Are these cars fast enough??

[Petrina Polo]

Hi,

Im just not sure if the Polo Gti is fast enough. I would describe its performance as "adequate" or "enough". But not breathtaking.

I have the APR V1 chip, APR downpipe, full stainless 2.5 inch exhaust system, APR DV, FMIC, the car boosts to 22psi, backs down to about 18psi through the midrange and above 5000rpm its doing about 15psi. When its on full boost in second or third gear it scoots away, but for a turbo car, is it enough.

Maybe im just used to it now. I think its about as fast as a stock SS commodore or stock XR8 and as fast as a stock WRX.

[noone]

This seems to be an ongoing complaint of yours Petrina.

The car has its natural limits. These can be expanded on with some real $$$, but I think the chip and intake mods are all thats worth doing to it on a budget.

If you want more power, XR6 Turbo will certainly give you that (and a lot more fuel consumption, harder to park in city, more weight requiring stiffer suspension to work with the extra power, etc).

If you don't think its fast enough, but you like the Dubbs, how about an R32? Better platform to start from if you want a FAST car...

[JCM308]

As with any car all it comes down to is $'s and reliability.

If you have the coin then the possibilities are pretty limmitless, but the more you do the less reliable it becomes.

As noone said, if you want a fast VW to start with then you would need to look at a R32 or R36.

I still like the looks on peoples faces when they try and loose me but can't (I still need much more power though).

You could always talk to Guy about a stage 3+ kit (not a cheap upgrade though). This would definately feed your need for speed

[FL00DY]

Yeah seriously if you wanted a straight line speed machine you bought the wrong car. If you wanted REAL speed AND cornering then buy a WRX or Evo or if you like VAG an S3. Or you could get over the fact that the car cost $30K and for the that money the only other car on the road for the same speed and handling is a XR4.

What was you previous car? Many people here have come from WRX's and found the GTI a perfect mix of price, speed, handling, size.

[Petrina Polo]

I came from stock WRX, before that a XR6T with 550hp. Prior to that a SS Commodore with 450hp.

I dont agree that a R32 is a better base for a FAST car? A naturally aspirated 3.2 litre.. You can spend some big bucks on them and I doubt they will leave my Polo Gti behind.

You can never have enough power.. I get bored of cars pretty easily. I have had about 10 cars during the last 2-3 years. Keep them for a few months, mod them up and get sick of them. Expect to see my Polo up for sale pretty soon.

I have regretted a few sales. Hopefully I keep the Polo as Im sure Ill regret selling it.

[FL00DY]

I came from stock WRX, before that a XR6T with 550hp. Prior to that a SS Commodore with 450hp.

I dont agree that a R32 is a better base for a FAST car? A naturally aspirated 3.2 litre.. You can spend some big bucks on them and I doubt they will leave my Polo Gti behind.

You can never have enough power.. I get bored of cars pretty easily. I have had about 10 cars during the last 2-3 years. Keep them for a few months, mod them up and get sick of them. Expect to see my Polo up for sale pretty soon.

You've had a 550hp XR6T and you're complaining that the Polo GTI, even with all your mods, isn't fast enough?

I tell you what, take any of those 3 cars to a track like Wakey or Oran Park and I'd be all over the back of you until the straight and then I'd catch up under braking. You have clearly bought the wrong car, as you seem to prefer straight line speed then corners.

I do agree with you on the R32. Getting lots of big power out of the R32 is much more expensive then getting power from a 1.8 or 2L turbo.

Seriously, take it to a proper track day before you get rid of it.

[firdausasri]

What does that tell you? Power is never enough but the real question how usable is the power? If power is solely your quest, might as well you get 2Jz Supra, slap T88 turbo, management and off getting 600 horsies

[noone]

Well, if you want 500hp, you are correct, the R32 may not be the best base model. Supra seems like a good place to start for cheap power, or Skyline (neither of which I could see myself in)

Have to agree with Floody, I'm not surprised you are left wanting more... Why would you go from Turbo and NA 6's and WRX to Polo?

