Let's upgrade my '11 polo - VRS, Q30, IS, Clio RS, GTI?

[byepolo]

Hi everyone.

Looking to upgrade my polo this year. I know the options are a bit random but they're certainly an upgrade to my 11 plate 1.4 polo. Ideally I'd like an M135i or a Golf R but the insurance qoutes are just mental. I'm currently paying £600 for the year on my polo so I don't wanna be paying over £1.5k on the insurance.

Budget: £9-12k

Usage: 4x a week 35 miles each way to work - 25miles of that on the motorway. Will be around 15k miles a year.

Wants?: In order - Auto, Comfy on the motorway, cruise control, no headaches, faster than my polo, good mpg, dash looks good

Options I found that are below £1.5k insurance using a comparison site:

- Golf MK7 GTI: Practical, not big, ticks all the boxes? Cheap to insure. Live in a terraced house, might wake up one day and not see it?
- Octavia vrs: Ticks all the box again though but a bit ugly box imo... don't hate me. Cheap to insure, same as the golf. No one will ever steal it??
- Clio 1.6 RS: Same size as my polo, faster, cheap to insure too.
- Leon FR: Same as golf basically? 100 more to insure.
- 2016 Mazda6: New but high mileage
- Infiniti Q30: Looks good imo, dash looks good? Cheaper to insure than an A250.
- CT200h: Looks good imo, bulletproof, amazing mpg, slows as fck
- IS250 / IS300: Bulletproof, reviews said it's comfy, amazing mpg. Highest to insure - lower than a 320d / 330d though.
- CLA220 / CLA 250: Best looking but one of highest to insure
- 2019 Peugeot 508: Newest but only high mileage available for my budget.
- GT86: WHY NOT?? Not very practical unless they don't have limbs

I think I just answered my question, didnt I? It's a VRS...

Thanks everyone.

Edited by byepolo on Sunday 21st January 17:13

Edited by byepolo on Sunday 21st January 17:14

[Belle427]

Id take the Golf over the Octavia every day of the week personally, both good cars though.

[ZX10R NIN]

2.0T Q30 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401105...

1.6T Lux:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311013...

Kia ProCeed GT, good cars & a very good warm hatch:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311164...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311164...

Giulietta Cloverleaf:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311113...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311234...

New gen Megane GT Nav, similar power the RS Clio but more insurance friendly.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401135...

Previuos Gen:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310122...

308 GT 205:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312094...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401115...

V40 T5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312144...

all the above should give you sensible insurance numbers whilst being a decent steer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312144...

[georgeyboy12345]

A few suggestions perhaps you haven't considered

Rather than a Golf GTI, how about a Golf GTD since you do quite a high mileage
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312144...

Another oil burner that's a good drive would be a Mini Cooper SD
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312134...


Ok that's enough diesels.


How about... another Polo? A bit more spicy than your 1.4 though with this GTI. Top tip - when picking these, plump for the ones with the 1.8 TSI engine and not the 1.4 TSI engine that used the old unreliable twincharged engine
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311184...


Mini Cooper S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312275...

[CG2020UK]

Skip the Skoda VRS and go the Seat Leon Cupra 280.

You get the Golf R engine in a FWD package and they are seriously quick cars on the road and track.

Comes with an LSD and Adaptive dampeners as standard as well which are costly options on a Golf GTI/R.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401035...

[Whataguy]

I’d narrowed the choice myself to vrs Octavia or golf, went with the golf in the end as it’s quite a bit smaller and I didn’t need the extra space.

Polo gti is good, being smaller/lighter it’s more responsive than the golf. That was also a contender when I was changing, but it was a bit too small for me.

[byepolo]

ZX10R NIN said:

Megane GT Nav

308 GT 205

Love that Megane GT Nav. Good shout.

Can't get the 308 GT 205 in auto. What about a 308 GT 2.0 Diesel?

