2015 Polo gti vs your prior cars

[jbounce]

Wondering how the Polo gti compares with your prior cars?

[Vex]

I'll update you with a comparison when I take delivery of my GTi and do some decent miles on it..

I was actually going to buy an Audi S1 as the dealers are doing them in the low $40's drive away due to low demand I suppose but opted for the Polo GTi as it looks a little nicer to me and almost half the cost for what will essentially be a daily.

I am sure I can make an un-bias opinion on how it compares to some comparable cars I have owned in the past in addition to some in higher price brackets...

I had a Fiesta ST when they first came out and according to most reviews it's the better pick over the Polo GTi. I certainly enjoyed the Fiesta ST but got bored of it. I also have a S/C BRZ, Tuned Evo X and have owned an 8P S3, TT RS, GTR and now an 8V S3 (Wife's car)

I will be interested to see exactly how 'bad' the Polo GTi is for fun compared to the Fiesta ST once I get seat time. I remember reading a UK magazine that ruled out the Polo GTi as a "Lukewarm" Hatch compared to the Fiesta ST, 208 GTi 30th Ed, Corsa VXR and Clio RS. Then again I have read some decent reviews on the Polo GTi but I rather reserve my own judgement in due time.

=)

[jbounce]

Wow. Nice list of prior cars. They look tastefully modded. How was the Evo?

[NuffNuff]

my weekender is a mitsubishi legnum vr4 (twin turbo v6, awd (much like an evo)) however it has coilovers, strut bracing lower and upper, semi slicks, grip royal steering wheel (no airbag), bride fixed back carbon fibre seats, its noisy, rattles, tyre noise is extremely loud, stones hit the guards from sticking to the tyres, its clunk and a lot of engine noise into the cabin due to 1 solid engine mount and 3 poly/alloy bushed mounts. i absolutely love the car. we've taken it on some extremely long trips and camping etc so its done a lot for the family. youre tired as hell once you arrive but the trip itself is always enjoyable and involving.

performance wise i think in a straight line the GTI is faster, the GTI is exciting to drive as a daily. the Legnum to have a thrill you are going ridiculous speeds, otherwise its a waste sitting in traffic

I find the GTI interior very refined and comfortable. the tyres are loud and the suspension is very jolty. the stock suspension for how firm and 'sporty' they make it is not confidence inspiring at all. confidence aside, it can corner quite hard and powers out of corners spinning the wheels in a hilarious manner while still sticking to where you're pointing it which is fantastic. its sluggish with any driving assistance on though, the DSG (i had problems) is sweet, the noises it makes is hilarious and gives me a laugh everytime it farts. you can overtake whenever it has that much grunt nothing troubles it. as jolty as it is, it never feels dangerous.

our last daily prior to the GTI was a suzuki swift, it handled ok, you kinded rolled around as it leaned over though, powerwise it was garbage. you had to think so far ahead before making any moves and with the mrs and my son in the car most days you could never take a chance. fuel wise it was excellent when its just 1 person in it, but with 3 people in the GTI im only using 1L more per 100km then i did in the swift. i've had a stripped out EG civic before for a short period which was pretty exciting, however someone offered me way more then i paid for it so it had to go lol

before my jap/german cars i had a lot of holdens with the 5.7 and a cammed 6L v8 VE manual SS, they were great for the noise and acceleration but they were so heavy. they were exciting in their own way, i definately still see the appeal of them. truely i’d like one again, but i find a lot of guys have moved to the gen3s as they are so cheap now so im not really interested in being part of that anymore

[Vex]

Wow. Nice list of prior cars. They look tastefully modded. How was the Evo?

Cheers.. Evo was a fun weekend/track toy. But now the X is showing its age...

[Vex]

Okay...

I can update my opinion on the GTi over other cars having done a decent amount of km's now..

Handling wise the Fiesta ST and Subaru BRZ are simply better where the rear end of the Polo is not as playful as the Fiesta ST and the BRZ being RWD adds even more fun (would be nice if the GTi had an LSD)... My other toys are simply in a higher price bracket and wont be compared but I can say from an interior point of view that the Polo GTi is miles better then my Evo X, Lotus Elise, Subaru BRZ and my old Fiesta ST...

Focusing on the Fiesta ST for comparison I find that although the Fiesta out handles the Polo GTi that the Polo GTi overall is a much better car for road use and as a daily vehicle..

Pro's over Fiesta ST

- Much more usable Torque (in manual form)
- Nicer interior / media system
- Exterior looks more mature and less like a teenage girls car (subjective)
- Easier to live with everyday

Negatives over Fiesta ST

- Seats aren't as nice as the Recaro's
- Doesn't handle as well
- Made in Spain where as the Fiesta ST is made in Germany

Overall the Polo GTi is much easier to live with and the torque in the manual variant is soo much fun and will easily choose it over the Fiesta ST any day. If you only have one car to choose and want to go on the track then I would say the Fiesta ST, 208 GTI 30th, ND Mazda MX-5 and the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ would be much better purchases for daily and track duties in the $27k-$35k range.. If the Renault Clio RS 200 came in a manual I would have purchased that over the Polo GTi but sadly they only sell it in a slow and uninspiring gearbox (from my drive of a friends Cup Premium)...

[Mi16 Man]

This is my 2nd VW GTI.... Prior to the Polo, it was a manual MK6 GTI.

The Polo is very much "point and shoot". That is, see a gap and nail it. The Golf was quick but you had to pick your gaps / position correctly on the road.

All my other cars have been in the Peugeot 'Sports' Category. Sorry to bore you but that is;
505 GTi
205 GTI
405 Mi16
306 GTi6
306 XSi
206 GTi 180


From what I recall, my MY16 Polo is very much a modern day 205 GTi. Torquey little beast that is dialled up to 10 on the 'Hoonigan' factor.

As with the 205, the Polo can be docile yet when you want, return a great drive that puts a cheeky smile on your face, again and again. Albeit with the comfort and safety features delivered in 2015.


MY13 Kluger KX-S AWD / MY16 Polo GTI

[Vex]

Hey Mi6, did you test drive the 208 GTi 30th edition ? That's closer to the 205 GTi then the Polo GTi by far.. But it's price is too close to a new Subaru WRX

[maxrob200]

Hey MI16Man, I was bit of a pug fan myself and lurked on the Aussiefrogs forum for awhile. Previous pugs had been 505GTI, 306 S16 and 406 V6, all manuals and fun in their own way. Never got to own a 205 GTI though .

[Mi16 Man]

Hey Mi6, did you test drive the 208 GTi 30th edition ? That's closer to the 205 GTi then the Polo GTi by far.. But it's price is too close to a new Subaru WRX

No, didn't test drive the 208. Needed 5drs and I only wanted a manual. Clio and Fiesta didn't fit those parameters.


MY13 Kluger KX-S AWD / MY16 Polo GTI