2008 Polo GTI vs.'08 Golf GTI

[Bounga]

Hey guys, I'm in the market for my first Volkwagen and I've settle on those two. I'm looking at paying approx 16K for the Polo GTI, or about 22K for the Golf.

I plan to most definitely add the Stage 1 APR chip in a few months. After I enjoy the car that is. I was originally thinking to go in the direction of the Polo.. mostly because after the 1.2K APR Chip, it will be a low 6 second car. That's very impressive for the price.

BUT, I'm worried that the Golf GTI is designed from the ground up to please all the very loyal GTI driver's. It's an all rounded perfectly balance car.

The Polo on the other hand I'm worried is quite cheap in sections. Much of it seems like like a pretty average standard. The trim in general in the Golf is just quite noticably better. Then there's the sounds system, the steering wheel, the centre unit, the dash, the heated leather seats, the cup holders. Everything's better.

Anyway long story short is that I'm leaning towards the Golf. I don't want to have regrets and I think I'll be very happy with the Golf GTI was year's to come.

BTW, I'm about 90% manual. Are there any owner's who were very pro manual (due to the driving experience) and were reluctant to change?

But are now glad they did? Anyone wish they picked manual instead of the DSG?

Any help would be massively appreciated.

[kaanage]

BUT, I'm worried that the Golf GTI is designed from the ground up to please all the very loyal GTI driver's. It's an all rounded perfectly balance car.

The Polo on the other hand I'm worried is quite cheap in sections. Much of it seems like like a pretty average standard. The trim in general in the Golf is just quite noticably better. Then there's the sounds system, the steering wheel, the centre unit, the dash, the heated leather seats, the cup holders. Everything's better.

That applies across the board for the 9N3 Polo vs the MkV Golf - the Golf is just better (especially in refinement which is very noticable on a highway) and it reflects in the price. If you plan to keep the car for a while and it will be your primary car, then the Golf is a better choice - you won't regret spending the extra money after a while. As a 2nd car/fun runabout, the Polo is a cheap way to have a lot of fun, though.

BTW, I'm about 90% manual. Are there any owner's who were very pro manual (due to the driving experience) and were reluctant to change?

But are now glad they did? Anyone wish they picked manual instead of the DSG?

For a daily drive, the DSG is very nice - especialy with the paddle shift to override the auto changes - and it's faster when really pressing on. BUT there is more satisfaction with the manual (I love it when you don't feel any lever resistance as it slides into the gate on the downshift after a perfect double declutch) and it is more reliable.

[h100vw]

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f23/modified-2006-polo-gti-48266.html

A Polo that has already been done. A bit older but it has been well looked after.

Gavin

[thezoneR32]

Polo = girl's car, gti = woman's car, R32 = man's car!

Just kiding.......sort of.

But seriously, I have always been a manual man (notice how the word manual has the word "man" inside it) and was a bit hesitant to go DSG/auto, but after owning one for 2 years now, I can say with confidence that this is by far the best trans I have ever owned, just make sure you see Gav for the CCode DSG tune!

GTI in DSG would be my pick..... If I was a woman that is.LOL

[AUC-05L]

I was in your boat a few weeks ago.....

The differences between the 2 cars are there but the polo is still pretty well equiped and they do come with leather and heated seatsif you want. The air con controls are different, the steering wheel is different....but also the visibility out the back of the golf is crap, the polo is a bit less refined but the noise and ride are not intrusive. They are both very fun to drive. and the Golf has a much larger Market for parts due to being sold in america....

Realistically you will be able to pick up and 08 model polo gti for 16k, (i got mine for 15k), Good luck finding an 08 golf gti with reasonable kms for 22k if you can then buy it....you might get a 05/06 model for that money with 80k+. my mate just bought one with 100k for $20k but had to do the timing belt service which cost him money as well.

Bang for buck you really cant go past the polo.

Also you should consider and xr5 focus on average they are at least 3 grand cheaper than the equivalent golf so you might get a good one for 22k

My 2 cents

Cheers
John

[jessv3]

With out a doubt the Golf. I looked at both when i was looking and made up my mind after sitting in the polo gti, the interior is too basic and feels like a low budget car. The golf interior feels like a luxury mid sizer.

You can get a golf gti for under 20k now, even if it does have a few extra kms on it, it would still be the better car in the long run.

Sent from my HTC Desire Z using Tapatalk

[seangti]

An option is to buy the polo, add tune and supporting mods, good suspension and supporting mods, brakes - $4-5k. Will put a bigger smile on your face when driving than a standard golf GTI and with half the km's. Well that's what I've done.

But as everyone has said, the golf feels classier, more refined in a way that very few $40k cars do. And the DSG is beautiful. There's no easy answer. Bear in mind DSG services are every 60,000kms and whilst they cost more, may well be offset by driving pleasure.

[triode12]

I think most of the differences have already been covered by the others here.

If your aim is 100% fun - then get the Polo GTI. It is better than the Golf in this respect. Not to say that the Golf GTI isn't fun to drive, it is - but the Polo is spades more fun to drive IME/O.

