Flappy Paddle Gear Boxes & New Car Recommendation

[BZG Wagon]

I'm looking for a new car and narrowed it down to four:
* Toyota Prado (mid to late 00's)
* Nissan Pathfinder (mid to late 00's)
* VW Golf GTi (2013)
* Toyota FT86 GTS (2013) -> No longer an option due to a six month waiting list.

VW have run out of six speed manuals so the dealer talked me into taking a DSG transmission for a drive. It wasn't bad; a lot better than the older boxes I've driven which roll, then suddenly engage (making parking an fun experience).

Has anyone had any experience with these (good or bad?).

[Stott69]

If you want flappy paddles buy a Ferrari/lambo. What do you intend to use the car for? The first two suit copmletly different to the last two, so makes hard picking.

[2jayzgte]

I tell you what I wish car makers would use sequential shifting manuals went for a ride in the guys that look after my car's Subie with a Hollinger in it and I have to say it was F**KEN Mint bang bang up n down through the gears no drop off in the revs when changing I was like GTFO ...

[duddley]

So I'm guessing the budget is upto 50k ?. Out of that list I would probably go Landcruiser but have you considered a wrx or even a highlander?. What do you want to use the car for?

[Grrrrrrr!]

Google "volkswagen DSG recall". Then run away from anything DSG.

[dnalunchie]

My mum has had a Mark 5 DSG golf for the past 3 years. I believe its a 2007 model. Anyway it has been a great car, even though hers is not the turbo model but rather the 2ltr NA one the transmission is great, it changes down nicely without asking when going downhills and holds gears around corners really well esspecially in sport mode. In terms of reliability she has had no issue what so ever and now that they have been using them for over 10 years I imagine they have gotten even better.

Also the new electronic diff controller in the 2013 GOLF GTI is meant to be absolutely amazing for cornering and it is only a ECU remap away from 270hp and 13 second 1/4 miles. If I was after a nice daily around that price point the only model I would consider is the Golf GTI or maybe the focus ST (XR5 /ST225).

Anyway I have driven mums golf a fair bit and even with just 150hp feels pretty dam quick and it handles so well, just sticks to the road even in seriously wet weather.

[phoenix]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 812927.htm

Buy this before I do....it's got flappy paddles

[BZG Wagon]

I've moved to Sydney; after having a 4wd hack in NZ (one of 3 cars we had) I'm keen on another so I can explore beaches, forests etc. But I'm not too sure on the 4wding scene near Sydney and it'd be a PITA around the city.

On the flip-side; for a small pay cut my company will organise a new lease car of my choice which covers petrol, servicing, repairs & insurance. A new 4wd is out of the question due to price.

The DSG gearbox felt good - (responsive, quick, smooth) but they city's so dense there's nowhere decent to take it through it's paces. A clutch-less gearbox in Sydney makes sense due to traffic (which is 24/7) and the GTi's a nice little car for the city, and imagine good on the open road for when we want to get out of the city and explore.

Sounds like you're families fairly happy with the Golf then lunchie?

Bang for buck Audi's seem expensive, and let's face it - a VW is an Audi in sheep's clothing.

I read some reviews on XR5's (I love the look of them) and the GTi seems to pip them in most tests. Ditto with WRX's. Might organise a drive though.

[dnalunchie]

I've moved to Sydney; after having a 4wd hack in NZ (one of 3 cars we had) I'm keen on another so I can explore beaches, forests etc. But I'm not too sure on the 4wding scene near Sydney and it'd be a PITA around the city.

On the flip-side; for a small pay cut my company will organise a new lease car of my choice which covers petrol, servicing, repairs & insurance. A new 4wd is out of the question due to price.

The DSG gearbox felt good - (responsive, quick, smooth) but they city's so dense there's nowhere decent to take it through it's paces. Plus a clutch-less gearbox in Sydney makes sense due to traffic (which is 24/7) and the GTi's a nice little car for the city, and imagine good on the open road for when we want to get out of the city and explore.

Bang for buck Audi's seem expensive, and let's face it - a VW is an Audi in sheep's clothing.

I read some reviews on XR5's (I love the look of them) and the GTi seems to pip them in most tests. Ditto with WRX's. Might organise a drive though.

Yeah the GTI does pip them IMO especially interior wise. If I was not such a Subie fan then I would be aiming for a GTI or Golf R

[BZG Wagon]

I'd love an R, but that's a whole other price bracket.

[dnalunchie]

I'd love an R, but that's a whole other price bracket.

Yeah true, I am told as far as driving dynamics the extra weight actually detracts from the experience compared to the GTI but of course the 4WD is nice in rain etc

[Nuty|Mike]

Google "volkswagen DSG recall". Then run away from anything DSG.

its more in the 7spd the 6spd is great .....the large overseas recall is in china where VW china makes its own dsg.

Id go for a runout mk6 gti they will be giving them away .

Lunchie is your mums car a 2.0fsi dsg? didnt know they exist I have a Jetta 2.0fsi drive car atm and it aint dsg its still 6 speed auto tho.

[Grrrrrrr!]

There have been several recalls over several years. Its an immature technology and will take a while to get the problems sorted. Add to that Volkswagens history with gearboxes (eg the VR6 autos and manuals) and I'd steer clear personally.

2009/2010 in the US, where it sounds like they didn't actually solve the problem, but they increased the warranty period on the gearbox/ecu to 10 years.
One just announced in singapore.
The chinese one.

And those are just the ones I've heard about, there are probably others too.

[Lloyd]

There were quite a few DSG boxes that VW were eventually doing under memory for the Coke lease cars in NZ from memory

[iOnic]

Who cares. New car warranty. Buy whatever you feel like, if it breaks - make them fix it then buy another in 3 years. I assume you're not running out of money if a $50k daily is a real option?

[Lloyd]

DSG boxes aren't just a VW thing either, a lot of car manufacturers and gearbox manufacturers product similar products under other names.

[Nuty|Mike]

Who cares. New car warranty. Buy whatever you feel like, if it breaks - make them fix it then buy another in 3 years. I assume you're not running out of money if a $50k daily is a real option?

Exactly new car warranty and if you read up he says his company could pay the lease .

[BZG Wagon]

Who cares. New car warranty. Buy whatever you feel like, if it breaks - make them fix it then buy another in 3 years. I assume you're not running out of money if a $50k daily is a real option?

Exactly new car warranty and if you read up he says his company could pay the lease .

That's what I'm thinking - it's effectively the lease companies car with a guaranteed residual value at the end & an option to purchase if I want (so if the car is worth more than RV I'd buy and sell privately, or less I can walk away).

I'd don't think I'd ever buy a new car due to the depreciation, but for around a $9k (aud) pay cut I can get a new GTi (and yes, they've dropped the Mk-6 prices by $10k) with insurance, petrol & servicing included. There's also a small tax advantage because FBT rules are a bit looser here.

The added bonus is I don't need to transfer money from NZ to Australia to purchase a car so it's a better way to 'finance' it.

and I'm 29 and think I deserve something shiny and flash after being a compulsive saver my entire life

[rollaholic]

sounds like you'd be mad not to

perks on

giz a job cuz

[iOnic]

If the company is paying for the car, gas and maintenance, stop playing with econo hatches and get an E3 GTS. Or the new Boss 335 GT.