Need GTi Advice Please

[SLY.GTi]

Hi Guys

You all seem to be well informed on cars and all, I need some major advice.

My Profile
-Am 27years old
-Have had my license for only six months now
-About to buy my first car
-Madly inlove with the GTi brand, specifically Polo Gti 2014+
-Can afford a vehicle priced R249 900 max w/ 10% deposit

Questions
-Is it advisable for me to go for a pre-owned Polo GTi?
-If yes, at what mileage maximum?
-How much am I likely to pay for a major service should it be out of service plan?
-How much am I likely to pay for insurance?

 

[Neuk_]

Phone a dealership or somewhere like VAG Spec Centre if you are in Jhb for an idea of 'normal' servicing costs. I would also consider an aftermarket warranty if the car is out of VW warranty to avoid massive expenses should there be issues with things like the DSG gearbox or supercharger clutch or for when the turbo goes. I would call your insurance broker to get an idea of insurance cost, I think you are going to pay a small fortune due to your lack of driving experience, lack of insurance history, buying a performance car and a high theft/hijack risk car. I would look at something more mundane than a Polo GTi or similar performance hatchback for your first car.

 

[SLY.GTi]

Hi Neuk, u saying its possible for a DSG gearbox to have problems? i mean does the absence of a clutch not make a DSG less problematic than a manual transmission?

 

[Neuk_]

DSG gearboxes have two clutch packs that use clutches, they do not operate like torque converter type automatic gearboxes. The clutch packs, although they are expensive to replace, aren't the part of a DSG gearbox that most commonly give issues. The most common failure point is the mechatronics control unit, with issues ranging from abnormal shifting to no shifting at all.

 

[Brawler]

Young, first car, new license, hot hatch. Prepare for some insane insurance quotes.

I would also double check your affordability. Financing a hot hatch out of warranty is seldom a wise move. If you do go ahead definitely keep some money for a rainy day. DSG gearboxes are great.. until something breaks and you get a R100k bill.

 

[SLY.GTi]

GEEZ!!

DSG gearboxes have two clutch packs that use clutches, they do not operate like torque converter type automatic gearboxes. The clutch packs, although they are expensive to replace, aren't the part of a DSG gearbox that most commonly give issues. The most common failure point is the mechatronics control unit, with issues ranging from abnormal shifting to no shifting at all.

Well it sounds like a GTI is more problems than am bargaining for.. I think i'll pass. my second option was afterall a Nissan NP200

 

[SLY.GTi]

R100K !! Well i do remember a former collegue who drove a Polo GTI in 2014 once took it for a service and it returned with a R60k bill. I just thought its bcoz he always drove it like "ITS SUPPOSED TO BE DRIVEN" but honestly im not looking forward to that.

 

[Brawler]

R100K !! Well i do remember a former collegue who drove a Polo GTI in 2014 once took it for a service and it returned with a R60k bill. I just thought its bcoz he always drove it like "ITS SUPPOSED TO BE DRIVEN" but honestly im not looking forward to that.

Often its just the mechatronics unit which is about R33k but I have seen an invoice from Audi (some box) for over R100k.
It seems like its the luck of the draw with them. Some people drive hard and are fine on 200k km and others are very gentle and go through 3 in 100k km.

 

[Neuk_]

Well it sounds like a GTI is more problems than am bargaining for.. I think i'll pass. my second option was afterall a Nissan NP200

The DSG gearboxes issues I described are DSG gearbox issues, not just GTi issues, there are many VW and Audi cars that use DSG gearboxes that have had issues. The Polo GTi's are great little cars, although I would rather have one of the newer 1.8T versions than the twincharged 1.4 versions. Either way though, I won't own a modern car without some form of warranty/maintenance plan/aftermarket warranty as potential issues can cost tens of thousands of Rands, which is why I took an extended maintenance plan on my current car.

 

[bromster]

Not to sound like a dick, but 6 months driving experience is not enough to be driving a fast car.

Buy something safe, learn how to read the road and predict others' actions, learn to use your mirrors all the time to improve your situational awareness. Take time to learn how it feels to operate on the limit of grip in a controlled environment.

When you are comfortable that you are not a hazard to others, then consider an upgrade. I've lost too many good friends to stupid driving. It's not worth your life

 

[Neuk_]

Often its just the mechatronics unit which is about R33k but I have seen an invoice from Audi (some box) for over R100k.
It seems like its the luck of the draw with them. Some people drive hard and are fine on 200k km and others are very gentle and go through 3 in 100k km.

More than likely one of their Multitronic CVT gearboxes which were notoriously rubbish in the B6 and B7 A4 platforms.

 

[SLY.GTi]

Been driving ever since

Not to sound like a dick, but 6 months driving experience is not enough to be driving a fast car.

Buy something safe, learn how to read the road and predict others' actions, learn to use your mirrors all the time to improve your situational awareness. Take time to learn how it feels to operate on the limit of grip in a controlled environment.

When you are comfortable that you are not a hazard to others, then consider an upgrade. I've lost too many good friends to stupid driving. It's not worth your life

Hi Brom, I hear u, I think I'll opt for the NP200, cheaper to maintain and less trouble. It's just my love for a GTi has been burning inside me for years. The time will come.

