2007 VW Polo GTi
Discussion
Picked up a 2007 GTi today. Traded in a 2005 Mini Cooper S against it. The mini is a better drive when "on it" and is quicker (I think) but the polo is nicely screwed together, is much more comfortable and has room for the 2 kids.
I looked at various options:
e46 bmw 3 series. All were tired/high miles
Renaultsport megane/clio SWMBO didn't want a French car.
Focus ST - too high running costs still quite a lot to buy a decent one
Skoda octavia VRS - had one until April this year. Fancied a change.
Golf GTi - decent ones are quite a bit of cash still. Bad ones seem to be really bad.
That led me to the polo, it looks like a MK5 golf GTi even the interior has the tartan check which I love and the 1.8t while not the most exciting engine is a decent engine.
This one is practically immaculate and has very good service history. Looks like it's been cared for.
Anyway ... Pics.
Completely standard example. Not sure if I want it to stay that way or not. Lowering and some nice wheels should make it look good. Better brakes would be nice and breathing mods with a map would be fun. But I'd have to weigh up how much it would cost and how it would affect the practicality of the car with kids.
Made the mistake of signing up to a couple of marque specific forums.
A short list of improvements have been made as a result they are as follows:
So far I think I'll be looking at Seat Ibiza cupra bushes. Apparently thesecsee much better thab the VW ones.
some form of upgrade for both suspension and brakes. For my modest budget and requirements I think a set of matched springs and dampers will be better than coilovers, though this will probably upset the VW scenesters. I fancy some 17s but haven't even considered what, budget will probably dictate that to a degree.
I'll look into maps. A 200bhp polo will probably be fun but I need to consider how drive able it will be. I might make some breathing mods at the same time (intercooler, filter, exhaust)
That lot should unlock a lot of the cars potential without making too many sacrifices by way of its daily driver/kiddie ferrying capabilities.
Running it over the weekend there's a knock from the front offside so I'll give the dealer a ring tomorrow when I wake up off nights, see what he says about it.
Someone who I vaguely know through football contacted me when I put a pic on Instagram, he has one of these and found it surprisingly capable around cadwell park. So that's a consideration come spring time.
It was bought as a run around to keep us mobile while the other has the main car ... Looks like this could get expensive.
A short list of improvements have been made as a result they are as follows:
So far I think I'll be looking at Seat Ibiza cupra bushes. Apparently thesecsee much better thab the VW ones.
some form of upgrade for both suspension and brakes. For my modest budget and requirements I think a set of matched springs and dampers will be better than coilovers, though this will probably upset the VW scenesters. I fancy some 17s but haven't even considered what, budget will probably dictate that to a degree.
I'll look into maps. A 200bhp polo will probably be fun but I need to consider how drive able it will be. I might make some breathing mods at the same time (intercooler, filter, exhaust)
That lot should unlock a lot of the cars potential without making too many sacrifices by way of its daily driver/kiddie ferrying capabilities.
Running it over the weekend there's a knock from the front offside so I'll give the dealer a ring tomorrow when I wake up off nights, see what he says about it.
Someone who I vaguely know through football contacted me when I put a pic on Instagram, he has one of these and found it surprisingly capable around cadwell park. So that's a consideration come spring time.
It was bought as a run around to keep us mobile while the other has the main car ... Looks like this could get expensive.
So, nothing's been done to the polo and I haven't taken to it. It's boring. It's not particularly quick and it's not a very engaging drive.
It is good around town however and comfy.
I'm booked in to test drive a clio 197 cup on Monday but I'll lose loads on the polo cause I haven't had it long enough. I'm in two minds really. I know I should keep the polo and maybe just chuck some coilovers at it and look for other upgrades but it still won't be comparable to the clio.
It is good around town however and comfy.
I'm booked in to test drive a clio 197 cup on Monday but I'll lose loads on the polo cause I haven't had it long enough. I'm in two minds really. I know I should keep the polo and maybe just chuck some coilovers at it and look for other upgrades but it still won't be comparable to the clio.
But what the Polo will be is better put together, have a better quality feel to it and most likely be more reliable. It will also be quieter and more comfortable, and be less fatiguing on a longer drive. It will hold its value more. So why not just spend some money on the Polo and keep it instead of suffering a big loss on it?
Clio comments come from experience of my daughters car. Nice little pocket rocket but you get what you pay for and the Polo is in a different quality league. However, if you just want performance and handling and don't care about the other aspects get the Clio.
Clio comments come from experience of my daughters car. Nice little pocket rocket but you get what you pay for and the Polo is in a different quality league. However, if you just want performance and handling and don't care about the other aspects get the Clio.
It a well built, well insulated little car that isn't that light and isn't that powerful... so I'm not surprised you've found it pretty flat as standard.
However the 1.8t engine is fitted to a million billion different VAG models with various different ancillaries bolted to it depending on application, so tuning capabilities are pretty extensive... but even if you stuck to the standard turbo etc, I'd expect you to see at least 220-230bhp out of an exhaust, intake, cooler and map which should cost you £1500ish, less if you hold out for 2nd hand bits.
If you're worried about throwing good money after 'bad' then try to get a run out in one which is modified to put your mind at ease... however I can say for a fact that one running the above mods put up a much harder fight than I expected it to against my MK7 Golf R.
