Does a Polo Gti handle properly?

[VW GTI]

Lol how can you justify that? I understand that it's a VW and a tad more refined, but on a handling/dynamics basis alone, it seems unreasonable. Just my opinion.

As others have said, suspension is easy to change, engine is not. The Polo is a better car bar handling, with good handling it's a better car everywhere. Yes, including the badge, but that's beside the point.

[pologti18t]

Stiffening, lowering etc is never going to make a top notch handler out of the Polo. Handling is simply not as easy as that There is a black art to it that also involves suspension geometry,suspension kinematics and steering feel.
People tend to mix up handling with grip. A car can have fairly low levels of grip yet can be judged to be a good handler.

I have owned a Peugeot 306 Gti-6 (makes a joke of a 206 Gti) and it was able to mix fantastic handling, with loads of grip AND a plushomatic ride. Some of this was down to the passive rear steer incorporated in the rear suspension. It gave you a modicum of lift off oversteer in corners.

Anyone who thinks a Polo oversteers in corners must be using the handbrake - lol. It resolutely understeers. All lifting off mid corner seems to do is reduce this effect.

After nearly 3 years in the Polo I reckon they should have actually named it Polo GT. It really is at its best nipping around town OR cruising on the highway/freeway. Does this better than nearly any car in its class.

As for being softly sprung... I dont think that is the major problem. I think it is mainly underdamped. I'd like to drive a Polo GTi fitted with just some Konni FSD or Koni Yellows and see how it feels.

[GTI POLO]

I think you'll find that's more a driver issue - no offense.

When I got my GTI I came from a Civic VEi - 55kw. I could corner at full power cos it had nothing. Now I can lose traction just by putting my foot down so I have to drive totally differently.

No offence taken... Im no race driver by any means but im the same driver in a Peugeot Gti and a Polo GTi..

Some say it handles great some say it doesnt handle the best?? I just dont get that.. It either handles well or it doesnt... Its blue or red?

[sports racer]

I have a 1997 Polo that I have cut the springs so it sits about 60mm lower all round. Wheels are Toyota alloys 6 x 14 with 185/60/14 tyres that I got off e-bay for $75. It handles so much better than original it's not even in the same league.

No, it's not as good as the 306 or even the 206 but it's fun to throw through corners and roundabouts. And it's ultra reliable, solid and still worth $6000. How good are 10 year old Pugs?

And don't get me started on Golf GTi Mk1's compared to 205 GTi's. Anyone seen a 205 GTi on the road in the past 5 years?

Cheers

Paul

[bahjah]

I guess different people look for different things when it comes to judging handling. Some people may not have driven the same array of cars as others, and I guess coming from a falcon or an econobox, a Polo does have comparitively good handling. Coming from a car known for its great dynamics such as the pug gti, you have seen the best, and i guess other cars pale in comparison. It's probably also a case of people wearing love-goggles & they refuse to have an un-biased opinion. Just my 2c.

[bahjah]

I have a 1997 Polo that I have cut the springs so it sits about 60mm lower all round. Wheels are Toyota alloys 6 x 14 with 185/60/14 tyres that I got off e-bay for $75. It handles so much better than original it's not even in the same league.

No, it's not as good as the 306 or even the 206 but it's fun to throw through corners and roundabouts. And it's ultra reliable, solid and still worth $6000. How good are 10 year old Pugs?

And don't get me started on Golf GTi Mk1's compared to 205 GTi's. Anyone seen a 205 GTi on the road in the past 5 years?

Cheers

Paul

Cutting springs is never a good idea.

And yes, I have seen several 205 Gti's on the road. There's one on the forums for sale, in fact.

I don't think a VW enthusiast forum is the place to come for unbiased opinions... especially on VW's

At the end of the day, the polo is a kick ass car, and although it is not perfect, it offers a level of refinement & power uncommon in its class.


BUT IT'S NOT PERFECT!


Fin.

[sports racer]

Everyone says cutting springs is a bad idea and I used to agree with them until I had an issue with a set of Lovells on my Mk1 Golf. I sent them back because they didn't lower the car as much as they claimed and they sent me back the same springs cut down! They weren't even heat treated so if they can do it why can't I. Since then I've modified most of the cars I've owned in the past 20 years and every one has handled better. Never had an issue with spring perches or binding or bottoming out because I don't go overboard and a lot of common sense goes a long way.

Cheers

Paul

[Giallorosso]

Coming from a Proton Satria GTI (which is renowned for its handling), the Polo GTI takes a bit of getting used to on my part. As an overall package, the Polo has it all over the Satria, except for handling. The handling in the Satria was amazing, for the price you pay it handles like a go kart. The speeds I used to be able to take corners was breathtaking.

That being said, the Proton, while I never had a single mechanical issue in three years of ownership from new, isn't as classy or as well built as the Polo - like comparing apples and oranges. They are in a different class in this regard.

[VW GTI]

No offence taken... Im no race driver by any means but im the same driver in a Peugeot Gti and a Polo GTi..

Some say it handles great some say it doesnt handle the best?? I just dont get that.. It either handles well or it doesnt... Its blue or red?

Yeah, but your driving style may suit the set up of the Peugeot GTI. The Polo would be a much quicker car, maybe you're using the throttle too liberally at the wrong times.

I bet if you drove a RWD Porsche with say 100kw atw then drove the same car same setup etc with 200kw atw, you'd need to change your driving style to be smoother if you want to be quicker.

[Timbo]

I think it is mainly underdamped. I'd like to drive a Polo GTi fitted with just some Konni FSD or Koni Yellows and see how it feels.

I fitted Koni Yellows + RSB first up, and it was a marked improvement. Replacing the springs with Eibachs further improved things. But I suspect the Polo was initially designed with other things in mind than straight handling.

[GT3]

It would be great if VW could make Pogs could handle like this

[DaveMack]

It would be great if VW could make Pogs could handle like this

You mean yours doesn't, Neil? (I'd get it seen to.)

Dave

[GT3]

You mean yours doesn't, Neil? (I'd get it seen to.)

Dave

nah, it doesn't. you need the special edition black stripes running along the bottom of the doors for it to handle like that. Jason's got them, which is why he can drive as well is that dude in the vid

[pologti18t]

But I suspect the Polo was initially designed with other things in mind than straight handling.

Exactly.... Best to understand and live with its shortcomings and appreciate its strengths