The First Week With My MK7 Golf

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
08/30/2014 at 18:22 • Filed to: None

The 23rd of August is a day I will never forget. It was the first time I drove a manual turbocharged car, a brand new car with a manual transmission, the first time I experienced start/stop as well as a touchscreen stereo. All those and many more firsts happened that day, and another one of those things was the fact that I was driving my first ever brand new car. My New MK7 Volkswagen Golf.

Before Delivery:

One Tuesday afternoon I had finally decided on the specs and on the equipment of my car. Which was as hard a decision as choosing between knowing every language or the ability to master every instrument, but in the end I was completely satisfied of my choice. It would be a Comfortline Manual, With The Sport Package, Parktronic Package, in Tornado red with Black Leatherette interior. The deposit was made, and the ordered was sent to the nearby Puebla plant. It was 4 days of agonising patience. But then, as thursday went by, I was going home from school and as always, I glanced at the VW dealership just to see if something arrived that caught my attention. There was a lot of traffic, as well as several buses, but what I did get to see, was the shape of an oddly bright red roof that only extended halfway, where the rest was covered in black glass. Further down in road and in my rear view mirror of my mothers Expedition I saw it, my car had finally arrived!

I made a quick U-Turn and tried to get to the dealership as fast as I could. And each yard I got closer, my heart pumped faster, right until I was face to face with my Golf. The excitement is only one that I have felt in very little ocasions, and right there I knew that the wait was well worth it. I called my girlfriend and sent her a picture, as well as my mother and my father which were all extremely excited. Later that afternoon, we went to the dealership to agree on a delivery date, and were welcomed by our trusted salesman Oscar with the keys of my car. Sitting in it, and feeling the steering wheel, and looking at how brilliant my color choices looked, I smiled back at my father in admiration and appreciation.

We went into the dealership, and we accorded the date of delivery. Saturday afternoon, at 12 P.M.

Day of Delivery:

I woke up at 7 A.M. feeling ecstatic, and I did my tradition of any great day. I served myself Oreos, milk, and saw a current episode I hadn't seen yet. What I do when a new Top Gear series comes out, is wait for just very special days to see them in, so I am still less than halfway through the 21st Season. I went downstairs to the kitchen, and I ate breakfast with my family. Time passed, and I prepared my Volkswagen Shirt and took a bath whilst my father got home from work. When he arrived, my mother and I got to his truck so we could all go for my car. The salesman wasn't there, but the Golf was, in its final detailing. Oscar would arrived in a few minutes, so it gave us a chance to take a good look at what will be my car for a long long time.

Oscar arrived, and we went to do the final paperwork at his familiar desk, signed papers, and got explanation of each owners manual. Then, we went to the Golf, and had a briefing of what every function was. He recommended me to rear it thoroughly, which I did later. Then, it was time to leave, I would take the wheel and my father was the co-pilot. Oscar took a photo of us in the car, and we slowly left the dealership, not knowing the bite point of the clutch or how the gears would engage.

It was one of the most nerve-racking moments of my life, but at the same time, one of the most enjoyable! I marvelled at the smoothness of everything, at the smell, at the equipment, and at how the car felt to drive. Everything was so fluidic, so solid, so Amazing to me. We took a long way and finally reached home, where I parked to read the hefty manuals. I passed page through page with even more happiness than before, and got to really know my car.

Then, since I wanted my girlfriend to be the first person to have a full ride in it, I went for her in my mothers Expedition. We would return home for the Golf later, but first, we went to eat some coconut shrimp. When we arrived home she was very delighted with the car. "It looks like its chubby and cute! Like a little fat red baby!" I couldn't agree with her more, the stubby looks make it look chubby in the nicest way possible. I gave her a tour outside and inside, and we went off to go for that drive.

I lost any real fear I had, and enjoyed the moment, then we headed to her house, and I took the chance to take some photos. The trip home was equally great, and as I arrived at the garage I knew I had made the right choice.

A Week After Day Of Delivery:

Day after day I got used to many new things this car introduced to me. A Turbo, a 6 speed manual, a very smooth clutch, light as a feather steering, touchcreen interface, start/stop, trip computer, and all other features I use every day. I adore the car every single time I drive it, and I get the same smile as I approach and leave it. I have now gone to the beach, to the theatre, to every possible road I could find (As long as it was well maintained), and to parking garages just to photograph it. Its always the same emotion I get when I turn the key, and drive off. Always the same emotion of knowing that the Bright Red Golf outside, is mine.

I care for it as well, as I have not driven with any kind of food, always clean any kind of dust, and have already washed the wheels twice from slight brake dust. Parking has always been trying to avoid cars around me, even if it means I have to walk a bit further.

Specs:

- 1.4L 140 HP 184 lb. Ft. of Torque Engine

-6 Speed Manual

-37 MPG City/ 61 MPG Highway/ 44 Combined

-Comfortline Manual Version

-Sport Pack ( 17 Inch Wheels, Panoramic Sunroof, Leatherette, Bluetooth Audio)

-Parktronic System (Parks The Car Itself In both Parallel and Box Parking, Sensors that show you how close you are to any given object both front and rear)

-Tornado Red Exterior, Black Leatherette interior.

