should i consider any these polo's?

babel2

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Polo/200917192555697/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carlist.ie/vehicles/view/144359-volkswagen-polo-mayo?r=/vehicles/34,56,22/-3000/2000-/price-a/flat/

http://www.carlist.ie/vehicles/view/160234-volkswagen-polo-dublin?r=/vehicles/34,56,22/-3000/2000-/price-a/flat/

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_Detail.aspx?ID=3093839

http://www.carlist.ie/vehicles/view/161087-volkswagen-polo-dublin?r=/vehicles/34,56,22/-3000/2000-/price-a/flat/



could i get any money off any of them and which is the best?

Eoin

The first two don't mention power steering, and the Polo is not a particularly nice car to drive (and especially park) without it. I wouldn't have thought that they were going for up to 3K - that seems a lot of money for a relatively under equipped car.

VolvoMan

Throw a few other cars into the equation there. There are plenty of other fine little cars out there that will be better value and better equipped than the VW.

legend365

I have a 99 polo and would be delighted with 1000 for it nevermind 2000

babel2

eoin wrote: »

The first two don't mention power steering, and the Polo is not a particularly nice car to drive (and especially park) without it. I wouldn't have thought that they were going for up to 3K - that seems a lot of money for a relatively under equipped car.

yeah id be looking for a polo with power steering

Eoin

The 1.25 litre Fiesta seems to get a good review from people here, maybe check it out too. Personally I think that VWs have too high a resale value for what you get.

babel2

eoin wrote: »

The 1.25 litre Fiesta seems to get a good review from people here, maybe check it out too. Personally I think that VWs have too high a resale value for what you get.

personally i just dont like the fiesta's. they dont look nice at all. the vw are reliable and also look nice so im pretty set on getting a polo

Mycroft H

babel2 wrote: »

yeah id be looking for a polo with power steering

Sure power steering is nice, but not a nessicity on a small car. Try a series three landrover or an old transit with a full load, and then you need power steering.


On a dinky car like the polo you'll manage without it, sure i have in my golf

Eoin

landyman wrote: »

On a dinky car like the polo you'll manage without it, sure i have in my golf

I'm sure you'd manage, but that doesn't mean it will be anything approaching pleasant to drive. There is a big difference in some of the small cars. A Micra without PS is nowhere near as bad as a Polo without it.

babel2 wrote: »

personally i just dont like the fiesta's. they dont look nice at all. the vw are reliable and also look nice so im pretty set on getting a polo

VW have a reputation for reliability, but they don't always live up to it. Make sure you research the model in question.

macroman

Considered a Punto?

Engines are solid if they're looked after. The engine is 'non-interferance' so valves don't hit pistons if the timing belt snaps. They have more creature comforts over the Polo - electric windows, city steering (a button which turns the steering really light - ideal for parking), higher crash safety rating on the Mk2 (1999-2005).

Known problems are overheating caused by airlocks, or jammed thermostats. If ignored it will blow it's head gasket - you're talking around €300 to get it sorted by a mechanic.

They leak oil from the rocker cover gasket, not a big problem and only costs €9 to fix, and if you have a socket set it can be done in 20 minutes.

Pre-1999 (old shape) require a red key, as well as two blue keys. The red key is required to programme new blue keys should you lose them, it is also used to reset the immobiliser. It is rarely used and often lost. 1999-2005 don't require a red key as their keys have a rolling code system which changes each time the key is partnered with the car - new keys have to be ordered from Fiat.

Problems with Polos include Gearbox failure, overheating, no PAS, they eat front tyres, pads and disks, pedal box prone to failure - pivot on brake and clutch pedals, changing gear is a bit like stirring a bowl of soup. They're also really ugly and the saloon is just a Seat in drag

fryup

babel2 wrote: »

the vw are reliable

not necessarily

Eoin

A clio is another option. 1.2 engine is nippy enough, plus it's quite well equipped.

macroman

eoin wrote: »

A clio is another option. 1.2 engine is nippy enough, plus it's quite well equipped.

