2025 VW Golf R at MSRP, planning ahead?

[TheRobSJ]

The plate says Rob, as in, to Rob?

A little play on the model of Corvette it is. My old V Rod had a plate that read “HDVROB”

 

[TheRobSJ]

ask parking lot for camera footage?

Mall security can’t access it unless they get a San Jose Police case number. I reported it that day on the SJPD website (where they directed me to after I called on the phone) and got a “temporary tracking number” which would follow with a case number within five business days. A full week later and nothing.

Mall security actually followed up and asked if I had a SJPD case number yet. That was a surprise as to which of the two was actually interested in doing their job.

 

[ctwo]

Mall security actually followed up and asked if I had a SJPD case number yet. That was a surprise as to which of the two was actually interested in doing their job.

Lol, you mad their day

 

[bojangle]

A little play on the model of Corvette it is. My old V Rod had a plate that read “HDVROB”

I mean, kind asking to be "robbed"...

 

[900ss]

Back to my original subject; Salinas VW, from whom we bought my R and my wife's 2019 GTI Autobahn called yesterday. Long story short, I told him about the offer from Tracy, and he stated he will go to bat with his manger to make me a three-peat customer. He knows I won't give anything over MSRP.

I like pitting dealers agains each other....

 

[FXCLM5]

What are you shooting for? Always get your offer in writing and try to make your local dealer beat it. Did this for last 2 cars, one beat it and previously one before that they lot traded the unit from a dealer like 150+ miles away from me.

Also 500 miles from my zip code have plethora of dealers advertising 1000-2500 off the 1.5 and 2.0 gulf r.

 

[900ss]

No problem, I will play them against each other and am very patient. I helped a coworker buy a Lexus E350h in September. We killed them..... They took off $730.00 of dealer add-ons, including $200.00 for nitrogen filled tires We beat them down far below MSRP and got a premium for her trade-in.

Many years ago I stopped being intimidated by the dealer game. It's a lot of fun because I never NEED a car, and knowing that once the deal is done I will write a check. I have no problem tapping my shoulder blades and telling them this is what they are about to see. Fuck 'em.

One of my favorite encounters was exploring buying a 2000 Audi S4 whizbang something or other for my wife. I told Gordon, the salesman, that he needed to talk to my wife as it would be her car. Idiot kept talking to me. "Gordon - my wife is to my right-we are done talking". In his office he penned his four-square and got pissed when I told him to put it away - he still wasn't addressing my wife. He asked what I am trying to do - I told him I am keeping as much of my money in my pocket instead of putting it in your store's. It went downhill really fast after that for him. Tapped my shoulder blades on the way out. Poor Gordon.... I wonder what he is doing now? She ended with a Volvo S80T6 at MSRP. What a splendid car that was, until it wasn't at the end of the warranty. Electrical gremlins abounded.

 

[Holeshot]

Suggestion: Work up from invoice, not down from MSRP. They'll tell about limited stock, but from what I know; speciality units aren't flying off the shelves in that price range. RobSJ may have more info from his VP.

 

[TheRobSJ]

I told Gordon, the salesman, that he needed to talk to my wife as it would be her car. Idiot kept talking to me. "Gordon - my wife is to my right-we are done talking". In his office he penned his four-square and got pissed when I told him to put it away - he still wasn't addressing my wife.

Shocking how stupid salesmen are sometimes. If a couple comes on the lot, that’s the first friggin. Question you ask is who’s the car for. You want to see some smart ones, go to a jewelry store with your wife. Oh they’ll small talk you, but no mistake about it, all the “selling” is done to her. Once they’ve closed her, then she takes over and sells you to pay for it.

 

[TheRobSJ]

Suggestion: Work up from invoice, not down from MSRP. They'll tell about limited stock, but from what I know; speciality units aren't flying off the shelves in that price range. RobSJ may have more info from his VP.

It really does depend on how many days in inventory and how many more they will get for the year. Even if it’s been on the ground for 5 months, if they won’t get many more, they’ll hold the gross on it and not get desperate till it’s a model year behind.

Not too long ago when we had “supply chain” shortages, even common F-150s were treated like a Raptor. They held gross on everything. It was quality over quantity deals, and I think many dealers made just as much profit from maybe 1/4 the car count.

 

[FXCLM5]

It really does depend on how many days in inventory and how many more they will get for the year. Even if it’s been on the ground for 5 months, if they won’t get many more, they’ll hold the gross on it and not get desperate till it’s a model year behind.

Not too long ago when we had “supply chain” shortages, even common F-150s were treated like a Raptor. They held gross on everything. It was quality over quantity deals, and I think many dealers made just as much profit from maybe 1/4 the car count.