I think a 197 would only be viable if you were absolutely sure you were going to keep it longer term because in real terms, it's going to cost you a lot of money to change when you factor in the loss you'll have to take on the Polo.
Cheers,
Grant
However the 1.8t engine is fitted to a million billion different VAG models with various different ancillaries bolted to it depending on application, so tuning capabilities are pretty extensive... but even if you stuck to the standard turbo etc, I'd expect you to see at least 220-230bhp out of an exhaust, intake, cooler and map which should cost you £1500ish, less if you hold out for 2nd hand bits.
If you're worried about throwing good money after 'bad' then try to get a run out in one which is modified to put your mind at ease... however I can say for a fact that one running the above mods put up a much harder fight than I expected it to against my MK7 Golf R.
I think a 197 would only be viable if you were absolutely sure you were going to keep it longer term because in real terms, it's going to cost you a lot of money to change when you factor in the loss you'll have to take on the Polo.
Cheers,
Grant
I have a couple of rules when buying a car, never buy a car because of the badge and always do your homework on what is available in the same class.
I am not a great fan of VW's, the reason being is that they are over hyped for what you get, oh there are a few that I like, don't get me wrong there, but as a manufacturer they are as good or as bad as all the rest but rely on past achievements to sell cars (mainly to vw fans who just buy because of badge snobbery).
The polo GTI just wasn't good, its heavy, you are pushing 1300kg in a small car with 150ps, its got poor emissions and the fuel economy is meh, yes you can tune it, for all that extra cash you will throw at it you could have had a better car, if it needs 70 or 80bhp more and the handling sorting, then to me its a no no, not the fact that you are modifying but the fact it NEEDS doing to even make the car semi competitive in that class band, and it probably still wont be as good as say the Clio 197 even after those mods, so that makes the Golf GTI look more affordable/better buy.
French cars... also rely on a reputation that they didn't fully deserve.
Having owned (let me count... 16), the biggest issue were with the Peugeot's and their door connection loom, thank god they don't do those any more on the newer models.
Engine wise, I had 1 HG issue which was down to a radiator originally (pre me buying it) but it wasnt a good job so had to be re done, oh and a temp sensor fault on a 306 (both these issues were on 306's), faultless otherwise.
Renault, owned 3, the only bad thing I had to say about those were the dealer, especially the one that left my sump screw loose after servicing the car and told me it was down to a split rubber grommet (even though I had to hand tighten the screw before it fell out).
Back to the Polo.
its a 3 door, you really needed a 5, its not that good, but the Clio will leave you in a similar position, no 5 door, its pointing back at splashing that little extra for a Golf GTI, which is what you seem to have wanted in the first place, so go hunting for one
I am not a great fan of VW's, the reason being is that they are over hyped for what you get, oh there are a few that I like, don't get me wrong there, but as a manufacturer they are as good or as bad as all the rest but rely on past achievements to sell cars (mainly to vw fans who just buy because of badge snobbery).
The polo GTI just wasn't good, its heavy, you are pushing 1300kg in a small car with 150ps, its got poor emissions and the fuel economy is meh, yes you can tune it, for all that extra cash you will throw at it you could have had a better car, if it needs 70 or 80bhp more and the handling sorting, then to me its a no no, not the fact that you are modifying but the fact it NEEDS doing to even make the car semi competitive in that class band, and it probably still wont be as good as say the Clio 197 even after those mods, so that makes the Golf GTI look more affordable/better buy.
French cars... also rely on a reputation that they didn't fully deserve.
Having owned (let me count... 16), the biggest issue were with the Peugeot's and their door connection loom, thank god they don't do those any more on the newer models.
Engine wise, I had 1 HG issue which was down to a radiator originally (pre me buying it) but it wasnt a good job so had to be re done, oh and a temp sensor fault on a 306 (both these issues were on 306's), faultless otherwise.
Renault, owned 3, the only bad thing I had to say about those were the dealer, especially the one that left my sump screw loose after servicing the car and told me it was down to a split rubber grommet (even though I had to hand tighten the screw before it fell out).
Back to the Polo.
its a 3 door, you really needed a 5, its not that good, but the Clio will leave you in a similar position, no 5 door, its pointing back at splashing that little extra for a Golf GTI, which is what you seem to have wanted in the first place, so go hunting for one
I don't need a 5 door. The polo is our run a round. It does ferry the children but rarely. We have a ford kuga for family duties.
If I did need a 5dr I'd be getting a skoda octavia vrs.
Onto the polo. I bought it without really thinking and I guess I'm stuck with it for a while now.
Whatever I get I'd want to modify cause I'm a massive Chav like that. If it was the clio it'd be cooksport springs, performance discs and pads, braces, a performance exhaust etc etc etc.
I'm looking at options for the polo now. I'm thinking of running standard till spring then making changes in preparation for the summer.
Edited by darren9 on Tuesday 22 December 09:30
darren9 said:
I never did get on with this.
Put a deposit on a Clio 197 cup yesterday and collect today.
New thread on the Clio will probably be up in the week once I've got it home and took pictures and stuff.
Please keep this quiet, you'll cause a war saying the Polo isn't as good as the 197! Put a deposit on a Clio 197 cup yesterday and collect today.
New thread on the Clio will probably be up in the week once I've got it home and took pictures and stuff.
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