Polo GTI or Fiesta ST ??
Polo GTI or Fiesta ST ??
Author
Discussion

CGray91

Original Poster:

1 posts

98 months

Thursday 7th December 2017
quotequote all
Hi guys newbie here.

As the title says I'm considering getting either a Polo GTI or Fiesta ST, whichever one I go for would be the current generation not the new models arriving next year.

I've researched both cars thoroughly but I'm still unsure which to go for. The Fiesta ST seems to have better handling/more fun to drive, but I've read the ride can be quite hard and that they tend to be stolen quite a lot. Whereas the GTI seems to be more refined/easier to live with, but more dull to drive.

Any advice which one to go for ?

ZX10R NIN

29,895 posts

147 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
Whichever one lights your fire on the test drive is the simple answer while you're test driving them also try to drive the Clio Trophy & 208 GTI, out of the two you list it'd be the Fiesta everytime.

Juanco20

3,341 posts

215 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
Not sure what age/mileage you'll be looking at but I'll have a Red Fiesta ST-2 Mountune for sale approx mid February once my new lease car turns up. Has Nav and climate control, which I think were the only optional extras as I'm pretty sure heated seats etc were standard.

It's a 2013 model and will have around 46,000 miles on it by then. I'm the second owner, bought it in September 2014, and in that time I haven't had a single issue. All it has cost me is a few tryes, a set of discs and pads all round and annual servicing.

Regardless of that, they really are good cars. Especially when you can pick them up now for around 8k. I'm still in two minds over whether it is the correct decision to switch to the Cupra on lease but everything is signed and in place now

culpz

4,962 posts

134 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
The obvious answer is to test both and see what you think. The fiesta is generally a better car to go driving in, whereas the Polo is the better all-rounder.

HJMS123

988 posts

155 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
Juanco20 said:
Not sure what age/mileage you'll be looking at but I'll have a Red Fiesta ST-2 Mountune for sale approx mid February once my new lease car turns up. Has Nav and climate control, which I think were the only optional extras as I'm pretty sure heated seats etc were standard.

It's a 2013 model and will have around 46,000 miles on it by then. I'm the second owner, bought it in September 2014, and in that time I haven't had a single issue. All it has cost me is a few tryes, a set of discs and pads all round and annual servicing.

Regardless of that, they really are good cars. Especially when you can pick them up now for around 8k. I'm still in two minds over whether it is the correct decision to switch to the Cupra on lease but everything is signed and in place now
I went from an ST3 Fiesta into a Scirocco R and whilst I don't regret it I think like me you'll probably miss the fiesta when hooning. The cupra will feel like a massive step up in quality, power, sound and general comfort (especially the ride) but the steering, nimbleness and fun factor aren't even comparable.

RSTurboPaul

12,719 posts

280 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
Life is too short to drive dull cars.

Go for the ST, I say.

daemon

38,441 posts

219 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
another vote for the ST from me.

And fit one of these....

https://www.autowatch.co.uk/products/security-solu...

Juanco20

3,341 posts

215 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
daemon said:
another vote for the ST from me.

And fit one of these....

https://www.autowatch.co.uk/products/security-solu...
Not had any bother with mine in the 3.5 years of ownership and we're not exactly far away from car theft hotspots of Bradford and Manchester




Juanco20

3,341 posts

215 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
HJMS123 said:
I went from an ST3 Fiesta into a Scirocco R and whilst I don't regret it I think like me you'll probably miss the fiesta when hooning. The cupra will feel like a massive step up in quality, power, sound and general comfort (especially the ride) but the steering, nimbleness and fun factor aren't even comparable.
I had high hopes for the Fiesta when I got it but it has definitely surpassed those. It even averages 45mpg on my commute to work which is pretty good going. The ride can be a bit harsh but I guess it depends what you're used to, definitely no worse than cars I had previously. In that respect I'm sure the Cupra will be a big upgrade especially in comfort mode.

I'm not sure if I can be bothered with the hassle of selling privately but I'll probably see £1,000 less if I go to webuyanycar so I may advertise it for a couple of weeks and see what happens.

daemon

38,441 posts

219 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
Juanco20 said:
daemon said:
another vote for the ST from me.

And fit one of these....

https://www.autowatch.co.uk/products/security-solu...
Not had any bother with mine in the 3.5 years of ownership and we're not exactly far away from car theft hotspots of Bradford and Manchester
The O/P mentioned he was concerned about the theft risk, hence the reference thats all.

