I am getting ready to buy a 2017 white GTI sport, and I want to get some feedback and comments from you all.
Back in 2015, I was debating between a 2015 WRX or a 2015 GTI. Long story short, after some test driving back and forth and reliability concerns, I ended up buying a 2016 WRX back in August 2015. Fast forward after putting 12000ish miles on my WRX, I wanted something more refined and comfortable, and I found myself in love with the GTI again.
I went to the dealer earlier, and they are willing to make a deal with me for my WRX. Here is the breakdown:
2017 GTI Sport (White 6-speed) $25,600
trade-in 2016 WRX Based (World Rally Blue 6-speed) $22,000
OTD: $4500
Orginially, I really want the carbon steel gray, but someone brought it already, and they have to get the white one from another dealer.
What do you guys think about the deal? Any comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Honestly it seems like they are offering you a good deal. And it sounds like you have your mind up already. But I personally would never buy a VW. I have a few friends that are huge VW fanboys. Every single one of their cars has had electrical problem, after electrical problem, and seems that there check engine light is always on. Never been a fan.
But if that is what makes you happy man, then go for it.
Thanks, WRX-maniac ... That was one of my earlier concerns as well; that is why I went with the WRX the first time around. It is hard for me to decide right now
You know in most cars I would absolutely agree with this statement. However, VW's are a different animal. My one friend has a jetta 2.0T and has some work done to it. He bought it new. Wasn't until around 60k miles he started having the electrical issues and constant CEL's. Of course by that point his warranty was done due to the year and modifications done to the vehicle. And like I said, he is only one of the many people I know with these issues on VW's.
The only reason I got rid of my two VWs was because they were part of the TDI buyback. We had very good luck with them and if it wasn't for how they treated their TDI owners, I'd be a GTI or R owner. I miss my hatch.
WRXs/STIs have never been known for their refinement; that's how they've been able to keep the price down.
The GTI is a nicer interior, but lower power output and a worse drivetrain.
Ultimately, it depends on what is going to be most important to you. If you don't live in a snowy climate, AWD isn't going to be a selling point.
WRX-maniac said:
You know in most cars I would absolutely agree with this statement. However, VW's are a different animal. My one friend has a jetta 2.0T and has some work done to it. He bought it new. Wasn't until around 60k miles he started having the electrical issues and constant CEL's. Of course by that point his warranty was done due to the year and modifications done to the vehicle. And like I said, he is only one of the many people I know with these issues on VW's.
This guy is trading in a vehicle with less than 2y and ~12K miles on it; without more information, it doesn't seem like the kind of owner who would keep something long enough to hit 60K miles.
I actually do want to keep the car for a long time. The last car I had was a 2005 Acura Rsx-S, which I bought it new and traded for the 2016 wrx when it had around 93K miles (drove it for almost 9 years). The car I had before that was an IS300 which I only kept for a year because it is an automatic.
I also checked out the new 2017 civic hatch sport (cvt in white) over the weekend. Actually, the dealership I went to willing to do an almost even trade with my car (I have to throw in TTL of $800).
I actually do want to keep the car for a long time. The last car I had was a 2005 Acura Rsx-S, which I bought it new and traded for the 2016 wrx when it had around 93K miles (drove it for almost 9 years). The car I had before that was an IS300 which I only kept for a year because it is an automatic.
I also checked out the new 2017 civic hatch sport (cvt in white) over the weekend. Actually, the dealership I went to willing to do an almost even trade with my car (I have to throw in TTL of $800).
I wouldn't own a German car out of warranty. There are repair shops in this area that ONLY deal with German cars; the fact they can run a business targeting solely the three big names (VW/Audi, BMW, MB) says something to me.
If you're looking to keep the car a long time, make sure it's the exact car you want (special order, if you have to), and strongly consider an extended warranty.
I wouldn't own a German car out of warranty. There are repair shops in this area that ONLY deal with German cars; the fact they can run a business targeting solely the three big names (VW/Audi, BMW, MB) says something to me.
