06 volkswagen polo advice needed

mcnamarak · 23-01-2013 10:16am #1

Hi All,
I'm wondering can someone give me some advice or further info. I am changing cars soon and i am going to view a 06 vw polo, 1.2 litre with 93000 miles, at the weekend (Advertised at €3995)
These are most of the things i have asked about: previous owners (1), is it his car (no its not he does small time dealing and took as a trade in), service history (full history in log book i have been told), nct (01/14), tax (out since end dec), why it hasnt sold yet (guy works all week and only available weekends) and of course the obvious one, the timing belt as there is 93000 miles on the car (going to speak with him today to confirm if he has done this).
So with that ramble over, what i would really like is your advice, comments, previous experience, other factors to consider for that year car and i suppose if all seems ok a bargaining tool!!!

P.s. please forgive me if this post is wrong or not tagged correctly, new to this so tried my best to figure it out!!

colm_mcm · 23-01-2013 11:35am

Best advice would be buy from an owner. If this guy is operating out of a phone box and paying no tax then you're getting the worst of both worlds;
someone who has bought the car for x amount,
knows nothing about the cars past,
Just wants to make a sale
Will offer no comeback (same as private sale)

If you buy from someone who actually owned the car for years, you can tell a lot about the car from the owner.

166man · 23-01-2013 11:43am

I'd be wary of buying a car from a trader like that for the reasons Colm stated above. You should take note that the last time that car passed an NCT would have been late 2011 or early 2012 so 'NCT to 2014' doesn't look as appealing.

There are plenty of other Polo's around this country and I'd advise go either private and take advantage of the lower price ( I'd assume) or go the dealer route and pay a little more for the peace of mind but I wouldn't go in between where you're paying the margin for that side-street dealer and getting no warranty at all.

Tread carefully and best of luck but check out a few other motors while you're at it.

Ron Burgundy II · 23-01-2013 11:44am

As Colm and 166man said be very careful when dealing with this guy. He could be an honest bloke dealing in cars for years or he could be the polar opposite looking to make quick money and not give a s**t about the condition of the car he is selling.

Never buy a car without getting it checked over by a mechanic.
Also my last car an 05 polo had a chain instead of a belt, so all going well should have no troubles with it from that point.

Not much help from me

mcnamarak · 23-01-2013 12:57pm

colm, 166man and ron burgandy II - thanks so much for your replies all valid and valuable points here...
I suppose just to say, it advertised as a private sale but yes i totally understand the fears about a trader. It was only when i asked questions about the car that he mentioned he was a trader (neither here nor there really i guess)
About the NCT - Its dec 2014 dont think i said that bit so to my calculations it was done dec of 2012 which is anytime from about 1 to 2 months ago?
I knew i had to try ask someone on here about this particular polo as there are quite hard to source a good one, what i mean is milage wise all those ive looked at in the areas in ireland i can travel to have had quite high mileage, we're talking anywhere from 110,000 to 160,000 which i dont want!! Also for nothing other than my own personal vanity i like any year above 2005 as i think they improved the aesthetics of the car from then.
And definitely i will be bringing a mechanic with me on saturday so there will be no messing with that, not worth the risk buying off the cuff.
I think whats scaring me (for want of a better word) is the price, why is it so cheap for a 2006 - he has assured me that its spotless inside, was a lady owner and the log book is actually stamped by vw dealer, too good to be true right??
Its good to hear ron burgandy II that you had a good experience with your last polo.

I have to ask a very typical female question here was in the advantage of a timing chain versus timing belt - from what ive gathered if you keep the car well oiled you shouldnt need to replace it???

Kate

bazz26 · 23-01-2013 1:48pm

Why only a Polo, there are other similar cars out there that are more than capable of doing what a Polo can do?

mcnamarak · 23-01-2013 1:50pm

Ok fair point bazz26 - i guess its mainly as i like them and have had one previously without much hassle...

However i am open to suggestions!! Enlighten me i say

road_high · 23-01-2013 1:59pm

bazz26 wrote: »

Why only a Polo, there are other similar cars out there that are more than capable of doing what a Polo can do?

Especially for €4k....

mcnamarak · 23-01-2013 2:00pm

mfitzy wrote: »

Especially for €4k....

