Polo GTI vs BlueGt - Page 1 - Car Buying

SimonV

Original Poster

4 posts

93 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 15th April 2018

Hi everybody,

My first post here after lurking for a while and I'm somewhat reluctant that it has to be asking questions rather than any other form of participation...

Long story short-ish, I'm looking to change my car. Pretty much my only driving is now to and from work on a mixture of A- and B-roads, so I'm looking for something a bit more fun than your run of the mill hatchback, although it still needs to retain some practicalities in case the kids ever need to jump in. I'm also looking to keep my monthly cost down to £200 per month with a minimal deposit, and I want something relatively new and hassle free.

I know this limits me (a lot) but I've arrived at either of the following:

2015 Polo Blue GT 1.4 ACT - £12k with 24k miles.

or

2017 Polo GTI 1.8 - £16k with 3k miles.

The GTI is pricier so will need a bit more upfront and it means financing over a slightly longer period, but both are within budget (after some man-maths wink

).

Both will come with 2 years warranty, but I'd hope the GTI, being newer, will provide more peace of mind. its also 5 door so is more practical, but am I just paying extra (also insurance, fuel, tax etc) for extra power (& a GTI badge) that I'll never really use? I'm hardly one to throw the car around but it is nice to be able to put my foot down every now and again.

My head says get the BlueGT but I can't help but feel I'll regret not getting the GTI.

Is there anything to watch out for on either car? Should I be concerned that the BlueGT has done 24k miles in 2 years? Am I just kidding myself that the newer-GTI will be more reliable (after all, I'll be owning it for a longer period post-warranty)?

I'm hoping some of you can provide some insight?

Thanks
Simon

jam_up

171 posts

94 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 15th April 2018

I’ve never driven the BlueGT but have the GTI and it definetly has some poke. 320NM of torque in a small car and you can definetly feel it!

The BlueGT has run 12k miles / year which isn’t excessive so I wouldn’t be worried about that. It will definetly be the more economical of the two, particularly with th the ACT tech, if that’s important.

To be honest if you feel you’ll regret not getting the GTI, despite being able to afford it, then I’d just go with that. It will be a better drive than the BlueGT.

If you’re willing to lease the I’d almost certainly have a look at the new GTI - https://centralukvehicleleasing.co.uk/lease-volksw...
They are relatively well priced at the moment, all be it a few options aren’t standard (like the old model), but it’s a newer chassis and much better interior. Something to consider...

Edit: Just realised the BlueGT has run actually 8k miles / year, which is average so nothing to worried about.

Edited by jam_up on Sunday 15th April 12:49

Mo28

907 posts

120 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 15th April 2018

For the price of the polo gti you could get a golf gti which is a much better all rounder and a better family car

SimonV

Original Poster

4 posts

93 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 15th April 2018

jam_up said:

I’ve never driven the BlueGT but have the GTI and it definetly has some poke. 320NM of torque in a small car and you can definetly feel it!

The BlueGT has run 12k miles / year which isn’t excessive so I wouldn’t be worried about that. It will definetly be the more economical of the two, particularly with th the ACT tech, if that’s important.

To be honest if you feel you’ll regret not getting the GTI, despite being able to afford it, then I’d just go with that. It will be a better drive than the BlueGT.

If you’re willing to lease the I’d almost certainly have a look at the new GTI - https://centralukvehicleleasing.co.uk/lease-volksw...
They are relatively well priced at the moment, all be it a few options aren’t standard (like the old model), but it’s a newer chassis and much better interior. Something to consider...

Edit: Just realised the BlueGT has run actually 8k miles / year, which is average so nothing to worried about.

Edited by jam_up on Sunday 15th April 12:49

Hey, thanks for your reply. I've driven the GTI and Blue Gt back to back yesterday and the BlueGT did feel a little underwhelming after the GTI, as you'd expect. The BlueGT still has plenty of poke though! The Blue GTI I'm looking at is a December 15 car, so its done more like 9.5k per year which as you say, still isn't really excessive.

Thanks for the pointer on the new GTI. I was looking at these earlier in the week but they seem just a little bit out of my price range. By the time you get a couple options on, factor in servicing costs and burning through my deposit in 2 rather than 3/4 years, it does make quite a bit of difference. Also, its only available in DSG at the moment (not that I'm set on a manual, but I've never really driven an auto). No harm in approaching those guys for a quote though, so thanks.