If your aim is for performance, then the Golf. It has independant rear suspension and can be modded to perform better than the Polo GTI can be. But the differences would be close.

If your aim is for convenience and room to grow, then the Golf if it has 5 doors -otherwise, it is a tie between the two.

Manual vs DSG - I have tested both and prefer the DSG in the Golf GTI. I didn't mind the manual in the Polo GTI but disliked the action/feel of the manual gearshift in the Golf GTI (found it clunky). But if you are buying used, DSG maintenance maybe more costly than a manual transmission. You will need to factor that cost into your decision making.

Seeing as the price difference is $6K, the decision isn't an easy one and I don't envy your position. But whichever one you chose, I am pretty sure that you won't regret your decision. I'd be happy with either one. But from a $$ value perspective, the Golf GTI at $22K is a better buy than the Polo at $16K IMO.

[Bounga]

Thought I'd add an update. I am now a proud owner of a Black 2008 stock Polo GTI.

I drove a DSG Gti first but the Polo just delivered more of what I was searching for. Firstly it was flawless, with only two tiny stone chips on the bonnet its flaws. My brother (who will be driving it too) and I are both tall (6'4" & 6'7") and surprisingly I could sit behind him in the back seat with it all the way back. Nice surprise for a 3 Door hatch. It has only 50,000K on the clock and has a full service history. It's manual and I just prefer it over the DSG. For now at least.. maybe when I'm older and have a family that will change.

The Golf just had a lot of stuff I don't need. The Polo on the other hand had everything I need or want and no more. It was a pleasure to drive. Also, the Polo was naturally newer and in this case in pretty much mint condition. Seriously the guy has kept it in immaculate condition. I could get that in the Golf's considering they had to be a little older and the one I test drove had quite a few flaws.

My plans are simple:

APR chip
Golf Gti or R steering wheel (love the flat bottom and thicker feel with hand grips)
Swapping the factory 16" wheels for the 17" one's from the MkV Gti with quality tires.
Centre Console with storage compartment.

And that's it. Those are my plans. For the money I'll eventually outlay (mods will be 3K approx all up), I'll actually much prefer it to the Golf and imo it will be the perfect car for my needs. I'll set my eyes on the Golf R or Scirocco R after I graduate and get myself a better paying job haha.

Anyway cheers for the replies guys and I hope this thread will help someone in the future.

[Mystic storm]

Good choice!!

I too maybe buying a manual 2008 polo gti that is std and only doen 25k similair mods planned too ie apr chip and some mk4 monza's... Get some piccys up of yours

[Bflat]

PM me for the centre console, i've got one lying around I'm not using.

[triode12]

Thought I'd add an update. I am now a proud owner of a Black 2008 stock Polo GTI.


My plans are simple:

APR chip
Golf Gti or R steering wheel (love the flat bottom and thicker feel with hand grips)
Swapping the factory 16" wheels for the 17" one's from the MkV Gti with quality tires.
Centre Console with storage compartment.

And that's it. Those are my plans. For the money I'll eventually outlay (mods will be 3K approx all up), I'll actually much prefer it to the Golf and imo it will be the perfect car for my needs. I'll set my eyes on the Golf R or Scirocco R after I graduate and get myself a better paying job haha.

Anyway cheers for the replies guys and I hope this thread will help someone in the future.

Congrats on your purchase - I would've chosen the Polo in this case too (after your update on the condition of the two vehicles). Less kays + mint condition + more fun for your buck.

However, you cannot use the MkV Golf GTI wheels on your Polo as the PCDs are different. You will have to get wheels with a 5x100 PCD. The one on the MkV Golf is 5x112.

A nice set of OEM wheels that look good on the 9N Polo GTI are the ones from the MkIV Golf R32.

[AUC-05L]

Congrats on the buy mate. Very curious is a golf console would fit, make sure to take lots of pics if you do it.

Cheers
John

[seangti]

My plans are simple:

Swapping the factory 16" wheels for the 17" one's from the MkV Gti with quality tires.

Congrates. Make urself known in the polo section. Also, the golf wheels won't fit, different studd pattern. Would have to find replica's (if they exist) or something different.

[99_FGT]

Congrats on the purchase mate - don't think you'll regret it.
I went for the golf GTi (DSG) as I wanted (is now need) 5 doors, and am doing a few k's commuting, so needed something comfortable and fun to drive. I was driving a modified Clio 172 before, and it was a lot of fun, but not so much on the commute. Bear this in mind when modifying, I have modified a car on the cheap before, and it got so bad I pulled it back to stock planning to sell it, but that reminded me why I liked it in the first place. I modded it properly the next time - much better, much more fun to drive.
I have borrowed SeanGTi's modified Polo GTi before, and it was great fun to drive, as a daily I think I would suffer the same thing as my 172, but that was why I bought the Golf. Sean's polo was well sorted - plenty of get up and go, great grip, great feel on the road, and the lack of pull down low more than made up for by the turbo coming on from 3k.
Al..
Edit: the 17" rims the same are off the 6R polo - as has been said the golf's are 5x112, the polos 5x100. Another option is Bora Sport, MkIV R32 rims, or early Audi S3 / TT rims.