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Polo GTi Road Handling?

Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 6:50 pm
by ticki
I want everyones opinion here please.

Is your GTi a go-cart road corners?

How does the Polo GTi measure up against Saxo VTS, Punto HGT, 106 GTi etc????

Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 7:03 pm
by cyhliu
I can't say, I've not driven either of those but I love my GTI, I haven't really driven many other motors really (metro, Volvo 340, Punto, Saab 900, Honda Civic, Polo Coupe and a MkII Golf...) but the GTI has to be the most enjoyable drive so far...

Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 7:07 pm
by Dangerous Dave
A Pug 106 GTI and Saxo VTS both handle better standard over the Polo GTi the Polo is still a good drive though. However it should have had less body roll and lower from the facotry IMHO.

Never driven a HGT Punto so can't comment on that one.

Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:04 pm
by Si_GTi
Dangerous Dave wrote:A Pug 106 GTI and Saxo VTS both handle better standard over the Polo GTi the Polo is still a good drive though. However it should have had less body roll and lower from the factory IMHO.
I agree :)

Have to say that now that I have upgraded the suspension on my GTi it is much more fun in the corners :wink:

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:16 pm
by ticki
Do you think the steering could do with being a little more positive?

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:28 pm
by hedgehogharvey
Dangerous Dave wrote:A Pug 106 GTI and Saxo VTS both handle better standard over the Polo GTi
i disagree. the pug 106 gti is very very arse happy. Go round a corner 1 mph to much and the end can go out.

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:32 pm
by JKM_GTI
I had a mk2 Saxo vtr as my first car - I have to say, it did handle much better then the polo.

Still, the polo is miles ahead in every other aspect!

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:23 pm
by ticki
JKM_GTI wrote:I had a mk2 Saxo vtr as my first car - I have to say, it did handle much better then the polo.

Still, the polo is miles ahead in every other aspect!
Yeah I am in agreement with you. Just had the Polo lowered on FK coilovers and I would still say my Punto Sporting lowered on Apex -35mm has much better handling, and steering was so much more responsive. :roll:

I'm thinking a smaller steering wheel in the Polo might help with that.

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:53 pm
by JKM_GTI
ticki wrote:
JKM_GTI wrote:I had a mk2 Saxo vtr as my first car - I have to say, it did handle much better then the polo.

Still, the polo is miles ahead in every other aspect!
Yeah I am in agreement with you. Just had the Polo lowered on FK coilovers and I would still say my Punto Sporting lowered on Apex -35mm has much better handling, and steering was so much more responsive. :roll:

I'm thinking a smaller steering wheel in the Polo might help with that.
I don't know, the steering wheel is a nice size, I think the front end needs sharpening up a bit more, might get a strut brace soon - but BMC comes first :D

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:04 pm
by Tigz
Im getting sick of the understeer. :roll:

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:07 pm
by Mouse_GTI
As standard the Frenchies are a little better, but the Polo is a much better package overall

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:23 am
by mk4 glx 1.6
Tigz wrote:Im getting sick of the understeer. :roll:
Yes, I really think the handling would benefit from adding a rear anti-roll bar to the chassis, to dial out the understeer.

I have had discussions with my local VW specialist, who have offered to fabricate one, as they often make them for modified campers etc, but their labour rates are a little high, I dread to think what the total cost would come to.

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 1:04 pm
by portopolo
I'm enjoy the way it handles, bit of understeer turning in lift off a bit and it slides sideways lovely turn in catch it and grin down the straight. Well thats the way mine is at the moment greasy roundabouts are great. Although it did go a bit more than i thought it was going to go this morning but that was with brand new yokohamas on the back. Need to be careful :D

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:03 pm
by TheEggShell
I can't compare the Polo's handling with the other cars as I've never driven any of these (I'm not a fan of French cars :P ).

I've heard that the Polo's handling is one of it's main down sides.

I have to say though that it seems reasonably good to me although I do find that there is a bit of play in the steering wheel and it rolls quite a bit when you turn hard into corners.

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 5:30 pm
by jezmk4
mk4 glx 1.6 wrote:
Tigz wrote:Im getting sick of the understeer. :roll:
Yes, I really think the handling would benefit from adding a rear anti-roll bar to the chassis, to dial out the understeer.

I have had discussions with my local VW specialist, who have offered to fabricate one, as they often make them for modified campers etc, but their labour rates are a little high, I dread to think what the total cost would come to.
why need to fabricate one?

just buy one off the shelf?!