Need a fastish, somewhat practical, ok on fuel car?

[sfish95]

Currently have a Polo GTI, been a real pain in terms of a terrible dealership causing non stop issues since I've had it. I love how the car drives and the way it picks up. I do some varied commuting between 10 to 50 miles a day and longer trips on the weekend mountain biking (100+ miles). Putting bikes on the roof is annoying and kills off economy (knocks it sub 30mpg). However not sure if I should accept the fact I need a bigger car (Passat estate?) or put up with the inconvenience for a better driving experience. I've looked at a GTD and they look great but not sure i can go from petrol to diesel and would only benefit me on the weekend. What the hell do I do? Budget is about 13k ideally need something no older than 14 and less than 50k miles worried about reliability.

[ZX10R NIN]

Go for the next size up you can then fit the bikes in the car.

Megane RS275 with the Cup Chassis

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

275

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Focus ST-3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Estate

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Astra VXR underrated & overlooked which is why these are a very good option as well as being a good steer

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Leon Cupra 280

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[sfish95]

Hadn't considered any of these before thanks there's some good options there. The Renault is tempting looks nice and I've heard it's a good drive. How's reliability on these? Don't know much about modern Renault's. Anything known to look out for when buying used?

[ZX10R NIN]

There as reliable as anything else out VAG cars included, they're the best drive too which is a bonus.

[Pica-Pica]

I would say, stick with the Polo Gti. Once you have sorted the issues out (which seem dealer related, from what you say); I imagine it would be OK.

I was thinking about the Polo Gti, so...
a) what is the car like (especially size-wise, for one person 65% of the time, two people 30%, and for three of four people, less than 5% of the time), driving, motorways, B roads.
b) what particular issues are/have you had.

[06andiano]

What plate is your polo I have a 66 plate, only issue I had was the air conditioning pipe cracked but got that under warranty. Don’t know how you are getting under 30 on a run!
I commute Leeds to Manchester weekly and get 40-44 on that. General it’s pretty good only issues I have are the seats set too high and the noise isn’t great but everything else it’s a cracking little car

[ZX10R NIN]

06andiano said:

What plate is your polo I have a 66 plate, only issue I had was the air conditioning pipe cracked but got that under warranty. Don’t know how you are getting under 30 on a run!
I commute Leeds to Manchester weekly and get 40-44 on that. General it’s pretty good only issues I have are the seats set too high and the noise isn’t great but everything else it’s a cracking little car

He said sub 30's with the bike on the roof.

[sfish95]

The issues I've had I don't know where to start. Dealer replaced turbo to fix an boost issue which turned out be a cracked charge pipe. Developed a water leak so they replaced the water pump. Didn't fix so they replaced the radiator. Didn't fix so they replaced the pump again. Didn't fix they replaced it a 3rd time. This was all under manufacturers warranty. Car began to rough start when cold which got progressively worse. They claimed it would be carbon build up rang me to say it was fine I went out started it up and the dash lit up like a Christmas tree sounded like it was on 3 cylinders. They rebuilt the engine citing damage to piston rings causing misfire. I had to contribute 400 quid after arguing as now out of warranty. This didnt fix the problem. They have now replaced 2 injectors which has finally fixed the cold start misfire. However picked it up after 1 hour driving the car stunk of fuel when at a standstill. Took it back, they claimed there was a leaking fuel pipe that was leaking before that would be the problem... This annoyed me a fair bit. They gave it back to me same day, seemed fine but after a day the fuel smell is now back stronger than ever almost undriveable and presumably dangerous. To top it off driving on the M18 last night there was a huge bang (gunshot loud) followed by the EML and ECP light coming on for half a second. Car seems fine but I'm not sure I can stomach keeping it after this. A shame because I love the car.

[soad]

sfish95 said:

The issues I've had I don't know where to start. Dealer replaced turbo to fix an boost issue which turned out be a cracked charge pipe. Developed a water leak so they replaced the water pump. Didn't fix so they replaced the radiator. Didn't fix so they replaced the pump again. Didn't fix they replaced it a 3rd time. This was all under manufacturers warranty. Car began to rough start when cold which got progressively worse. They claimed it would be carbon build up rang me to say it was fine I went out started it up and the dash lit up like a Christmas tree sounded like it was on 3 cylinders. They rebuilt the engine citing damage to piston rings causing misfire. I had to contribute 400 quid after arguing as now out of warranty. This didnt fix the problem. They have now replaced 2 injectors which has finally fixed the cold start misfire. However picked it up after 1 hour driving the car stunk of fuel when at a standstill. Took it back, they claimed there was a leaking fuel pipe that was leaking before that would be the problem... This annoyed me a fair bit. They gave it back to me same day, seemed fine but after a day the fuel smell is now back stronger than ever almost undriveable and presumably dangerous. To top it off driving on the M18 last night there was a huge bang (gunshot loud) followed by the EML and ECP light coming on for half a second. Car seems fine but I'm not sure I can stomach keeping it after this. A shame because I love the car.

