Polo 6N's

[LiamB]

May have just got best offer on one of these on eBay for my first car as I sorted and passed my test (First time ) last week, it's a 1.4 and in good condition with 61000 miles.



I have done some reading up about them, but would like some PH'ers experience good and bad if possible please?

Cheers

[Northernchimp]

Decent little cars, but they dissolve like a Berocca in the rain.

[Tunku]

OP, if you are buying the one in the picture, make sure you don't get the parking ticket.

[anonymous-user]

Generally robust, simple little cars really. As std, the base models don't handle that well, but some limited mods can fix that easy enough (i don't mean aftermarket springs and dampers, i mean going to a scrappy and getting those parts (and the rear beam with an ARB in it!) from the better models. Of course, being a new driver, check the insurance situation VERY carefully before you modify!

The 1.4 engine is ok, gutless at anything over about 5krpm, but actually drives decently enough below that.

[eltawater]

I had the five door version of that car (same trim, colour, engine) as my first car when I passed my test. Cracking little car, keep an eye on rust on the arches. Engine is OK, just learn to preserve momentum through corners.

Get the wheel alignment checked, it's easily knocked out and can wear through the tyres if you're not careful.

The throttle body and butterfly flap can get a bit mucky, leading to easy stalling. Learn how to remove the air filter, then clean the throttle body with a tooth brush and carb cleaner.

Distributer faults can be intermittent, general symptom is a sound like an American Indian war cry from under the bonnet.

[LiamB]

Tunku said:

OP, if you are buying the one in the picture, make sure you don't get the parking ticket.

it is the one in the picture


Thanks for all the good advice so far, I was aware they love to dissolve so will check that.

Would it be worth looking for a facelift 6n2 at all?

[B'stard Child]

LiamB said:

Tunku said:

OP, if you are buying the one in the picture, make sure you don't get the parking ticket.

it is the one in the picture


Thanks for all the good advice so far, I was aware they love to dissolve so will check that.

Would it be worth looking for a facelift 6n2 at all?

Not a huge difference between 6n and 6n2

Both are quite noisy at speed - the 6n2 has a better range of engines

6n is 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8V and 1.4 16V (which is a nice little lump)

Mrs BC had a 1.4 8V and I quite liked it - sure not rocket ship like but as a poster said above don't rev the nuts off it or you'll make no progress at all

As purchased





When I'd finished with it





Sold it to a relative and bought her a 6n2 GTi (hoping it would be like my old 205 GTi)





It wasn't but it was kinda fun!!

Edited by B'stard Child on Wednesday 13th August 01:47

[eltawater]

There are plenty of parts available and a Haynes manual should be really cheap to pick up second hand.

The 6n2 has nicer cowled dials and squarer lights, but both are now going to be between 10 and 15 years old now. There was quite an active dub scene with modding quite popular, so check that yours hasn't had some poor mods applied.

Given the age of the vehicle design, there are going to be quite a few more younger cars which should be better equipped and probably similar to insure. Is there any reason why you really want this age of car?

Edited by eltawater on Wednesday 13th August 06:13

[FD3Si]

All I know about them is that it's the only car my mum's ever had from new, and by 40k the gearbox was shot and it needed a new cat. Engine died catastrophically at around 90k in the hands of a friend's sister.

Edited by FD3Si on Wednesday 13th August 10:43

[LiamB]

B'stard Child said:

Not a huge difference between 6n and 6n2

Both are quite noisy at speed - the 6n2 has a better range of engines

6n is 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8V and 1.4 16V (which is a nice little lump)

Mrs BC had a 1.4 8V and I quite liked it - sure not rocket ship like but as a poster said above don't rev the nuts off it or you'll make no progress at all

Edited by B'stard Child on Wednesday 13th August 01:47

Ah, cheers!
6n looked good, remember seeing it on here before

I put an offer down on a 6n2 I saw, and got counter offered but it is just within my budget so I could get that if it's worth it over the 6n. I think I'd prefer it..

eltawater said:

There are plenty of parts available and a Haynes manual should be really cheap to pick up second hand.

The 6n2 has nicer cowled dials and squarer lights, but both are now going to be between 10 and 15 years old now. There was quite an active dub scene with modding quite popular, so check that yours hasn't had some poor mods applied.

Given the age of the vehicle design, there are going to be quite a few more younger cars which should be better equipped and probably similar to insure. Is there any reason why you really want this age of car?

Edited by eltawater on Wednesday 13th August 06:13

Both the polos im looking at are standard, and that green 6n2 has 12 months MOT.
Why something this old? I don't think its old.. I was looking for a bread van or a Polo C! Just budget mainly.

Was also looking at Corsas, 106's, a few odd Volvos and Saabs, Puntos (Wanted a bright yellow 1.2 'sporting') and pretty much every st car an 18 year old could get! Insurance isn't that bad on this either, £1000 with a blackbox.

Cheers for all the help so far, appreciate it

[B'stard Child]

LiamB said:

Cheers for all the help so far, appreciate it

If you are looking at a 6N

http://www.tigerstyle.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f...

