Intro + Leather Seats Question

[End User]

Hi Everyone,

I'm about to 'downgrade' to a '03 STi to an 09 GTi. I should take delivery sometime this week.
I use the term 'downgrade' loosely because although my current ride is faster. more expensive, and better to look at (in my opinion anyway), the GTi will have better fuel economy, is cheaper to insure, has more air bags, better build quality, attracts less attention, and ultimately will be more fun to drive.
I've been trawling this forum for the past week and have read a number of owners who have been happy with their migration from similar spec vehicles (WRX's, 200SX etc), so I'm confident I've made the right decision.

Current Ride:


So anyway, the GTi I've purchased has a number of options on it already. APR Chip, HR springs, Sunroof, the only thing it's missing are the heated leather seats. The tartan ones look worse than the seats in my Dad's 1988 Camry.

What's the likely hood of finding a set 2nd hand? I hate the tartan enough to even forego the airbags and go aftermarket, eg.recaros, bride etc.
Or does anyone know if seat covers (I'm thinking just loose plain black ones) will affect the operation of the airbags?

I'm looking forward to meeting a few members, going to a few meets, and hopefully, many years of happy motoring, apart from the seats.

[GuyGTi]

Hey buddy, Nice Scoooby Although here (scotland) STi's are EVERYWHERE so the polo proberly pulls more attention haha.
As for the seats im sure it isnt just the Polo GTi seats that fit. You can get Golf seats to fit (little modification required) Even S3 seats. Also you would have to buy the heating control switch to adjust the heat in the seat to fit in the dash.
Guy

[tooch]

Not relevant, but I freaking love the tartan! Was one of the first things I noticed and loved about my GTI

I guess it's my UK heritage that makes me more fond of it

[seangti]

try wrecking yards for the leather seats, they do seem to come up from time-to-time. Check out some of the affiliated busienss on here to point you in a better direction. If heating isn't important, perhaps look at a leather retrim.

if the has just the H&R springs without new struts, you'll probably want to change that. It feels ok up to 7/10's and gets ragged very quickly thereafter, losing composure. There's lots of details on here about that, do some searching so you don't end up disappointed.

[Buller_Scott]

man theres a lot of oil coming out of the engine! that pool is friggin huge!

[Spec83]

Why not just get the stockers recovered like I did... Will cost somewhere around the $2k mark depending one which interior trim pieces you also get done to co-ordinate. This way, you can pick whatever colour you like.

Also, I have had heated seats in a previous car, were largly a gimmick and not of much real use!!

[vwthunder]

If you want leather, maybe someone will sell some to you, and you can swap them with the cloth??

[End User]

try wrecking yards for the leather seats, they do seem to come up from time-to-time. Check out some of the affiliated busienss on here to point you in a better direction. If heating isn't important, perhaps look at a leather retrim.

if the has just the H&R springs without new struts, you'll probably want to change that. It feels ok up to 7/10's and gets ragged very quickly thereafter, losing composure. There's lots of details on here about that, do some searching so you don't end up disappointed.

Thanks for the info Re: struts. I think I will drive it around as it is for a few months before I decide which direction I want to take the car.

man theres a lot of oil coming out of the engine! that pool is friggin huge!

LOL. Never looked at the photo in that light before. Perhaps I will use another one when I go to advertise the car.

Also, I have had heated seats in a previous car, were largly a gimmick and not of much real use!!

I've read many people think the heated seats are great. Just comes down to personal preference I guess.

If you want leather, maybe someone will sell some to you, and you can swap them with the cloth??

Fingers crossed, I get this lucky!

[GuyGTi]

Ive got the H&R springs without uprated shocks. Not had them long so cant comment on the struts.

[seangti]

bear in mind Spec83 is in brisbane. Our winters really don't require heated seats so would have agree with him being a waste. If I was at the snow, it'd be awesome.

RE the struts/springs. at city speed it's fine, as speed increases (100km/h) the composure drops quickly. Gotta be expected when it's mismatched and as you're coming from a sooby, it will likely be a disappointment. I was in the same boat coming from a sooby, the handling was/is the greatest disappointment of the stock polo, but that'll change in the coming months...

[noone]

I think the standard suspension was inline with my 2003 Impreza RS, it was pretty average in the wet.

With a chip and a quality set of springs / shocks or coilovers, the Polo can be a lovely drive. It does need a bit of work to shine IMO.

Heated seats is just another added weight, if you get covers, they have to be designed for the airbag system, but there is a lot of this around now, so the market has probably developed some products to suit now.

I think the seats look good with some coloured cars, they stuck out on the Blue (first GTI I drove), but they seem to sit nicely with the Red.

[break]

bear in mind Spec83 is in brisbane. Our winters really don't require heated seats so would have agree with him being a waste. If I was at the snow, it'd be awesome.

I disagree, I love using my heated seats in winter in Brisbane. That said, I do most of my driving with the windows down (hate air con)

Edit: Being previously in the same boat (I moved from a MY05 WRX WRP10) of downgrading to a Polo, I couldn't recommend enough NOT spending money on it. Sure, do the chip + dog bone mount + control arm bushes + drop links... beyond that... you're wasting money on a car that isn't going to be much more than a 'fun roundaround' when you could be saving that cash for a new STI/EVO etc. that will give you that proper performance fix. This car is my 'budget fun' car while I'm sorting out my property portfolio, so as such I'm avoiding the mistake of trying to squeeze all too much out of them as they are a great little package with nothing more than a tune.