18th Jan 2006, 03:45
I'd rather have a Polo GTI than a cheap french thing. Wow it is slightly faster. At the end of the day the GTI is still nippy and has better residual values and toys than anything in it's class, and it will last longer too.
1st Feb 2006, 13:40
It's not the performance it's the handling. The Polo wasn't a class leader when it came out dynamically, and the French stuff takes it apart on the kind of roads GTI's were built for. Not just in terms of pace, but feel, balance, chuckability and all the things that matter in a hot hatch. Peugeot could send their chassis team to a sleep deprivation camp for a week and they'd still come up with something more talented at the end of it.
It's interesting too to hear Polo owners mock the build quality of French cars, when all Polos from 1994 onwards have been built in Spain, at the same plant as the Seat Ibiza. Hardly the world centre for quality engineering. Polos have had patchy build quality since they this happened. Paying for the VW badge and getting Seat build quality seems a bit daft to me, but for some I guess badge is everything.
28th Mar 2006, 09:11
Polo Gti, is probably the best hot hatch I've ever had, 5 yrs old and its still going as strong as ever. Maybe could have done with 16" wheels instead of 15". 0-60 in 8.5 sec is still pretty respectable. And the top speed is not 124 I've pushed mine to 131...and still did not red-line (no its not chipped) Yes watch out for the temp gauge dropping up and down, apparently its due to a faulty sensor
26th Apr 2006, 10:40
I own a Polo GTI and I have to say it is the best car I have ever had. Its not perfect (no car is) but at the end of the day it is a quality car.
The good points
Fast car for what it is
Excellent spec
Rare... due to this it is a head turner
Surprises a lot of people e. g mk4 golf gti owners etc...
The bad points
Sucks on fuel
Needs lowering
Needs 16s.
To prove how much I love the car I can say one thing... I am never going to sell it. Even when I need a bigger family car I shall keep it. A future hot hatch classic.
20th Jun 2006, 15:12
Anyone who owns a Peugeot or Citroen is in no position to criticise the build quality of any other manufacturer least of all a German one, while the Polo is built in Spain, work is overseen by German engineers, so don't talk to Volkswagen owners about quality because you don't know the meaning of the word.
12th Oct 2006, 09:06
I have owned a Peugeot 106 GTI which had the worst build quality I have ever seen - even Rover puts them to shame, Saxo VTS - same car, also a regretable purchase... However my Polo GTI is a classy, well built adventure I take pride in driving on a daily basis.
Citroen/Peugeot fans, you're in denial and you're missing out!!
13th Oct 2006, 06:33
I agree that the Polo interior & build quality is far better than its French rivals, but so it should given how much more it costs... you get what you pay for.
14th Feb 2007, 02:19
I have a polo and it may only be a 1.4SE, but it still shows a saxo and 106 that when you buy it it will still have some value 5 years down the line. climate control and dual din music setup. can't complain.
11th Sep 2007, 11:50
So it's still worth something 5 years down the line, but in the meantime when you have to drive it every day, you know it's second best.
I'd say to hell with the money and enjoy myself in the meantime.
1st Nov 2007, 12:48
I used to want a Polo GTi, but it would have to be one of the new ones now (2007) as I have a new polo and couldn't really go backwards. However, I would still have even a battered old Polo GTi that hasn't been looked after, rather than a saxo. Its just a horrible little car that's only fast because there is nothing inside it. (and I not even sure if it is that fast, it might just be the feeling of speed, like you get driving a go kart) I'm sure they have a market out there, but I grew out of tracksuits and Max Power a long time ago. A few years ago I went to one of those modding shows and after 5 minutes of looking at saxos with big wheels and bits a plastic glued on, I was ready to go home.
16th Nov 2007, 14:55
Hi, I have owned my 2k polo GTI for 18 months now. I have now got a car that will stay with me for many years. Whenever I drive it I feel that I am in a bigger more refined car than it has any right to be. The styling is timeless, the spec is awesome and I love it. Long live Divvy (reg ends in DVY, Nic at work named him).
18th Jul 2008, 08:34
The POLO GTI... Hmmmmmmm its got a 16V engine, but so does a Nissan Micra.
Enough said.
13th May 2009, 12:48
Well I've owned my Polo GTi for about two months now, and my mates got a 106 GTi with a ram air kit and exhaust. Mine's standard, and they are evenly matched in a straight line. Also Saxo VTRs get chewed easy! This is a proper car; I love it!
22nd May 2010, 19:57
Loved the car until recently, when I discovered that the ABS motor needs to be replaced (after a 50 euro computer reading). Ss the ABS light is on, my car will not be able to pass National Car test or will I be able to use it for my driving test! Dealer quoted me 1,000 euro to replace ABS motor + labor!
12th Feb 2011, 17:53
I have owned my 2000 Polo GTI now for 1 year. I am a 22 year old girl. I love my car. It kicks all the Saxo VTRs that even attempt to race me. It's a strong sturdy car, with a sexy wee body and a simple style that won't go out of style. I've had mine doing 132, and to be honest it didn't struggle at all.
Anybody who thinks the Saxo VTR is a better car has not got behind the wheel of a Polo GTI; the Saxo is cheap and nasty.
Could say more, but you all know the truth!!
9th May 2013, 02:52
The amount of valves per cylinder do not determine its build quality or power... Some of the best engines ever made are a 16v setup; it's ideal for a 4 cylinder engine to have 4 valves per cylinder. I think you should research more if that is all you have to say.
27th Jan 2017, 22:37
Hi have you still got that Polo? And more importantly, is it blue!? My brother put his heart and soul into a blue Polo ending DVY before his ex wife made him sell it. Sadly he died a few years back, but I've been trying to track it down to surprise my parents. Find me on FB, Bradley Midgley.
21st Dec 2005, 14:04
I bought a 2001 polo gti a couple of weeks ago from a local garage, overall it's a nice car, it is fast, and fun to drive. Rear washer didn't work at first, but garage fixed that no problem. But I've noticed the temp gauge suddenly plummeting to the bottom at various times every time I drive it now, then returning to normal after 5-10 minutes. Any ideas what that might be?
Also, sometimes feels a bit jerky at low revs, and changing low gears can be a bit kangaroo-like. Any suggestions as to what these problems might be would be much appreciated!