What's your opinion on £10k MK7 GTD's w/ FSH + recent timings done but over 110k miles? Love that Megane GT but if I could save £4k I think I'm going with the GTD or GTI MK7's (for some reason I can only get insured for 2014+ ). Can't posts links

Cheers mate. Appreciate you. I always see you around here helping out.

georgeyboy12345 said:

A few suggestions perhaps you haven't considered

Rather than a Golf GTI, how about a Golf GTD since you do quite a high mileage

Another oil burner that's a good drive would be a Mini Cooper SD

Ok that's enough diesels.

How about... another Polo? A bit more spicy than your 1.4 though with this GTI. Top tip - when picking these, plump for the ones with the 1.8 TSI engine and not the 1.4 TSI engine that used the old unreliable twincharged engine

Mini Cooper S

The GTD is a good shout. Quite a few below £10k with FSH and timings done. I think this might be the choice, tbh.

Will also look at the Polo GTI's.

CG2020UK said:

Skip the Skoda VRS and go the Seat Leon Cupra 280.

You get the Golf R engine in a FWD package and they are seriously quick cars on the road and track.

Comes with an LSD and Adaptive dampeners as standard as well which are costly options on a Golf GTI/R.

Lovely car. I had a look and it's similar on insurance with an R. I think it'll be a GTI or GTD at this point.

Whataguy said:

I’d narrowed the choice myself to vrs Octavia or golf, went with the golf in the end as it’s quite a bit smaller and I didn’t need the extra space.

Polo gti is good, being smaller/lighter it’s more responsive than the golf. That was also a contender when I was changing, but it was a bit too small for me.

I just don't like how the vrs looks so I think golf is the answer.

[CG2020UK]

Although I was pumping the Cupra I went the MK7 GTI.

Absolutely loved it was amazing. Would have another no doubts whatsoever!

Polo GTI is a great car as well ridiculously underrated.

[byepolo]

CG2020UK said:

Although I was pumping the Cupra I went the MK7 GTI.

Absolutely loved it was amazing. Would have another no doubts whatsoever!

Polo GTI is a great car as well ridiculously underrated.

Yeah, I'll have a look at the Polo GTI when I'm home.

Looking at Leon FR's too as it seems I get more for my money but for some reason the insurance is higher than a GTI/GTD.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're going down the diesel route I'd be going for the Q30 sport as it's basically an A Class but with a nicer interior (the GTD wouldn't get a look in.

2.1d Q30 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305067...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401095...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...

You won't get the 308 GT 205 in auto form, the Megane is a good car but they rarely come up for sale.

[byepolo]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you're going down the diesel route I'd be going for the Q30 sport as it's basically an A Class but with a nicer interior (the GTD wouldn't get a look in.

2.1d Q30 Sport:

You won't get the 308 GT 205 in auto form, the Megane is a good car but they rarely come up for sale.

Cheers. Silly question... would a Leon FR, MK7 GTD be a better ride?

I can't post links yet but would you mind looking this up on AT? SEAT Leon 2.0 TDI FR TECHNOLOGY DSG 5dr Hatchback Diesel HT15 HDE £7890 seems like it's great value for the specs.

[ZX10R NIN]

byepolo said:

Cheers. Silly question... would a Leon FR, MK7 GTD be a better ride?

I can't post links yet but would you mind looking this up on AT? SEAT Leon 2.0 TDI FR TECHNOLOGY DSG 5dr Hatchback Diesel HT15 HDE £7890 seems like it's great value for the specs.

Better ride? Everything listed drive/ride well as a rule the less sidewall you have the worse the ride gets.

[georgeyboy12345]

A mileage of 110k on a Golf GTD wouldn't concern me too much

Here are a couple of cars running the same VW group EA288 2.0 TDI engine I found on autotrader:

This Audi A6 2.0 TDI Avant has 217,000 miles on it and is in a sellable condition
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312245...

This ex-taxi VW Passat 2.0 TDI has over 256,000 miles on it! Admittedly it has a new gearbox, but taxis tend to have a difficult life! The engine is still going strong!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307229...


