know if any one has recent experience selling to let me know how long it would take to sell it?

cheers

[seangti]

$22-$23k I reckon if selling privately.

[R1 Crasher]

$22-$23k I reckon if selling privately.

No chance.
Brand new at the moment 2010 9N GTI 23990 drive away 24990 with Leather drive away.

[break]

$22-$23k I reckon if selling privately.LOL!

I was *very* lucky to get $17.5k for my '06 with leather, sunroof, giac, brakes upgraded, suspension upgraded, diverter valve done etc. and 60k on the clock. These days it's worth more like $16k.

Realistically, anyone who pays more than $20k for a 9N3 is a chump.... new or used.

(Oh, and they stopped producing the 9N3 GTI a while back now... they never actually made any in 2010, so all you will find is 2008/2009 models at dealerships)

[instigator]

Why go for something bigger??

i am going to keep my GTI, no mather what.
but i still have a old mini standing around that is tuned and need attention.
and my girlfriend also have a car of her own, Fiesta S TDCi.
we pretty much drive that all the time.
i use the polo more and more like a weekend car and a now and than track day/dragrace.

but, now my girlfriend is about 8.5 months pregnant and all 3 cars are getting a bit small...
you'll find out when you go shopping on youre own with GF and baby in the back;-)
so i'm planning to get rid of the Fiesta one day and buy a A4 station or so.

and i can name alot more other reasons why you should be better of with a bigger car...
neverless, polo stays with me and i am still loving it.

about the price...
execpt that every car, even if you buy it new and drive away from the dealer...
from that moment on, the value starts dropping...

[seangti]

$25k with leather, that'd be nice.

[hibijibis]

would current polo GTI with ECU upgrade be as fast as new polo gti? the other bonus about the current polo is the manual shift which some may prefer.

[DeanB]

would current polo GTI with ECU upgrade be as fast as new polo gti? the other bonus about the current polo is the manual shift which some may prefer.

I would say the 9N3 1.8L tuned will be "quicker" then the 1.4L (even a tuned one) ... there is a lot more torque from a 1.8L engine alone.

Manual is a big thing, I've got a mate on the hunt and currently negotiating with a dealer to get a 9N3 ex-demo as it is manual and he doesn't want a DSG GTI ... if it falls through he is going to get a Clio :(

[noone]

New Polo will have more power, both stock and tuned (based on same engine in the Golf).

[DeanB]

APR tuned 1.4L Twincharged - 151kW & 317Nm

APR Tuned 1.8L - 152 kW & 328Nm

I'll take the 1kW, 11Nm, manual transmission and the fact that the 1.8L, 20 valve turbo engine has such a long history in VAG vehicles - known quantity wrt tuning upgrades, faults, etc.

As always manual is the decider for me between the two more than anything else.

[flat6]

I knew when i got this car id loose a bit of cash, but so what, its a given no matter what car you buy

This car is great value regardless, look at the 2005 cars for an indication on how low they'll go in 5 years, they are currently around 17g for a car with around 50,000 k on the clock, considering i payed 23k for my 2010 (end 08 build) car, thats about $1200 a year depreciation, not bad considering a commodore looses half its value the day you buy it

Not to mention its a blast to drive, @ that price theres really only sh$t on the market in terms of "driving enjoyment"

[break]

I would say the 9N3 1.8L tuned will be "quicker" then the 1.4L (even a tuned one) ... there is a lot more torque from a 1.8L engine alone.Not a chance. Torque is irrelevant in a flat road straight line race... the DSG transmission will be the decider when comparing tuned 1.8 vs tuned 1.4, with the 1.4 almost certainly being a fair bit quicker and more consistent in it's acceleration times.

[instigator]

comes down to who drives the car.

i have raced with my GTI with 175Hp - 260nM (Milltek, airfilter, Seat IC)
against another 9N3 GTI with even the same color! :-p
and he had been chiptuned to 200Hp and 310nM.
i thought he would blow me away, but i won the race (300m dragrace!)

reason was i could drive better and i have a better IC so mine diddn't realy suffer from heatsoak.
so maybe he had heatsoak, don't know.
fact still is, i beat the same car as mine, with alot more power in it.
so that doesn't mean anything....

i bet if i turn my GTI back to stock, i can beat a new stock GTI to! ;-)

[hibijibis]

hmm. interesting. does anyone know roughly what the 0-100 is on a tuned 1.8?

it sounds like fun. and i must admit i do enjoy the manual driving. i will have to test drive the new polo gti when it is available. as i age, i feel the pull towards auto. the only problem i have with the polo is that flooring it around corners sometimes feels like there is a bit of body roll. not sure if that is just normal? or should i not freak out and just push through?! plus as a full time worker, i rarely get a chance to enjoy.

altho i would think that if i were to by an auto, i would probs miss manual!