My last car was RS Impreza (2.5 NA) and this car is MUCH faster and handles much better. You can't expect too much from the Polo, its not designed to be worked on too much. The space under the hood will only allow for so many extra or bigger components.

In my VERY LIMITED opinion, if you want more than 200hp, its not the right car. I love what Plautos is doing to his, but surely its for the love and its original (not just another EVO or WRX on the track). He's also doing most of the work himself, so a great project for someone who knows what they are doing.

When I need more power (over the chip and intake mods I've got) I will be going to a Turbo 6 or maybe a Turbo Audi someone has already tweaked and put some $$$ into.

10 cars in a few years? If you've got nothing better to do with your $$$ why not put the biggest turbo in, do the drive train, some serious chassis work, work out how to get 10" wide wheels on and you'll have the fastest 9N3 in the country. I don't think that aiming on to be the fastest Polo is reasonable, seen some crazy fast older Polo's on UTube, etc.

[Petrina Polo]

You've had a 550hp XR6T and you're complaining that the Polo GTI, even with all your mods, isn't fast enough? Pardon my french, but you're an idiot.

I tell you what, take any of those 3 cars to a track like Wakey or Oran Park and I'd be all over the back of you until the straight and then I'd catch up under braking. You have clearly bought the wrong car, as you seem to prefer straight line speed then corners.

I do agree with you on the R32. Getting lots of big power out of the R32 is much more expensive then getting power from a 1.8 or 2L turbo.

Seriously, take it to a proper track day before you get rid of it.

Seriously, I have a Polo Gti too.. Those cars would run away from the Polo GTi, you are deluded if you think on a track it would be any sort of match.

The reason why I offloaded the other cars is with big power, out the door goes drivability and reliability. The Polo was a good compromise for me, I wanted reliability and a streetable car, but you always come back to the power.

When I had the XR6T, and put the foot down, I used to say to myself, this is ridiculous, something just has to give the way this is going.. And more often than not, something did give on it, (gearbox, CV joints)

I get bored of cars quickly, maybe the Polo might get a big power upgrade but it will just ruin its drivability. You cant have it all in one car, can we.

[Brisben]

I agree, although the best car I have driven to have good power and supurb handling is the Honda Integra Type R, not the latest one, the one before.

Its a great car and lightweight, great for track days too.

BUT yeah more grunt, worse handling..

I like nimble but good handling, this is more fun than loads of grunt.

Go and buy a skyline with 800BHP if you want fast !

It soon becomes boring though.

[FL00DY]

Seriously, I have a Polo Gti too.. Those cars would run away from the Polo GTi, you are deluded if you think on a track it would be any sort of match.

How much of that 550hp you think is being used in the corners? And the 1600kg? Unless you had a sweet suspension and nice brake setup, the polo sticking with them is not out of the question.

[Sharkie]

What you should be looking for is a late 07/08 S3 ..... 2.0T and AWD. With some suspension and power mods it should satisfy all your power AND reliability requirements as well as being able to actually USE some of that power ......

You can get 1 for about $50K these days ........

[Whubbsie]

I get bored of cars quickly, maybe the Polo might get a big power upgrade but it will just ruin its drivability. You cant have it all in one car, can we.

No you can't maybe keep the polo as the daily and get someone thing else you can have with big power

[anthony_VWJET]

If you were looking for power, why on earth did you get the polo? Amongst the WRX, FPVs, etc,, where does the polo fit in?

No offence intended towards polo drivers!

[seangti]

Gotta compare apples and apples.

Go put it on a circuit with any car around 2 litres (and any NA for that matter) and tell us how the polo compares. If you're not competitive with most other street driven cars, than it's not the cars fault... These little things do alright when rowed appropriately and with the power and mods you have can really get it scooting.

For me, the more track time I have, the less inclined I am to drive hard on the street and be happier with the power handling combination.