Things To Point Out:

Excellent Performace, refinement, handling. I adore driving it.

Features are amazing to me. I like to see data of the vehicle, and this lets me know everything from MPGs from last fill up to showing me how far a homeless person is from touching the front bumper.

Practicality is perfect for me.

The Color really makes it stand out from any other. Its the most interesting color for this Generation of Golf IMHO

My Girlfriend, friends, family, always compliment the looks.

I have the only one in the city, so I get a lot of stares from everyone

Things I am Picky About:

Whilst the stereo is excellent, I thought it would have a little more depth and strength

Brake Dust seems to be constant

I am getting around 24 MPG, and the best I have had is about 38 MPG. Still though, its a new car and I almost always are in stop and go traffic

Overall:

- I LOVE IT.

Its safe to say I am utterly enjoying myself with this Golf and I will keep on doing it from years to come. Expect a Review of it soon, as my break in period finishes! Any questions about the car feel free to ask me!

DISCUSSION (47)

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 18:26

Kinja'd!!!

This song has the best drum solo evah!!!

ly2v8-Brian > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 18:33

Congratulations! I've been considering one of these (a three door) as a potential replacement for my truck if gas prices soar. Very informative.

Trevor Mohr > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 18:39

Congrats on your Mk7! I just got my Mk6 GTI Driver's Edition on Feb. 24th, and I've been loving it ever since! They're great cars, best of luck!

GhostZ > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 18:40

...how old are you?

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 18:58

So its not a GTI but has boost?...

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 19:25

We need a name for it. Like now.

Dsscats > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 19:40

Kinja'd!!!

We don't get these in the US

Dsscats > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
08/30/2014 at 19:44

TSi!

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Dsscats
08/30/2014 at 19:46

When does the K&N panel filter go in?

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
08/30/2014 at 19:50

I KNOW! I think Phil Collins is the official music figure of Oppo

Vicente Esteve > ly2v8-Brian
08/30/2014 at 19:52

Thanks! I think a three door would be even better than the 5 door. Issue is, Mexican VW doesn't sell them. I was quite surprised by the MPGs though, I think it rocks

Dsscats > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
08/30/2014 at 19:52

No idea, not my car :p

Vicente Esteve > Trevor Mohr
08/30/2014 at 19:52

Thank you very much! I was also in the market for the MK6, though it was going to be the 1.4 Turbo and Supercharged engine. In the end though, my father told me I was better off with a new car, so I got this!

Vicente Esteve > GhostZ
08/30/2014 at 19:53

17.6 Years old.

Vicente Esteve > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
08/30/2014 at 19:53

Yup! 1.4 TSI

Vicente Esteve > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
08/30/2014 at 19:54

I dont know if I want to add anything to the car yet. An air filter would be a nice addition though.

Vicente Esteve > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
08/30/2014 at 19:55

I think thats a great idea, and it is very funny because EVERYONE that knew me knew that my car was Oliver. And now everyone is asking me what its name is, and I mean anything from friends to adult teachers to my grandmother.

Vicente Esteve > Dsscats
08/30/2014 at 19:56

Nope! Thats a brand new MK4 Jetta named the Clasico! I am doing a VERY detailed article of its life and how it came to last all this time in the Mexican market. Next week it will be posted.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 19:58

I like Otto, because small German cars should have small German names like Otto, and because Otto sounds like a good thing for the son (spiritually) of Oliver to be called. Also, Otto sounds like Auto, which is what it is.

Of course, it is your car, so the responsibility of naming it falls on you.

GhostZ > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 20:00

So this is your parent's car? I figure you have to be at least 21 (maybe 18?) to buy a car in your name, much less have the credit history to be able to buy it without bringing cash. If you have the funds to buy this own your own at your age, more power to you, but is it actually your car?

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 20:01

Here you go: 1.4 Panel Filter

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Vicente Esteve > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
08/30/2014 at 20:02

Otto is a great suggestion. I thought of putting it a womans name, but I will make a post about this and see your suggestions.

Vicente Esteve > GhostZ
08/30/2014 at 20:04

No, it actually isn't MY car. As I didn't work for the car, nor I have the credit or age to buy it. Its on my fathers name, but he agreed to change the title as if he "sold" it to me when I turn 18.

GhostZ > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 20:05

Edit to my previous post: I didn't realize you weren't in the states, so now I'm very much interested in the age-requirements, financing, and other stuff behind getting a car where you're at.

Vicente Esteve > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
08/30/2014 at 20:05

Price is pretty good, though I would like to know if they just have an air filter for each Litre of engine (For example 2.0l or 3.5l), or if it actually specifies in some category.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 20:07

Woo! congrats on the car again man! Remember when I said it would look better in blue? I take my statement back. the Red makes it pop so much more!

