Opinions on 2nd hand diesel car options for $15-18k

[kaanage]

Im thinking the Polo might be a little underpowered and too small (size wise) for what i would like - but i would still like to look at one and test drive to know for sure.

You definitely need to check one to be sure as I think the size and NVH difference vs a 103kW 2.0 Golf/Jetta will be much more of a factor than the power difference - remember that the Polo is significantly lighter than the Golf/Jetta.

Also, WEDEL.1 towed a HUGE camper/trailer around WA a few months ago in a MkV Golf with the 1.9 PD engine. As stock, it may have struggled a bit but his was remapped to similar spec to mine and Golfman's. When not towing, the stock 1.9 PD can haul the Golf around fine (one of my friends' sister has one).

The big thing with the Polo vs a 103kW 2.0 Golf/Jetta is the age/mileage you will get for the same money.

[GoLfMan]

I think you underestimate the Polo buddy

[gldgti]

Unrelated.... but my octy 1.9 towed 800kg trailer pretty nice ... its the typical diesel thing - give it more load, you get more boost its still stock too.

[Buller_Scott]

not to mention that the pd100 1.9 tdi engine has been proven, over more than a decade, in various iterations (engine codes), to be absolutely bomb proof.

as the other folks with 1.9 tdi engines say, and as well as golfman, kaanage and myself who have tuned 1.9tdi polos will attest to, it's all about torque/ weight figures in real world driveability. as they say, power sells cars, but torque wins races, and looking at the AFTER kilowatt figures and 0-100 times is the WORST way to measure the ability of the polo.

golfman, kaanage and myself might only have less than 110kw at the engine, but the conveniently bang-on gearing and ~300nm at the wheels means that we can hold off (read: dispatch) bigger cars with 3x the capacity and 3x the power, not to mention much larger price tags, come play time in the twisties.

if you're window shopping at the moment, what's there to lose by test driving all of the polo, jetta, golf 1.9 and 2.0, octavia tdi etc?

[Mk3 AAA]

Ford Focus.

Polos are nice to drive though, just have it checked by someone who knows VWs and ask them to listen to the turbo.

[kaanage]

I did like the way our Focus rode and handled (better chassis than the Golf IMO) but it was no where near as well built as our VWs and it feels that way too. After 3 years, there were loads of squeaks and rattle. NVH wise, I'd rate the Focus as equal to the Polo except for the ride which was better than either the Polo or the Golf.

[Buller_Scott]

is it just myself, or is this thread aching for a "who i spanked" injection?

lol.

i agree with golfman... DONT under estimate the ability of a polo with a tune, mild suspension mods, and a driver with dignity to protect.

just.... dont.... lol.

(more than a few pairs of tyres have been sacrificed to re-iterate this sentiment, across the tdi drivers in victoria, at least)

[Mi16 Man]

Also tried and tested, by me, don't forget the HDi engines in Peugeots.

For that price range, you can get;

207 XT HDi.....5sp manual
Avg 4.7L/100
This is a BMW/PSA 1.6L engine, shared with a Mini Cooper D.

307 XSE HDi.....6sp manual or auto.
Avg 5.7L/100
This is a 2.0L engine. Auto gearbox is an AISIN model and is shared with Ford/Mazda etc.

We currently have an MY06 307 XSE HDi Wagon, owned for over 70,000kms.....faultless. We have had one niggle, speaker wires dropped off their terminal on the door, thanks to a smash repairer completing a hasty job.

Running on 16" rubber, tyres are cheap and these 'Eco' Michelins really help with fuel economy.

Given the F3, the little 207/Polo might be better for fuel but I've seen, and been part of, some good crashes on the Freeway.....size does matter!

Good luck!

[Mi16 Man]

Oh yeah, the 'around town' commute in Canberra for the 307 sees a minimum of 1050 to 1100kms per tank. That includes child care, shopping, work commute and me lugging goodies from the hardware store!

[Transporter]

Around year 2002 I was looking at Peugeot Diesel for my daughter (she didn't have the license yet) as her first car and I liked the advanced safety features in them and outstanding fuel economy. In the advertising materials they had 4L/100km highway and 6L/100km in the city cycle, which over the years creaped up a lot (with addition of the diesel exhaust after treatment), anyway, we ended up getting something else.

Buying a Peugeot as secondhand or the long-term ownership of the Peugeot is most likely going to be more expensive than any VAG car. Also the servicing parts cost more for Peogeot.

A customer of mine had 2007 307 2.0L HDI and traded in on Polo 1.2TSI and get much better fuel economy around town than from the 307
he had.

Still like the design of the French cars verry much and teh Peugeot is the 2nd/3rd oldest car manufacturer in the world and still making the cars.

The Czech car manufacturer Tatra (from who Germans stall the design for the Beetle; body and the engine) claims the same 2nd place.

[BluChris]

If you're going VAG TDI, another vote for the Octavia. I have a 1.9 TDI DSG and find it stable, comfortable and relaxing on long drives and for commuting. Fuel consumption is about 5.0 - 5.3 at 100k limit, 5.5 - 5.8 at 110k depending on road and load. I'm usually 3 - 4 up with luggage if I'm on the highway, have seen sub 5.0 if driving solo out of town. It's a good size - plenty of room and huge load area with the added benefit of a hatch, but parking is still not a chore. Bonus of VAG technology for less than VW pricing with (apparently) better build quality and reliability according to overseas owner surveys. If you don't mind the looks and rarity, a TDI Skoda Roomster is another alternative to the Polo, though I preferred the more mature feel of the Octavia.

[GoLfMan]

just a note. Absolutly wiped the floor with a 2.0tdi mk6 Golf yesterday

[Mi16 Man]

Transporter, I am pleasantly surprised that Pug parts are indeed cheaper than VW parts bought for my Golf. Pug Dealer Servicing comes in $50-$100 cheaper also......

[kaanage]

Oh yeah, the 'around town' commute in Canberra for the 307 sees a minimum of 1050 to 1100kms per tank. That includes child care, shopping, work commute and me lugging goodies from the hardware store!

From 60 litres? That's very impressive. I get that range from 55 litres in my Polo doing similar driving but I do have to work at it (and I've gone down to 175 width Michelin Energy XM2s)

[Mi16 Man]

From 60 litres? That's very impressive. I get that range from 55 litres in my Polo doing similar driving but I do have to work at it (and I've gone down to 175 width Michelin Energy XM2s)

Living in Canberra has to have some benefits.....

Most of the roads are wide/open and 80kmh zoned. Less traffic and even less, traffic lights.