Hi all-
Currently looking for a nice, used small car in today's ridiculous market. After fainting over the ridiculous prices that the Yaris, Jazz, Mazda 2, etc. are commanding on the used car market (and FFS, no cruise control???), I've turned my attention to the Polo. They don't have this model where I'm from (see screenname), so I'm not super familiar with this line. Parents at home have a 2000 TDI manual Beetle (aka "The Indestructible Long Haul Ranger") and had a 2002 Passat AWD V6 wagon (aka "The Useless POS Tank That Ate Tires"), so my experience with VW has been somewhat mixed.

I'm leaning toward manual mostly because I like driving stick and they're going for slightly cheaper than the autos. Currently about to take a look at a 2014 77TSI manual but am wondering if it's worth waiting for a 66TSI to show up since getting 4.8L/100 km as opposed to 5.5L is looking more and more attractive with today's petrol prices.

I would primarily be doing mixed driving with the occasional long haul trip thrown in.

Is there really that big of a difference in fuel economy between the two, or am I splitting hairs?

Thanks!