I think you could reasonably assume at your mileages that you would get another 6 years or so out of a 110k Golf GTD if you were doing 15k a year. The timing belt interval on these cars is every 130,000 miles! The engine is designed to do the miles in large countries, e.g. Germany, on the autobahn, etc. As long as they are serviced every year with an oil change, get service items replaced when needed, and are used correctly (e.g. not lots of short journeys), then they are reliable.


With regards to that white Seat Leon, it looks alright, but I have some reservations about the dealer, having read some of the reviews.

[byepolo]

ZX10R NIN said:

Better ride? Everything listed drive/ride well as a rule the less sidewall you have the worse the ride gets.

Thanks man. I appreciate your suggestions. I think it's gonna be the Q30, Golf GTI/GTD or a Polo GTI.

I saw Matt from High Peak Autos posted an Mk6 GTI that he had fixed and selling for £6k. Tempted to take a look as I'm a fan of the guy and he's open about the cars.

georgeyboy12345 said:

A mileage of 110k on a Golf GTD wouldn't concern me too much

Here are a couple of cars running the same VW group EA288 2.0 TDI engine I found on autotrader:

This Audi A6 2.0 TDI Avant has 217,000 miles on it and is in a sellable condition


This ex-taxi VW Passat 2.0 TDI has over 256,000 miles on it! Admittedly it has a new gearbox, but taxis tend to have a difficult life! The engine is still going strong!

I think you could reasonably assume at your mileages that you would get another 6 years or so out of a 110k Golf GTD if you were doing 15k a year. The timing belt interval on these cars is every 130,000 miles! The engine is designed to do the miles in large countries, e.g. Germany, on the autobahn, etc. As long as they are serviced every year with an oil change, get service items replaced when needed, and are used correctly (e.g. not lots of short journeys), then they are reliable.


With regards to that white Seat Leon, it looks alright, but I have some reservations about the dealer, having read some of the reviews.

Cheers. Appreciate your honest opinion. I'm gonna go test a couple over the weekend. I think I'm set with Q30, Golf GTI/GTD or a Polo GTI.

[georgeyboy12345]

byepolo said:

I saw Matt from High Peak Autos posted an Mk6 GTI that he had fixed and selling for £6k. Tempted to take a look as I'm a fan of the guy and he's open about the cars.

I’d avoid the mk6 GTI, go for a mk7, even with higher miles.

The mk6 GTIs used the first generation EA888 engine that had plastic timing chain guides that would fail, destroying the engine. This could start to happen after just 60,000 miles. The engine would also suffer from a bunch of other problems such as carbon buildup, poor fuel economy, high oil usage, coil pack failure, turbo failure.

The VW group PQ35 platform that the mk6 Golf (amongst other cars) was based on also suffers from water ingress. The later MQB platform that the mk7 Golf is built on seems much less prone to this.

[byepolo]

georgeyboy12345 said:

I’d avoid the mk6 GTI, go for a mk7, even with higher miles.

The mk6 GTIs used the first generation EA888 engine that had plastic timing chain guides that would fail, destroying the engine. This could start to happen after just 60,000 miles. The engine would also suffer from a bunch of other problems such as carbon buildup, poor fuel economy, high oil usage, coil pack failure, turbo failure.

The VW group PQ35 platform that the mk6 Golf (amongst other cars) was based on also suffers from water ingress. The later MQB platform that the mk7 Golf is built on seems much less prone to this.

Thanks for your input mate. Really appreciate it, so helpful!

I'm only considering it cause it's Matt from High Peak Autos. Video of it on his channel and he spent 3.5k+ fixing the car incl. new gearbox but no mention of timing changes.

[ZX10R NIN]

byepolo said:

Thanks for your input mate. Really appreciate it, so helpful!

I'm only considering it cause it's Matt from High Peak Autos. Video of it on his channel and he spent 3.5k+ fixing the car incl. new gearbox but no mention of timing changes.

