£1000 Shed: Polo GTI 125bhp
Discussion
Due to sensible, adult things such as buying a flat, I've had to buy something sensible and at shed price for now.
I've taken a punt at a 2001 Polo GTI with 125bhp, and whilst in North Wales I took it on some of the back roads to answer what I thought when I bought it: Can a car that's slower than a modern day diesel really be enjoyable to drive? And can it compare as a driving to experience to a Mazda MX5?
Please excuse the seat covers in the photos - They came with the car and I've left them in there since when I get in the car after downhill biking I don't stain the seats with mud!
Turning off the A543 and onto the twisty back roads, it feels agile and the width of the car is just right, it doesn't make the experience intimidating on roads that are just wide enough for two cars. The steering is a bit light and somewhat indirect, however the grippy Continental Sport Contacts (195/45/R15) make up for that with some impressive grip.
It feels like a go kart, 60mph feels like 60mph should. The reviews of the Polo criticized it for being too soft for a GTI - But I disagree. The softer suspension really works well on the B Roads, absorbing bumps giving a nice ride and confidence that the car isn't going to become uncontrollable through bouncing. Fantastic brakes too - Unlike modern VW's the pedal has just the right amount of assistance and will throw you through the windscreen when you want to lean hard on them.
It also feels a lot stiffer than a stock MX5. I think my beef with the Mazda is that it had to be driven too hard to be enjoyable, at slower speeds it felt a bit too soft and vague.
The engine is a sweet little thing, it revs sweetly, great throttle response, sounds quite raw and yet on the way to North Wales from the South Coast it returned 36 mpg.
The gearbox does let the experience down a bit, whilst pressing on it feels a bit clumsy. I've found that it's a lot more satisfying to shift when using it calmly and sedately.
Heading back on the A534, the 15bhp drop and 30kg weight penalty over my previous MX5 is felt. Up some gradients it does feel as slow as a wet weekend. However, it just has enough power to be enjoyable.
Overall, for cheap shed I'm impressed.
Compared to my last MX5 I would sum it up like this: On an empty track, I would take the Mazda no question. The engine feels a bit stronger, and on the limit the handling is beautiful. It's just a bit more raw and exciting.
On the road, I would take the Polo. It just has enough power to be enjoyable, and the engine is like a bottle of Cola: Small but fizzy.
Added to that, it's go-kart like feeling helps it to feel fast at the right speeds. It feels fun without having to go flat out. Ignore any 'reviews' going on about understeer: It's very difficult to achieve the limits on a public road given the excellent grip.
I've taken a punt at a 2001 Polo GTI with 125bhp, and whilst in North Wales I took it on some of the back roads to answer what I thought when I bought it: Can a car that's slower than a modern day diesel really be enjoyable to drive? And can it compare as a driving to experience to a Mazda MX5?
Please excuse the seat covers in the photos - They came with the car and I've left them in there since when I get in the car after downhill biking I don't stain the seats with mud!
Turning off the A543 and onto the twisty back roads, it feels agile and the width of the car is just right, it doesn't make the experience intimidating on roads that are just wide enough for two cars. The steering is a bit light and somewhat indirect, however the grippy Continental Sport Contacts (195/45/R15) make up for that with some impressive grip.
It feels like a go kart, 60mph feels like 60mph should. The reviews of the Polo criticized it for being too soft for a GTI - But I disagree. The softer suspension really works well on the B Roads, absorbing bumps giving a nice ride and confidence that the car isn't going to become uncontrollable through bouncing. Fantastic brakes too - Unlike modern VW's the pedal has just the right amount of assistance and will throw you through the windscreen when you want to lean hard on them.
It also feels a lot stiffer than a stock MX5. I think my beef with the Mazda is that it had to be driven too hard to be enjoyable, at slower speeds it felt a bit too soft and vague.
The engine is a sweet little thing, it revs sweetly, great throttle response, sounds quite raw and yet on the way to North Wales from the South Coast it returned 36 mpg.
The gearbox does let the experience down a bit, whilst pressing on it feels a bit clumsy. I've found that it's a lot more satisfying to shift when using it calmly and sedately.
Heading back on the A534, the 15bhp drop and 30kg weight penalty over my previous MX5 is felt. Up some gradients it does feel as slow as a wet weekend. However, it just has enough power to be enjoyable.
Overall, for cheap shed I'm impressed.
Compared to my last MX5 I would sum it up like this: On an empty track, I would take the Mazda no question. The engine feels a bit stronger, and on the limit the handling is beautiful. It's just a bit more raw and exciting.
On the road, I would take the Polo. It just has enough power to be enjoyable, and the engine is like a bottle of Cola: Small but fizzy.
Added to that, it's go-kart like feeling helps it to feel fast at the right speeds. It feels fun without having to go flat out. Ignore any 'reviews' going on about understeer: It's very difficult to achieve the limits on a public road given the excellent grip.
Edited by FrankUnderwood on Sunday 18th May 12:58
Awesome little hot hatch, and terrific value too when you think of the amount that Lupo GTi's are going for, apparently.
I can also recommend a headlight restoration. I sorted out my parent's Fabia vRS with wet&dry papers and a DAS-6 polisher with the Menzerna polishes. Easy to do and they came up like new.
I can also recommend a headlight restoration. I sorted out my parent's Fabia vRS with wet&dry papers and a DAS-6 polisher with the Menzerna polishes. Easy to do and they came up like new.
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