Polo GTI wins Motor Magazines "Bang for your buck" 2012

[Bassik]

The bit that amuses me is they dis the Fabia for the handbrake/armrest competing for space, and yet they dont mention it in the Polo, and then seem to praise the BT touchscreen as well, obviously they dont read this forum or know its not needed in the GTI. Bizarre. But that said, having driven the Fabia and the Polo, I prefer the Polo and would agree its a better BFYB, I would (did!) happily pay a bit more for the same engine in a better looking, better handling car with a nicer interior etc. but for me, when it came down to it I felt the Polo drove better, the Skoda just seemed less planted and less 'zippy'.

What was interesting to me when reading the article was that the BRZ/86 didnt do better. What impressed me was that cars Ive driven and rated against the Polo when i was looking to buy the car, came about where I thought, eg the Swift.

Funny I bought the mag as well and thought exactly the same thing. Surprised the BRX/86 didn't do better because realistically "Best Bang for your Buck" I would put them a lot higher and if not winning. I know they are not as torquey as the Polo and Skoda but it's definitely the best band for buck in relation to sports and track car. If you want a sports car you'd get that if you want comfort you'd get Polo. It's very hard to put them both in the same category. Having said that where was the Golf Gti, I say that because it's weird they picked the Polo over it.

[JonW]

The golf GTI not being there intrigued me as well but then i thought... Polo has same 0-100 time and 12-15k cheaper. Not that that sort of thing mattered with other brands in the test, so yes it was a strange omission.

[gavs]

They didn't "pick" the polo, or the other 9 cars that finished above the higher of the 2 same same cars, the mathematics did. The car that finished 3rd is far superior to anything other than the BMW 1M as a performance car but the formula that they punch in is what produces the results.

Yes I agree regarding the bug bears ie handbrake and touch screen, daft really. It also annoys me that there is no mention about the inherent issues plaguing this platform, especially as there were 3 of them in the field. I also notice the "long term" A1 got handed back rather quickly....

As a side note, aside from the electronic calibration differences, the Fabia does actually have physical differences compared to the polo that contribute to it being a less dynamic vehicle, namely things like ballast etc and the battery in the front, forward of the axle line.

[pologti18t]

As a side note, aside from the electronic calibration differences, the Fabia does actually have physical differences compared to the polo that contribute to it being a less dynamic vehicle, namely things like ballast etc and the battery in the front, forward of the axle line.

The Fabia is not quite the same platform as the current A1/Polo, for better or worse. Seems closer aligned (except for mods to fit newer engines etc) to the old Polo GTI. The narrower tracks and thinner tyres seems to suggest that.

The VRS is a bargain at the prices you can buy them for (rather than RRP).

[readerr0r]

The Fabia is not quite the same platform as the current A1/Polo, for better or worse. Seems closer aligned (except for mods to fit newer engines etc) to the old Polo GTI. The narrower tracks and thinner tyres seems to suggest that.

The VRS is a bargain at the prices you can buy them for (rather than RRP).

Yup the Fabia is based on the A04/PQ24 platform while the Polo is based on the A05/P25 platform. That's why it feels slightly last-gen. It's also a bit heavier and thus a bit slower (7.3 vs 6.9)

[gavs]

Exactly. They still endure the same major problems though being oil, supercharger squeals, dsgs, rattles etc.

[essfer]

Such an old thread, but the most relevant one I could find to save opening a new conversation:
I'd really like to track down a copy of the BFYB 2012 issue of Motor. If anyone has a copy they're willing to part with, or can lead me in the right direction to get my hands on a back issue, I'd be supremely grateful!

[ill0gitech]

If you have an iphone/ipad you can readily get back-issues in their app. Otherwise, you can see if you can order back-issues from them at their website.

[kam]

just went to deca in shepparton on saturday, spent the whole day in a brand new toyota 86

very stable, but it really needs an extra 30 or so kw

[essfer]

If you have an iphone/ipad you can readily get back-issues in their app. Otherwise, you can see if you can order back-issues from them at their website.

Unfortunately I'm an android user. Have floated around the website without much luck. Will keep looking. Thanks for the tips though.