Mo28, the only Golf GTI I'd get for that money will be older/higher mileage still. Also, it doesn't need to be the family car. We have another car for that. Thanks though.

jam_up

171 posts

94 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 15th April 2018

Have you considered any other car? The GTI is an accomplished car but I see it more a sensible daily hot hatch than a weekend car. Depending on how practical you need then a similarly aged Abarth 595, Cooper S or a GT86 (depending on rear leg room) will be much more satisfying to drive. Nothing wrong with the Polo but it’s almost too refined, but that may be something you want (it’s what attracted myself to them when I was looking around).

SimonV

Original Poster

4 posts

93 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 15th April 2018

Somewhat sensible is what I’m after, really. Most of my driving is my commute in slow traffic, so something comfortable enough to make this bearable is a must. The kick of a GTI is tHe cherry on top.

I had a Fiesta ST2 for the weekend last week and it was just that bit too focused for my liking.

Never been taken by the Mini or the 595. I like the GT86 but I think it will be just a step too far away from practical.

I think the Polo is a good blend of fun vs practical.

ZX10R NIN

29,771 posts

145 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 15th April 2018

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 15th April 21:08

jam_up

171 posts

94 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 15th April 2018

SimonV said:

Somewhat sensible is what I’m after, really. Most of my driving is my commute in slow traffic, so something comfortable enough to make this bearable is a must. The kick of a GTI is tHe cherry on top.

I had a Fiesta ST2 for the weekend last week and it was just that bit too focused for my liking.

Never been taken by the Mini or the 595. I like the GT86 but I think it will be just a step too far away from practical.

I think the Polo is a good blend of fun vs practical.

Ah I completely overlooked your first post which said it was going to be a daily, sorry! The GTI would be a decent choice then. There aren't many of them about and they have good residuals. If you haven't already done so then it would be worth checking out the boot size as the GTI's is smaller than the other trims, although not by much. Equipment could be better so look out for extra options/packs - why VW don't make climate control standard is poor, even on a new midrange Golf!

The Fiesta is indeed driver focused which you either love or don't if used daily.

I'd add the Octavia vRS along with the other cars mentioned. Golf underpinnings, same engine, lots of space but obviously a lot bigger than the Polo.

Finally it's worth having a drive in a DSG model. It's a fantastic transmission with super quick gear changes and a dream in traffic. However it does take some of that driver involvement out of play when darting around B roads.

Good luck!

SimonV

Original Poster

4 posts

93 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 16th April 2018

Wow, thanks for the suggestions.

The Kia is interesting. I forgot they did a hot/warm version of the Cee'd. I almost pulled the trigger on a 'normal' version of this before buying what I've got now.

culpz

4,962 posts

132 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 16th April 2018

I'd get the GTI, but i like hot-hatches, so i would say that really. I do like those Blue GT's though. I wanted one of the new Polo GTI's but the deals on them are absolutely awful.

There's not a huge difference between the two really, the main one being the performance. The exterior styling is fairly subtle either way. Life's too short, get the faster one wink

Over over under steer

760 posts

143 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 16th April 2018

I got my ex a Polo GTI, 2017 model with the DSG. I don't think they're particularly nice inside, and fun to drive at all, just too refined. However I'll concede that they're fairly quick little things.

As a previous poster has suggested, I'd go for a slightly older Golf GTI, or if fun is more of a priority, look for a Mini (though other fun alternatives are certainly available).

adccl8z

159 posts

153 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 19th May 2018

2015 Polo Blue GT 1.4 ACT - £12k with 24k miles.

That's a very good price if dsg

markrtw

65 posts

191 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 19th May 2018

If you like the 1.4 act, I think you can buy it brand new for about £16k via drive the deal as a new ibiza Fr, so you would get the new chassis and tech over the previous gen polo and a useful bit of extra room inside.

acme

3,026 posts

218 months

[report]

[news]

Tuesday 22nd May 2018

Not sure if it'll help but I have the Blue GT's engine in a Golf. Company car, 73k miles over 3.5 years, MPG is 46 measured old school brim to brim method. Cracking engine with the DSG for a daily, slightly dull, but it is what it is & it's plenty fast enough for a daily commuter.

Not sure how the GT handles vs the GTI but in my Golf which is a GT spec it's at best an 8/10th's car, ie push much beyond and it gets baggy. No slight on the car as it's not designed to be a hot hatch.