Long Term Ownership.

[West Riding Limited]

It's interesting to read of other owners' experiences. I've had my GTI coming up to 12 weeks and 2000 miles, it's my first auto and first VW after mostly having basic, economical motors.
Then I realised that I wasn't getting any younger so thought I would treat myself to something a bit more upmarket-feeling, auto to ease the knee and that I can have a bit of fun with from time to time whilst still being practical day to day. As I only need a small car the Polo GTI was the one that stood out, and so far I am very pleased. One thing that I noticed straight away is the handling, very sure footed and the steering wheel is pleasantly tactile.

True the GTI can be jerky but you learn to drive with it and generally I find the car relaxing to be in with enough oomph when you need it. The knee loves it! However I can understand why the sporty driver might find it frustrating.
I was sceptical of the stop-start at first, especially at roundabouts but again, have learnt to drive with it. The slightest nudge of the steering wheel starts it up again and I don't find it causes excessive delay so leave it switched on.
Didn't have the 'mooing' brakes at first but now I do in reverse, and also sometimes and more quietly when creeping forward in slow traffic. Doesn't really bother me, will be interesting to see how this develops for us all as the miles build up will it get better or worse or stay the same?
I find visibility to be less than what I have been used to and for some reason just cannot park the damn thing straight, has never been a problem before.
Haven't noticed any other faults or rattles so have had no reason to contact the dealer so well done VW, excellent value for money given my criteria IMO.

However, the OP asks about long term ownership. I wouldn't want to buy outright any car without at least a 5 year warranty, and if I did would want something as simple as possible i.e. not a DSG. Also hybrids and EVs are no doubt the future so I would question buying an ICE car, but again this depends on the OP's definition of long term and reasonable price, which is different for us all. Good luck and enjoy whatever you do decide upon.

WRL

[Simonz]

This is probably the last few years of ICE cars as hybrids and full electric gradually take over so why not enjoy the end of the line and characteristics of a petrol engine whilst it is around? In ten years I expect the infrastructure and cars on offer to be more widely developed and mainstream, petrol will start to become a niche product for classic car owners. Plus the end of the manual gearbox...

[SRGTD]

This is probably the last few years of ICE cars as hybrids and full electric gradually take over so why not enjoy the end of the line and characteristics of a petrol engine whilst it is around?

That was pretty much my thought process when I bought my GTI+. I usually keep my cars around 4.5 - 5 years, so I’ll be due to change my current car some time during 2025 and I dare say if buying new, the choices then will most likely be petrol/electric hybrid or full electric.

[West Riding Limited]

I quite agree and that was part of my thinking too...but I'm only committed to the GTI for the next 3 years. I bought my 2 previous cars outright (although they were basic models) and kept them for 7 and 8 years, personally speaking I don't think I'd be doing the same at the moment.

WRL

[Andy Beats]

I've had electric before and really wanted to go electric again this time.
But a combination of things, mostly involving daft workload due to covid, made me jump at an easy offer on the Gti from the dealer.
I'm regretting it now, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
But it will, absolutely 100%, be my last ICE car and I doubt I will see the full 4 years out.
I reckon 2 years max on this thing, or sooner if money allows.
I don't hate it, but I don't like it either, not even close.

[Simonz]

I've had electric before and really wanted to go electric again this time.
But a combination of things, mostly involving daft workload due to covid, made me jump at an easy offer on the Gti from the dealer.
I'm regretting it now, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
But it will, absolutely 100%, be my last ICE car and I doubt I will see the full 4 years out.
I reckon 2 years max on this thing, or sooner if money allows.
I don't hate it, but I don't like it either, not even close.

Agree, last lap on an ICE for me it will be EV next if charging stations improve and the actual realistic range of new models. EV potentially offer longer ownership and less moving parts, so long as the batteries last. Perhaps it's the modern roads and traffic which don't lend themselves to GTI motoring, it's either full on congestion bumper to tail or watching for average speed cameras. The pleasure found in driving is diminishing return.

[Andy Beats]

Agree, last lap on an ICE for me it will be EV next if charging stations improve and the actual realistic range of new models. EV potentially offer longer ownership and less moving parts, so long as the batteries last. Perhaps it's the modern roads and traffic which don't lend themselves to GTI motoring, it's either full on congestion bumper to tail or watching for average speed cameras. The pleasure found in driving is diminishing return.

You've no worries on the battery life front, the results have proven to be remarkable.
As an example, an EV website recently bought a 6 year old Renault Zoe and it still had 96% capacity.
Given even a brand new battery will never be 100%, it was effectively as good as new.
Nissan Leaf batteries are equally resilient, it's really just not an issue.

[vc-10]

I'm actively looking at ID.3s

[Andy Beats]

I'm actively looking at ID.3s

I like the ID3 but, under admittedly casual browsing, it looks like only the very top models get alloys?
The others have steel wheels with plastic wheel trims (!!!!) and they look abysmal.
You can maybe spec alloys on the lower models, but it's a weird standard spec choice.
I think I could get a 60KW Leaf for the same or less money than an ID3 and I'd be happy enough with that.
I don't need the range of the 60KW, but the equivalent of 217PS would be nice (compared with 150PS on the 40KW)
The instant and seemless acceleration of a 217PS electric car must be cool as hell.

[SRGTD]

I'm actively looking at ID.3s

I like the ID3 but, under admittedly casual browsing, it looks like only the very top models get alloys?
The others have steel wheels with plastic wheel trims (!!!!) and they look abysmal.
You can maybe spec alloys on the lower models, but it's a weird standard spec choice.

Yes, alloys are an extra cost option on the Life and Business models of the ID3; there are 4 different styles / prices to choose from. Alternatively, there’s always the option of going for a decent set of aftermarket alloys.

[Simonz]

I'm actively looking at ID.3s

Not sure if it's just me but they look a bit ugly and bulky, like a jelly mould MPV. The Zoe or Leaf at least seem like a normal looking car, not trying too hard to be radical.

[Mike222]

I Am sure I haven’t imagined it but I have read somewhere about a Polo sized electric VW ID 1 or 2 ? For 2022

[SRGTD]

I'm actively looking at ID.3s

Not sure if it's just me but they look a bit ugly and bulky, like a jelly mould MPV. The Zoe or Leaf at least seem like a normal looking car, not trying too hard to be radical.

I don’t mind the way it looks - apart from that strange gloss black bulging panel that sits between the bottom on the windscreen and trailing edge of the bonnet. Whatever it’s purpose, it looks like an afterthought.

C045F147-E7DB-4AED-8C6F-7AD5A588C1B9.jpeg (77.47 KiB) Viewed 1871 times

The ID3 has got quite a smiley ‘face’, whereas the new Golf’s face makes it look as if it’s scowling and gives it quite an angry look. Maybe that’s a deliberate ploy on VW’s part to tempt potential buyers away from the Golf and towards the ID3.

I’m not too keen on the ID3’s interior though, which IMO looks as if it’s been built on the cheap and is a bit too minimalist for my liking.

[SRGTD]

I Am sure I haven’t imagined it but I have read somewhere about a Polo sized electric VW ID 1 or 2 ? For 2022

VW will no doubt build an all electric Polo sized car to add to their electric car model range that’ll enable them to compete in the small electric car segment of the market.

[Andy Beats]

I like the fact VW aren't just stuffing EV workings into their existing cars.
My tastes in EVs are restricted to those cars that have been designed as EVs from the beginning and are unmistakably electric, no chance that it might be an ICE version.
Basically restricted me to the Zoe and Leaf at the time I drove an EV, but more choice now.
Zoe and Leaf are still damned fine cars though.