[noone]

The new Polo I think would handle much better, the 9N3 needs some work to get it to corner well.

Agree with the 1.8T being more capable, but we don't get the fuel economy of the twinny

[DeanB]

Funny how times change. I remember when the GTI moniker stood for small car, large engine, manual transmission, etc

Nowadays people want it to be some sort of GT (Grand Tourer) style car - auto/DSG, small economical engine, refined suspension, etc

All a bit of a shame really :(

[flat6]

Funny how times change. I remember when the GTI moniker stood for small car, large engine, manual transmission, etc

Nowadays people want it to be some sort of GT (Grand Tourer) style car - auto/DSG, small economical engine, refined suspension, etc

All a bit of a shame really :(

True, the new GTI is practically a girls car now :(

[break]

hmm. interesting. does anyone know roughly what the 0-100 is on a tuned 1.8?Best i've ever seen anyone manage is around the 6.2s mark.... and that was a fantastic launch and shifts.

Realistically, I'd expect most normal drivers to manage between 6.5 and 7.0 to 100km/h (most of that being eaten up with loss of traction thanks to the lack of LSD)


Funny how times change. I remember when the GTI moniker stood for small car, large engine, manual transmission, etc

Nowadays people want it to be some sort of GT (Grand Tourer) style car - auto/DSG, small economical engine, refined suspension, etc

All a bit of a shame really :(You're just looking for a hot hatch from the wrong manufacturer. I made the switch to a real hot hatch and I've never looked back. Sure, I get flogged on the straights, particularly if I'm not in the right gear at the right time.... but this car brings *so* much more of a smile to my face than the Polo ever managed.

[noone]

And what was the price tag?

[DeanB]

And what was the price tag?

He won't have got change from $30k for a brand new one ....

[insanekiwi]

(most of that being eaten up with loss of traction thanks to the lack of LSD)

Clio Sports are certainly nice cars - however, LSD limiting the 0-100km/h is wrong. The traction is an issue with FWD, not due to lack of LSD.

[seangti]

You're just looking for a hot hatch from the wrong manufacturer. I made the switch to a real hot hatch and I've never looked back. Sure, I get flogged on the straights, particularly if I'm not in the right gear at the right time.... but this car brings *so* much more of a smile to my face than the Polo ever managed.

The two cars are chalk and cheese for the desired purpose/intention, for solely fun factor you are absolutely correct, the clio is great, on the track it is simply better than the lightly modded polo could ever want to be. But for daily driving where comfort, NVH, gear shift feel and steering weight (bear in mind I refer to a daily), the Polo is better suited to that.

How many Clio's did you look at till you found one that you would own? I looked at 4 and gave up, a mate was onto his 5th when he bought it in Townsville (and will now sell it cos he bought a Golf GTI cos the clio was too uncomfortable for daily commuting).

[99_FGT]

Oi, I heard that.
Agree with what Sean says, and not with Break. Never had launch limited by a LSD, but that is not the 172/182's strong point anyway.
The build quality and finish is definitely in favour of the polo though.
Al..

HTC rocks

[break]

Clio Sports are certainly nice cars - however, LSD limiting the 0-100km/h is wrong. The traction is an issue with FWD, not due to lack of LSD.You haven't driven a FWD with a proper LSD setup (new Focus RS is a great example). It makes up for most of the problems at the power levels we are talking about.


The two cars are chalk and cheese for the desired purpose/intention, for solely fun factor you are absolutely correct, the clio is great, on the track it is simply better than the lightly modded polo could ever want to be. But for daily driving where comfort, NVH, gear shift feel and steering weight (bear in mind I refer to a daily), the Polo is better suited to that.

How many Clio's did you look at till you found one that you would own? I looked at 4 and gave up, a mate was onto his 5th when he bought it in Townsville (and will now sell it cos he bought a Golf GTI cos the clio was too uncomfortable for daily commuting).Oh I absolutely agree that the Polo is miles ahead when it comes to the daily commute. It has the torque where you need it, firm but supple ride, nice light steering, nice light clutch, and a decent seat position.

But yeah, I actually bought the first Clio I saw (well, I looked at a few... and made an offer on the one I saw first). Yes, they are French and suffer typical French build quality.... but as I said, it's not the point of the Clio. As a hot hatch around the mountains they are sublime.... doing just about everything else they are compromised.

But the question is what do you want more in a sports car? I know what I prefer... but I also know that that doesn't suit 90% of buyers.

[kangfu]

Very different cars. The frenchies sure do handle sublimely (i've had a few), but for now i am addicted to boost in my Pogo. :D