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This is a pretty weak argument against owning a German car out of warranty. I can ensure you that every tech in the Subaru, Honda, Toyota, etc. service center is not making their living off of maintenance. They all break, some take slightly more skill or focused tools to get certain jobs done.
I would rather take my car to someone with a more focused scope than someone who will take any car in and claim to know it well.
I am able to get a similar deal, basically 22,500 for my WRX and 25,000 for '17 GTI Sport DSG. I decided to pass it up and instead use the difference for an engine built down the line. I think both cars are great in their own ways and I have done way too much research between them than a normal person should, lol. I say go for it. Both cars have their positives and negatives and it ALL comes down to what YOU want and need in a car. The GTI is more comfortable and you can make insane power gains from a simple ECU reflash but be prepared to spend money on supporting mods. If you plan on keeping it stock, than IMO it is just a nicer car all around. I had a lot of issues with my last turbo VW, and I mean a lot but it still wouldn't stop me from buy another GTI.
Just to add some more information, I am not planning to mod the car at all. I service the WRX at the dealership. I don't even drive the car hard other than some hard cornering from time to time. In fact, I am moving to NE next year (got a new job as an university Prof.) so I am also thinking about needing AWD for the winter (but I know it is not necessary as long as you have a good set of winter/all-season tires).
Go for it! I personally love both of these cars and I would be just as happy driving either one. The GTI is more grown up and refined. It seems like it would fit you a little a better. Don't sweat the winters, even with a good set of all seasons you will be fine. The sport comes with a LSD and that helps a lot too. You are getting a pretty good deal so why not. If things break, there are many VW dealers in the NE for warranty work but by now they worked out most of the quirks. Most issues are associated with turbo failures (usually with an aftermarket tune) and clutch failure (they are weak and really aren't meant to handle any more power than stock). If you get the DSG, just keep in mind to service it. It is rather expensive but well worth it if you plan on keeping the car for a long time.
This is a pretty weak argument against owning a German car out of warranty. I can ensure you that every tech in the Subaru, Honda, Toyota, etc. service center is not making their living off of maintenance. They all break, some take slightly more skill or focused tools to get certain jobs done.
I would rather take my car to someone with a more focused scope than someone who will take any car in and claim to know it well.
No shop is making their living off of maintenance, unless you're a JiffyLube (or equivalent)...
I'm aware of the intricacies of different makes/models. I'm also aware of having a specialized skill set. There are benefits to going to a specialist.
The fact that a business can limit themselves to 33% of the US car market (I don't know true percentage, but using US / German / Asian as my scope) and are able to maintain a full schedule says something.
We have a shop here on Long Island that only works on Subarus. How could they stay afloat if they cater to a car maker that only holds 1.4% of the US car market?
Sorry, but your argument is invalid.
They can stay afloat because:
-33% is not a small number when you consider there is something like 260 million registered automobiles in America.
-Location, location, location. We have a few shops near my home that ONLY specialize in German automobiles. We also have A LOT of German automobiles on Long Island, especially in the 5 towns, where I live.
-If a Subaru ONLY shop can fit a niche (I'll go one further, we have an EVO ONLY shop here too), and own it... then surely, the success of a German ONLY shop would be magnitudes more probable.
The fact that a shop can stay open, working off of only 33% of the market share does say something. It says they know what they are doing and choose to stay specialized.
If the dude likes the GTI, then let him buy the damn thing! It's a nice car.
If you read carefully on your so called Subaru shop it states that it was closed and then reopened at one point and has one been open for about 8 months now which is not really a test of time. I agree with others typically used german vehicles cost an arm and a leg when they are out of warranty and it is a legit concern.
That place has been open since the early 2000s. Not sure why they closed and re-opened, but it's nothing to do with success. Could have been a move, renovations, or a change in ownership.
I'm referring to repair / maintenance shops (not performance shops), who make the majority of their profit on labor rate, not parts sales. When you get into aftermarket performance parts, that adds an additional income stream not typically part of the business model of the traditional mechanic shop (I'm a little familiar with the markup rates on aftermarket parts). Does a traditional mechanic shop make some profit on the parts they sell? Sure, but we're dealing with completely different levels here.
