So here it is, I passed my driving test about three years ago and growing up in a town where cruising was the real thing to do, I needed to get something that could stand up to all the Corsa's and 106's that seemed to plague me anytime I left the house. But as it goes, my entire family are VW enthusiasts and it was obviously going to be something from Volkswagen that I would take much pride in calling my first car.
I began with a Mark 2 Golf Driver. It was nippy, clean, honestly, absolutely rust free, beautiful little car. But it had problems way beyond my pocket and so I moved on.
My dad brought me home a little 1.3 1995 purple Polo. I'll admit it, as sad as it sounds, it was love at first sight, but with Pedro, my name for it, it was never meant to be, he came to a sticky end after I skidded on oil one morning on my way to work.
But as far as safety went in that respect Volkswagens have no fault, I hit a drystone wall at 50 mph, a bit of damage to the front of the car but I was held safely and the car could be driven away. But unfortunately my mum and dad decided that it was to be scrapped. As a poor student, I couldn't afford to repair it anyway.
But about 6 months later, I decided I was ready to drive again. To be honest, it was a mixture of things, the loss of my pride and joy, one of the only things I could really call my own, the loss of independence, young girls don't take kindly to being stuck at home at weekends and most of all, I kind of felt like a bit of a failure. So I wanted my wheels back!
I passed my test with two minors
and was a pretty confident driver but I had to start all over again. But as time went on, I looked and looked for what I would get next, couldn't find anything that was quite what I wanted. But one evening I picked up the local paper one night and spied something that looked just right.
Pedro Mark 2. It was a 1999 1.0 purple Polo, almost identical to the one I lost. Another reliable little car hopefully, my last one had done 345,000 miles when it was finally put to rest! Remarkable! This one seemed better somehow, it was cleaner than my first one which had come to earn the nickname of the "Shedlo" because of the state of it. Rusty holes had come into contact with the inevitable Scottish rain, making them look like bleeding bullet wounds! It was a much newer one with better equipment AND it had alloys! Lovely.
Any Polo owner will know, you get in and you've fallen in love. They really are great little cars. My friends have 3 or 4 year old cars and my little 10 year old one doesn't look out of place parked up next to them. I haven't modified it very much, I put a debadged grill on the front and had my standard alloys sprayed black, its lowered a little bit and I have my name rally decal style on the back windows. But that's it, you don't need to have that much time or that much money to have it looking a bit more unique.
The interior tends to get a little bit dirty looking but I got a full set of seats for £65 at a local scrapyard which were mint condition. Replacing them is really easy as well, I have no knowledge of car maintenance or mechanics and managed to do it myself. Everything kind of clips in and out.
As far the outside, anytime I remember (or can be bothered) to give it a wash, it looks brand new, even more so if you spend and extra half hour polishing it.
For a 1.0 it is really very nippy and the gearbox and engine are literally unbeatable. Its a beautiful little engine which sounds as good, if not better than any of its competitors, at the time of new or even now.
The Polo has a really high quality finish inside and has a noticeably well built feel to it. Although the interior is pretty basic, there is everything in reach of the driver. I agree with another reviewer that the later clocks are really quite sporty. On my first one, the clocks were beginning to look rather dated. The only thing I have ever broken was the window winder, my one was not lucky enough to be fitted with electric ones!!
The new seats I installed were from the same model and are really very comfortable for any journey short or long. I know people may be a bit wary of leg room in a small car, but I've never had any problems or complaints, I'm 5 foot 10 but no one has ever complained of being really squashed sitting behind me.
My one is a top of the range model. New, it came with alloys, a CD player and drivers and passenger airbags. Some of the little things in the car are the things I love the most. The little storage compartments on the center console are ideal. I think the electric mirrors became standard on them, my first one, a 1995 model had them too.
The only thing I wish mine had is power steering but steering is much lighter in the 1.0 anyway, so its not a problem.
The exterior looks suprisingly modern when next to newer cars. Things were a lot different 10 years ago! Looking at the front of mine, it looks quite low but totally awesome. I could look at it all day, I love mine!
For a small car, it really is very practical. My 1.0 drives with ease even with 5 passengers and the boot has plently of room to store all your belongings for any long haul trips.
I have always found that the Polo holds the road very well. The suspension was top notch originally but I found it has been far superior since I changed the springs. The ride is comfortable, which is a good thing, a lot of the roads around me are in a pretty bad state! The steering is responsive as is acceleration, even in 5th gear. The long windows make visibility for parking a dream and even without power steering, you get used to it.
Fuel economy is excellent. I travel about 80 miles a day to get to uni and drive around the city 4 days a week, if I fill it on Monday, it usually lasts till at least the Saturday. As with most small cars, they are economical but if you give it a real hammering, it will eat the fuel so be warned!
I have had mine for 18 months now and it still drives great. I have had no faults with this one, it has had the usual services and replacements when neccessary but aside from that, I have had no problems with it.
It sits at 75 or 80 without any problems and is easily able to overtake other cars. I sit in 5th gear in 30 mph zones comfortably, something which other small cars can't do.
Volkswagens will look after you as long as you look after them. The only time my first one ever played up was when I talked about replacing it! Polos have feelings too! It is by far the most reliable car I can think of and I can't think of too many things I would swap mine for, it becomes part of you.
And if you really love it, get into the Dub Scene, its great, everyone is really friendly and there are some truly wonderful cars out there, possibly giving you ideas for a project of your own. The Polo is a great little car and its amazing what a little bit of time and effort can do for them.
My friends love Pedro and we have had loads of random, epic adventures in and with so many more to come. If you get one, you wont be disappointed they are great little cars! They are the small car with the big heart and I love mine. You'll love yours too!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Fuel economy, Reliability, Comfort, Handling and Cheap Tax/Insurance Disadvantages: Slow acceleration (expected for engine size) and poor standard sound system
jomino 19.02.2009 (20.02.2009)
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Review of Volkswagen Polo 1.0
Advantages: Compact, fuel efficient, value for money, cheap to run & maintain, spacious Disadvantages: Can be a little tough to park (without power steering)
sianciao 29.07.2007 (20.09.2007)
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Review of Volkswagen Polo 1.0
Advantages: Sporty looks, better drive than other Escorts, very comfortable seats Disadvantages: Performance not especially sporty, handling and steering not great
kah123 05.03.2006 (06.03.2006)
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Oct 4th, 2009
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