A new GTi owner!

gilmore · Post by **gilmore** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 10:54 pm

I have done it! after several years driving round in various metros and the odd fiesta I have just put a deposit down on an x reg silver polo gti, 35,000 miles, one lady owner, full service history from a VW dealer!

the car only arrived while I was at the showroom, the lady trading it in for a new one. put the deposit down with the understanding that if it wasn't up to scratch when I pick it up I can walk away with a full refund!

due to pick up in 2 weeks! the car has now gone in to have the scuffs and scratches sorted and get all the mechanics checked out...

my only concern was that when I test drove it there was a slight clunk from underneath for the first couple of seconds which didn't come back and the gearbox seemed slighly looser than other polo's test driven. am I right in thinking this could be a pedal box/gearbox problem beginning to show itself? if so will this be sorted before I am handed the car or will I have to send it in for repair under warrannty later? the salesman did say that any mechanical problems would be looked at and sorted and the car would be prepared to VW standard, but is this just sales talk or do they actually mean it?

also salesman assured me that the car hadn't been involved in any accidents, but is there any way of being 100% sure about this?

was keen to go for this one as the mileage is good compared with others looked at and the price was pretty reasonable too.

also I have the option to extend the one year warranty to 2 yewars for an extra Â£390.. would anyone advise this?

on a positive note the car is bliimin quick! very fun to drive!

sorry for long message just looking for peace of minid I guess!

cheers

KarlM · Post by **KarlM** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 11:48 pm

Welcome aboard mate, got yourself a very nice (and rare btw) motor there.

sounds like a HPI check is in order if your not sure of the cars history.

find out if the cars had any warrenty work done (especially the gearbox) as if its hasnt it might need the gearbox replaced.

Josh is probably a better person to speak to as he's had his polo gti quite a while.

simrich · Post by **simrich** » Mon Sep 22, 2003 7:12 pm

Gilmore, welcome and congrats on going for the plunge in getting yourself what is a nice lookin and quick motor! I have had mine now since July (W reg, Reflex Silver from VW Dealer too). I have been impressed by the cars performance but have had a bit of a knightmare with VW's aftersales service and problems (not major though) with the car. First of all, the gearboxes and pedal boxes are an extremely common fault with the GTi, do what Karl suggested and get a check on the cars warranty work history to see if its been done before, if it hasnt been done i should get them to look at it cozits bound to corrupt at some point! You should also get info on other faults and repairs the car has been subjected too - believe me you may be surprised - mine was a long list!! VW are obliged to sort out the gearbox/pedal box if its faulty under the warranty but shouldnt think they would get it done prior to you picking the car up - this is a big job and you will have to book it in! Sales talk from the salesman hey! Dont forget you will also have a 30 day no-quibble exchange should you not relish the thought of sortin out faults!!
With regards to the cars history, VW should undertake their own HPi check and provide you with certificates to prove genuine mileage, accident history, etc. They did with me!
Would consider the option of extending the warranty - my 1 year warranty seems to be paying off already - small parts dont come cheap and dont forget the labour costs incurred!

Hope this answers some of your quieries and reassures you - they are a nice (rare) motor that holds its value well though!

harry · Post by **harry** » Mon Sep 22, 2003 9:29 pm

nice choice mate, i got mine from a vw dealer as well havent used the warranty facillity yet but i can see a trip shortly as my abs light comes on and off on it's own accord might be faulty it's good to know that this is covered i would always buy from a dealer i know theyre abit dearer but i'm no mechanic and i don't fancy getting my hands dirty looking under here and there so the extra is worth it, enjoy the car it's a good one..

gilmore · Post by **gilmore** » Mon Sep 22, 2003 10:50 pm

thanks for all your replies!

am getting very excited about picking it up now!

will contact the dealer tomorrow and find out about previous worked carried out... and see whether the gearbox etc has been replaced. car has always been serviced by same dealer I am buying from (where car was originally sold from) so I am guessing any work done would have been done by them also so they should, in theory, have all the records on file.

gilmore · Post by **gilmore** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 2:50 pm

apparantly only a couple of very minor probs and rountine servicing done to the car in the past - no replaced gearbox etc - no crash damage repairs or anything

so looks good - still bit worried bout gearbox but they have said anything major will be done prior to me picking car up.

I noticed the rear tyres were starting to wear down and asked for these to be replaced but salesman was very hard and said if they didn't meet required tread depth they would be replaced, otherwise no... reckon they got about 6 months or so left - how much are new tyres for the standard alloy wheels?

also does a K&N repalcement filter affect insurance premiums? do you have to tell them?

also if you put bigger alloys on and lower it?

cheers

harry · Post by **harry** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 12:29 pm

mate definately get the gearbox/clutch checked mine broke down yesterday, pedal box and cable went it is being replaced under warranty and mines only done 30,000 miles (lucky i had the warranty i got a new polo as a courtsey car straightaway and mine will be fixed on monday).

Post by **Josh_PoloGTi** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 11:23 pm

Another one bites the dust

I think VW should have recalled the GTi to sort this problem.