Thinking about buying a Polo..

**remy** · 07-06-2013, 05:57 PM

Hi guys

My family is thinking about buying a Polo for my younger sister, and I've got a few questions:

1) What are your impressions of the current TSI and TDI models? We've been quoted around 21k drive-away for the TSI and about 24k drive-away for the TDI model.

2) It has to be a DSG variant because she can't drive manual - are these gearboxes reliable? I've heard horror stories (like $7000 replacements) and there's articles popping up about sudden power loss.

3) Any issues I should be aware of?

I'm a Golf man and I love my car, but I must admit I don't know anything about VW's other offerings. We originally looked at the new Nissan Pulsar and the Honda Jazz, but the Polo just seems to be a better buy. The main thing I'm concerned about is reliability, so I'd like to hear what some of you owners out there have to say. Thanks!

**spikeyboy22** · 07-06-2013, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by remy

Hi guys

My family is thinking about buying a Polo for my younger sister, and I've got a few questions:

1) What are your impressions of the current TSI and TDI models? We've been quoted around 21k drive-away for the TSI and about 24k drive-away for the TDI model.

2) It has to be a DSG variant because she can't drive manual - are these gearboxes reliable? I've heard horror stories (like $7000 replacements) and there's articles popping up about sudden power loss.

3) Any issues I should be aware of?

I'm a Golf man and I love my car, but I must admit I don't know anything about VW's other offerings. We originally looked at the new Nissan Pulsar and the Honda Jazz, but the Polo just seems to be a better buy. The main thing I'm concerned about is reliability, so I'd like to hear what some of you owners out there have to say. Thanks!

We also have a golf gti and love it, so purchased a polo gti, after three months have traded it in, the 7 speed dsg is ****.... Don't do it

**alexaescht** · 07-06-2013, 06:47 PM

If you do mainly freeway trips get the TDI and if you plan to travel short trips inner city get the TSI.
The reason for this is because the TDI has a filter in the exhaust system designed to remove the majority of the exhaust soot (black smoke) that diesels are known for. Short trips don't allow the filter to reach high enough temperatures to clean itself, so the filter will become clogged quickly and a freeway trip will be necessary to clean it out.

Personally, I would go for a manual TSI regardless – the TDI is too noisy, the GTI has too many problems and I assume the Trendline doesn't have much oomph.
I also believe that because the TDI makes significantly more torque than the TSI, the gearbox is more likely to fail earlier due to higher clutch temperatures and the like.

Alex.

EDIT: oh, and never buy a DSG Polo. You're playing with fire.

**MrDeathLad** · 07-06-2013, 07:27 PM

21604km and 8months of owning a dsg 77tsi polo and no problems at all. As others have said there are horror stories and articles in the paper and what not, but not every polo is destined to fail. And usually you only hear about the ones that do.

**Barracuda** · 07-06-2013, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by MrDeathLad

21604km and 8months of owning a dsg 77tsi polo and no problems at all. As others have said there are horror stories and articles in the paper and what not, but not every polo is destined to fail. And usually you only hear about the ones that do.

Have to agree, had my Polo almost a year and a half now and no issues at all! Treat it right and it will treat you right. The DSG is a nice box at mid-high speed, but it can be a tad jerky at low stop-start speeds. The DSG's are problematic but there are still plenty of reliable and problem-free ones out there. Hopefully Volkswagen is working on a fix for the issues that the problematic ones have. I would say go for it, awesome little car, just keep an eye out on the DSG. Also, ignore all the media hype at the moment, it's all very sensationalised- there are issues, but its written in a way to blow it all out of proportion. Typical Fairfax.

**kam** · 07-06-2013, 10:57 PM

my only concern with buying a polo with dsg is re-sale

currently vw is getting huge media attention, and potential buyers will (well i would) stay well away from dsg vw's for a while

**TSI_Dan** · 07-06-2013, 11:13 PM

Just as well there is a great manual option. Never too late to learn. The TSI 6-speed manual is beautiful to drive! I'm chuffed with mine!

**VWplo** · 08-06-2013, 08:12 AM

Definitely can't go wrong with a manual TSI.
Awesome car. But if you go dsg on a TSI you should be fairly safe. If I was buying I'd definitely stick with the manual
But I guess that's only an option if you have a "real" licence haha

**Dan86** · 08-06-2013, 08:46 AM

I know some people have some problems but I have had my GTI now for 11 months, 13,000 kms and have not had any problems what so-ever.

Chewed up about 1/2 a ltr of oil in the first 2000kms which was worrying but after that it stopped and have only had to give it a few top ups since then.