Why you reckon thats too much or little?

bazz26 · 23-01-2013 2:03pm

Ford Fiesta. My sister has one for 3 years and never gave a moment's bother.

mcnamarak · 23-01-2013 2:20pm

Ok that's a good option, thanks ill look at them

My old polo did me a great service too. My mam had it for 4 years and i had it for 2 years, sold it to a neighbour of a friend of mine and he still has it going strong with very little. All i had to do was the timing belt at 72000 miles and the usual oil and filter yearly that is recommended for all cars that's the only thing really.
It is a big decision getting a new car so i do appreciate the feedback from everyone, i will certainly look up a ford fiesta now to see their story...

Wicklowandy · 23-01-2013 2:21pm

Maybe a couple of years older, but wont cost a lot more to run and will always sell on again. Good choice out there at your price

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4152500

Even an 03 cooper s for 4k on donedeal at the moment.

If not your thing +1 on the fiesta

Wicklowandy · 23-01-2013 2:22pm

mcnamarak wrote: »

Ok that's a good option, thanks ill look at them
My old polo did me a great service too. My mam had it for 4 years and i had it for 2 years, sold it to a neighbour of a friend of mine and he still has it going strong with very little. All i had to do was the timing belt at 72000 miles and the usual oil and filter yearly that is recommended for all cars that's the only thing really.
It is a big decision getting a new car so i do appreciate the feedback from everyone, i will certainly look up a ford fiesta now to see their story...

Take it that was a 00 shape polo? A superior car to its replacement imo

mcnamarak · 23-01-2013 2:24pm

I have to admit im not a big fan of minis, sorry if this offends ya its just my taste i guess.
Also worth noting i want engine from 1.0 to 1.2 for taxiation purposes and dont need higher as i do minimal driving yearly!!

Anyone have an opinion on toyota corolla or nissan almera hatchback or nissan micra 2004+

Wicklowandy · 23-01-2013 2:28pm

Couldn't recommend that vintage of almera or micra, 00s nissans aren't as good as their previous models:)

None taken on the mini, there good value right now is all, and i suppose you love or hate them.

Maybe a yaris? Between that and a fiesta, the best of the small cars, the yaris a 1.0, fiesta starts 1.25.

Wicklowandy · 23-01-2013 2:29pm

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4119764

mcnamarak · 23-01-2013 2:33pm

Wicklowandy wrote: »

Couldn't recommend that vintage of almera or micra, 00s nissans aren't as good as their previous models:)

None taken on the mini, there good value right now is all, and i suppose you love or hate them.

Maybe a yaris? Between that and a fiesta, the best of the small cars, the yaris a 1.0, fiesta starts 1.25.

Ya yaris is an option... Or a fiesta or all of them mentioned!! My car has a buyer and dont wanna delay her any longer so gonna sell mine, then gonna set up some viewings of the different models im thinking of, in a dealers even just to get an idea of them and go from there

no rush really though as i have family who've agreed to be a driver for me til i get a car!!

Wicklowandy · 23-01-2013 2:37pm

Why buy one at all...id choose to be chaufeurred anyday

mcnamarak · 23-01-2013 2:43pm

Wicklowandy wrote: »

Why buy one at all...id choose to be chaufeurred anyday

Oh ya you'd think i should be overjoyed with the chauffeur offer but alas i am too independant and hate relying on other people to drive me around, need my own freedom. Who wants to stick to agreed time limits for picking up/dropping off, PFFFF not me!!

bazz26 · 23-01-2013 2:59pm

Suzuki Swift is worth a look at too:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4456565

mcnamarak · 23-01-2013 3:03pm

That's pretty i must say... I know nothing about them, performance, specs history etc, so ill have to investigate a bit further!!
Thanks bazz26

JohnBoy26 · 23-01-2013 3:08pm

My advice to you is to avoid the polo. They are not as reliable as their badge would suggest. They give timing chain trouble and other niggles. The older polo you speak of had a completely diffrent superior engine to these new ones.

If your looking for a small car id be inclined to go with a yaris or a diahatsu sirion. These are both highly reliable cars and will not leave you down.

If you want a slighty bigger car a fiesta as another poster has mentioned are good and are generally reliable. If buying one go for the superior 1.25 engine instead of the old 1.3 pushrod engine.

My final reccomendation to you would be a Toyota corolla hatchback(02-07 model). Like the yaris and the sirion, these are one of the most reliable cars you can buy and offer much more comfort than smaller cars such as the ones mentioned above. These are expensive to buy though due to their popularity and reliability.

Ron Burgundy II · 23-01-2013 3:32pm

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

My advice to you is to avoid the polo. They are not as reliable as their badge would suggest. They give timing chain trouble and other niggles. The older polo you speak of had a completely diffrent superior engine to these new ones.

