Polo GTi 1.4 TSi 180ps

[Andy OH]

My son is thinking of buying a 2011/2012 Polo GTi 1.4 TSi 180 PS.

Are these cars reliable in standard form and if any of the PH VW members have owned one can you please let me know the experience you had with the car and any problems you've had.

I am aware there was a problem with the cars going through quite a bit of oil but did this ever get sorted out with VW via a recall?

Any response would be really helpful so I can pass these on to my son.

Many thanks.

[Andy OH]

Thanks for all your replies, some interesting replies.

He's unsure about one now purely based on some of the horror stories he's read on the internet about engine failure etc. His other choice is the current Fiesta ST, so he's going to save a few more pennies and look at a Fiesta ST.

[Andy OH]

lxm said:

I would say AVOID AVOID AVOID! You would be a fool to put a considerable amount of cash into a car that has well documented faults with its engine, especially when the model is reaching a point where warranty is gone.

I have experienced a horror with another 'plagued' VW engine after reading many online reports, the timing chain driven petrols. The timing chain / tensioner went on my 2010 Polo with 60k on the clock at a cost of £1.9k to repair. If only I had seen the reports online before, I would have never bought the car!

Have you looked at the Ford Fiesta ST 1 or 2 ? They can be picked up with 5-20k on the clock for around £12,000

What he has read on different forums etc. is putting him off the Polo unless he buys one from a VW dealer that will come with a years warranty and then you can renew year on year, however, buying from a dealer will be expensive.

He is looking at either a Fiesta ST 2 or possibly a ST 3, again dependent on budget. He has driven a couple of ST's and they are a very good car. He's got a while yet to decide so he can keep saving.

[Andy OH]

the-photographer said:

Can he afford the insurance on; ED30 or MK6 GTI (later one or one with new camchain assembly)

Probably not at the moment as he's still only 17 and is looking to get another car for when he turns 18 and gets his first year NCB which is a couple of months away. Even on a Fiesta ST he's looking at around £1,200 to £1,300 fully comp insurance with a telemetric box for 3 months in the car.

[Andy OH]

lxm said:

Don't want to be a thorn in anyone's side, but I really don't get the whole deal with a brand new 18 year old driver getting a £10k+ car, especially with 150+ HP.

For a couple of reasons - I don't think its sensible, firstly a new driver shouldn't be driving a high powered car with NO experience, and the side of immaturity of being only 18, things can go seriously wrong. Secondly for the fact of cost, the insurance is going to be sky high if not 'fronted' and if the new driver does have a bump the cost to repair will be high.

What really miffs me is a parent supporting the idea. Madness! Priorities I guess....

I drove a 1997 1.4 'hi-torque' 65hp corsa B. Cost us £1800 at 15 years old with 40k on the clock as the 'kids car' for my sister and I. She drove it for 4 years and I drove it for a further 2 years with it reaching 100k miles before it needed scrapped.

Last year I moved onto a 'nicer' 2010 plate polo 1.2 70HP, after a couple of years driving, it made me realise what fun the scrapper was to drive.

Whatever you chose to drive as a second car is your choice. For the record, I am not fronting any insurance, the insurance will be solely in his name and he will pay for it, just like he's paid for his first years insurance in his own name on his current car, a 2007 Fiesta 1.25 Zetec. He will also be paying for the car. I would also welcome your definition of experience and when in your opinion one can move onto a 150hp+ car? When he gets his next car he will be roughly 18 1/2 years old and by then would have most likely driven around 25,000 miles on some of the busiest roads in and around London and the South East.

va1o said:

I think if he's 17 those are the wrong sort of cars to be looking at. I really don't think having that much power (and the DSG gearbox) is a good idea straight after passing your test

IMO He'd be better of looking at a more sedate and more reliable version like the Polo 1.2 TSI R-Line or Audi A1 1.2 TFSI S-Line. Nippy enough and sporty looks but still sensible.

At 17, and with very little experience I completely agree with you, however, when he gets his next car he would have been driving for 18 months and driven around 25,000 miles on some of the busiest roads in and around London and the South East. He is looking at one of these cars shortly after getting his first years no claims bonus which is when he'll actually be about 18 1/2. He already has a 2007 Fiesta 1.25 Zetec, so a 1.2 TSI Polo or A1 1.2 TSFI isn't what he's after. Also what is wrong with having a DSG gearbox, I don't quite get that!

[Andy OH]

va1o said:

Sorry I thought you meant this was his first car at 17, I guess if its a second car at 18 then DSG and a bit of power isn't so bad. I was 23 when I got my GTI DSG and scared myself a couple of times when I first got it as wasn't used to that level of performance!

Having said that if he's doing 25k miles in 18-months diesel might be a better option

He has considered the option of a diesel, but it looks like he may well be getting a company van later this year, if that does happen he can then keep the mileage down on whatever car he has.