UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hiya

My mark 2 Golf has been slowly dying for a couple of months so I have been looking into a replacement. I've always wanted a Polo GTI and decided that I'd go for it this time. I was looking through the forum and noticed a lot of people complaining about reliability, I don't think it could be any less reliable than my Golf currently is, but for such a new (in comparison) car, I should be able to depend on it far more. Just wondering if the car is really as good as I'd heard!

I'm off to view a car today, so I'll be asking about the pedal box etc to see where it stands. I know it just had its 40k service in July but I'm guessing thats no guarentee!

Sadly no, its no guarantee so wise to check the status of the recall and also whether the cambelt has been changed or not? It'll need doing if not carried out already (circa £300 at a dealer).

Generally the Polo is pretty reliable IMO, mine has only broken down twice, once whilst parked on my drive at home, once five minutes away from home due to faulty ignition switch and snapped clutch cable respectively

As long as the car drives and looks well (smooth and tidy), and the service history backs it up, then go for it

Cheers

Thanks Si, I know that the cambelt was changed at 36k, and the car has now done 40k so it should be fine.

I've been reading some rather scary stuff about the gearboxes going on polo gti's so should I be paying very close attention to this when I take a look at the car?

Going to see it tomorrow now as everyone was running v late, anyone got any tips or anything i should look out for - this is my first time buying a car as I inherited the last one!

Well re the gearbox and clutch, ensure that all gears go in smoothly and without any unusual sounds or noises, and that the clutch operation is smooth and the bite is not high of course. The gearbox is notchy in character so don't worry too much about that, it is especially notchy on cold winter mornings oh and there is no synchro on reverse, which is why it gripes when you try and rush it (JWC once described it as being like "putting a spoon into a bucket of marbles and stirring it around").

If hte car still has the standard BBS 15" wheels, they might be corroded - a handy bargaining chip for you! Costs about £200-300 to have them refurbished to factory condition (diamond cut rim and powdercoated centres).

Anything else, just ask

Yeh i would presume the pedal box shoul be fine as i am sure there was a pedal box recall for all GTI's.....but yeh pay particular close attention to the gearbox! Made of bloody chocolate! But yours may be ok.

also keep an eye out for the electric windows, as they are quite prone to fail. Well it hass on my 6n2 and iv heard a few stories about it from others.....but in all fairness, iv said it before, apart from them they are almost bulletproof!

Thanks for all the help everyone! Really excited about seeing the car now, although its raining at the moment so I hope its going to stop in time! Going to make sure I'm extra careful about checking the gearbox after everything I've read on here!

I'll let you know how it goes later!

Bryony84 wrote:Hiya

My mark 2 Golf has been slowly dying for a couple of months so I have been looking into a replacement. I've always wanted a Polo GTI and decided that I'd go for it this time. I was looking through the forum and noticed a lot of people complaining about reliability, I don't think it could be any less reliable than my Golf currently is, but for such a new (in comparison) car, I should be able to depend on it far more. Just wondering if the car is really as good as I'd heard!

I'm off to view a car today, so I'll be asking about the pedal box etc to see where it stands. I know it just had its 40k service in July but I'm guessing thats no guarentee!

What year is the car the you are going to view ...I am asking because you should be weary of vehicles that have an exceptionally low mileage...as the chances are that it has had gearbox probelms and has not been driven... and that is why the mileage is so low ...

Its a 2001 y plate.
Didn't think 40k was too low for that age of car, I've seen lower.

The other car I found locally was on 89k, which I thought was a bit much, everyone has been saying that theres not much chance of getting to 80k without having the gearbox probs, so if its 89 and hasn't had it done yet, surely its not going to be long!

samuel090180 wrote:

Bryony84 wrote:Hiya

My mark 2 Golf has been slowly dying for a couple of months so I have been looking into a replacement. I've always wanted a Polo GTI and decided that I'd go for it this time. I was looking through the forum and noticed a lot of people complaining about reliability, I don't think it could be any less reliable than my Golf currently is, but for such a new (in comparison) car, I should be able to depend on it far more. Just wondering if the car is really as good as I'd heard!

I'm off to view a car today, so I'll be asking about the pedal box etc to see where it stands. I know it just had its 40k service in July but I'm guessing thats no guarentee!

What year is the car the you are going to view ...I am asking because you should be weary of vehicles that have an exceptionally low mileage...as the chances are that it has had gearbox probelms and has not been driven... and that is why the mileage is so low ...

I totally disagree there......there is cars with genuine low mileage out there you know. My first 6n2 was a 2000 model, i got it in 2005 with 6000 miles on it!!!!!!!!!! so a brand new car basicly! 40k miles and 5 year old. still like 8000 miles about average a year, so its not although the car hasnt been used. you've got yourself a good mileaged car by the sounds of it, but do be very wary, cos my gearbox went after about 48k miles.

Not been a good day today, was just on my way to finally see the car after the guy changed the plan 3 or 4 times, when he texted me and said I couldn't see the car today after all. Its all starting to sound a bit fishy now really so i'm Its tempted to give up and go elsewhere as he doesn't really seem that keen to sell the car and I'm wary of getting stiched up!

So if anyone knows of or sees a fairly low milage gti in the south, I'd be very interested!

Yeh, I have been, also been checking pistonheads occaisionly. Hopefully going to see Fink's gti this weekend on my way to santa pod so i'm feeling a bit happier now! Bus to work all week though for now, which isn't going to be fun!

Bryony84 wrote:Hopefully going to see Fink's gti this weekend on my way to santa pod so i'm feeling a bit happier now!

Slightly off-topic but is there any event going on at the Pod this weekend?

Yup, its Jap wkend. Going up to see my mates car on the track. Have a look on the santa pod site!