It is. The majority of the cost is baked into the prep process more so than the coating itself. Unfortunately they don't scale the pricing for a new car vs an old one so it is what it is. I have the skills and tools to DIY so I'll just do that.

 

I was surprised at the quote for the ceramic coating. The car was pretty much new and didn't need any real attention regarding paint correction. I ordered the supplies and used my wife's car as a test - which did need some additional attention - and I think the process was fairly straightforward. It was very time consuming but I'm happy with the results so far. Did the Volvo this past weekend and am glad I didn't shell out the cash for a shop to do it.

 

My only roadblock to DIY, is not having a garage. No way to ensure the paint stays pristine while doing to correction & ceramic application.

 

Subaru done fucked up the WRX. They dropped the STi and made the WRX look horrible, especially with all of the black cladding. It's a joke, now. Offering it with a CVT as well. Performance cars and hatchbacks are dropping like flies. It sucks.

 

^ And to get the GT, with things like the adaptive dampers, you have to get the CVT [which they call the 'Subaru Performance Transmission'] Nothing 'Performance' about a CVT.

 

Lots of Plastic on that ass.

 

Like a Kardashian?!?!

 

Seeing more Golf Rs come in/available across the country.

Local dealer emailed me a couple of days ago saying they are getting an allocation for a 6MT in White and asked if I was interested. I said yes and please send me the info.

They listed it on their website for $53,153. Bunch of jerks. I said I would put a deposit down right now for it at MSRP. This is their reply:

"The MSRP is 46658. Due to demand and limited availability, the sales price I provided would be our best figures. From what we've seen, that figure would put it as the lowest priced R in the state at the moment and lower than the $10k average mark up nationally we've observed over the last year. Are your ready to move forward with securing this incredible ride?"

Absolutely terrible to see dealers taking advantage like this. I will not buy it over sticker and I don't care if I have to wait forever or buy a different car. ST is still a blast to drive every day.

 

Just wait it out.

PS - please reconsider the DSG.

 

This will end and will end soon. The car market is rapidly shifting and the Golf R isn't some rare or limited run car either. Dealers are going to get caught with their pants down soon and you'll be able to snag one for less than MSRP. High interest rates are going to smack them hard.

 

I shot out three or four emails to dealers that have one in stock or on the way. Here's another response:

"I wanted to reach out and let you know that we do have a Golf R here and in stock. However, with such high demand for this vehicle, we will be doing an in person raffle for the Vehicle. The raffle will be taking place this upcoming Saturday at 1PM. Would you be interested in taking part in the raffle for the car?"

Talk about laugh out loud... are there gold bars under the trunk floor?!

I should pretty much forget about it and start planning for something else. I do believe the market will get better, Sam. But there might be too many people like me waiting and I'll never get a chance.

I'm definitely going to wait it out but if a dealer said they'd give it to me at MSRP (laughable to think now I guess) then I would jump all over it. But I should just save my time and effort and wait.

I do understand how great of a transmission the DSG is but I know that 100% of me wants another manual transmission before they go away forever besides in select sports cars. It sucks that I'm limiting myself this way but my heart is set on three pedals.

 

Also, Cars.com shows 19 in 6MT and 3 in auto/DSG, so it may be even harder to find a DSG if someone wanted one.

 

Saw a new Golf R on a transport today, white with the blue mirrors (Anniversary Edition?)
Only saw it briefly, but looked good & better than the GTI that was also on the transport.

 

Nevermind, that dealer that is raffling it seems to be doing the honorable thing and selling it at MSRP plus a couple of things to the lucky winner. That's great to see. Too bad it's in a different state and I can't attend. 1/200 is a lot better than the lottery these days...

 

as long as those window tint and clear bar dont cost $5k, i think it is fair.

 

Don't lose hope man, you'll get one. Like I said, these aren't a limited production run. Keep pinging dealers around the country and don't be afraid to fly out somewhere and drive it back home.

