Polo / Golf SDI

[3sixty]

Hi guys,

New to the forum, but not new to the site... I'm generally oogling over some exotic and news stories over on the main pages. Basically, I have a Mk5 Golf 1.9TDI Sport now, and being stupid when I was 19... I bought it, insured it and have been paying through the nose. But this was all well and good as I was working 4 days a week and 1 day a week at Uni, so I could afford it still living at home with parents.

I've now took the big step into adulthood and am in process of buying my house. So, the car has gone and leaves me with around £3,000 (maybe push to £3,500) for a new car. I'm looking to stay with a Diesel Golf (but will go for a Polo if need be), but being 21 the insurance is stupid for anything GT TDI or even TDI related, which leaves me with the SDI models. I've searched high and low for anything around my price and have exhausted my searches/papers/website. Anyone have any ideas where else I could try? I've tried all the usual local garages, online used car searches and papers.

Or does anyone suggest an alternative car?

Cheers

Edited by 3sixty on Tuesday 11th September 11:34

[J400uk]

Welcome to the forum! The SDI engines in the polo/golf are severely underpowered so probably best to avoid those. Why not consider a 2003ish petrol powered seat ibiza? Basicly the same as a polo underneath but cheaper.

[3sixty]

I know the SDIs are severly underpowered, but thats the main reason for me going for one as they are cheap on insurance.

Sorry to not explain myself in the first post, but for economical reasons I'm ideally looking for a Diesel again.

[Tino]

would running a diesel really save you much more than a smaller engined petrol? The diesel VW's, being so sought after tend to fetch much more money than their equivalent petrol. The SDi unit really is a dog slow engine, very slow and boring. How much mileage are we talking anually?
I think, at your age, we are looking at an interim car, maybe to get you through till you are 21, so have you looked at the MK4 Golf, 1.4 or 1.6 for around 2 grand, or maybe even a MK3 for a grand, lose very little money in depreciation over a couple of years, and reassess when the time is right.

[bertie]

I had a Golf SDi as a loaner once and they really, really are unbelievable underpowered.

What about an Ibiza or some sort of other Tdi?

[Ranger 6]

A few years ago my wife had a 1.4 Polo - it was more economical than the GT TDi she replaced it with.....

Definately don't get an SDi - they're dangerously slow.

[3sixty]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I've found a fair few 1.6, but all are giving me insurance quotes at only £200 cheaper than a GTTDI. 1.4 seems more sensible, but for a Mk4 at around '98/'99 I'm still looking at £2,500 for the car, which seems a bit on high side.

Edited by 3sixty on Wednesday 12th September 15:09

[bertie]

Sadly, insurance companies consider the young a high risk.

The vast majority of the cost of the insurace is 3rd party cover so the vehicle makes very little differance.

[3sixty]

I fully understand that Bertie, just confused that my renewal for my Mk5 56 plate Golf 1.9 TDI Sport was only £200 more than I'm being quoted for a Mk4 '98 1.6 Petrol.... surely the vehicle difference there must be more than £200 worth.

I guess I'll have to just keep looking for that elusive Mk4 1.4. Cheers.

Edited by 3sixty on Wednesday 12th September 15:10

[bertie]

3sixty said:

I fully understand that Bertie, just confused that my renewal for my Mk5 56 plate Golf 1.9 TDI Sport was only £200 more than I'm being quoted for a Mk4 '98 1.6 Petrol.... surely the vehicle difference there must be more than £200 worth.

I guess I'll have to just keep looking for that elusive Mk4 1.4. Cheers.

Edited by 3sixty on Wednesday 12th September 15:10

Clearly not as you've demonstrated.

As I said, the vast majority is the 3rd party insurance costs, the own vehicle damage element is very little hence the car makes not much odds.

Look at it this way, you can do just as much damage to someone / something else in a £1000 old Polo as in a £15,000 new Golf.

A real life example, one of our guys here at work crashed his company car about 4 years back. Own vehicle damage £5k, 3rd party costs currently £72k and rising, still not settled.