 

[joshuatree]

I take it the Nissan Np200 navigates to a lifestyle vehicle then - totally different type of vehicle than the hot hatch.

Nissan Np200 does have an expensive cambelt replacement service.

 

[namzsteve]

I was 26 when I purchased my fiesta st, had had my license for 2 years and 3 years later I am still paying over 2000 on insurance. Rather purchase something smaller, and gain more experience from that.

6 months driving and you want a GTi, very bad idea. I just hope you take some sound advice.

 

[epah]

Don’t. Rather spend your money elsewhere

 

[ubercal]

If you gonna "waste" your money , rather buy a proper car.Nobody is going to be impressed by a GTI.It you want to be owner number 10000000000 , then i guess it will be fine :crylaugh:

 

[kripstoe]

If you gonna "waste" your money , rather buy a proper car.Nobody is going to be impressed by a GTI.It you want to be owner number 10000000000 , then i guess it will be fine :crylaugh:

Because your opinion of a "proper" car is one that'll impress people? Inferiority complex again.

 

[Tsepz_GP]

Hi Guys

You all seem to be well informed on cars and all, I need some major advice.

My Profile
-Am 27years old
-Have had my license for only six months now
-About to buy my first car
-Madly inlove with the GTi brand, specifically Polo Gti 2014+
-Can afford a vehicle priced R249 900 max w/ 10% deposit

Questions
-Is it advisable for me to go for a pre-owned Polo GTi?
-If yes, at what mileage maximum?
-How much am I likely to pay for a major service should it be out of service plan?
-How much am I likely to pay for insurance?

Insurance will have their way with you mate, don't do it!

Rather get a car that has low mileage and still well within warranty.

Look at Mazda2, Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost, Polo 1.2TSI, Renault Clio 4, new gen Kia Rio, new gen Hyundai i20, or even a Audi A1.

Get something well within budget, that will take you the distance with a long warranty and service plan.

Also, with the Petrol Price getting crazy high, trust me you don't want anything too powerful. So many okes driving GTIs, and Focus STs that are crying over petrol, lol.

I hope you have done a thorough budget for yourself:

E.g. you have considered the following:

- Car instalment
- Insurance premium (start shopping around before you even buy the car) you are bound to get a high premium as you are a under 30yrld male and have a drivers license that is still brand new
- Petrol budget: how much travelling you'll be doing vs. how much a full tank will cost you if you for example have a car with a 55L tank (most of these Hot Hatches cars do)
- Yearly maintenance cost (if you only have a service plan, then consider how much things like Brake Pads and Whipers will cost you)
- Tyres: how much will a set of 2 cost if you e.g. hit a pothole, some of these hot hatches come with some premium rubber on them and you will want premium tyres if you want it to handle well and last long


Etc...

I am 28, I have had 4 cars so far, and I had to learn very quickly , as once that 1st instalment goes out your bank account, things get VERY real.

P.S. Don't you dare go and get a Balloon Payment!!! Read your car finance contract carefully, ask as many questions as possible, make sure you ask if there is a balloon payment at the end of the finance term, or they will hide it in there and suddenly on the 55th or the 73rd month you will have a +R40,000 instalment waiting for you.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Hi Neuk, u saying its possible for a DSG gearbox to have problems? i mean does the absence of a clutch not make a DSG less problematic than a manual transmission?

LOL!

It has two clutches...so if anything the likelihood is double of potential issues. It’s actually kind of two manual gearboxes working with electronic clutches and not an automatic at all.

Also it’s a very well known factor that the DSG’s give trouble and more often than not the mechatronics are pointed to as the culprit which ultimately performs the shift action.

HOWEVER part of the issue is not that they are unreliable but rather that the dealerships no longer actually do mechanic work but rather just replace parts because of the motor plan culture.

So instead of repairing stuff at a reasonable price they just put on a new one which costs tens of thousands on these boxes.

Basically if you do want to buy one make absolutely sure you get an extended warranty and stick very strictly to the gearbox oil change services.

Which is about R2000 in oil every 60,000km.

Chances are your insurance will be the cost of the instalment on the Nissan.

Buy a GTI or other hot hatch in your 30’s when the insurance has a clean track record for you. Not as your first car.

****

Should point it it I put just about 200,000km on a DSG box and had no abnormal failure.

But at that mileage was starting to get a winding noise and suspected the input shaft bearing on the gearbox so not even a strictly DSG issue and just a common gearbox thing.

Still would have been in the region of 18-25k to fix to give you an idea. That from a third party mechanic not a dealership.

Of course just putting a donor gearbox in was another option but never got around to it as I sold the car.

 

[SLY.GTi]

Thanx Tsepz that's quite helpful.
I did consider maintenance and fuel beforehand. I'd rather drive a van than any of the models u mentioned, not really a fan of any other brand than VW as I'm already familiar with it, and a TSi will just cost almost as much as a GTi in insurance as they both high risk. Rather start humble with a NP200 and work my way up from there. I don't want a car that's gonna cost me more than R20k pocket cash should something go wrong. I remember at some point the company TSi I learned to drive in cost the company R16k for a major service when it reached 105k KM. That I can handle. But anything outside that bracket is not for me just yet. The only downfall is a van isn't family friendly as I got a kid. I'll just have to suck that up.