Buying a 2007 Polo GTI?

[bakersdelight]

hi all,

Am new to the forum. I am thinking about buying a 2007 Polo GTI with 90,000km on the clock. But I dont know if it is going to be a good buy? I am worried about the reliability of the Polo GTI with this many Km's. I heard parts and maintenance can be quite expensive... Are there any other known issues or things I should watch out for? Also the timing belt change will come up at 105,000km, will that cost a bomb?

Still deciding between a Ralliart Colt and the GTI... the Colt is more focused, louder and raw (and potentially cheaper to run in a long run), the GTI is classier, more refined, matured but not as sharp and focused (and more expensive to run)... My primary aim is to have some fun without spending too much...

Any advice will help... cheers...

[nightphotographer]

Welcome to the forum, you're asking the right people if you want a slightly biased opinion on what you should do.

90K's is nothing, there are people on here who've done double that without any problems whatsoever. The 1.8T engine is *touch wood* pretty much bullet proof - It's been in VAG cars for near enough 15 years. The stock polo is so tame as well, you'd have to be incredibly unlucky to get any major problems before doing a considerable mileage.

Yeah the 105k service is a bit of a killer, but then after that it's smooth sailing. Plus that's 15k away anyways, so a year if you don't travel long distances.

Long story short, I'd buy the GTI, tune it and you're definitely going to have a lot of fun without spending much money.

[Smead]

My GTI is coming up to 160,000 km and I've had no problems what so ever. Be sure to check out Independant VW mechanics in your area,
as servicing costs through them are usually cheaper than dealerships. You'll find the 20V 1.8T to be one of the most tunable engines in the VAG line up, having been in most AUDI/VW/SEAT/SKODA cars since its inroduction, and proven its self to be bombproof.

I guess it comes down to practability, 3 door versus 5 door, personally not a fan of the MPV looks of the Colt, saw a pic of the 3 door (not available here) which looks marginally better.

As with NP above, I'd go the GTI, Lower it, tune it and stick some nice 17"s on it and enjoy it. Super reliable and a great car thats becoming a bit of a performance bargain lately

[noone]

Euro's can cost a bit more to maintain, but a timing belt kit can be purchased from the UK and installed by a local mechanic, cutting out the big local markups.

The Polo GTI only really comes into its own when tuned. For a bit under a grand or over (depending on the brand) you jump from 110 to about 145kw. The polo has great mid range torque after being tuned which is best supplemented with a new intake section to hep it breathe.

Normal servicing may include some suspension parts, might be worth getting that one checked so you know what you are up for.

[nightphotographer]

I'm at 120K at the moment - thought you'd be a little higher Smead - you mustn't have done many K's since January!

[Smead]

I'm at 120K at the moment - thought you'd be a little higher Smead - you mustn't have done many K's since January!

Nah just cruising around Canberra at the moment

No big trips coming up as the next one is here (SGAD)

[TomC]

Be sure to check out Independant VW mechanics in your area, as servicing costs through them are usually cheaper than dealerships.

Totally agree with this. And most independent guys will do a better (i.e. more thorough) service anyway. I think it's a bit of a misconception people have about euro cars in general that they're more expensive to run. And I would have though the much higher number of Polo's in circulation would bring down parts costs, compared to the more rare Colt (which looks like a breadvan IMO )

[nightphotographer]

Nah just cruising around Canberra at the moment

No big trips coming up as the next one is here (SGAD)

Cannot wait for GAD man - have barely touched the car since DS, cause I was away in Europe for Nats. So getting so into the GTI now, should have a new turbo and lots more goodies in time for September!

[waxgti]

I've just bought one a 2007 with 90ish mms on it. the 90km service is a semi major one and will cost a little but u should be right till the 105km mark before u need timing belt etc. my brakes are worn and will need replacing soon and have been quoted around 400-500 to do this but am researching my options atm. i highly recommend getting one, try for heated seats and sunroof. never thought how much i would rate this, turns out pretty highly.

[Smead]

Cannot wait for GAD man - have barely touched the car since DS, cause I was away in Europe for Nats. So getting so into the GTI now, should have a new turbo and lots more goodies in time for September!

Sounds good mate. Watching your thread with interest. Can't wait to see the finished product

[bakersdelight]

thanks guys for your replies... very helpful indeed...

I had a look at the Ralliart Colt yesterday, good little car, it felt super solid, and went like a rocket, but it had noticeable turbo lag below 3,000RPM, must be due to it is relatively small engine (1.5L)... but once the turb starts spinning happily, it just goes and goes to redline before you know it... the turbo induction sound is also very obvious (I like!!)... unfortunately could not reach an agreeable price with the dealer, so had to abandon it...

Looking at the 07 model 90,000km Polo GTI tomorrow... the dealer wants $15K, how much will be a fair price? I do know the timing belt + major service at 10,500km will cost $1.4K (quoted my local VW dealership)...

I do know the 1.8T engine is super reliable and bullet proof (compared to Golf GTI's rather problematic 2.0T)... I am just worried about other parts that will fail, e.g. suspension components, electronics and ABS module (which i heard is a $2.4K replacement, plus labour!!) etc.... even if I take it for an inspection by my mechancis, some issues might not be immediately apparent... still reckon the R-Colt will be cheaper to own further down the track... the GTI also drinks 90 RON petrol, whereas the R Colt only drinks 95 RON... too bad there are not that many R Colts around, supply is very limited... I would rather own a reliable GTI over an R Colt, just that I dont know if the example I intend to get will be reliable... arhhh... I am torn...

I am quite worried after looking at this:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f127/polo-problems-fix-register-4633.html

[leitch]

Is there something special about this car in particular? There are a lot of polos around for ~$15000 or not much more with far lower milages. If you're concerned about running costs, maybe buy one with 60-70k on it instead?

For what it's worth my polo is at about 78000km. Only major mishap so far has been having to replace the steering rack which was pretty **** but these things happen in every car.

It does depend on where you want to go with it though. If you're going to put coil overs in it doesn't matter how long the stock suspension lasts. Likewise if you are going to get a new clutch and flywheel, etc etc.

Realistically though, the polo has been no more expensive than any other car I've owned. Regular servicing is not expensive if you use an independent specialist. Stuff like the steering rack above is expensive because it's a tiny engine bay and a pain in the ass to fit - but the colt will be no different in that regard.

[Blitzen]

Go with how you feel. I have had my Polo GTI for over 113,000km now, and had no problems with it. I have modified it from day dot, and owned it for 4.5 years. The Polo GTI is recommended to drink 98 Ron fuel, with a minimum of 95 Ron (Look inside the fuel cap), although I have no idea why anyone would be cheap enough to put 90 Ron in it!!

If you like the feel of the Polo, buy it. You don't have a crystal ball to see what is going to fail in the future, no do you know what it did in the past... This is the lot you have for buying a second hand car. In the long run, you are just going to have to bite the bullet and have a go.

[noone]

I don't know much about the colt, I know the Polo has a lot of potential but needs at least a grand in mods to get it going.

I'm assuming the Polo you drove was not tuned? Quite different to drive after

[VWindahouse]

I'm sure the Mitsubishi is a fun car to drive from factory but my God could they have made it any uglier??