Polo GTI... Thoughts, opinoins and reviews please

[veedub 0]

Hi people,

I have decided to get rid of the Scooby in favour of another german hot hatch. Im thinking about going for the Polo GTI 2000-2002 shape.

Has anyone had one, driven one, knows someone who has one? Would just like to know if they are any good and all the usual guff....

 

Ta Chris.

[Goldie 2]

Have a word with VR6-South (Martin), he has one and its a cracking car....

[Phil K 0]

Have been thinking about one of these myself as a replacement for the Golf in a year or so... prices seem good at the moment and better value than the Lupo GTI 8)

[veedub 0]

prices seem good at the moment and better value than the Lupo GTI 8)

 

My thoughts exactly!

[JayGT 0]

These are very nice 8) ! A mate of mine had a 51 plate in Reflex Silver.

 

Best looking of all the Polos by a mile. Well built, smooth and quick little thing.

 

I sometimes think they're a bit girly but strangely I'd probably drive one (dunno if that makes me a big girls blouse!)

[Walesy 0]

Nippy little things, but not too great for taking ur 2 labs to the beach mate :lol:

[veedub 0]

Yeah I know!! Will only be taking one out coz the other one throws up every time it gets into the car, so beach trips are few and far between unfortunatly.

Hence why I dont really need an estate anymore.

 

Anyone know what the running costs are like? Any common faults or problems?

[12 DEG BEN 0]

I had a 2000 gti from new with all the trimmings on top. Car was great. Went for ever on a tank of gas ( compared to vr ). Was always being asked about it. Great looking standard before mods. Brakes were incredible. Engine was eager but found it a little short of punch. Headlights were the best part. Absolute daylight although the beam was so precise that when dipped and travelling at speed they didnt illuminate cats eyes or animal eyes like normal lenses do. They dont give you a split seconds advanced notice and have no manual adjustment. Still a very capable car and when selling it a bloke came to replace his crashed silver 5 door. He'd rolled it into a field with 3 passengers and they all got out with scratches so. Only trouble I had was the rad fan packed up and tried to boil itself. When selling it I read somewhere that turbo kits were available for it. just an option?

[mic_VR 3]

I had one mate, a 3 dr 200 W-reg. Amazing car and I'd definitely have one again.

 

As already mentioned they come fully loaded and is a very capable car, good handling/brakes/safety equipment/audio/air-con etc. but the engine which is excellent when its just you and a passenger can feel a little underpowered if fully laiden. I just made sure I never had anyone else in it! :D

 

Lights are xenons and amazing quality, auto level adjustments and have that cool moment when you first turn them on where they warm up!

 

Bad points - gearbox and pedal box are known weaknesses, pedal box was a recall so should have been fixed. Gearboxes I think are just a bit weak.

Original alloys - outer lips corrode like no ones business! Get them refurbed or go up to 16" rims like they always should have been.

 

Can't praise them enough and I only sold mine because I couldn't justify having a 7 grand car on the drive when I only do 50miles a month. Would definitely have one again though 8)

[veedub 0]

mic_VR, 12 DEG BEN, nice one chaps! Well im convinced so its time get rid of the scooby - anyone fancy something sensible?

[skinnyman9000 0]

I looked at them a few years back but they were still pricey (£6-7k), but i believe the prices have dropped to around £4k now. They certainly come with all the gadgets, but i was also warned about the gearbox, weak link i think. Also the engine is nippy (1.6 16V) but i can imagine it wouldnt enjoy being fully laden.

 

Nothing a BAM engine swap couldnt solve im sure.

[Dubby 0]

I've had mine for over 4 years, 2000 model, 3 door

 

It's comfortable, nippy, not too bad on petrol and I can fit my large pikey dog in the boot :)

 

I think I've experienced all of the 'common' problems...

 

Ignition barrel seized, rad fan siezed, pedal box replaced under recall (all done foc, these happened while it was under warranty also)

Boot lock was faulty and made the alarm go off (£££'s for VW to spend 4 hours @ £90 an hour to 'diagnose' the fault, even though when I booked it in they said it was a common failure!!! Last time I ever went to VW!!)

Electric window stopped working

Gearbox failed @ 32k miles (£718 all in, reconditioned by a specialist, fitted by Skoda dealership)

Coilpack & leads just been replaced this week (£180)

Original alloys rotten - shame because they suit it perfectly!

[veedub 0]

Dubby, What sort of MPG is yours returning? Im getting about 25-27MPG from the scooby, I imagine it will be far better than that.

Getting fed up with putting fuel in that fecking Impreza!!

 

What is it that fails on the gearbox? Just want to know what to look out for.

[Dubby 0]

Filled up yesterday...I got 283 miles out of 3/4 of a tank...can't do the maths :lol:

 

It was the diff that was knackered :(