 

If you have to have a manual, budget a clutch upgrade. You'll be lucky if the stock one lasts 20k miles.

 

Seriously?! Under normal non-abusive driving? The clutch in my ST is great even still at 102k+ miles...

Okay last anecdote from another dealer I contacted:

If people didn't budge at these marked up prices, no one would buy them and the dealers would be forced to reduce the price. But scour the internet and you'll see plenty of people posting they happily paid $5-10k over MSRP just to get one. Idiots...

I will continue waiting.

 

Pass on markups.
But, I've only ever bought 1 car new.
CPO & Pre-owned FTW in my case.

 

Markups are stupid. And the market is going to continue to soften. However, I begrudgingly paid a little over markup due to a few EOY factors with the tax rebates changing. Still felt terrible doing so but I did some mental gymnastics with myself to eventually get on board.

 

with Subaru, they are not supposed to markup prices, but when I was at a dealership the other day (I already have a new Subaru in Vancouver, but I'm visiting family in SoCal), just looking for a certain something at the parts department, I walked around the lot and was curious how many Outback Wilderness they had... I believe dealerships are starting to get them in slowly, and not as bad of a waiting period vs a couple of months ago (unless you want a specific color)... I noticed of the 3 they had, ALL of them had an extra charge for the ceramic coating, as if it's already applied and you don't have a choice. It was a $1600 add-on I guess that's how they kinda, sorta get you

 

I bought my Subaru Outback (2016) at the #1 dealer (volume I think) in the US (Heuberger). Walked around, they said the price in the window is what you pay. Pretty simple. So I took a slightly hail damaged car for $5K off sticker. But very straight forward. I should go poke my head in there and see what they are offering. Just to see if they are marking things up like you say.

 

For that price I would rather have a low miles used Audi S4. Just sayin'

 

Not too many dealerships around here marking things up. I know two people who bought Outback Wilderness models in the past few months that paid either MSRP or a little less than that. We paid $5k under MSRP for our Ascent in early 2021.

Regarding the Golf R, it's not sustainable and as supply increases, demand will go down. Don't worry, you'll get one. I paid $3k under sticker for mine in 2018, just had to travel to Buffalo NY to get it.

For the clutch thing, is that at stock power outputs or tuned? If the clutch takes a dump at 20k miles, you could probably get that replaced under warranty since that's ridiculous. That's like the life of a Ferrari clutch lol.

 

People in the Facebook groups have had clutches fail on an otherwise stock car and VW sometimes covered it and sometimes didn't. Depends on the dealer.

Mine started to slip at 8k miles, 7k of which was stage 1 (it literally started to slip on the drive after the downpipe install for stage 2).

The part number for the mk8 is the same as the mk7 (and both GTI and R share clutches) despite the higher power rating - though, VW did limit torque on the 6MT model because they know it can't handle more.

 

Damn. Good reason to go DSG then, that trans can handle a shitload more power.

 

Yep. And crank-walk issues have been reported too, mostly on the manuals. It has impacted DSGs too but it seems to be more prevalent in the manuals.

This is specific to the mk7 but the mk8 uses the same block and crank bearings.

 

 

I need to see a Pagani in person. Not want to. I NEED to.

 

 

 

Zonda > Huayra

 

Saw the new Pri-ass on the road yesterday. I’ll admit it looks good in person. Sleek.

 

What a world we live in when a Prius is better looking than a BMW M3.

 

Or an Acura?

 

The new Prius is surprisingly good looking.
Can't say I'd be in the market for one, but it's much less polarizing in appearance.

RE: Acura. Not sure if it's just me, but the new Integra radio commercial is odd.
Sounds like the voiceover guy is saying "The new Acura Tegra"

 

Bite. Your. Tongue.

 

Acura went the way of the dodo a while ago.

 

The Huayra may be a better car, but I've always loved the look of the Zonda.

 

I used to think the same when the Huayra came out, until I saw this - at SEMA 2017 - the car with certain specs is just