Also ring the company with the 2.0T Q30 as that could be a great buy BUT they don't have any photos yet.

[byepolo]

ZX10R NIN said:

Also ring the company with the 2.0T Q30 as that could be a great buy BUT they don't have any photos yet.

georgeyboy12345 said:

I’d avoid the mk6 GTI, go for a mk7, even with higher miles.

The mk6 GTIs used the first generation EA888 engine that had plastic timing chain guides that would fail, destroying the engine. This could start to happen after just 60,000 miles. The engine would also suffer from a bunch of other problems such as carbon buildup, poor fuel economy, high oil usage, coil pack failure, turbo failure.

The VW group PQ35 platform that the mk6 Golf (amongst other cars) was based on also suffers from water ingress. The later MQB platform that the mk7 Golf is built on seems much less prone to this.

Lads I'm down to 2 options now. Test drove both cars this week and I need your help again.

I can't post links yet as I'm new to the site Hope you don't mind looking it up on AT.

First car - 2016 Golf GTI PP 99,754 Miles - Car reg: DA66 ZCN

• Full service history
• DSG @ 40k which I could probably ask them to get it done.
• New tyre
• 1 owner
• Newer and Performance Pack
• 30 day warranty
• Test drive was great!
• Dealer has amazing reviews

Second car: 2014 Golf GTI 98,000 Miles - Car reg: DL63 EFK. I've done a full vcheckuk on it but I can't post it. I can PM it.

• I prefer this 5 door and its colour.
• Some service history
• DSG never been serviced
• 6 owners
• No warranty. 3rd party?
• When I test drove it, there was a weird "dragging/rumble" sound for a minute that could be heard and felt. Will get a mechanic just to check it.
• I could use £2500 that I'll "save" to get anything fixed if there are any.
• Has steering, defuser, & res delete (sounds amazing!) mods which is I assume extra on insurance.

Thank you

[ZX10R NIN]

byepolo said:

Lads I'm down to 2 options now. Test drove both cars this week and I need your help again.

I can't post links yet as I'm new to the site Hope you don't mind looking it up on AT.

First car - 2016 Golf GTI PP 99,754 Miles - Car reg: DA66 ZCN

• Full service history
• DSG @ 40k which I could probably ask them to get it done.
• New tyre
• 1 owner
• Newer and Performance Pack
• 30 day warranty
• Test drive was great!
• Dealer has amazing reviews

Second car: 2014 Golf GTI 98,000 Miles - Car reg: DL63 EFK. I've done a full vcheckuk on it but I can't post it. I can PM it.

• I prefer this 5 door and its colour.
• Some service history
• DSG never been serviced
• 6 owners
• No warranty. 3rd party?
• When I test drove it, there was a weird "dragging/rumble" sound for a minute that could be heard and felt. Will get a mechanic just to check it.
• I could use £2500 that I'll "save" to get anything fixed if there are any.
• Has steering, defuser, & res delete (sounds amazing!) mods which is I assume extra on insurance.

Thank you

The first one is nearly 20k overdue on it's gearbox service, I'd be getting them to either take the money off for having to get this done.

If you're buying the Golf then the PP really wouldn't make a difference.

If it has to be VAG I'd be looking at these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401235...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401235...

Remember you're going to be adding another 15k every year onto these so a suspension refresh won't be far away.

[CG2020UK]

byepolo said:

Lads I'm down to 2 options now. Test drove both cars this week and I need your help again.

I can't post links yet as I'm new to the site Hope you don't mind looking it up on AT.

First car - 2016 Golf GTI PP 99,754 Miles - Car reg: DA66 ZCN

• Full service history
• DSG @ 40k which I could probably ask them to get it done.
• New tyre
• 1 owner
• Newer and Performance Pack
• 30 day warranty
• Test drive was great!
• Dealer has amazing reviews

I’d go this one.

Make sure to get the gearbox done and any servicing. Even if doing it yourself at a decent indie it shouldn’t be too bad.