I hired a VW Polo at work about 18 months ago. Took it home, and my wife loved it. Then about 6 months later, as our old car was collapsing, we stopped off at the VW dealer showroom, and looked at some cars. We started off in the second hand lot, and loved the Golf, but when we went into the showroom, my wife fell in love with the Polo Match.
The colour sold it to me, I love the Mercato blue metallic paint, and the grey/blue interior really finished it off. I am the kind off person who either loves or hates a car, and this one gave me a really good feeling. The little touches like the grey dial surrounds, blue and red dashboard lighting, lots of storage space, purpose built storage of
first aid box, and warning triangle, well thought out cabin area and flexible boot storage area (large case fits easily) add tremendous value to the car.
I still prefer the Golf for its superior room inside - at six foot tall I am slightly cramped, but during the course of ownership, I have driven journeys up to 200 miles and been quite comfortable. At 5'2", my wife finds the car a perfect fit. If I am sitting in the front seat though, only our 10 year old daughter can comfortably fit behind me.
The equipment level for the Match is very well thought out. Electric mirror adjustment and electric front windows, central locking and manual air conditioning were standard. The steering wheel adjusts for height, but the drivers seat does not, and the wheel does not adjust for rake either - making possibilities of a perfect fit for different drivers, unlikely. The radio cassette player is the basic VW Beta version, but this gives superb sound - far better than any "manufacturers own" radio I have ever encountered. It comes with four front speakers - I am unlikely to change it - even having enjoyed expensive Kenwood in-car systems in the past. There is no alarm system, but the key has an integral immobilisor fitted.
Driving the car is exceptionally comfortable, easy power assisted steering, ABS braking system, and an engine which runs very smoothly, helped by a slick gear change. Make no mistake, this is no Hot Hatch, acceleration can best be described as progressive, and top speed is about 100 mph. But then the car is designed to be a small family car, and if you do not drive "on the edge" it is very enjoyable to drive and very relaxing. Fuel consumption (petrol 1.4) averages out at to cost about £24 for 300 miles.
The dealer was unconcerned with offering much in the way of a deal. No part exchange, but he only took £200 off the list price, explaining they were in no hurry to sell cars when they had easily exceeded their sales target for that year. There is no doubt the car is popular, even if it does cost £9700 for the five door version (which we chose). What sold it to us was the financial deal offered by VW made it cheaper per month than a second hand car - although watch out for the £3500 due at the end of the three year finance, even though they guarantee that the car value will cover that cost. This left us to pay a very reasonable £214 per month (about 13% APR).
So we bought the car. And a year later? We are happy that it is the best value car we have ever bought. The build quality is excellent, nothing mechanically wrong, and trim condition is good - although the drivers seat has worn on the outside edge. And servicing? Well that does depend on the garage, but is about £240 for a service and fluid change! That is expensive, but a neighbour has a two year old Peugeot 205, and his service just cost £700. So all things are relative I guess.
I drive alot of new cars at work, mainly Ford, Vauxhall and Peugeot cars. I have to say that the quality and confort of the Polo is light years ahead of these manufacturers similar cars (Fiesta, Astra/Corsa, and 206/306). So my advice is that VW is the best buy.
And finally, VW changed/upgraded the Polo last March. I do not know what the new model is like. However if you are in the market for a second hand Polo, the post 2000 models are really excellent.
Advantages: Surprisingly powerful engine for a 1.4, economical and of course its a VW promising reliability and good residuals. Disadvantages: Too easy to utilise engine's power and spoil economy!
confusion 17.09.2003 (04.11.2003)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of VolkswagenPolo1.4 TDI
Are you the manufacturer / provider of Volkswagen Polo 1.4? Click here
Oct 17th, 2002
very helpful by (90%):
helpful by (10%):