If you are looking at a 6n2 not sure that they are that different apart from ignition barrels playing up

I know I'd rather be in a Polo than a corsa/106/saxo if it all went wrong

[aka_kerrly]

B'stard Child said:

If you are looking at a 6N

http://www.tigerstyle.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f...

If you are looking at a 6n2 not sure that they are that different apart from ignition barrels playing up

I know I'd rather be in a Polo than a corsa/106/saxo if it all went wrong

Very much this. We have had Polo 6N & 6N2 in 1.0, 1.4 8v and 1.4 16v, 1.6 GTI in our family between me, my brother and other relatives.

The worst or rather most expensive problem on any of them was the cat and middle section of exhaust needing replacing on the 1.0 6N, mostly due to my gran doing 45k of 1-5mile journeys and then my brother owning the car as a 17year old and "abusing" it somewhat.

Two of the Polos ended up being used as first cars and stood up the abuse that a 17 year old will deal out , no clutch failures, no engine or gearbox issues.

The 6ns can rust around the back arches and sills so make sure those are sound, those are the troublesome bits to deal with, rust on removable panels much less so as the parts for Polos are cheap and plentiful.

Very worth signing up to Club Polo, you get discounts with GSF, Euro Car parts and other key VW suppliers plus there is a healthy classified section.

[GrizzlyBear]

Northernchimp said:

Decent little cars, but they dissolve like a Berocca in the rain.

aka_kerrly said:

The 6ns can rust around the back arches and sills so make sure those are sound, those are the troublesome bits to deal with, rust on removable panels much less so as the parts for Polos are cheap and plentiful.

I don't think the Polo 6N1 (up to the year 1999 maybe) were Galvanised and hence they are prone to rust (door bottoms in particular), although I think they are still better than the equivalent Fiesta or Corsa.

LiamB said:

Would it be worth looking for a facelift 6n2 at all?

The Polo 6N2 (face lift of the 6N1, available from Mid (I think) 2000 onwards) was Galvanised and I don't think I have seen a rusty one.

We had a year 2000 6N2 1.4 8V in the family for years and I couldn't fault it, it was very reliable, frugal, did well over 150K miles and its still going strong (seen quite a few at well over 200K miles, so hopefully it will be fine with continued servicing). Fine on the motorway and a decent sized boot for the car. They were also quite straight forward to service.

Make sure the cambelt and been done, think it was every 5 years (need to check that).

Edit: OP, Congratulations on passing your test and hope you enjoy the Polo, I think they are great little cars.

Edited by GrizzlyBear on Wednesday 13th August 13:09

[cianha]

Pedal boxes, specifically the clutch pedal box, can be weak. Economy isn't great for a 1.4. It feels like it's got about 45bhp, rather than the 60ponies claimed. I've had a few that rusted on the roof skin, back by the tail gate.

[zippyprorider]

First car 6n polo, brilliant 1.0 litre fun fastest car I've ever owned lol as driven with no mechanical sympathy or regard for personal safety lower 30mm and it handled like a go kart.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

i have a 6n2 gti for sale if you want it 65000 FSH 10 months mot 11 months tax 4 brand new uniroyal rainsports on newly refurbished genuine bbs splits its in silver 125 bhp 1.6.

lovely car

Edited by Trustmeimadoctor on Wednesday 13th August 15:41

[Trustmeimadoctor]

GrizzlyBear said:

The Polo 6N2 (face lift of the 6N1, available from Mid (I think) 2000 onwards) was Galvanised and I don't think I have seen a rusty one.

We had a year 2000 6N2 1.4 8V in the family for years and I couldn't fault it, it was very reliable, frugal, did well over 150K miles and its still going strong (seen quite a few at well over 200K miles, so hopefully it will be fine with continued servicing). Fine on the motorway and a decent sized boot for the car. They were also quite straight forward to service.

Make sure the cambelt and been done, think it was every 5 years (need to check that).

Edit: OP, Congratulations on passing your test and hope you enjoy the Polo, I think they are great little cars.

Edited by GrizzlyBear on Wednesday 13th August 13:09

6n2's do indeed rust rear arches

[pti]

Rusty little buggers but pretty solid other than that.

I had mine when I was at uni, it needed welding - was just over 10 years old

'Twas a gift from my Aunt and Uncle to whom my parents had given a car when they were in need. I think it had had a hard life, used to really (and I mean really) struggle up the slightest of inclines on the motorway.

Loved it though. Put some e30 bottletops on (they were cheaper with tyres than tyres for the steels - due to the irregular sizing I believe) and it looked quite cool.

Sold it to a mate with T&T for £150 of which my Aunt got £100 and he had written it off within 3 weeks. Insurance paid out £700...

Edited by pti on Wednesday 13th August 15:47

[hondansx]

My mum had one from new and it was terrible; slow, unreliable and just an ugly little thing. A couple of years later i had a new Clio 1.2 16v as my first car and it was streaks ahead in equipment and character.

I know your first car is all about insurance and initial cost, but i'd seriously look elsewhere. It's about as far away as Pistonheads mentality as is possible!

[J4CKO]

You really need to sand all the paint, off, fit whitewalls and add a roofrack full of Raleigh Choppers, old Suitcases, rocking chair and a washing Mangle to complete the look, oh and make the wheels point at weird angles.