Volkswagen Polo GTI
Discussion
I’ve never been a fan of Volkswagen’s with the exception of the Mk2 GTI 16v and MK5 GTI. However, I’m thinking about potential replacements for the wife’s late 2018 Mini Cooper Clubman that we’ve had for approaching 4 years.
Whilst she loves the Mini, I’ve been less than impressed with the reliability in spite of its meticulous 8k / annual servicing at a specialist.
There just seems to be a lack of choice on the market with just loads of hateful and hideous small SUV’s. With a Mini been out, the 1 Series being too big this only really leaves the Audi A1 and VW Polo. Someone mentioned that Audi are no longer continuing with the A1 and therefore this wouldn’t interest me.
I’ve seen a few 2022 Polo GTI’s and really like the styling, thinking this could be a suitable replacement for the Mini. Does anyone have any experience of owning this model of Polo GTI and what are the things to look out for. We’d be looking for one between 1 and 2 years old.
Whilst she loves the Mini, I’ve been less than impressed with the reliability in spite of its meticulous 8k / annual servicing at a specialist.
There just seems to be a lack of choice on the market with just loads of hateful and hideous small SUV’s. With a Mini been out, the 1 Series being too big this only really leaves the Audi A1 and VW Polo. Someone mentioned that Audi are no longer continuing with the A1 and therefore this wouldn’t interest me.
I’ve seen a few 2022 Polo GTI’s and really like the styling, thinking this could be a suitable replacement for the Mini. Does anyone have any experience of owning this model of Polo GTI and what are the things to look out for. We’d be looking for one between 1 and 2 years old.
Rob 131 Sport said:
With a Mini been out, the 1 Series being too big this only really leaves the Audi A1 and VW Polo.
The F54 Clubman and current 1 series are the same platform and engines and a very similar size.https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/mini-club...
Edited by ajprice on Saturday 27th January 07:58
Mrs clarki just went the other way.
The Polo was an excellent car, zero issues, cheap to run but she wanted back into a Mini.
Thoughts on the Polo and things to look out for in the attached;
https://youtu.be/j_NkPm9sNDQ?si=9VmK8vNgpS3w4WJY
A helpful, if small, owners community.
The Polo was an excellent car, zero issues, cheap to run but she wanted back into a Mini.
Thoughts on the Polo and things to look out for in the attached;
https://youtu.be/j_NkPm9sNDQ?si=9VmK8vNgpS3w4WJY
A helpful, if small, owners community.
Edited by clarki on Saturday 27th January 07:53
ajprice said:
Rob 131 Sport said:
With a Mini been out, the 1 Series being too big this only really leaves the Audi A1 and VW Polo.
The F54 Clubman and current 1 series are the same platform and engines and a very similar size.https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/mini-club...
Edited by ajprice on Saturday 27th January 07:58
biggbn said:
I really don't get the apathy from many for the polo. Subtle, well made, quick. I bet they are great to own.
I've just picked up a Seat Ibiza courtesy car (same base as the Polo) and I like it, space isn't a problem for me and I haven't found any big issues with it so far that would put me off getting one (or a Polo, or a Fabia).Rob 131 Sport said:
georgeyboy12345 said:
What went wrong with the Mini in terms of reliability?
Numerous electrical gremlins and a clutch, flywheel and accessories. This is all on a car with a full history that is meticulously maintained and just over 40k miles. Haven’t owned one but I think the current Polo GTI (and previous gen) are smashing cars.
Seems to get a hard time because they aren’t the most out and out hot hatch but I think the GTI hits the sweet spot of being great to live with and a great drive.
My main criticism was really weird spec in that they don’t seem to come with climate control or heated seats which is bizarre and meant not for me.
Seems to get a hard time because they aren’t the most out and out hot hatch but I think the GTI hits the sweet spot of being great to live with and a great drive.
My main criticism was really weird spec in that they don’t seem to come with climate control or heated seats which is bizarre and meant not for me.
biggbn said:
Rob 131 Sport said:
georgeyboy12345 said:
What went wrong with the Mini in terms of reliability?
Numerous electrical gremlins and a clutch, flywheel and accessories. This is all on a car with a full history that is meticulously maintained and just over 40k miles. A good thing about the latest Polo GTI is it’s running a 2 litre EA888 engine in a relaively unstressed state, so should be both reliable and have lots of potential should you wish to modify, remap & all that carry-on
georgeyboy12345 said:
Yeah I always thought this too. Sorry to hear about your issues.
A good thing about the latest Polo GTI is it’s running a 2 litre EA888 engine in a relaively unstressed state, so should be both reliable and have lots of potential should you wish to modify, remap & all that carry-on
Current shape Fabia with it's boxy silhouette is crying out for a hot or even banzai GR Yaris style version A good thing about the latest Polo GTI is it’s running a 2 litre EA888 engine in a relaively unstressed state, so should be both reliable and have lots of potential should you wish to modify, remap & all that carry-on
FWIW my parents have got a Polo GTI, which is incredible really as it seems to be The Law that as soon as you get to 60 you're told you need an SUV because they're 'easier to get into' (my parents are 75). Anyway they love it and have never had any trouble with it despite doing pretty high mileage.
I20N appears to be the current hot hatch king in the supermini sector.
But I'd guess you're wanting an auto and not necessarily the last word in driving dynamics? In which case the Polo is ideal. There is a Fabia 1.5 Monte Carlo which looks good and is pretty nippy, but it's not really any cheaper than the Polo Gti anyway. The Audi A1 Competition line is very similar but you'd pay the same for an older car so why bother.
Go for the Polo, they look very nice.
But I'd guess you're wanting an auto and not necessarily the last word in driving dynamics? In which case the Polo is ideal. There is a Fabia 1.5 Monte Carlo which looks good and is pretty nippy, but it's not really any cheaper than the Polo Gti anyway. The Audi A1 Competition line is very similar but you'd pay the same for an older car so why bother.
Go for the Polo, they look very nice.
Roger Irrelevant said:
FWIW my parents have got a Polo GTI, which is incredible really as it seems to be The Law that as soon as you get to 60 you're told you need an SUV because they're 'easier to get into' (my parents are 75). Anyway they love it and have never had any trouble with it despite doing pretty high mileage.
Am sadly in the demographic that is supposed to SUV and aren’t.That said had a 350z last winter in garage for b-in-law and when we used it it was entertaining. Getting in/out was starting to get ‘challenging’
ChrisH72 said:
I20N appears to be the current hot hatch king in the supermini sector.
But I'd guess you're wanting an auto and not necessarily the last word in driving dynamics? In which case the Polo is ideal. There is a Fabia 1.5 Monte Carlo which looks good and is pretty nippy, but it's not really any cheaper than the Polo Gti anyway. The Audi A1 Competition line is very similar but you'd pay the same for an older car so why bother.
Go for the Polo, they look very nice.
I absolutely loathe SuV’s and the more I think about it the Polo looks to be the right choice. Powerful, cool and subtle looking. But I'd guess you're wanting an auto and not necessarily the last word in driving dynamics? In which case the Polo is ideal. There is a Fabia 1.5 Monte Carlo which looks good and is pretty nippy, but it's not really any cheaper than the Polo Gti anyway. The Audi A1 Competition line is very similar but you'd pay the same for an older car so why bother.
Go for the Polo, they look very nice.
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