Very nippy! Have a few niggles - but nothing widespread. I've seen a few low mileage ones that have thrown their timing belts - of which it should be replaced alongside the tensioner and waterpump every 3 years/36,000 miles. If buying one, make sure it's had it's timing belt done recently or budget to get it done.

kueef

babel2 wrote: »

personally i just dont like the fiesta's. they dont look nice at all. the vw are reliable and also look nice so im pretty set on getting a polo

oh gawd not a slow-mo polo.... even the 1.2 is slow. i was over taken by a street cleaner with my boot down!!!:rolleyes:

civildefence

macroman wrote: »

Considered a Punto?

Engines are solid if they're looked after. The engine is 'non-interferance' so valves don't hit pistons if the timing belt snaps. They have more creature comforts over the Polo - electric windows, city steering (a button which turns the steering really light - ideal for parking), higher crash safety rating on the Mk2 (1999-2005).

Known problems are overheating caused by airlocks, or jammed thermostats. If ignored it will blow it's head gasket - you're talking around €300 to get it sorted by a mechanic.

They leak oil from the rocker cover gasket, not a big problem and only costs €9 to fix, and if you have a socket set it can be done in 20 minutes.

Pre-1999 (old shape) require a red key, as well as two blue keys. The red key is required to programme new blue keys should you lose them, it is also used to reset the immobiliser. It is rarely used and often lost. 1999-2005 don't require a red key as their keys have a rolling code system which changes each time the key is partnered with the car - new keys have to be ordered from Fiat.

Problems with Polos include Gearbox failure, overheating, no PAS, they eat front tyres, pads and disks, pedal box prone to failure - pivot on brake and clutch pedals, changing gear is a bit like stirring a bowl of soup. They're also really ugly and the saloon is just a Seat in drag

So basically you're trying to say that a Fiat Punto is more reliable than a VW Polo......???

civildefence

Although I like VW cars, in the supemini range a Toyota Yaris is simply unbeatable

zilog_jones

civildefence wrote: »

So basically you're trying to say that a Fiat Punto is more reliable than a VW Polo......???

The problem is Puntos sell for less, so more people who couldn't afford/be arsed/didn't know how to look after their cars tend to buy them over the competition, hence all the stories about blown head gaskets etc. I'm sure if you looked you'd find some decent examples, and they would be just as reliable if not moreso than a Polo.

Problems with Polos include Gearbox failure...

I know someone who had to fork out for a new gearbox on their '98 Polo. Also the doors seem to like rust but I think the 2000 facelift may be better in that regard.

...they eat front tyres, pads and disks...

Considering most examples here are lethargic 50bhp 1 litres, surely the above isn't a problem in that case? I have a 60bhp 1.3 Fiesta which can be quite challenging/scary when overtaking, so could not recommend anything much less powerful if you're doing any sort of driving out of town.

For comparison (assuming around 2000 models, I'm sure there's some bhp vs. PS disrepencies here):

Renault Clio 1.2 (8V) - 58 bhp
Nissan Micra 1.0 - 55 bhp (probably a good bit lighter than the competition :pac:)
Fiat Punto 1.2 (8V) - 60 bhp (16V is 80 bhp)
Ford Fiesta/Mazda 121 1.25 - 75 bhp (1.3 is 60 bhp)
Toyota Yaris 1.0 - 68 bhp
Peugeot 206 1.1 - 60 bhp
Opel Corsa 1.0 - 60 bhp (3 cylinder)
VW Polo 1.0 - 50 bhp (1.4 is only 59 bhp)

Since you don't like the Fiesta I'd recommend the Yaris over the Polo, however apparently build quality wasn't great at first when they moved production to France in 2000 (earlier models were built in Japan, probably easiest way to tell is to look at the ECE country codes on the glass).

EPM

civildefence wrote: »

So basically you're trying to say that a Fiat Punto is more reliable than a VW Polo......???

He's correct, if looked after it should be as reliable as any other car on the road

macroman

civildefence wrote: »

So basically you're trying to say that a Fiat Punto is more reliable than a VW Polo......???

If you look after it yes. Cheaper parts, better engine, and a body that doesn't corrode as bad as earlier Polo's.

civildefence

macroman wrote: »

If you look after it yes. Cheaper parts, better engine, and a body that doesn't corrode as bad as earlier Polo's.

Jesus lads I can't agree with that, I had one in 97 (new) and the combination of a string of electrical faults and a constantly overheating engine (head gasket went, without warning) means ever since these cars actually upset me.