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Just took a new GTi for a test drive

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:59 am
by mkone
Earlier on today I went round to our local VW dealer (Gilbert Lawton, Altrincham) to have a look at a Beetle cabrio for the missus ended up eyeing up a sexy little black 3DR Polo GTi. Got talking to one of the guys there and took it out for a spin!

First impressions were good but when parked up next to a Golf GTi the Polo looked really small. The alloys (monzas) just dont look big enough imho could do with 17's. The ride height is way too high could do with lowering to give it a more aggressive stance. Rear of the car looked sweet loved the detailing and the dual chrome exhaust pipes.

Hopping inside reminded me very much of the existing Polo, to the extent you really wouldn't know the difference. The seats were ok but didn't felt sporty enough and I wasn't particularly keen at all on the intelagos trim although it growed on me. But I did like the subtle detailing inside such as the alloy pedals, the most impressive piece of kit interior wise was the stearing wheel it just felt really nice with tidy red stitching to set it off.

Starting up you can tell it means business giving a nice exhaust note and engine tickover, we took it out for about 15 mins the ride felt firm and responsive. The power was substantial although not overly powerful yet it felt enough throughout the rev range.

Arriving back at the dealership we talked figures and for the quoted price of £15490 I felt it was slightly overpriced considering VW are quoting them as £14,810 on their website and this one only had a CD changer to boot.

Overall i'd say great car, fast and quality build but think Im just going to wait and save for its bigger bro the Golf GTi.

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:22 am
by nickpolo
its nice that we'll start seeing them in the flesh, i started drooling over some pics of it the other day but then i reminded myself, at the end of the day i think it will always be a second to the new golf gti, and that wasnt the case with the 6n2, so like you, i'll probably resist and wait until i can afford its big brother

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 8:48 am
by dino
Im still waiting for my local VW to get one in :(

Nice little write up though.

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 5:26 pm
by ModifiedMadness
I still prefer the look of the 6N2 GTi.

One car I sat in yesterday and would like to drive is the new R32 in the showroom of my local VW dealer.

However, I doubt they'd let me because of my age. Plus I wouldn't be able to talk figures with them because it would be way out of my range.

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:36 am
by damci
£15,490 for a polo!!!!! I'm sorry but thats just daylight robbery, I think I would pay another £2,000 and get the new focus st!! I'm struggling to think who would pay that sort of money for a polo!!

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 12:36 pm
by DanDiesel
nice little write up there mate, well done!!

i would like a test drive in the new polo gti, i know the engine is great as i had the same engine, just with 180bhp, in my old leon!

but i've never driven a 6n2 gti so i have nothing really to compare it to!

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 2:55 pm
by ModifiedMadness
Unless you get a go in one before the next meet Dan, I'll take you for a spin in mine if you like

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 3:29 pm
by DanDiesel
yeah that would be cool mate!!

its weird i've driven a 180bhp leon, and sat in a golf r32, and had a ride in a corrado vr6 storm but never actually had a ride in a polo gti which i have always liked!!
just the way things go i guess!!

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:14 pm
by ModifiedMadness
Same here but with an Aston Martin :lol:

I've had a go in a 300bhp+ Escort Cossie only as a passenger though unfortunately.

I'm sure you'll be pretty impressed with the GTi

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:26 pm
by Buzby
damci wrote:£15,490 for a polo!!!!! I'm sorry but thats just daylight robbery
.

my polo was specced up to about £16000 when it was new (03), id agree though its a daft amount for a small hatchback :shock: .

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:38 pm
by DanDiesel
especially when u can get an Ibiza FR (facelift) 1.8T 150bhp (same engine as polo gti) for £11,950 and that comes with xenons by the looks of this advert i just saw!

just checked out Seat website and it says xenons are an optional extra on the FR only! naughty Seat!

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:40 pm
by ModifiedMadness
I know it wouldn't be brand new, but you could get an Audi TT 225 for the same amount if not less than the new GTi!

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:08 pm
by Crisis
ModifiedMadness wrote:I still prefer the look of the 6N2 GTi.

One car I sat in yesterday and would like to drive is the new R32 in the showroom of my local VW dealer.

However, I doubt they'd let me because of my age. Plus I wouldn't be able to talk figures with them because it would be way out of my range.
Its a great car mate... esp when your 19 on a test drive :D

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:39 pm
by ModifiedMadness
They let you test drive one did they?

I'm 19 (20 in August)

Silly question as well because I've never done it, do you act like you want to buy it to get a test drive, or do you just ask for one and do they come with you on it?

Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 2:56 am
by Mouse_GTI
So how's the new one compared to the old?

edit: You might get a shot with the R32. I got to drive the GTI last year and I'd just turned 19