[sfish95]

06andiano said:

What plate is your polo I have a 66 plate, only issue I had was the air conditioning pipe cracked but got that under warranty. Don’t know how you are getting under 30 on a run!
I commute Leeds to Manchester weekly and get 40-44 on that. General it’s pretty good only issues I have are the seats set too high and the noise isn’t great but everything else it’s a cracking little car

66 plate as well, 40 from motorway runs? Been struggling lately with the bikes on and all these storms. Also think I'm suffering from all the issues I've had. Assume your crusing at 70 to get 40+ mpg?

[Heaveho]

sfish95 said:

The issues I've had I don't know where to start. Dealer replaced turbo to fix an boost issue which turned out be a cracked charge pipe. Developed a water leak so they replaced the water pump. Didn't fix so they replaced the radiator. Didn't fix so they replaced the pump again. Didn't fix they replaced it a 3rd time. This was all under manufacturers warranty. Car began to rough start when cold which got progressively worse. They claimed it would be carbon build up rang me to say it was fine I went out started it up and the dash lit up like a Christmas tree sounded like it was on 3 cylinders. They rebuilt the engine citing damage to piston rings causing misfire. I had to contribute 400 quid after arguing as now out of warranty. This didnt fix the problem. They have now replaced 2 injectors which has finally fixed the cold start misfire. However picked it up after 1 hour driving the car stunk of fuel when at a standstill. Took it back, they claimed there was a leaking fuel pipe that was leaking before that would be the problem... This annoyed me a fair bit. They gave it back to me same day, seemed fine but after a day the fuel smell is now back stronger than ever almost undriveable and presumably dangerous. To top it off driving on the M18 last night there was a huge bang (gunshot loud) followed by the EML and ECP light coming on for half a second. Car seems fine but I'm not sure I can stomach keeping it after this. A shame because I love the car.

Jesus. Couldn't imagine loving a car that put me through that or was supported by a crowd of dealer based monkeys who don't know what they're doing. Good luck with whatever you replace it with, it can't be as hellish an ownership prospect as that.

[06andiano]

sfish95 said:

66 plate as well, 40 from motorway runs? Been struggling lately with the bikes on and all these storms. Also think I'm suffering from all the issues I've had. Assume your crusing at 70 to get 40+ mpg?

Yeah with the odd burst at higher speeds, on the 5 mile commute to work I get 36 all in all really happy economy wise. Mine came out of warranty in September and I’ve been looking at the Megane deals. With that horror story makes me wary of keeping it going!

[ChrisH72]

If you like your polo then why not just move up to a golf Gti?

Your 13k budget will get you into a mk7 on a 14 plate with less than 50k miles so fits those criteria. It’ll drive better than the polo and will have space for your bike at the weekend.

Then find a decent indi vag specialist garage, there are plenty around, so you avoid dreadful dealerships.

[sfish95]

06andiano said:

sfish95 said:

66 plate as well, 40 from motorway runs? Been struggling lately with the bikes on and all these storms. Also think I'm suffering from all the issues I've had. Assume your crusing at 70 to get 40+ mpg?

Yeah with the odd burst at higher speeds, on the 5 mile commute to work I get 36 all in all really happy economy wise. Mine came out of warranty in September and I’ve been looking at the Megane deals. With that horror story makes me wary of keeping it going!

Honestly I wouldn't be concerned about yours. The only thing I hear going wrong on others is the plastic water pump cracking. Every issue I've had to visit at least 2 times to get sorted and if they've had taken it out for a proper test or just done some kind of check could have been avoided. The workmanship of this dealer as been absolutely shocking and just led from one thing to the next. No doubt my poor fuel economy isn't helped by their work either.

[sfish95]

ChrisH72 said:

If you like your polo then why not just move up to a golf Gti?

Your 13k budget will get you into a mk7 on a 14 plate with less than 50k miles so fits those criteria. It’ll drive better than the polo and will have space for your bike at the weekend.

Then find a decent indi vag specialist garage, there are plenty around, so you avoid dreadful dealerships.

Will I be able to find a decent reliable golf for that price? I'm obviously worried about picking up another shed.

I always go to my indy, in this case the only reason I had to go dealer was the work has been (largely) free. Although in the end I would have just been better paying to get it done properly.

[ChrisH72]

A decent golf for £13k?

I would think so.

[ZX10R NIN]

It's a personal opinion but I find Golfs/Leons etc so detached I would buy everything I listed before parting with my money for one of those & if I did it would be the Leon to fit within your criteria but if it had to be any VAG then it would be an older S3.

[Toyoda]

If that list of problems with the Polo isn't enough to put him off the brand for a while then I don't know what is.

[sfish95]

ZX10R NIN said:

It's a personal opinion but I find Golfs/Leons etc so detached I would buy everything I listed before parting with my money for one of those & if I did it would be the Leon to fit within your criteria but if it had to be any VAG then it would be an older S3.

I'm not set on having another VAG. The megane is currently my 1st choice looks like a great car, it would be nice to have something that's not so clinical. Looking at part ex for one currently. The interior doesn't inspire me but it's always going to be hard going from VW. I can't see myself in the VXR I just can't get along with Vauxhalls.

I don't hold anything against the VW brand for my experience as I know for a fact it's all been down to pure incompetence of behalf of these dealership "technicians". Only that concerns me about shelling out about 13k for a GTI is I'd be getting into an older MY and similar mileage to what I have now. And the fact is almost identical inside. Is the drive in the golf really that much better than the polo..

[vtecyo]

Octavia VRS wagon?