I've had my GLI for exactly 2 weeks now then (wow.. time flies...)

ly2v8-Brian > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 20:07

That is weird. VW had a 3door at our local auto show. I fell in love with it. I was so nice, and it was only a base model. That red is great. Enjoy the car!

Vicente Esteve > GhostZ
08/30/2014 at 20:11

Absolutely. I am in Mexico, so we can drink at 18 (Though people really start at 16), you can vote when you are 18, and gamble when you are 21. You are considered an adult when you are 18 so you can have credit and put things under your name at that age.

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 20:11

Go on knfilters.com for that. I run a K&N panel in the Sable and with no intake silencer its really loud....

Vicente Esteve > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/30/2014 at 20:12

Thanks a lot Petar! Haha, I think red makes it stand out just enough to be interesting. Tornado Red FTW!

Vicente Esteve > ly2v8-Brian
08/30/2014 at 20:14

Even as a base model (Which essentially this is) It came with nice wheels, fog lamps, and the touchscreen. Here is a photo that another VW dealership sent me if I had bought the car absolutely base in the same color.

Kinja'd!!!

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 20:14

As a fellow Tornado red driver, I can say I love it!

..although I did see a white GLI autobahn 2 days ago, and it stuck with me... I think I know what my next VW is gonna be :P

Vicente Esteve > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
08/30/2014 at 20:15

Do you really feel a difference in response? I would guess so.

GhostZ > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 20:24

Interesting.

As for drinking, people start around 16 here too depending on where you are from. If you're in the southwest/southeast especially, people will be introduced to light alcohol before they're 15.

GhostZ > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 20:29

Ah, that makes sense. Still, it's nice to be able to drive it. There are some kids who can afford a new car at that age, but not without some extreme luck or underground dealings.

Personally, if offered to buy it at 18, I'd refuse and pick up an awesome beater car that won't crash in depreciation in a few years. The last thing you want is to be under your parent's thumb for what you can drive (and how).

Vicente Esteve > GhostZ
08/30/2014 at 20:36

I understand. Thing is, I live in such a small city that no cool cars are around for sale. Also, my father told me it was the car id have to keep for a very long time, so it made more sense to buy new. Also, my father didn't force me into buying it, I wanted it, and was pretty hard to convince him.

GhostZ > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 20:38

If you keep it for a long time, buying new is actually much worse and more expensive.

It's a good choice though. Keep in mind that I'm too economically-minded to justify buying any new car. I figure if you buy a car and resell it for less than you bought it for, you played the game wrong.

Vicente Esteve > GhostZ
08/30/2014 at 20:40

Good point on that, theres nothing wrong with your theory either!

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 20:44

Much better response than a paper filter.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 20:51

I think you are right.

GhostZ > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 21:13

I do it pretty frequently online here, but when you're calculating the cost of a vehicle, you need to take into account: 1. Purchase price (+total interest), resale price (est.), gas price, years of ownership, insurance, and maintenance.

For example, using USD because it's easier for me to look up:

2014 Golf 1.8T: $18995 starting MSRP

Est. Miles per year: 10,000
Resale price in 4 years (based off of 2011 golf prices) @ 50,000 miles: 30% lower (17k vs 12k) = $13200
Combined MPG: 37
Maintenence per year: $500 (tires + oil + manufacturer maintenence)

Ownership cost for 4 years:

Depreciation: $5800
Fuel for 40k miles: $4324 (Assuming $4 a gallon average)
Maintenence: $2000

Total: $12124

2004 Jaguar XJ-R, $12,000
Est. Miles per year: 10,000
Resale price in 4 years: $10,000 - $15,000 (they're heavily appreciating right now)
Combined MPG: 20
Maintenence per year: $1500

Ownership cost for 4 years:

Depreciation: $1000 to -$3000
Fuel for 40k miles: $8000 (Assuming $4 a gallon average)
Maintenence: $6000

Total: $15,000 to $11,000

The XJR is an extreme example, but you get what I mean. It's not much more expensive to own an older luxury car that's appreciating than it is to own a cheap economy car that's depreciating.

Vicente Esteve > GhostZ
08/30/2014 at 21:41

Wow, what a response. Thanks though, it really does help to prove your point. Thing is, there aren't any really cool used cars such as the Jaaag.

Alex B > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 21:49

Congrats! It's great when people get a car they really love. This generation of golf is the best yet. Your car looks great. Good choice. :)

Vicente Esteve > Alex B
08/30/2014 at 22:10

Thanks very much! I also like this gen a lot, its growing on me real quick!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vicente Esteve
08/30/2014 at 23:58

...

I want a new car dammit!

Congrats though, it looks great. Glad you like it.

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/31/2014 at 00:39

Thanks Steno. You'll feel this sooner than later, just you wait and see.

Trevor Mohr > Vicente Esteve
08/31/2014 at 22:34

They're all great cars. This is my first VW, but I will certainly have another. :D