Choosing Between 3 Different Manuf Years: 2008, 2009, 2010

[euroharm]

Hello, I am about to purchase a MKIII, and I would like to know the main differences between year of manufactury of a car (2008, 2009, 2010). Eg., is 2009 significantly better by any attribute to 2008?

[Scorpiorefugee]

Not knowing what you are looking for makes it difficult to answer.

I've had a 98 MK1, a '52 Ghia and now own a '12 Titanium and offer the following personal and family viewpoints.

If you want a genuine MPV,

If you want a real 7 seater for adults,

If you want a comfortable vehicle with a pleasant driving and passenger experience,

If you want an economical and reliable true all purpose vehicle,

Go for a '98 MK1 Ghia TDI if you can find a well cared for example,

 

If you want an expensive and uncomfortable boneshaker, buy one like mine.

Henry ford is really back as the interiors come in any shade of black and the suspension seems to be based on an F1 car with some of the most uncomfortable seats I've found in 50 years and 2,000,000 miles of motoring. But that is progress. We now have cars with wheels where the valves cost more than the tyres which in turn may as well be solid rubber for all the good they do. 

 

Having spent a great deal of time looking around and trying to avoid the MK3 I came to the conclusion that, in spite of everything, it is still the best all round option in it's class and I regretably chose to go for a nearly new for warranty security only to find that the one size and colour fits all policy had been adopted but for some reason it didn't fit any of us. If you really want a MK3 can I suggest a 2L TDI Ghia as the best option although, unless you can find a Ghia X or Titanium X with light coloured leather interiors you might be happier with one of the cheaper versions which tend to come with a bit of colour in the interior. That way you could avoid having the neighbours thinking the Mafia has come to tea.  :43:  :43:

 

Good luck mate. You are going to need it together with a lot of patience  because there are not many out there to choose from.

Edited April 12, 2013 by Scorpiorefugee

[euroharm]

Hey, thanks for an answer ;)

 

Yes, I am about to purchase a new vehicle, but I already decided 'bout the generation - it's the MkIII, but what I want to know is, if the 2006 year model is any different to a 2010 one. I am asking this because I need to know my search criteria. If a 2006 is no different to 2010, then all the difference is mileage only.

[gregers]

no doubt a 10 reg spec will be a lot different from an 06 spec.

like on any car the makers throw things in them as standard where once the owner had to pay for it.

so i would check out what specs are around,www.parkers.co.uk might be a good 1 to look up,

and then set your sights accordingly.

[Scorpiorefugee]

Sorry if I missed the point but I think I should have done what you are doing and gone a bit older. I gave up trying to make sense of all of the different engines etc. and since there were so few about it made life very difficult. As I stand at the moment I am enjoying driving my wife's 04 Picasso more than the new Gal but it has to be a matter of what you want in a car. My original decision was to go for a Ghia 2L diesel as that seemed to be much the same throughout production until the arrival of the Zetecs etc. It is usually said that it was simply a name change but I am not convinced and new regulations seem to be creating a whole new load of potentially expensive problems on the most recent models. As far as I could determine the 2.0L diesel in the earlier range was based on the Mondeo engine and was well proven but I gave up trusting Ford dealer info years ago. I found a 59 Ghia about 6 months ago one owner and fully serviced from the local supplier and immaculate for £12K with 50k miles but SWMBO wanted a newer one which is why I have the one I have now and why I am trying to get my son to let me have my 52 Ghia back. More recent searches only produced older vehicles at higher prices and on the basis of "We can get this one in for you sir." I still very much regret not going for the 59 Ghia because it did not have heavily tinted windows, 17" wheels and run flat tyres which seem to be standard fitting on all of the new models. I did find that the earlier ones generally did not have the depressing all black interiors but cannot comment on much else other than to say that after an hour in my new one I felt as if I'd been sitting on a commode for an hour thanks to the severely hard bucket seating and SWMBO wasn't particularly impressed either but the depressive interior could have been partially responsible. Maybe some sunshine will help. :unsure:  :unsure:

One thing you always have to be aware of is the "Cost improved" models but the Ghia seemed to have survived that.

 

Again, good luck. 

Edited April 13, 2013 by Scorpiorefugee

[euroharm]

Thank you guys for a reply!

 

Complectation difference is pretty obvious, but are there any other differences, like chassis or something? Eg., I know a friend who bought a 2009 Passat B6, which is equal to B7, except for the looks. Older versions have different chassis, etc.

 

So that's what I want to find out: are there any other than complectation differences in year of manufactury?

 

(sorry for my bad English, I'm not native) :)

Edited April 14, 2013 by euroharm

[Scorpiorefugee]

The Mk1 and MK2 kept the same basic design/chassis for 10 years and I suspect that the MK3 will do the same. Variants and "Improvements" come from new (and usually expensively detrimental) regulations, tweaks to encourage owners to "Upgrade" and engine/gearbox choices. If you follow Gregers's advice and spend a lot of time making a nuisance of yourself because most of the supermarkets expect you to have done the research  and buy virtually "Off plan." Don't be attracted by a load of fancy extras unless you are a gadget freak and take your time. It may be worth waiting for the new registrations later in the year because that does seem to have the effect of increasing choice while reducing prices. Also, do be aware that in the age range of vehicle that you are looking at many are for sale because the previous owner gave up trying to fix an annoying, expensive or elusive problem so look at the warranty terms.The "Honestjohn.co.uk " website is a good source of information.

 

I can sympathise because I have just been through the same process, albeit with experience of earlier models and, while being faced with having to face a longish period of learning to love the new one, I am still reasonably happy that it was the only real option. I hope you end up with something you are happy with. 

 

Ron.

 

P.S. Please keep posting on your progress as this site relies on the experience of others to be a good source of help.

Edited April 14, 2013 by Scorpiorefugee