I am looking to buy a vw polo

[E63M6]

Hi,new to the forum and this is my first post.

I have seen a V reg polo for sale. It is a 1.4s MPI engine with 86000 miles on the clock and FSH. What should I look out for when going to view the car, and are these cars reliable. It is priced around 800-900 pounds is this what they are worth?

Has anyone had any experience with these cars I understand this particular car is the 60bhp version.

Thanks

[4G63T]

is there any reason you want such an underpowered rubbish car?

i've had a polo before, and i hated it.

unless you are just starting out as a new driver I would get something a bit better than a polo, even a golf is better.

there is a massive scope for different cars for your price.

look around you will be surprised as to what you can get.

[E63M6]

Thanks for the reply,

Just that this car is local and has FSH i thought it would be a good car for a runaround.

I am open to other suggestions to what car i should be looking at in my price bracket.

[MysteryLemon]

4G63T said:

is there any reason you want such an underpowered rubbish car?

i've had a polo before, and i hated it.

unless you are just starting out as a new driver I would get something a bit better than a polo, even a golf is better.

there is a massive scope for different cars for your price.

look around you will be surprised as to what you can get.

Disagree entirely.

For a run around or commuting car, they are perfect. Comfortable, reasonably quiet, ride well, handle ok, reasonable space inside. Couldn't ask for more from a supermini really.

The 1.4 8v isn't quick but hardly underpowered. The 1.0l would be the one to call underpowered. My partner had the same 1.4 8v engine in her Ibiza, it was a fun steer but not something you would call fast. Perfectly adequate though. The 1.4 16v (75hp) would be the one to go for though if you have the choice and want to keep the engine size small.

Reliability should be good overall although they aren't immune to failure. Tend to suffer a lot of small annoying problems. key barrels are bloody useless and a very common failure. Interior electrics can also be temperamental. I don't recall them suffering from any common major problems though. Not anything you wouldn't expect of any car that age. Don't be fooled by the "german build quality". They do suffer with age just like any other car will. Interiors are generall solid though. Interior rubbers are st for keeping their coating though and soon look shabby.

Price seems good. Probably about right for a V reg Polo. We bought one around that age for £1400 about 4 years ago, and a similar age Ibiza for £900 about 2 years ago.

Edited by MysteryLemon on Sunday 13th April 13:45

[McWigglebum4th]

Make sure it is mint

[catman]

McWigglebum4th said:

Make sure it is mint

With no holes in....

Tim

[MysteryLemon]

catman said:

With no holes in....

He wants a Polo, not a Trebor...

[E63M6]

This specific car is in excellent condition with no rust apparently the owner has told me. I will make sure everything is straight. What should i look at on the mechanical side of things.

Thanks for all your input so far.

[aspirated]

E63M6 said:

This specific car is in excellent condition with no rust apparently the owner has told me. I will make sure everything is straight. What should i look at on the mechanical side of things.

Thanks for all your input so far.

Do a VOSA MOT history check online, it's free they're very easily clocked, if you can stretch your budget by a little have a look at the 9N polo released in 2002 - it's a completely redesigned car whereas the 6N2 you may be buying is essentially a facelifted version of a car designed in 1994.

[Benmac]

McWigglebum4th said:

Make sure it is mint

It's a 14/15 year old polo for £900; expecting it to be mint is a little unrealistic.

[blueg33]

We looked at those for Junior and decided that a Skoda Fabia took the age and miles much better

[E63M6]

Does anyone know when the Cam belt should be changed on these car?

[blueg33]

E63M6 said:

Does anyone know when the Cam belt should be changed on these car?

The low power 8v 1.4 is a chain, the 16v is a belt that gets done every 40k. If the latter you need to do both belts and the plastic pulleys.

[Magic919]

Benmac said:

McWigglebum4th said:

Make sure it is mint

It's a 14/15 year old polo for £900; expecting it to be mint is a little unrealistic.

Whoosh.

[E63M6]

Ok, so this car does not have a cam belt. Most likely I will be going to view the car in question in the next few days. I am hoping the car will not be too slow.

[blueg33]

They are not quick! Ok for town I guess. We went for 16v it makes a big difference but is less reliable. 50 percent of the ones we looked at had an engine management light on, now ours does too. EGR issues.

[E63M6]

Mainly it will not go over 50mph due to where it will be driven. It probably is very unlikely i will drive the car on motorway. I am hoping it will be ok for day to day driving in town. Over the last 3 years i have only put 4000 miles on my current car due to only driving local.

What is the MPG like on these? I am hoping for around 35mpg am i being too optimistic?


Thanks

[blueg33]

Our 16v Fabia averages 49mpg. 50 percent town driving 50 percent A roads.

[73mark]

Mpg on a 1.4 is about 48,silently better build quality than the seat but both much a muchness.

[Mr Tom]

I had a 1.0mpi. Very slow but adequate. Watch out for the gearbox. Mine went bang and cost £700 to replace (inc clutch) listen for whines when driving. Mine started in 5th gear and gradually got worse. I had mine at 86,000 miles and ran it to about 115,000. In that time it had the gearbox go, oil pump replaced, the drivers side door lock fail, new ht leads twice, service items, brakes, service items. When I got rid the ABS light kept coming on and ignition barrel was playing up. Other than that it was a brilliant little car that for ragged everywhere and was alright on fuel. Hope this is of use. Cheers