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Experience of trying to sell my used VW Golf GTE
When Volkswagen announced the launch of the Volkswagen Golf GTE, I knew that somewhere along the line I had to have one. I’m not sure whether it was the technology or the environmental reasons, I just felt like it was a good move.
I am someone who works in the motor trade and have done now for 15 years, I am lucky enough to see car launches, drive cars before most people and be able to evaluate cars on a long term basis.
I’ve had many cars over the year from Audi to BMW, to Mercedes and even Land Rover. But each time, my heart lands me in a VW Golf. THey are just comfortable, fun to drive and include lots of tech.
Forget Dieselgate, the VW Golf GTD is one of the best all round cars on the market. Its nippy, it economical and for us in the motortrade it holds its money well.
So when Volkswagen annouced they were doing a 1.4 TFSi engine mated with an electric motor that could produce around 200ps and even do 28 miles on the clock, I was all in.
I ended up going for the 2nd generation GTE, or the Mk. 7.5 as VW liked to nickname the model. I bought it from a salesman at a local VW dealer, whom I have dealt with for a long time. He did me a fantastic deal on a VW PCP. We specced the car up with the Discover Navigation Pro, the Keyless Entry and went for the Atlantic Blue.
We had to wait a fair few weeks, but in June 2017 we were given the keys. Our initial drive was to Heathrow and it did not disappoint. Full tank of juice and a full battery, this thing averaged 44mpg all the way down.
On our daily commute to the office, we could get to work and back without the engine kicking in. Pre-programming in the car meant in the winter our heaters had already warmed the car up and the windows deiced, what a car.
Then one day, VW decided that they were going to put the VW Golf GTE on hold due to supply issues. This effectively meant that demand for the VW Golf GTE had risen. My dealer friend got in touch and asked about the possibility of buying the car back, which would not only wipe the finance off, but would give us our deposit and a bit of cash.
I said no at the time, I didn’t think my wife would be interested. Sometimes in the job we’re in, its nice…
