Considering a Polo GTI 9n3 - reliability? problems?

[Sharkie]

I have owned 2 x 9N3 Polo GTIs (actually the same 1 twice) for a total of 3+2=5 years with a 2 year gap inbetween. For the price there is nothing that can provide so much fun and reliability.

It has all the necessary bits like AC, traction and stability control, multiple airbags, cruise control etc. It misses out on BT and SatNav but that can be added afterwards at a reasonable price.

The drive is hardish but sooooo entertaining ..... I'd buy my old 1 back again even if it is now approaching 10 years in age. Cruising on the highway was supremely easy and comfortable and still returned around 5.7l/100km.

It was absolutely bullet proof and never had a major mechanical issue other than regular scheduled services. It was stg 2+ as well which meant it made 170+kw and was properly quick.

A 207GTI will not even come close to the basic fun you will have in a lightly tuned 9N3 GTI. In fact very little in the VW stable (and I include Skodas in that) will be comparable, its the classic "MX5" of the range .... highly underrated IMO.

[jing713]

I have owned 2 x 9N3 Polo GTIs (actually the same 1 twice) for a total of 3+2=5 years with a 2 year gap inbetween. For the price there is nothing that can provide so much fun and reliability.

It has all the necessary bits like AC, traction and stability control, multiple airbags, cruise control etc. It misses out on BT and SatNav but that can be added afterwards at a reasonable price.

The drive is hardish but sooooo entertaining ..... I'd buy my old 1 back again even if it is now approaching 10 years in age. Cruising on the highway was supremely easy and comfortable and still returned around 5.7l/100km.

It was absolutely bullet proof and never had a major mechanical issue other than regular scheduled services. It was stg 2+ as well which meant it made 170+kw and was properly quick.

A 207GTI will not even come close to the basic fun you will have in a lightly tuned 9N3 GTI. In fact very little in the VW stable (and I include Skodas in that) will be comparable, its the classic "MX5" of the range .... highly underrated IMO.

Hi all,

Had a look at a 207 GTi just on Saturday, was quite impressed by the model.

Had things like instant fuel consumption, steering column mounted radio & cruise control, auto door locking etc.

Pulled reasonably well as well with 3 people in the car.

However, did not purchase as the seller seemed to be dishonest.

NSW rego history check showed there were 5 registered operators and it was recently held by a dealership for resale in April.

He claims he has had it since Dec 2013 and he is the second owner.

Also a quick google with the number plate suggested it was listed before (perhaps by the dealership) for only $8990.
He listed the car for $9990, said his bottom line was $9250, I wanted $8500. There was <1 month registration left too.

Things didn't add up, although the car seemed to be good mechanically (for 98k km).

That's the only 207 GTi I can find online so far!

Anyhow, I'm going overseas on Sunday for 2 weeks and I will see how things go from there.


If I go down the Polo GTI path, I have considered changing the stereo so it has bluetooth etc. But the cost of that and an ECU tune usually makes it more expensive than a comparable 207 GTi.

Perhaps the Polo GTI isn't the car for me, as it doesn't have as many bells and whistles - but I will probably take a look at one and see how it fits for size when I'm back, especially if there aren't any other 207 GTis for sale.

Thanks for all your insights, opinions and comments.

Cheers.