Thinking of buying a Polo GTI

[break]

Well, in terms of reliability I've had pretty much the 'worst case' for a Polo GTI.

I've had:

* Air con (compressor is on the way out for its second time now, first time replaced under warranty)
* Gearbox (2nd gear crunching was fixed with APR mount, 3rd still has problems at times)
* Cooling (Water pump died, now it looks like there is a leak developing on the rad)
* Bushes (EVERY Polo with over 15k on the clock will have rooted front bushes)
* Pinging (Hot summer days in traffic with only the GIAC retune and I get pinging if I boost it afterwards... I need to wait for the car to get a cold air feed to cool down the intercooler for a bit before I boot it during these situations)

Still, I like the car and enjoy owning it.

[MissVuks]

Don't be put off from buying a Polo GTI due to what you read on here. As many people have mentioned in previous threads regarding all VW models and makes, we are a concentrated demographic of VW owners who are rather meticulous in regards to their cars.

We nit pick and we love our cars to be in prime working condition, so yes we will post our problems in the hope someone will have a solution to our worries.

In one weeks time I will have owned my car for 2 years and I still get a massive smile every time I take it for a drive.

[Servo]

My first choice was a MK5 GTi but the price for a new one (and I wanted new) was way out of my budget. Bought the Polo instead, sure there's issues but like everyone said and that you've experienced, the damn thing just puts a smile to your face. If you don't like the shape it does grow on you, to the point where when you park the car you have to take another look at how hot it is. Especially the blue

[leasaunce]

simple rule.

If you after a luxurious quiet car then DO NOT GET THE POLO!

Fun, zippy little car.

[GTI_PAPA]

Hey guys,

Thought I'd give my two cents regarding new polo gti purchase.

I bought my polo brand new 3 months ago and through this process found out a few things:

1) Shop around for the best price. I found dealers in vic that were offering newbies for $27800 drive away (with met. paint), but the cheapest in sydney was still $29900. I asked the local vw dealer if he could match the vic price and deal was made.

2) Be aware that you are not going to get a recent import. These cars are no longer being built. So try to get a late build date if possible (lucky to get past 07/08 build), and also check when complianced. If over a month prior to delivery, it has been sourced from another dealer, not vw direct. VW compliance as ordered, mine was complianced 3 days prior to delivery.

3) I've had mine back 5 times to get various things sorted, but after much frustration, and a phone call to vw, problems solved (Luv that warranty).

I dont regret buying brand new, and even though minez is stock, It's great fun to drive.

Good luck...

[kevvie]

After 25 years of car ownership I can honestly say the Pogo is the most reliable car I have had - 3 years in the only thing I have ever worried about is getting the gearbox oil changed.

I find it refreshing to log into a forum where most of the questions are about wanting to spend money on the car to make it go better, rather than complaining about the money spent just to keep it going....

[kelvniii]

After 25 years of car ownership I can honestly say the Pogo is the most reliable car I have had - 3 years in the only thing I have ever worried about is getting the gearbox oil changed.

I find it refreshing to log into a forum where most of the questions are about wanting to spend money on the car to make it go better, rather than complaining about the money spent just to keep it going....

Totally true!

[blackbetty]

yeah i tend to agree with the majority here...when i bought my gti brand new, i did it after researching the hell out of everything in the same price bracket. i picked it because i was sure it was a car i could live with every day because it wasnt a hard edged sports car. it has good performance for what it is and is very reliable. and if i want i can spend a bit and hot her up.

i've had problems too, radio/cd player fried and needed replacement, plus i has some front suspension noise issues which results in balljoints and bushes being replaced, and then it all went away.

but i love the car and its by far the best i've ever had (previous cars are valiants and toranas).

so it depends on what you want - if you want a small great handler and performance car grab the CleoSport....its quicker and handles brilliantly. but if you want a car that will age gracefully and give reliabel performance, go the GTI.

[Servo]

Mind you having say that the Cleo is friggin ugly.

[tooch]

Mind you having say that the Cleo is friggin ugly.

Not to mention French build quality isn't held in the highest regard!
I'd hate to think how many squeaks and rattles the Renault would have after 1500km, given how many my Pogo has already!