Polo for a 17 yr old
Discussion
I got a 2019 polo for my girls to learn in. I stretched to a more recent model because the 1 litre 80 PS EVO engine was new to that model year and was much much cheaper to insure than any others. (It’s probably because it is glacially slow, although once going is nice to drive)
The savings were several hundred pounds/ year on insurance, and I didn’t need a black box either. Worth doing the maths.
The savings were several hundred pounds/ year on insurance, and I didn’t need a black box either. Worth doing the maths.
Thanks for the replies - have looked at a couple of 1.0 3 cylinders but not sure if that'll be too underpowered for motorway use when he's at uni. Going to have a look at the Fiesta 1.25 as well. If we go for the Polo I'll certainly go for a facelifted one with the newer infotainment setup.
Nick_MSM said:
Thanks for the replies - have looked at a couple of 1.0 3 cylinders but not sure if that'll be too underpowered for motorway use when he's at uni. Going to have a look at the Fiesta 1.25 as well. If we go for the Polo I'll certainly go for a facelifted one with the newer infotainment setup.
Kids today don't know they are born! When I was at Poly I had a Viva that I'd worked all hours to buy myself. No reverse gear, I could see the road wheel going round under my right foot & every time I hit a bump the driver's window disappeared into the door. It was underpowered for the motorway, but I added 10 mph by taking the air filter off & throwing it away.He sounds like a lucky lad, good luck with your search!
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Kids today don't know they are born! When I was at Poly I had a Viva that I'd worked all hours to buy myself. No reverse gear, I could see the road wheel going round under my right foot & every time I hit a bump the driver's window disappeared into the door. It was underpowered for the motorway, but I added 10 mph by taking the air filter off & throwing it away.
He sounds like a lucky lad, good luck with your search!
Thanks, you're right! My first car (in 1999) had c44bhp, always a challenge five up to get to the top of a steep hill He sounds like a lucky lad, good luck with your search!
I don't think he really cares what he drives amazingly - more dad being fussy!My son has a 2010 1.2. When I test drove it I thought it sounded as though it was a cylinder down then opened the bonnet and found it only had three to start off with! It’s been ok for about 13 months of ownership, he hasn’t done loads of miles as he passed his test in Dec and the various restrictions were still place at that time. A few 50 mile motorway trips and lots around town.
Only issues have been a window regulator failed which left the car unsecured (quite common apparently and £130 to fix) and the cam chain is noisy on start up but that seems less of an issue if used daily. There is a scribbly receipt that suggests it’s already been replaced but it was five years and 40k ago
Passed the MOT with no advisories and the one before that on something trivial. He likes it and when he gets something a bit more flash when (if) he gets to 2 years NCD I will ‘buy’ it off him to give to my other son
Only issues have been a window regulator failed which left the car unsecured (quite common apparently and £130 to fix) and the cam chain is noisy on start up but that seems less of an issue if used daily. There is a scribbly receipt that suggests it’s already been replaced but it was five years and 40k ago
Passed the MOT with no advisories and the one before that on something trivial. He likes it and when he gets something a bit more flash when (if) he gets to 2 years NCD I will ‘buy’ it off him to give to my other son
Hi OP.
We bought a 2010 3dr Polo about 5 years back for our eldest daughter to learn in. It's the 1.2 / 60hp version. Insurance Group 4. Decent mileage range as well. Cheap to service / run / insure / tax / maintain.
She learned & passed in that and used it while at 2nd & 3rd year Uni after leaving halls. That was in Liverpool and we live South Bucks.
On the occasions we drove up to see her in her first year, it would happily sit on the motorway at 70 / 80 mph.
Can be a touch noisy when pushed up hills etc. as it's in truth, a bit gutless, but when you are 17 and looking for a cheap set of wheels, I would say (in our experience) it was perfect.
Now being used to get my 17 year old son through his test as it's become the hand me down car.
If you can find a 1.2 early model in decent condition, I really don't think you can go wrong. Well built little cars that feel much bigger than they actually are.
We bought a 2010 3dr Polo about 5 years back for our eldest daughter to learn in. It's the 1.2 / 60hp version. Insurance Group 4. Decent mileage range as well. Cheap to service / run / insure / tax / maintain.
She learned & passed in that and used it while at 2nd & 3rd year Uni after leaving halls. That was in Liverpool and we live South Bucks.
On the occasions we drove up to see her in her first year, it would happily sit on the motorway at 70 / 80 mph.
Can be a touch noisy when pushed up hills etc. as it's in truth, a bit gutless, but when you are 17 and looking for a cheap set of wheels, I would say (in our experience) it was perfect.
Now being used to get my 17 year old son through his test as it's become the hand me down car.
If you can find a 1.2 early model in decent condition, I really don't think you can go wrong. Well built little cars that feel much bigger than they actually are.
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