S9JTO

1,934 posts

108 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
Or get the best of both worlds, 1.8TSI Ibiza Cupra Black Edition beer

daemon

38,441 posts

219 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
S9JTO said:
Or get the best of both worlds, 1.8TSI Ibiza Cupra Black Edition beer
Hahahaha

Good one!

S9JTO

1,934 posts

108 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
daemon said:
Hahahaha

Good one!
The best interior and exterior of the class, as well as adaptive dampers, adaptive cruise control and apple car play wink

No bias here...

daemon

38,441 posts

219 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
S9JTO said:
daemon said:
Hahahaha

Good one!
The best interior and exterior of the class, as well as adaptive dampers, adaptive cruise control and apple car play wink

No bias here...
Yes, i can see that from your profile. wink


sdh2903

554 posts

194 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
Drove both before leasing a fiesta.

Vw has a nicer quality interior, slightly softer ride and is (very) slightly quicker in a straight line. Also has a better simpler stereo.

Fiesta is a much better handling car has great power delivery and is just a giggle. It just puts a grin on your face. Yes has a firmer ride but you soon get used to it

Had the st3 for 2 years and loved it. So much so I tried to extend the lease it but ALD wouldn't let me do it. It was replaced by a mk7 golf gti which on paper is a much more rounded refined car. But It just doesn't excite me to drive. Don't get me wrong it's a lovely car but just doesn't have the "fizz" of the fiesta. Same with the polo, perfectly competent but just not exciting.

Go drive both but my money would go on the ST. Infact I'd have another in a heartbeat.

S9JTO

1,934 posts

108 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
In all honesty though it entirely depends on what you're looking for. I test drove all of this 'class' (minus the 208GTi) before purchasing my Cupra. I personally chose the Cupra due to the interior and exterior, price point, limited availability, previous Ibiza experience.

So as people above have said, do test drive them. I thoroughly enjoyed my test drive in the ST - The only reason I avoided it was the interior was outdated IMO and as shallow as it sounds, they're very common, at least where I live. There's literally 5 of them on the road leading up to my estate.

culpz

4,962 posts

134 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
S9JTO said:
The best interior and exterior of the class, as well as adaptive dampers, adaptive cruise control and apple car play wink

No bias here...
The best interior lies with the Polo.

Exterior is a difficult one but it's definitely not the Ibiza.

All subjective of course. The Cupra doesn't even get a look in, IMO.


S9JTO

1,934 posts

108 months

Monday 11th December 2017
quotequote all
culpz said:
The best interior lies with the Polo.

Exterior is a difficult one but it's definitely not the Ibiza.

All subjective of course. The Cupra doesn't even get a look in, IMO.
Everybody automatically says that the Polo has the best interior, but why? You read too many biased EVO reviews. Why have tartan cloth seats when you can have leather/alcantara?

Exterior is definitely the Cupra IMO, especially when the optional sideskirts and tailgate spoiler are equipped.

As you said, all subjective... But badge snobbery is still seemingly prevelant amongst the majority of petrol heads - Have you driven or even sat in the new Cupra and Polo?

CubanPete

3,759 posts

210 months

Monday 11th December 2017
quotequote all
It would be the ST for me.

culpz

4,962 posts

134 months

Monday 11th December 2017
quotequote all
S9JTO said:
culpz said:
The best interior lies with the Polo.

Exterior is a difficult one but it's definitely not the Ibiza.

All subjective of course. The Cupra doesn't even get a look in, IMO.
Everybody automatically says that the Polo has the best interior, but why? You read too many biased EVO reviews. Why have tartan cloth seats when you can have leather/alcantara?

Exterior is definitely the Cupra IMO, especially when the optional sideskirts and tailgate spoiler are equipped.

As you said, all subjective... But badge snobbery is still seemingly prevelant amongst the majority of petrol heads - Have you driven or even sat in the new Cupra and Polo?
Err, no, i've sat in both. SEAT is the cheaper brand. No snobbery here, just fact. For me, the equivalent VW, of which the SEAT is based on, is a more of a quality product. I really like the cloth seats, as i've never been a huge fan of leather. Can't you spec leather in the Polo, anyway?

Maybe compared to the Polo but not in the entire segment, for me. That would probably go to the Fiesta. The Ibiza has always looked a bit too weedy for me. I can't quite put my finger on it really but there's just something about the shape that i don't like

I don't see it as badge snobbery, as there is some fact in the matter. VW is the more expensive and quality brand. You remind me a bit of Joe Morano (Mr Polo GTI) who has alot of self justification on their choice of car. Yes, i have, as said above.