Young driver needing help choosing car

[tmdev_112]

Hello all,

This is my first post on PH, I am seeking out some advice when looking to purchase my next car. The car I am looking to purchase is a VW POLO GTI 1.4TSI (2010-2013). My reasoning for this choice would is primarily because as a young driver, it is the only car I have found so far that is a step up from my 1.0 ecoboost (100HP) while being insurable. However whilst reading up on forums online and YouTube content etc it has come tk my attention many people consider this generation of polo GTI to have an unreliable engine (twincharged 1.4) and some also question the DSG.

There is a wide variety of viewpoints, some saying they had no issues, some saying mechatronic failure after 30K Miles. The example I would be purchasing would be <70000 miles, FSH, from a dealership.

I have the money to put the car under warranty for X years, would that be a bombproof way of insuring I don’t get burned via the issues reported with these cars that result in hefty repair bills?

I am looking for some valuable insight from those with more knowledge than me, in regards to this generation of polo or suggestions of other cars with more power that I can insure for a relatively small increase in price (the next gen 6C 1.8T is not insurable for me).

Thanks in advance,

TM

[CrippsCorner]

If you search for details of any car purchase, you'll find issues. My way of looking at buying a secondhand car, is to always expect the worst! If you get better than that, you've done well. Also, for anything around 10 years old (which is usually my buying preference) I just keep a grand in bank to sort any issues that arise. I personally wouldn't be too worried about it... just look for service history, and get one done pretty soon after purchase, along with receipts and one particular anal thing for me, matching tyres. Then you know it's been looked after and if st happens, st happens.

For reference I once had two of the same car a few years apart, Clio 182, one of which was low miles (45k) and unfortunately ended up being a real turd. The other was bought on 110k and ended up being brilliant. You never really know what you're going to get!

[CG2020UK]

I’d have a look at the Peugeot 208GTI Prestige.

More fun than the Polo with a far better interior and spec.

Reliable and parts are cheap if needed.

You’ll get 40+mpg out of it if sensible and with 208bhp it has a right turn of pace.

My wife got one as soon as she passed her test and it was cheaper to insure than a 70bhp Corsa or 1L Fiesta.

[ZX10R NIN]

Those cars have a fair few issues I'd say take a look at some other alternatives.