TheReflex

Autocar was sealed in plastic this week as it had a Volvo advertisement /supplement this week. Needless to say it went straight into the recycle box without being opened. The Scirocco review is a good read.

Everyone with a MKIV or derivative should get the de-lock done . I awoke one morning to find my Seat Leon Cupra R had been broken into via the same security 'flaw' . In my case the found the locking wheel nut and proceeded to nick my alloys. It is incredibly easy to break into a MKIV with out setting the alarm off. Frighteningly easy infact.

I've just picked up a new Nikon D40 for £250 from ebay and have to say I am delighted with it. The 350D and D40 seem to get similarish reviews as good entry level DSLR's. Can certainly recommend the D40 though and it's in your budget. Only downside I can see so far is the lack of AF lens motor in the camera body, which limits your glass choices, but stick a an 18-200 lens on it and it will do 99% of things you could ever want.

The R32 'woman' is very scary.

Armrest is a must have. As has been said, visually the cabin looks so much better. Also very useful, for DSG cars it is a no brainer,

Might be a tad over priced. You can usually pick them up for under £300 on E-bay.

Not much VAG history after spending my life in French hot hatches ( Fiat Coupe aside ) . 2004 - SEAT Leon Cupra R ( fastest car I've had but ate front tyres and Brembos) 2007 - VW Golf GTI ( nice, quality car )

[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Just got a call from the dealer. 56 GTI, 5 door, no options apart from 18 inch wheels. £18,400. Its dark blue though. I dont mind the colour but you dont see many around. What do we think about the colour and the price ??? [/ QUOTE ] The price sounds quite good to me - I assume average mileage and excellent condition (including non-kerbed alloys)? Might be worth checking that it's not an import too. Both dark blues look good (Shadow Blue & Blue Graphite Pearl)in my opinion but really need to be kept clean to look their best - although I guess you could argue that for any colour! I used to have a Golf Sport in Blue Graphite Pearl and kept clean and polished, it looked fab in the sunshine [/ QUOTE ] Agreed ...you could get a better specced, full UK spec EU imported car with with 2 years VW warranty on a 57 plate for less than £18400 . Worth throwing in the mix.

Sounds like a decent price and a nice colour. When I was looking for a new GTI earlier in the year you couldn't get a 2 year old car on 17"s from a VW deal for under £18k .

You need 18" Monza II's , that is a must have for Golf GTI's and the best £400 you will ever spend.

Mk VI is due out next Autumn with the GTI likely to follow up to a year later. The MK VI is being rushed out by VW as the MKV takes too long to produce compared to lesser cars like Atsras and Focuses. Looks like they will be cutting quite a few corners with the MK6 ( ie no independant rear suspension etc ) . I say live for today and get the MKV, it is a fantastic alround car.

This is going to be a very interesting car if it comes off. A VW TT

Got my GTi from SimpleDeal . They have deal with Norwich Union where you get a weeks free insurance to allow you to drive home with no hassles. Switched over to MoreThan a couple of days later no problem.

[ QUOTE ] I'm pretty sure that they do Seat as well. Which is funny as the stereo sounds better in the current Leon than the Golf [/ QUOTE ] It must be something to do with all that harsh shiny plastic in the new Leon's interior

I had it done last week. I was not informed as to what the ECU update affected, but it hasn't made any difference to performance. The car came back washed though so saved me a job over the weekend .