Thinking of buying myself a 2007 GTI..........some advice

**gmw** · 11-10-2010, 08:22 PM

Friend of a friend is selling his 2007 Gti DSG 5 door for $30,000. Has 30,000km and some minor hail damage from the Melbourne storms. Haven't seen the car yet so not sure it is MY07 or MY08 or any extras etc . Not a lot to go on but does this seem a reasonable price? Preference would be a manual but as this car is from a known source (sort of) then may consider a DSG. Any reliability issues with the DSG box?

Also, would be interested to hear any thoughts as to whether the German built 3 door is a better option than the S.African built 5 door i terms of build quality / reliability.

Thanks, GMW

**satz** · 12-10-2010, 06:48 AM

I bought a 3-door, 2008 build partly because it was German built, rather than African, but mostly cause it was far, far more rare, and more in ine with the design of the original GTI.

Did have problems with the DSG, hesitating at low speed and reversing. VW replaced the mechatronics unit under warranty...which brings me to a big point... try to get one with at least a little warranty remaining (just in case). If I keep my car I think I'll look at getting the VW extended warranty.

The DSG is fun though...esp when you drive it in 'manual' mode...completely transforms the car! But I think the manual on the GTI is also very good.

Other than that....reading through here will give you a good idea of common problems:
- rattles,buzzes in the trim (esp in the useless indirect air vent on the dash top!)
- AC issues

cheers

Satz

**triode12** · 12-10-2010, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by gmw

Friend of a friend is selling his 2007 Gti DSG 5 door for $30,000. Has 30,000km and some minor hail damage from the Melbourne storms. Haven't seen the car yet so not sure it is MY07 or MY08 or any extras etc . Not a lot to go on but does this seem a reasonable price? Preference would be a manual but as this car is from a known source (sort of) then may consider a DSG. Any reliability issues with the DSG box?

Also, would be interested to hear any thoughts as to whether the German built 3 door is a better option than the S.African built 5 door i terms of build quality / reliability.

Thanks, GMW

If you want a 5-Dr, the Pirelli 5-Drs were all German built. And according to Maverick, some early 5Drs were also from Wolfsburg.

**mmanda** · 12-10-2010, 01:44 PM

I have a 2007 MY08 that has just run out of warranty. For about $32k (I had a trade in, so it works out roughly to $32k down from the advertised price of $36k after the haggling I did from the first changeover price I received) I got 6spd manual, heated leather seats, sunroof, ipod and bluetooth with 26000km on the clock. Full service history and very straight. Only damage on mine is gutter rush to the wheels, which I used to negotiate.

As mentioned above, I'd deffo try and find one with some warranty left as well. Bare in mind you can pay to extend the warranty for around $1350odd dollars (see the sticky thread for more info) but only if the car is still under it's original new car warranty.

I reckon you can do better than $30k if the car has minor body damage... at least that is my opinion.

**gmw** · 12-10-2010, 06:44 PM

Thanks Guys for the responses. Think I'll hang on for a manual which is what I originally wanted. Have a 4 year old daughter but quite fancy a 3 door - can't be that hard to get a her in the back!! Plus my wife has the family car for the school run.

Cheers, GMW

**satz** · 13-10-2010, 12:14 PM

I need to sell my 3-door precisely because of the kids!

Even the occasional school pick up /drop off is starting to hassle the poor things (and wife!)

Perhaps someone would like to swap a 5 door (even if it's manual?)

**Maverick** · 13-10-2010, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by gmw

Friend of a friend is selling his 2007 Gti DSG 5 door for $30,000. Has 30,000km and some minor hail damage from the Melbourne storms. Haven't seen the car yet so not sure it is MY07 or MY08 or any extras etc . Not a lot to go on but does this seem a reasonable price? Preference would be a manual but as this car is from a known source (sort of) then may consider a DSG. Any reliability issues with the DSG box?

If it has un-repaired hail damage the only possible reasons I can think for allowing the damage to stay un-repaired is that the driver was uninsured or that he purchased the car with the hail damage for a substantial discount.

You will find problems getting insurance for a car with un-repaired hail damage and I'm pretty sure you won't be able to get comprehensive insurance.

I wouldn't touch it unless there was a significant saving over other similar cars in sound condition, you might also want to check to see if the car has been written off by an insurance company and to see if the windscreen or other windows have been replaced as it may have suffered water damage inside the car.

Also, would be interested to hear any thoughts as to whether the German built 3 door is a better option than the S.African built 5 door i terms of build quality / reliability.

No difference between them, they all suffer the same faults. R32, Pirelli and early GTI 5 Doors all came from Germany as well.

**gmw** · 13-10-2010, 08:52 PM

Thanks Maverick. Have decided not to go ahead with it - never got to see the car so can't comment upon the hail damage but have decided to keep an eye out for a manual.

**satz** · 18-10-2010, 09:18 AM

The manual would be good, but you'll miss out on the quicker acceleration and better economy, and most of all, the fantastic noises it makes when up and down shifting in manual mode!