Polo 1.8 GTI dsg

[Norton850]

I have always liked the look of the Polo gti and i have noticed these 2016-2019 cars can be had fairly cheaply so could be used as our pool car.
Reasonably small so id expect the 1.8 to be quite nippy but are there any reliability issues i should be aware of?
I think they are chain driven so thats a bonus..

Any advice

Thanks

[Dr G]

I've a feeling they use the DQ200 box (the transmission typically paired with small engines) that is not immune to problems, although the engine in those is pretty good. VW actually capped peak torque for the auto GTI to bring it down to something that wouldn't eat the box immediately. Most other cars with this engine use a DQ250. Will have a thermostat and water pump at some point in its life (all pre-2020 EA888 can suffer this).

I'm not knowledgable on that particular model if there are Polo-specific things.

[ManicMunky]

I'll echo what Dr G said, the DSG ones have limited torque. My wife has a manual one, it's a fun car. I do find the head and foot room to be lack though (although I am 6'1" with size 13 feet! I don't have the same problems in an Up, bizarrely enough.)

[Norton850]

Thanks..

The lower torque won't be a issue as the car will be used pottering around our country lanes doing errands etc but as they seem cheap we might as well have something fun rather than a boring city car.

I am 6 ft 4 so i expect i will be snug..

[Brent Hoffmeister]

Usual EA888 issues apply, water pump went on ours under warranty but no other issues in the couple of years we had it. Not aware of any specific polo issues

Had our manual remapped to 240ish bhp and it was a hoot on the back roads round our way, really brought the car alive. I’d imagine the DSG might not respond too well to a tune.

Went to make way for a Golf R which, while a great car, in standard trim doesn’t feel as ‘nippy’.