Discussion
I've been thinking recently about what car I should get next to replace my BMW 318i. I do like my Bimmer but it think its more to do with the badge than any thing, the performance isn't great and I cant really describe the ride as anything more than comfy.
I had been thinking along the lines of getting something like a freelander or celica, until I came across the polo GTI on auto trader. I've never really been a fan of small cars but I do like the look of this little hot hatch.
What I wanted to know is had anyone had any experiance with these cars? Are they as fun to drive as the looks and stats seem to suggest, or would I better off with its bigger brother the golf?
I had been thinking along the lines of getting something like a freelander or celica, until I came across the polo GTI on auto trader. I've never really been a fan of small cars but I do like the look of this little hot hatch.
What I wanted to know is had anyone had any experiance with these cars? Are they as fun to drive as the looks and stats seem to suggest, or would I better off with its bigger brother the golf?
ah be ready to hear loads of stories about how the GTI gearboxes are weak, blow apart and cost thousands. Its not the case. there is a known problem with the gearbox but its one that can be dealt with for £395 + VAT and thats to have a strengthened pinnion and instead of rivits proper bolts to old the case together. The engines are revvy an reasonably powerful but there is very limited scope to get more power out of them once you become used to the 125hp.
for £3k a seat ibiza curpa with the 20vt engine could well be a better bet.
dave
for £3k a seat ibiza curpa with the 20vt engine could well be a better bet.
dave
The gearbox is a weak point and can fail. But as said it can be fixed.
I had one for two years. Great car, (some are) well equipped and has smart interior.
Things to watch out for are: gearbox(as said), also pedal box is weak on these and can fail. Mine was fixed by VW before I bought it but it failed again not long after I sold it. Clutch pedal can be quite heavy for such a small car. Gearbox is notchy and when cold is reluctant to go into 1st. The BBS alloys can get tatty as the water gets under the laquer but they can be split and refurbed easily enough. Brakes are a bit poo and benefit well from an upgrade. Interior door handles have a strange rubber coating on them which tends to peel off with age. These can be replaced for not a lot of money.
Equipment levels vary - some came with leather, most with cloth with the '1' on the seats. Some had air-con, some had Climatronic, some had neither. Others had a sunroof with or without air-con/Climatronic. Some had just the Gamma headunit, others had this with 6-disc boot-mounted changer, others had a 6-disc in-dash changer
Mine made 131bhp as standard and then I fitted a closed BMC filter to it. Really made a difference to the sound as it sits quite close to the bulkhead. Nice rasp to it. Not sure about extra ponies though.
Here is a pic of mine:
I had one for two years. Great car, (some are) well equipped and has smart interior.
Things to watch out for are: gearbox(as said), also pedal box is weak on these and can fail. Mine was fixed by VW before I bought it but it failed again not long after I sold it. Clutch pedal can be quite heavy for such a small car. Gearbox is notchy and when cold is reluctant to go into 1st. The BBS alloys can get tatty as the water gets under the laquer but they can be split and refurbed easily enough. Brakes are a bit poo and benefit well from an upgrade. Interior door handles have a strange rubber coating on them which tends to peel off with age. These can be replaced for not a lot of money.
Equipment levels vary - some came with leather, most with cloth with the '1' on the seats. Some had air-con, some had Climatronic, some had neither. Others had a sunroof with or without air-con/Climatronic. Some had just the Gamma headunit, others had this with 6-disc boot-mounted changer, others had a 6-disc in-dash changer
Mine made 131bhp as standard and then I fitted a closed BMC filter to it. Really made a difference to the sound as it sits quite close to the bulkhead. Nice rasp to it. Not sure about extra ponies though.
Here is a pic of mine:
Get one. Not the best of the best hot hatches as I understand it, but it is different and I bet will make a refreshing and interesting change to the 318i yet should be equally dependable. Nothing wrong with a 318i at all but it doesn't exactly bring out the youthful exuberance in you...
I've got one, they are pretty good little cars, but not that fast. Its pretty good to chuck around though (not as good as the Mini though) Mine has done 105k on the original box with no problems, and other than a CV joint its been reliable as anything in the year and 16k I've had it. My wheels are tatty and I did get a quote to get them re-done, but I was looking at £200 each to get them done, so decided against it as its my daily hack. There is loads of space in the boot too which is a bonus, except ones with the CD changer where it protrudes into the space a fair bit.
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