Stability Control on Polo?

[tryingavw]

You REALY have to be trying to get in trouble in a little fwd hatch.

Personally I only think ESP is necessary in anything moderately powerful & rear wheel drive.

Good point i have only ever had RWD cars: fwd don't tend to lose the rear end as much do they? I once lost it nearly completely with a Celica dodging a dog so am convinced ESP is a good thing.

The earlier Barina looks good- i checked and STI had ABS Traction, but i don't think ESP anyway.

[Blitzen]

The earlier Barina looks good- i checked and STI had ABS Traction, but i don't think ESP anyway.

It dose have ABS, Traction Control, and ESP(But it has a different name...Can't think of the acronym at the moment), and this is non switchable, hence it is always on. At the time I bought it(Aug 2004), it had more standard kit than the Holden Calais!! The only options I added to it were floor mats a bonnet protector.

[Kai]

I drive my car fast.

I feel esp on half the corners up and down mountains.

But anyone in a yaris shouldnt be doing mountain runs.

[Ben_GTI]

I feel esp on half the corners up and down mountains.

But anyone in a yaris shouldnt be doing mountain runs.

When they do I just overtake them and watch the devastated look on their faces.

[pologti18t]

The Barina SRI never came with ESP in Australia... And the later models lost T/C. No side airbags either.

The best car to get would be to try an find a current model Mazda 2 3 door at a dealer that has the safety pack fitted (side/curtain airbags and ESP). Or find a Yaris with the safety pack fitted (curtain/side airbags).

[Flaps]

You REALY have to be trying to get in trouble in a little fwd hatch.

Personally I only think ESP is necessary in anything moderately powerful & rear wheel drive.

Very true.

But there are other occasions where ESP is helpful. For example I ventured into the new car park at Baulkham Hills shops when it reopened on a wet and stormy night. There were a few puddles on the new concrete so I knew to drive slower. I was doing about 10-15kph turning slightly to the left and the car started to aquaplane(not understeer) straight for a pole. The ESP cut in and with much grabbing of brakes I missed the pole and it saved me from a certain dent and spray.

[Kai]

I cant say my ESP has ever saved me from aqua plaining.

Every time i go round a corner fast and the back goes flying out. It pulls it into line fairly fast with a knocking noise.

[CatonaPC©]

Hi, I am researching new and used cars for my 18 y.o. son.

The non negotiable items for this are: Auto , ABS Brakes, 2+ front Airbags, stability control ( ESP).

Other than that i want it as cheap and gutless as possible. Up to 4 years old is ok.

Can anyone tell me when Polo's started with ESP? Maybe was it an option on some earlier models?

Any help ( even alternative brand options ) much appreciated.

Perhaps it would be better if your son didn't have auto or ESP. Driving a manual would give him a skill that will remain with him thoughout his life. You never know if he ends up in Europe where cars with autos are few and far between. He can then choose an auto for his next car. ESP can do more harm than good in some cases. Your son should learn what a car's limitations are without a computer having to cover up any mistakes.

I suggest a good second hand 4-cylinder Corolla, and throw in some advanced driving lessons such as Murcotts Advanced Driving Course, if you're in Melbourne. They teach good basic skills and more importantly students learn about their limitations and their car's in a safe off-street environment.

[tryingavw]

I suggest a good second hand 4-cylinder Corolla, and throw in some advanced driving lessons such as Murcotts Advanced Driving Course, if you're in Melbourne. They teach good basic skills and more importantly students learn about their limitations and their car's in a safe off-street environment.

I am heading in this direction: not sure ESP is so neccessary on FWD anyway, plus it is cheaper to get him re-tested and have more & cheaper options for his car. he would be fine with a manual. having said that i will include ABS and at least 2 airbags as my criteria.

[tryingavw]

Very true.

But there are other occasions where ESP is helpful. For example I ventured into the new car park at Baulkham Hills shops when it reopened on a wet and stormy night. There were a few puddles on the new concrete so I knew to drive slower. I was doing about 10-15kph turning slightly to the left and the car started to aquaplane(not understeer) straight for a pole. The ESP cut in and with much grabbing of brakes I missed the pole and it saved me from a certain dent and spray.

I reckon it would have been traction control which saved you then- not so much ESP. some cars have traction control but not ESP - Barina STI from my research. I did a BMW driver course and we went into a watered tight bend with & without traction - with traction on it was nearly impossible to spin the car.

[Flaps]

I was sideways going towards a pole. Trust me it wasn't traction control or jesus that intervened.

[CatonaPC©]

. . . having said that i will include ABS and at least 2 airbags as my criteria.

Agree with you there. Airbags are a must in my opinion. ABS is good and would be ideal during some of the sessions in advanced driving where they teach students to steer away from trouble.

All the best with your search.

[Blitzen]

The Barina SRI never came with ESP in Australia... And the later models lost T/C. No side airbags either.

True, they only came with front driver and passenger Airbags.
I don't know what the Traction Control light was in my Barina SRi(XC 4.5 Model,Final facelift, March 2004 build date, see pictures previous page) was doing there then...The Sh*t box Daewoo sourced Barinas lost T/C , but never the Opel sourced SRi's.
And I know for a fact it had/has ESP, cos it saved my fat ass on one or two occasions(this light was flashing in unison with the Traction Control light)... As previously stated, it was not known as ESP, and I am endeavoring to find the correct acronym, as there seems to be some none believers in regards to this...I should know it, as I had the car for nearly 4 years...Wait out.

[pologti18t]

True, they only came with front driver and passenger Airbags.
I don't know what the Traction Control light was in my Barina SRi(XC 4.5 Model,Final facelift, March 2004 build date, see pictures previous page) was doing there then...The Sh*t box Daewoo sourced Barinas lost T/C , but never the Opel sourced SRi's.
.

I can quite assuredly guarantee it didn't have T/C or ESP. My sister had a final model Barina SRI (projector headlights) and it had neither. T/C was deleted during one of the model updates for Australia. I had an Astra SRi 2.2 which had traction control, no ESP available until you got to the turbo model.

[Blitzen]

I can quite assuredly guarantee it didn't have T/C or ESP. My sister had a final model Barina SRI (projector headlights) and it had neither. T/C was deleted during one of the model updates for Australia. I had an Astra SRi 2.2 which had traction control, no ESP available until you got to the turbo model.

Like I said, what would I know, I just owned one...

Mine must have been a freak of nature that had the T/C light that blinked at me when I broke traction then cut the power, and the ESP light must have been a figment of my imagination that light up on the Dash Board every time I started my car...My eyes must be painted on...

http://www.carsurvey.org/review_60062.html