Questions about buying a second hand polo gti

[jeffreymui]

Hey guys, im new here and i am not sure if i have posted in the right section or not, found a few threads about what to look out for a brand new polo gti from dealer, but just wondering, if my budget is about 14-16k, looking for a second/third hand polo gti, just wondering if the high km (100,000km +) would their engine be very weak or have a lot of problems? Still a student for myself, looking to maintain this car by myself/money, just dont want too much hassle of sending the car to service/changing parts like once or twice a month. Does the engine have a ticking sound like the accord euro or the is200 does? sorry if im asking too much, but i do really want to get a polo gti without going through a lot of issues with the turbo and other engine mechanical problems, thanks in advance

Thanks
Jeff

[h100vw]

Polo's are pretty tough little cars. A complete service history is a must have. 100K isn't high.

There is stuff that wears out, wishbone bushes would be something I'd look at. Clutches seem to be on the radar too around this mileage. Turbo mounting bolts come loose too. That causes a ticking noise in time with engine revs. I have read of a few leaking radiators too.

Gavin

[jeffreymui]

thanks for the quick reply, those are definately something i should look out for ay? thanks very much, any other obvious things that i should look out for?

[h100vw]

I'd have it inspected by someone with VW experience. Unless you are pretty handy with spanners yourself. Where in NSW are you?

Gavin

[jeffreymui]

locatedin syd ryde area, i have experience for inspecting cars with body damage, reapied doors or paint, as i came from the honda scene a year ago (hence there are a lot of dodgy crap with honda old cars these days) but mechanically, im quite new to turbo cars.

[h100vw]

Best to scan the Polo section IMO. If your happy doing the bodywork, figure in the cost of doing all the usual failures in what you offer for the car anyway.

Gavin

[FL00DY]

Yup I've gotta replace my 2nd radiator now. Also had both my O2 sensors replaced, clutch. Mines one of the oldest and highest km cars around, 4 years 147,000km and I've also done 20 odd track days. I'm also needing shocks so looking at coilovers.

If you keep the km low and don't drive it like a maniac they'll last forever. If you track it and drive it like me and do 500-600km a week it will be a bit more costly.

[jeffreymui]

500-600 km per week, are u talking about hard driving? cas i go to uni at perith, like 100km return trip for me each day, and i go uni for 4 days per week......><

[FL00DY]

500-600 km per week, are u talking about hard driving? cas i go to uni at perith, like 100km return trip for me each day, and i go uni for 4 days per week......><

Sorry I wasn't very clear. I do bout 600km a week, they aren't all hard driving km. Mostly a lot of highway km, but also a lot of rough roads. I only know of one other car with as many km (slightly more I think) in Sydney, think it belonged to a sales rep. I've also done a lot of big driving weekends, 4 times around the snowy mountains and lots of laps of Macquarie Pass, Kangaroo Valley. I've pushed it hard, they're tough little cars.

[jeffreymui]

i see, so i mean for a daily, i go through M4 everyday which they are good roads so its okay i guess, but i push it sometimes aswell, maybe one or twi track days per year, so i guess would be okay for me....well at least i hope haha, theres one on carsales now, with 147000km which i think its a bit high km, but again if the owner kept the car well, km shouldnt mean anything for the polo den i guess

[FL00DY]

i see, so i mean for a daily, i go through M4 everyday which they are good roads so its okay i guess, but i push it sometimes aswell, maybe one or twi track days per year, so i guess would be okay for me....well at least i hope haha, theres one on carsales now, with 147000km which i think its a bit high km, but again if the owner kept the car well, km shouldnt mean anything for the polo den i guess

Do you have the link?

The guy I mentioned was selling it. Seb serviced it at Girraween.

[jeffreymui]

2006 VOLKSWAGEN POLO GTI 9N MY2007 Private Cars For Sale in NSW - carsales.com.au

is it this one?

[FL00DY]

2006 VOLKSWAGEN POLO GTI 9N MY2007 Private Cars For Sale in NSW - carsales.com.au

is it this one?

I had it in my mind that it was black, but now seeing that it MAY have been blue. I can speak to Seb and find out, will try and get back to you.

[insanekiwi]

Nice colour and leather seats. Mind you leather at 147000km with a lot of use, can show heaps of wear, so ask him to give you photo of front seats too. Best to get the car checked out by someone like Seb near Sydney. Make sure it had all important services like water pump / cambelt done. Personally i would be keen to get something just under 100km, and had major services done. Mine is manufactured in I believe Dec 05 and on road since Feb 06, so it's about 4.5 years old. Done 48000km. Done 4 track days so far.
Also you must test out the gearbox, and make sure shifting at high RPM from 1st to 2nd to 3rd are in good order. Read about gearboxes. + check if clutch / flywheel has been replaced.

[break]

Nice colour and leather seats. Mind you leather at 147000km with a lot of use, can show heaps of wear, so ask him to give you photo of front seats too.

Definitely, in particular... check the side bolster on the drivers side. I know mine is starting to show early signs of wear after only 60k on the clock.