My MK5 GTI ownership year one

I have been looking for a GTI as per my 1st blog finding "the one" for a while,(https://pietverrassing.wixsite.com/thrustbee/post/why-i-bought-a-gti-and-how-i-found-the-perfect-one), I had to find something where I can accommodate my Need for Speed and the family. At the time I decided that my Company vehicle was not cutting it for me. I drive a Polo 6R as a company vehicle and was very excited when we changed from the 6S model to 6R Vivo. The change was a very lekker upgrade as the vehicle is bigger and a good change as we have been driving Vivo's since they were launched. Very reliable, very fuel efficient, very slow, but a tough little bugger.

I have had good experiences with all of them, but my petrol fueled blood needed a bit more. The GTI was always something that I wanted, I had to go through a couple of life experiences and bought my house. At my time of looking for my GTI I had to decide as I had to conform to a budget. I know very boring but still a lekker challenge. The fun experience of looking for a good car at a budget was exciting. When I bought and decided on the GTI of my dreams, I had to decide MK5 or MK6 and even very high mileage MK7 at a stretch. I looked at cars at different locations and made up my mind to rather get a MK5 in very good condition as the driving experience to me was not so much different between the MK6 vs the MK5.

I really want a MK7 and drove a Clubsport S just for fun. Completely out of my price bracket. One thing to note though is that the prices on these have actually stayed very very stable and even increased since I drove that one about a year and a half ago.

My thinking is that the car should not cost me to much during the time that I own it, and if I want to sell it I want to not lose money on it. I would be very happy if I can even make money. When I got the GTI MK5 I took it for a service once I received it, just to make sure that everything has been checked out mechanically, even though it has a full service history, I just felt that I would like a clean start. Did a full service and a tappet cover as it had a little bit of a build up. We have changed spark plugs, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter, sump plug gasket and of course new oil. When I received it back I knew that I can drive it without any major concerns as I knew it was checked over by my preferred mechanic / VW specialist.

My kilometer reading at time of collecting vehicle from "new" to me until my 1st yearly interval is about 11000 km, and the biggest thing that I had to do this time around was my brakes. I decided that I will change brake pads in the front and also the disc. I had about 2 mm left on the pads and I could have continued using them, but for the best decision to take care of my car properly, I decided to do the brakes. I want to have a peaceful ownership experience. If I want to drive the vehicle to Cape Town, I do not want to have to worry about brakes. The car is completely safe to drive for any journey.

The importance of maintenance for your car is vital, especially if you love your car. I know that we are working our towards improvement and sometimes these things take second place, but remember the time and money spent on your vehicle is about planning, make your vehicle maintenance a part of your yearly financial spend. Book it in the one month that you know that you will have extra cash. The money you have to spend there will be saving you money in the long run.

I feel that planning and loving and caring for your dream car is as important as owning it.

Enjoy the Journey.