First Car - VW Polo
Author
Discussion

Hammy13

Original Poster:

57 posts

170 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
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Hi guys! A little while back I did a thread explaining that I had 12,000 to spend on a first car. For anyone who has a go I'm not one of those spoilt types, it was an inheritance from my uncle who passed away. Anyway I was unsure on whether to get a fast car or just save my money and get myself a sensible one. Despite getting some pretty decent quotes on Clio 172s I decided that I value my life and should probably get abit of experience under my belt first. So here it is!



Not my favourite looking car in the world but I'm not really fussy. My friend was selling it for a good price and it was just simple and convenient to have it off him. Plus I know it's been looked after! Don't really have any intentions of modifying it other than maybe changing the alloys and lowering it slightly, like this.



But that is a maybe, I don't know if it's worth it really but whatever. I'll be picking up the car on the weekend, for now it's finding some cheap insurance (if there is such thing!) Thanks for reading!

simoid

19,774 posts

187 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
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I'd suggest being able to kerb your wheel-trims for at least a few months as you get used to parking it and such things. It's highly likely that you'll give it a ding now and then, you'll feel a lot sttier if you've just forked out for alloys smile

Hammy13

Original Poster:

57 posts

170 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
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Good advice! Haven't really made my mind up on the trims yet but I'm big on the whole comfort thing, so lowering it and putting a set of alloys on might not be the best idea laugh But yeah, my parking skills aren't quite up to scratch yet so leaving it for a while would be wise!

bob1179

14,138 posts

238 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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Nice first car. It's funny to think that a '52' plate is now ten years old. 2002 seems like yesterday!

Anyway, I'd think you would be better off keeping the car bog standard and boring. Drive it for a couple of years, build up some NCB then get yourself something a bit more exciting.

smile

Ordinary_Chap

7,520 posts

272 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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Nice first car! Its much nicer than my first car was! (Fiesta 1.0 rust bucket!).

Its a far smarter idea to get driving in something lower powered and build up your no-claims bonus.

Its also a massive waste to spend thousands on insurance, I mean if you had a 172 or similar you are quite literally pouring money down the drain.

Good luck and be safe!
Lee

Shenanigans

2,964 posts

218 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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As said before, nice first car smile better than my first anywas. Those wheels are horrific! You need to avoid kurbs at all costs and keep them leathered up with wax as they tend to weather when theyre neglected

james_gt3rs

4,816 posts

220 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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Even with that car your insurance must be quite high? (unfortunately)

Hammy13

Original Poster:

57 posts

170 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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Yeah thinking about it now I'll probably leave it the same. It seems like a waste of money really. The insurance isn't too bad actually, been getting quotes at around the two grand mark. Not bad for a 17 year old!

crofty1984

17,064 posts

233 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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Good for you, Hammy!
It's great having your first car, isn't it? Odd to think that when I was buying my first car it was 2001, the year before yours was born. Odder still that it was also a polo! 1984 breadvan for £200. Brilliant little thing. Driving a bang up to date Peugeot 205 now!

Changedmyname

12,549 posts

210 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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crofty1984 said:
Good for you, Hammy!
It's great having your first car, isn't it? Odd to think that when I was buying my first car it was 2001, the year before yours was born. Odder still that it was also a polo! 1984 breadvan for £200. Brilliant little thing. Driving a bang up to date Peugeot 205 now!
Pug 205??

crofty1984

17,064 posts

233 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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Changedmyname said:
crofty1984 said:
Good for you, Hammy!
It's great having your first car, isn't it? Odd to think that when I was buying my first car it was 2001, the year before yours was born. Odder still that it was also a polo! 1984 breadvan for £200. Brilliant little thing. Driving a bang up to date Peugeot 205 now!
Pug 205??
Well a 1995 Pug 205 is more up to date than a 1984 VW Polo. smile

Actually, I say that, but the Polo actually had a primitive automatic stop-start system. Seriously, Google it. Polo Formel E.

Synchromesh

2,428 posts

195 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
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Had one of these 9Ns only 6 or so months ago. Mine was the 5dr 16v Sport. Not bad cars for what they are - I suggest you keep yours for a year then think about progressing.

Some pics of mine;


Polo by suspension bridge by jlewisbarned, on Flickr


Polo by Canary Wharf by jlewisbarned, on Flickr


Polo under crane by jlewisbarned, on Flickr


Polo in city centre by jlewisbarned, on Flickr

Another Fluffer

3,888 posts

194 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
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I have the facelifted 9n3, great little cars.

one thing to look out for is the Console bushes, they are very are very prone to failing, no damage to the car when they go but makes for some horrible noises and 'interesting' handling characteristics!
If/when they do fail replace them with the Ibiza Cupra R versions, much stronger/less prone to wear, or go one better and invest in some polybushes as they will never fail.

What engine do you have by the way?

Ug_lee

2,224 posts

240 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
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crofty1984 said:
Well a 1995 Pug 205 is more up to date than a 1984 VW Polo. smile

Actually, I say that, but the Polo actually had a primitive automatic stop-start system. Seriously, Google it. Polo Formel E.
My first car was a 1984 Polo breadvan. Inherited off my old man who used it to trundle to work and back. After passing my test in a brand new corsa in 1997, the brakes and steering were somehwat of a shock when I went for my first drive in the Polo!

Hammy13

Original Poster:

57 posts

170 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
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Great pics Synchro, I take it your a Bristolian aswell! And its a 1.2, can't really go much bigger without insurance companies going mad.