It's interesting, in 2018 I got my ram for like 33%+ off MSRP for a leftover 2017

Same dealer right now won't budge on a 2023 model that they have like 7 of. Wrangler 4xe, these should be on fire sale since 2024 and 2025 MSRP kept reducing year by year. Not sure why they ain't trying to play ball, those battery packs prolly been sitting with no charge for 2+ years meow.

This was what happened when I try to test drive a brand new 2023 Hyundai plug in, so dead they can't jump it to even move it out

 

[TheRobSJ]

It's interesting, in 2018 I got my ram for like 33%+ off MSRP for a leftover 2017

Same dealer right now won't budge on a 2023 model that they have like 7 of. Wrangler 4xe, these should be on fire sale since 2024 and 2025 MSRP kept reducing year by year. Not sure why they ain't trying to play ball, those battery packs prolly been sitting with no charge for 2+ years meow.

This was what happened when I try to test drive a brand new 2023 Hyundai plug in, so dead they can't jump it to even move it out

Damn a 4Xe they are holding the line on? Well I may have an explanation.

When a car sits for soooooo long, like 2 years kinda long, the manufacturer doesn’t have any incentives anymore. You have a model year changeover like 24 to 25, and if there’s a pretty good national inventory of 24s still out there the manufacturer will put out an incentive to clear those off lots. The incentive expires after 3 months or maybe 6, but it eventually goes away. So the dealers that don’t clear that old stock get stuck holding the bag and now if they want to heavily discount off MSRP, it comes out of their pocket.

I was looking at the Grand Cherokee 4Xe a little over a year ago because they were offering some crazy discounts on them. I seem to remember the Wranglers were in that same boat. Those plug in hybrids have a huge price hike over their standard ICE versions, and I don’t think people wanted to pay that. So a ton of 4Xe inventory built up. Seems as if that inventory is still sitting there.

Jeep reliability isn’t exactly stellar right now to begin with. Now you complicate it with electrifications. Knowing that, I was going to lease the GC. If you’re going for that Wrangler 4Xe, I suggest making that a rental.

 

[CDONA]

I have a "thing" for the new VW bus, For some reason I want one, almost talked myself into it.
I would have to be moved in to my new house, to make it work. Rig & ram gone. But, so much $$$$.

I finally figured out what this bus looks like, the high belt line, low glass on top.
Take a side view of a 50's designed diesel locomotive, one with a two panel windshield.
Paint that with detail, say Santa Fe colors and you have a mini loco, for funs.

 

[Holeshot]

A Golf R is now just under $50K. Man....that's spendy, IMO.

 

[TheRobSJ]

I have a "thing" for the new VW bus, For some reason I want one,

Same. It’s probably the only EV I’d actually like to have other than perhaps the upcoming Scout.

Just something about its whole neo-retro thing it’s got going on seems to be enough of a gimmick for me to want it. That said, I’m sure it’s absurdly boring to drive.

 

[900ss]

A Golf R is now just under $50K. Man....that's spendy, IMO.

Indeed, not cheap, but the fun factor for me is extremely high. It ticks all my boxes.

 

[Dmitriy]

based on the fact that none of the electronics or batteries are standardized I would not buy a full EV unless it was dirt cheap.
Chances of repair by a 3rd party shop being cheap are very low. no?

 

[900ss]

I picked up a 2025 Golf R with the Euro package today from Fairfield VW. This was the best buying experience I have had for a new car, they are good folks.

The sales manager at Tracy VW emailed me just before Christmas that they would sell me one at MSRP. This week the quote said otherwise; added $10K stealership ripoff, and they would not budge. Fairfield stated this morning they would sell at MSRP and they did. The sales guy told me while doing the paperwork that he f'ed up and was supposed to add $5k markup; problem is, he wasn't told that beforehand. It is the first 2025 they have sold. Yessssss....... I walked in with a cashier's check for MSRP etc, and then sold them my 2018 for a great price. Another win for me, I have always sold to private parties.

It is white, and I can see swirls in the paint. Any suggestions for a shop or individual that can properly detail and protect the paint? I am not sure that ceramic coating is the way to go from what I have read. Yes, I could give it a good and thorough clay bar and wax job myself, but I am frankly too lazy. I am in San Jose. I had my 2018 tinted at a shop on the peninsula, recommendations for a shop more local to me will be appreciated.

The wheels on this thing look amazing, and weigh 18lbs each. I am dreading my first pothole hit.

The grey 2018 is the one I sold to them.

 

[ThumperX]

Holeshot is your guy to ask about getting rid of detail swirls.

Congratulations!! Great car.

 

[Holeshot]

Brand new and swirls in the paint? Graphene is the new hotness for coatings. You’re kinda far, otherwise we could probably rip it out on an afternoon. Is the whole car needing paint correction? Suggest PPF and graphene.