What to replace Polo GTI with?

[BenT]

My car is a 2014 Polo GTI with 44,000 kms on the clock. I took it to VW South Yarra 2 months ago and they've had it constantly for the last 6 weeks while they try fix a random misfire issue. They're currently putting a new head on it as they believe that is the cause of the misfire, but they've replaced the high pressure fue pump, spark plugs (melted apparently) and injectors, plus done several "software updates" and attempted to reset "learned parameters" from various control modules. They said the head has some carbon build up, a couple of valves are worn, as are some valve guides in the head.

My previous car was a RenaultSport Megane 225 Cup that I did 215k kms in before trading it.

The Polo had been great so far but the Megane had numerous trips to the dealer under warranty in its first three years.

So I'm wondering what I can get that would be as fun to drive as the Megane but cheaper like the Polo. I really don't want another VW after this experience and the French stuff is just not reliable enough for the liking of the minister for finance.

I want a manual transmission.

Many thanks for any suggestions.

[SuperChimps]

Focus st? Maybe a bit more expensive new but you could get one with a couple of years on it.. Bummer about the polo

[Amalgam]

Fiesta ST. Made in Germany. About $26K. Plenty of good reviews.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10L-WFsVaw0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTmj8jEFZt0

[ope126]

Fiesta ST or Focus ST, I am sure you would be pleased with either!!!

[Mi16 Man]

Skoda vRS


MY13 Kluger KX-S AWD / MY16 Polo GTI

[team_v]

Audi S1

[woofy]

I hired a RS Megane cup a few weeks back in QLD when away with our family, it was pretty cheap due to being offpeak. Had a lot of fun in it, but the Hertz guy said they have them break down a lot. Can see why Renault now have a 5yr warranty here. I would say Skoda RS as even though its the same family, they just seem to be built with more care. Otherwise the Fiesta or Focus STs that people have mentioned are good, I've heard issues with them as well though. If you don't need a back seat my money would be on the new MX-5 or a Toyota 86. Both are rock solid and very cheap these days compared to the older MX-5s and Toyotas other cars. Both come in Manual.

[BluChris]

Fiesta ST. The majority of issues related to a batch built in 2013 - transmission problems. Other than that not too much to report. Focus is a little more variable but not too bad.