dxg wrote:First off, welcome to the forum, Nelson, you're sure to like it here!
As for your questions, all I can offer are opinions. I have no idea about prices - sorry.
Personally, I have an SE (75hp), but wish I had more. The engine's nice and relaxed at low speeds, but you still have to plan your overtaking, especially at motorway speeds. Also in city driving, you have to get the engine up about 4.5k before anything much happens - I find I myself asking for power in fourth btwn 30-40mph, finding no torque and having to drop down to the third - but I;m just lazy when it comes to gear changes, I guess. It's a lovely engine for country lanes though. Makes a fantastic sound when pushed - although passengers have criticised it for being "harsh" and "unrefined" - but I don't see this, myself.
I miss the low end grunt of the torque the 75hp (1.4?) TDI I test drove had - I think I could have lived with the noise of the diesel in exchange for the better driving experience.
I have no idea what the FSi would be like - in fact, I've never seen one. I'd suggest the TDI woudl be better - more relaxing to drive around town, fuel aspect for your 50miles a day - can't what it's like on the mway, though. If I wanted a fast car capable of being exciting above 70 on the occasional mway journeys, I'd look at the 100hp petrol, but have no idea what that would cost. Sparkstack's sig says he has a 1.9TDI - perhaps he'd be best to comment here??
My local dealer has (had? - didn't see it on Friday when I was there (again)) a silver Polo with the Barcelona alloys on it - looked v. good (although maybe the spokes were a little too fat at the rim?). This polo was also badged "16V" on the rear (rather than "1.4" per my SE) - could it have been the 100hp Sport??
I'd also comment that if you go for an SE rather than a Sport, make sure you get the Sport suspension fitted - the steering needs it!
I'm actually thinking seriously about some alloys for mine (I have the Melbournes, but so do too many others!!) - have you seen the San Marinos in the flesh - what did you think of them? - more importantly, did you get a price? - I thought both the San Marinos and the Barcelonas were £700.
Do you need the Cd changer from VW? What about one the Sony (and others, I guess) compatible ones that also read MP3s. £300, afaik. (Also, I'd be interested in knowing if the Polo's are prewired for a CD changer ala the Golf's - where would I look in the boot for a connector - anyone?? (I'm try to get an line signal into the standard gamma hu))
While I'm here <g> - what's the colour pack?
A final thought:
Why not wait another year or two (better for your depreciation curve as well, surely??) - have you heard the rumours about a supposed "R series" being established across the range? i.e. Lupo gets a R18 (1.8T), Polo gets a ???????, Golf already has its R32. This is what I'm banking on. Have grown to love my Polo (despite its problems), just wish it was faster. (AND NOT BL**DY BLACK!!!)
Nice to be hear dxg, its also nice to finally have a place to share your Polo experiences
My Mum has the MK5 VW Polo with the 1.4 75bhp engine in and I also find it low on mid range grunt. I litterally just went down town in my car (55bhp 1.2) to get a takeaway for dinner. First a cocky idiot (boy racer I assume) in a 80's Vauxhall Astra was following very closly behind, you know the situation. Anyway, we were in a 30 limit straight and a 60 limit was up ahead, I decided to drop it into third gear (I rarely do this I might add
) and just floored it. I didn't count how long it took to get to 65mph, but believe me it was ALLOT quicker than 6000 miles ago and the Vauxhall just couldn't keep up, not bad for a 55bhp engine!! The 1.2's have quite short gearing so while they are nippy the fuel consuption does suffer, the official figure is 47mpg but I'm probably getting about 40mpg and I nearly ALWAYS drive in fifth when I can.
I have driven about four A2 TDI's from work, they do pick up extremely well from 30mph which will mean it'll probably be perfect for me, they do sound a bit clattery when cold but I suppose I could definately live with that because I much prefer a bit of turbo kick.
The 1.4 16V 100bhp is pretty a similar situation with the 75, just not much mid range grunt. I hear the PD 100bhp is a stormer but because I'm only 17 the insurance would be a big problem and would definately rule out an R series car
. The dealer car you saw would have deen the 1000bhp 1.4 as they are badge '16v'.
I agree with you on the suspension, like most VW's it does suffer badly from body roll when you get a bit eagar, Sports suspension is on the list
I have only seen the San Marinos once, they were on a 1.4 tdi sport, they are a £750 option on the sport only, but separate the are £325 each!!!! The Barcelonas on the SE are £275 option from new, £200 on Sport. I too have the Melbournes on my Car, I thought they'd fill the arches allot better, but VW, like most manufacturers, 'stretches' the pictures to make them look bigger than they are
I have just realised I can take the front loading 6CD from my car, saves me £350
They are prewired for front loading but i'm not sure about boot mounted, I'm pretty they're not.
The colour pack is something they decided to miss off the early brochures (which had me fuming). It's basically door mirrors, handles and mouldings colour coded for a bargain £75, though if you want the grille colour coded you have to order it manually from parts and get it painted.
I would like to buy the new car within the next two months to save £825, I know i'm losing allot but I'm getting a good price new so i't can't be that bad
Anyway, I think this is what I'll go for...
POLO 1.4 TDI SE 3DR
OTR: £12.060
-£825: £11,235
OPTIONS:
MULTIFUNTION COMPUTER: £75
SPORTS SUSPENSION: £150
BARCELONA WHEELS £275
COLOUR PACK: £75
FOG LIGHTS: £165
METALLIC PAINT: £245
TOTAL: £12,220
-5%: £11.609
I'm thinking of adding Climate control, its there any noticeable difference?
Thanks
Neil
My 'must have' options are 6CD player, Metallic paint, Colour Pack, and 16 inch wheels. I adore 'San Marino' wheels but it looks like its gonna be 'Barcelona' wheels this time around. Why are VW extras so rediculously expensive 