I don't care what this person buys. I would not own a German car out of warranty.
The OP is a big boy / girl, who can make their own decision. I'm simply giving my perspective on the matter.
My point is that the existence of specialized shops is not a good tell of an automobiles reliability. It is merely an indication that some businesses can thrive on catering to a niche market, if other conditions are right.
As for older German cars being unreliable, I simply dont think its that black and white. I owned a 1988 W124 Mercedes 300E that I drove till it had 290K miles. I sold it ten years ago and last I checked it was still on the road. The only issue I had with it was a rusted out muffler, a timing chain (big surprise for a car with over 200K miles) and some electrical issues after I drove it through a deep puddle that I had no business driving through (it was an easy fix, just a relay).
Its all relative. Some German cars have horrendous track records, but the same can be said for many other manufacturers from around the world.
We have a shop here on Long Island that only works on Subarus. How could they stay afloat if they cater to a car maker that only holds 1.4% of the US car market?
I'm referring to repair / maintenance shops (not performance shops), who make the majority of their profit on labor rate, not parts sales. When you get into aftermarket performance parts, that adds an additional income stream not typically part of the business model of the traditional mechanic shop (I'm a little familiar with the markup rates on aftermarket parts). Does a traditional mechanic shop make some profit on the parts they sell? Sure, but we're dealing with completely different levels here.
BaconRaygun said:
If the dude likes the GTI, then let him buy the damn thing! It's a nice car.
Personally if I were in your position, and thought I would like the GTI more than the WRX, I'd go for it. Wanting to have a car you like isn't a financially responsible option ever. If it were all about the money a base nissan versa is a steal at 10K... but that's not how we think.
If you don't like the WRX, and the GTI fits as a replacement, go for it
Honestly, the only question you should be asking yourself is which one do YOU like to drive better. Which one suites your wants and needs most. Make a pros and cons list and your decision should ultimately be based on that. Don't worry about reliability. Subaru performance cars are far from reliable, if you ask me. I do agree with most from personal experience that in the past German engineered vehicles tend to have issues, but what cars don't? (exclude Honda because they are comprised of whichcraft and fairy dust).
If you end up buying the VW, just make sure to buy an extended warranty. Even if you don't have the car for a long time an extended warranty will add value to the vehicle should you decided to sell it prematurely. Especially seeing that it's a German vehicle. For what it's worth, VW/Audi, BMW and Benz are one of the VERY few manufacturers I recommend the purchase of an extended warranty on.
The fact of the matter here is that if you're already displeased enough with the WRX to start looking for a different vehicle, then frankly the WRX is just not for you. Don't try to hold on to something you aren't happy with just because people on a forum are telling you that German cars are unreliable. You'll know when you're in a car that truly meets all of your wants and needs because you'll never want to sell it.
The biggest problem with newer German cars, is the use of plastic engine parts, as a cost cutting measure. They will make alot of critical engine pieces out of plastic, which degrade with heat cycling, and eventual fail. I am not sure if the MK7s still use plastic water pumps, but the MK6s did, and people had nothing but problems with them.
Subarus have their shares of issues as well, however they aren't critical drivetrain failures, with German cars, they are more with ancillary systems like suspension and steering. They are annoying, but won't leave you stranded, like a cooling system failure.
Subarus have their shares of issues as well, however they aren't critical drivetrain failures, with German cars, they are more with ancillary systems like suspension and steering. They are annoying, but won't leave you stranded, like a cooling system failure.
Not true. Performance Subaru's had a bad rap for early critical engine failures without any modifications for a while. The WRX's transmissions are far from even mediocre. The 2.5i blew head gaskets like a prostitute, resulting in cracked heads and the general chaos that results from extreme overheating. There is no perfect manufacture. All have their little niche where they are known for failures. Except for Honda of course as I stated earlier because of witchcraft reasons, but that is neither here nor there. My point is that All manufacturers have their area's where they excel, and their area's where they fail, literally.