If your looking for a small car id be inclined to go with a yaris or a diahatsu sirion. These are both highly reliable cars and will not leave you down.

If you want a slighty bigger car a fiesta as another poster has mentioned are good and are generally reliable. If buying one go for the superior 1.25 engine instead of the old 1.3 pushrod engine.

My final reccomendation to you would be a Toyota corolla hatchback(02-07 model). Like the yaris and the sirion, these are one of the most reliable cars you can buy and offer much more comfort than smaller cars such as the ones mentioned above. These are expensive to buy though due to their popularity and reliability.

the yaris and diahatsu sirion are horrible looking cars. The interior is poor and basic enough finish imo. I'm not sure why your calling out the polo to be unreliable?? I have had an 98 1.4l auto polo, 01 1l polo, 05 1.2l polo and now onto a 1.9TDI golf. All of them never missed a beat, and all very frugal cars to run, while comparing my dads corolla d4d goes no where near the same mpg as my golf. both cars are 2006.
Any way mcnamarak your are going to get lots of people telling you this car is crap that car is better etc, take comments on here with a pinch of salt.
Parkers is a good website to look at reviews http://www.parkers.co.uk/
Good luck with search.

mcnamarak · 23-01-2013 3:33pm

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

My advice to you is to avoid the polo. They are not as reliable as their badge would suggest. They give timing chain trouble and other niggles. The older polo you speak of had a completely diffrent superior engine to these new ones.

If your looking for a small car id be inclined to go with a yaris or a diahatsu sirion. These are both highly reliable cars and will not leave you down.

If you want a slighty bigger car a fiesta as another poster has mentioned are good and are generally reliable. If buying one go for the superior 1.25 engine instead of the old 1.3 pushrod engine.

My final reccomendation to you would be a Toyota corolla hatchback(02-07 model). Like the yaris and the sirion, these are one of the most reliable cars you can buy and offer much more comfort than smaller cars such as the ones mentioned above. These are expensive to buy though due to their popularity and reliability.

Oh no well that's not what i wanted to hear i have to say about the polo, cos the '00 i had was brill. why do manufacturers do that, have a perfectly good engine and then 'improve' it to a inferior one? Sure baffles me.
Thanks for the advice JohnBoy26 - however i would have to rule the corolla out as i am selling a 1.4 litre car for the reason that its too big for what i need.
From this very helpful thread of info it seems to be that toyota yaris, ford fiesta and vw polo are contenders from advice and people previous car history (mentioned particularly above for polo)...

JohnBoy26 · 23-01-2013 3:44pm

From those three options Id choose the yaris or the fiesta. Trust me them polos aren't that great, the timing chain goes in most of those 1.2 models. The sirion I suggested should not be ruled out either(unless you dont like the looks) as these are the same car mechanically as the second generation yaris so should be just as reliable.

JohnBoy26 · 23-01-2013 3:58pm

Ron Burgundy II wrote: »

the yaris and diahatsu sirion are horrible looking cars. The interior is poor and basic enough finish imo. I'm not sure why your calling out the polo to be unreliable?? I have had an 98 1.4l auto polo, 01 1l polo, 05 1.2l polo and now onto a 1.9TDI golf. All of them never missed a beat, and all very frugal cars to run, while comparing my dads corolla d4d goes no where near the same mpg as my golf. both cars are 2006.
Any way mcnamarak your are going to get lots of people telling you this car is crap that car is better etc, take comments on here with a pinch of salt.
Parkers is a good website to look at reviews http://www.parkers.co.uk/
Good luck with search.

Tbh a polo of that vintage is no looker either and they have just as cheap an interior as a yaris or sirion. As for reliability while you may have had a good experience many have not.

As Iv'e already said they give timing chain trouble on the 1.2 models and they have alot of other niggles aswell. Tbh id rather have a horrible looking yaris or sirion than an polo anyday because at least you can depend on them and they are cheap to maintain.

mcnamarak · 23-01-2013 4:23pm

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Tbh a polo of that vintage is no looker either and they have just as cheap an interior as a yaris or sirion. As for reliability while you may have had a good experience many have not.

As Iv'e already said they give timing chain trouble on the 1.2 models and they have alot of other niggles aswell. Tbh id rather have a horrible looking yaris or sirion than an polo anyday because at least you can depend on them and they are cheap to maintain.

Thanks Johnboy26 - straight to the point, which is good.
Im going on the hunt now and need to get away from all this car talk, meltdown is coming to mind!!!!

Thanks all, will update if i have anything.

06 volkswagen polo advice needed

Comments