10th Apr 2006, 12:19

One sort of option if you want to buy new again (or even used) is to look for a quality car that is NOT in demand. Cars that are sitting on a dealer's lot are costing the dealer money, so they are more willing to not only deal on them, but give you more money for your trade in.

You would be surprised how much your trade in will bounce around in value depending on the dealer and what car you are trying to buy.

I'm not saying you're going to recoup costs, but you might be able to mitigate some losses that way.

10th Apr 2006, 16:33

Well, if you don't mind a little general financial advice, I would suggest keeping the car. Although it gives you some trouble, you are sure to take a huge loss by trading it off, and of course there is no guarantee that the used replacement car will be better. If the car still moves under its own power, it can at least serve its basic function. If you have to take it in to get the EGR valve replaced every 3 months, surely that is cheaper than buying another car. Also, perhaps you could learn how to replace the EGR valve yourself, at only the cost of the part. Another possibility is that you might try a new mechanic. Frankly, if your current mechanic simply replaces the same thing over and over, and the problem never goes away, he either may not know what he's doing, or is just counting on your cash to keep coming back. If you struggle along with it for another few years, it will let you save up some money again. Financially, you're almost always better off to keep the car you have rather than buying a new one. Also be careful about future financial decisions. The fact that you paid 14,000 Euros for a 5,000 Euro car means that your mother should have consulted a friend or gotten some advice before buying. Good luck.

10th Apr 2006, 16:55

Perhaps a new/used Toyota or Honda? I wouldn't buy ANYthing from VW Group. Sorry to hear of your troubles. VW should know how important these purchases are and that people drive their families around in them. It's a shame.

11th Apr 2006, 11:32

We bought the polo brand new with airco so that's why we paid 14 000 euro's. which is the normal price. But as you know a 4 year old polo is not worth that much anymore. We've been thinking for 3 years to keep it... but we've risked our lives several times driving it. Whenever we have to make a 1hour and a half trip we are extremely scared and in most cases we broke down. So we can't keep driving with it... we could as well buy a bike then.

We could have been dead in several occasions. The dealer repaired the valve thing several times without costs... so he's not trying to take our money. They admit VW know about the problem and the only thing they can do is replace the valve. My mothers boyfriend is mechanic with BMW, but he can't even replace the thing... they need all the electronic stuff to fix it... I guess.

It is just extremely frustrating and scary to drive with so keeping it is out of the question.

Last time we had to drive through the red traffic light because the engine went out every time we slowed down. When we stood still or were making a turn we constantly had to push on the gas pedal otherwise we would instantly stop in the middle of the road. We were taking a turn on an extremely busy highway with six lanes and we just stopped. If a truck or car drove behind I wouldn't be writing this.

22nd Apr 2006, 12:50

I'm fascinated by this and welcome your help, please.

2 months ago I bought a 2002 Polo 1.4 TDI Sport for my daughter. Only 1 owner from new.

A few problems though:

1. Instrument console loses power once per day. All warning lights go out, speedo and tach needles zero, instrument lighting goes out. Less that 1 second later, all is OK again except trip and clock are reset to zero.

2. Inside boot lid (hatch) the washer pipe fell off and sprayed the boot lock. Now the central locking won't open it. I've replaced the positioning motor solenoid, the microswitch assembly and wonder what next to replace.

3. Not being able to open the boot via the central locking has made me realise I never actually tried the radio-remote keys in the door locks. They don't fit. The previous owner says he lost his keys 2 years ago and was charged about £450 by the VW dealer, but doesn't know what they did. They may have changed the locks in boot and driver door. I ordered a new key, a basic one, without remote. £48 later, I find that fits ignition, but not external locks. Very odd. I need the right key to actually remove the lock barrel from the locks. I may have to drill them out.

4. Just after I bought it, the brakelight switch failed. I wasted £12 buying a new switch and broke it on fitting it. After much reading I now know how to fit one, but I had to succumb to the VW dealer who charged me £58 to fit one. Theirs must be gold-plated!

Any advice is welcome, please.

Both my daughter and I love the car, but it's just these few faults left.

1st Aug 2006, 20:16

I have bought a brand new 2002 Polo 1.2 AC, thought the car was reliable and cheap to run because of VW strong name.

The car has now 78000 Km, it still handles very well.

It also has had mainly all problems I’ve read in this forum, EPC light coming on, Power loss, Engine failure, suspension noise, climate uncontrolled heat bursts, brake noise when weather changes from dry to wet.

In all malfunctions, there is a special one I’ve had 4 times that allowed me to find an antidote to the EPC problem.

There is a part related to the exhaust recirculation that breaks leaving the engine making a loud noise like it had no exhaust. This happens mainly in Highway, climbing near 120 Km/h or right after the climbing ends. Surprisingly the car keeps working well, same power, same driving, ignoring the loud noise. Looking at the engine, there is all in place.

It seems that this part is used in several different engines, with different configurations, in one engine the part comes with some holes covered and in other uncovered, some holes can’t stay covered a long time in my engine, hope this time I’ve got a stronger part.

The dealer replaced this part in warranty 3 times, the last time by courtesy, next time won’t be the same. This malfunction happens every 25000 Km or 6 month and 5000 Km (worst case), last one happened at 68000 Km, 11 months after the last one.

The best part: Since I’m having this malfunction the EPC light never have complained again, the car has now more than 50000 Km, about 2 years without this malfunction.

The conclusion I make:

Since I’m using BP Ultimate 100 (most expensive gasoline) the engine never had EPC issues again and is working like a clock.

Anyway I am really disappointed with VW and would not buy another Polo!!

Thanks for the opportunity to share the comment.