Does a Polo Gti handle properly?

[GTI POLO]

For those who have the Polo Gti, do you have mixed thoughts about how well the Polo Gti handles?? Does it feel a little rolly polly to you... a little unsport like?

I compare the Polo Gti against the Mrs Peugeot 206 Gti and I will swear black n blue the Peugeot handles so much better..

The Polo if you throw it about seems like it goes where you want it but hit a bend which tightens, the Polo gets a little disjointed.. You really gotta back out a little or your shifting wide... (Am I carrying too much speed???)

I have been caught out a few times in the Polo, pretty easy to find its limits...

On the Other hand, take the Peugeot Gti out and just keep applying throttle through it, it just sits flat, no probs. I was doing maybe 85km/h when I relaised the street I wanted was on the left. I just hooked the Peugeot in and it was away... I was just taken back at how easy it did it...

The Polo Gti would have been falling over its feet...

Can I have some pros and cons of Polo Gti handling... (stock)

[VW GTI]

I have been to the track with my Polo on stock suspension with 131kw at the front wheels... I was extremely surprised at how far it could be pushed before hitting its limit and how easy it was to control. The further into the day it got, the more I pushed, just through rising confidence. It never looked like coming unstuck.

Mind you, that was on a smooth racetrack.

[DUBING]

the GTI 180 and the RCS are amazing cars, and set the bench mark in Little hot hatches.. the polo GTI is a little more softer compared to them.

[Mrk_Mickey]

Yeah it's been said that the Pug's handle real nice, even better than the pogo's...

[Sharkie]

The Polo is quite a bit softer and more roly than a Clio or a 206GTi. Standard Conti's don't help either.

However .....

With extra power as unleashed by an ECU upgrade it may actually be quicker around a track due to the monster torque and drive out of corners and down the straights.

It is fairly easy (and cheap) to update the suspension and with decent tyres as well will be quite good to drive and very competitive (as in easily beat) the other super mini's.

You will need to spend a bit of money 1st though to get to that stage.

[RhysQ]

i agree, my previous car was a Peugeot 206 GTi and the handling on that was amazing, like a go kart.... much better than the Polo GTI. also the Peugeot is a LOT lighter which helps for handling.

here is my comment i posted on another thread, i think it definitely has a lot to do with the weight of the Peugeot (1050kg) vs Polo (1190kg). as for suspension, i wouldn't say the Peugeot's is any stiffer.

[russ83]

I owned a PUG GTI 180 prior to my Polo GTI. PUG > Polo handling wise.

I'd still have the PUG if someone didnt run me off the road.

[Flaps]

Get it chipped Russ and you won't want the Pug anymore.

I was very close to getting a Pug 180 as I'd driven a few since my mate had a new one every month(he works for Peugeot). But once I drove the Polo and knew it could be chipped I was sold.

[Timbo]

I test drove a Clio 197 recently. It definitely handled better out of the yard than my Polo with Eibach Pro Kit and adjustable Konis. No doubt at all in my mind.

But you really need to row the thing to get any speed -- 6,000 rpm + , and very little torque below 4,500 -- I couldn't live with it -- simple!

[Flaps]

I couldn't live with it -- simple!

So you had to buy an S3. I feel for you Tim...

[Guy_H]

Some increased track, some more rubber & a lower centre of gravity certainly wouldnt go astray in a POG !

[s1831559]

Some increased track, some more rubber & a lower centre of gravity certainly wouldnt go astray in a POG !

i agree, pog doesnt get enough traction esp after ecu upgrade.
but its overall package is great.

207 GTI is a good car too, but bit pricey ya?

[PeterHBne]

I find the standard handling dissapointing. It really doesn't inspire you to throw it into a corner. It feels soft and wobbly.

I really like the go cart feel in a car - couldn't care less about ride comfort.

[Blitzen]

All I have to say is get a set of semi slicks and lower, and (for me anyway), add a rear sway bar...It equals a whole lot more fun...Mind you, before I did that, the only thing I didn't like about the handling was the way the standard tyres performed...I have had the semi slicks on for over 10,000km now, and they are much more grippy, and are wearing a whole lot better too...

[GT3]

I recently drove a 997 and I found the oversteer was challenging at times, eg rear-end sliding out, almost made me appreciate the FWD predictability of the Pog. A lot depends on what you're used to..