Let me tell you a tale.

A pal of mine who has also had the wisdom to buy a new RS last year recently found out his job was going to involve alot more miles and so thought he should maybe look into getting a diesel. He decided he would try and source a Gold GT TDI (150BHP) as he didn't want to lose the power he had become use to with the RS. So he found a 51 Sept 01 plate Golf here on Tyneside value

This has been something I have watched recently as when I first starting looking at the RS, both What Car and Auto express were given the 3 year retained value figure somewhere in the low 30%'s. Autoexpress has now up'd that to 42% and What Car now say 44% I think. This coupled with the fact that I have been unable to find a significantly reduced ex-demo (compared to the cost of a deal on new) would suggest values will hold. Not much in the 'family' sector can claim over 40%.

Of course the other side of this is that the Golf (150) PD is widely regarded as the best car in it's class as there isn't really anything else to touch it, therefore the dealer doesn't have to try too hard to sell them as they are walking out of the showrooms anyway ! Still a robbin' bastid though !!

I've always banked upon loosing 3-4K in the first few hours of owning a car. Especially on a "what will you give me for this car now in cash" basis.

I picked up a 6 month old 4x4 for 11,500 with 7800 miles on her. So looking at that I would say the garage is offering about the very lowest value, avg forecourt value less 1-2k markup.

Incidentally the reason I got mine so cheap (the original delaer were going to buy off the dealer to resell) was that the guy who had it emigrated and wanted a uk reg left hand drive car (Of to the rock) So he was quite possibly robbed on the price.

However I feel you could get more if it was not againt such a strong car, the PD150 is a cracking car and like you say selling themselves at present.

Perhaps he should consider a PD130 and if the performance is still an issue, talk to revo, apr etc as they can get the pd130/150 range to 180/307t.

Also I do hope in his wisdom he knows of Briskoda.net to talk him out of buying a golf anyway. Fitting cruise is good for the miles, you only live once, diesel will be taxed more soon, LPG mod be the first....i.e I think whatever he does he'll miss his vRS and that has to be avoided if possible 8)

I think the dealer in question is trying to shaft your mate. I got mine valued this weekend as its now almost a year old with 40K miles on it. My friendly dealer confided that book price for a year old at 12k miles bottom book is

When i sold my RS 3 months ago i got

I think there is still some difference between official book/main dealer opinion and what 'the man on the street' thinks of Skoda. And lets face it, what 'image' a car portrays is right up there where depreciation is concerned. In my opinion this will alter over the next couple of years, to the benefit of Skoda owners. I also believe that this shift in perception will have an adverse effect on VW owners, it's a cliche but their cars just aren't as good as they used to be. I'm not saying this to **** off Golf drivers but let's face it, they are buying into a 'lifestyle/image' thing. My car (Golf) is really no better than an Astra and probably not as good as a Focus, but I didn't want either of them, I wanted a Golf!

Skodas still don't hold their value terrifically well when put up against other VAG offerings, but from the response I get (and other members, I'm sure) when I tell people I'm changing to an Octavia, I would imagine that it's not going to be too long before more people get over the badge and all that goes with it.

Let the shouting begin.

Brian ,

Your dealer was obviously valuing a red , black or silver car at that price , yours is obviously worth at least 9K being YELLOW

While I'm not keen on the idea of "image" dragging a car's value down, it has worked in my favour recently. I got a top spec 180bhp car, with leather interior, 17" rims, sports styling, CD autochanger, climate control, front & rear disc brakes, etc... for only

Incidentally, I hear that people don't like to buy modified cars, therefore the resale value of your car actually goes DOWN when you modify it...[/quote:275e768e5e]

true to a point rob. depending on the mods, if nothing too mad is done, there are no problems selling your car to garages in the know about these things or a private sale to a fellow enthusiast, for example. it alldepends on what you do to the car.......

Indeed!

I'm sure if a 4x4 with APR chip were to come up for sale in the Northwest I'd know one person who would call me

I think with this car it will have to bea private sale when the time comes, a dealer is just not going to want it, well okay the dealer is, but to resell it perhaps not.

I half think I got mine so cheap is becasue the chap wanted it off his farm, it was tucked away behind the barns...it was a bit umm err right we'll be off feeling,but he acknowledged he liked it but wanted a quick sale, can't say quicker than 6 hours from web to view and shake The right person will pay the right price, will just take time of course. waffle waffle wanders off on a tangent again...