Hi,

I'm looking to buy a new car over the coming months, and I think I've finally narrowed it down to the Polo GTi (6n2, the 1.6) although might change if something else pops up. I've been looking on various VW/Polo forums, but can't really gain a feel for what the car's like as much as what it's faults are.

Anyway, was wondering if anyone had any opinions on them and what they're like. I know the main faults are the pedal and gearboxs, leaky wiper pipes and the wheels corroding but wondered if there was much else to look out for?

And what are the engines like in them? (Are they a borred out 1.4?) And are they prone to piston ring failure or anything else? How long do they tend to last? My Fabia is on 100,000 miles now and it's engine has seen much better days.

Also, what are they like to live with (comfort and handling), and what sort of MPG should I expect for mostly 50-60mph driving? And is it likely to be a big improvement over a standard 1.4 Fabia?

Sorry for all the questions! Thanks,

Joe.

Edited 17 January, 201016 yr by TriggerFish

You might get stung on insurance with you being 18 (Group 23 insurance (groups now rated out of 50))

Edited 17 January, 201016 yr by chrisw880

You might get stung on insurance with you being 18 (Group 23 insurance (groups now rated out of 50))

Have checked that, and will be 19 with 2y license,1 NCB and 1 named driver by then so it will be affordable, unless they change it between now and me buying the car. Cheaper than the Fabia is now at least. Thanks though. Didn't know about the new grouping either, wonder when that came in.

Edited 17 January, 201016 yr by TriggerFish

I'm 24 been driving 2yrs, 2 yrs NCB and I am getting quotes of £750 TPF&T and £1000 Fully Comp on my Fabia 1.9TDi, which is in the same group as the Fabia 1.4 16v (Group 12/3)

the engine is not a bored out 1.4, the 1400 engine has an alloy cylinder block and are prone to piston ring failure, the 1600 6n2 gti has a cast iron block with better piston rings(chrome plated), the bores are the same size but it has a longer stroke on the crank for the extra cc's, they have variable valve timing too.. it's a nippy little car to be honest and the handling is far superior to a fabia... it's based on a 6n polo so it doesn't suffer the same anti roll bar/console bush/droplink woes that the fabia is cursed with..

indeed, one of my 6n2 (tdi) kept popping the rear window washer line, but that was probably down to me being a tight-wad and watering down the juice too much

the interior is nice and well made with good quality plastics etc and they have a nice blue colour to the instruments etc, and they don't rattle, but the gti seats are great if you like frequent visits to the chiropractor... the only real criticism i can think of is the doors are quite heavy to open and close!! nice car though... very well made

I'm 24 been driving 2yrs, 2 yrs NCB and I am getting quotes of £750 TPF&T and £1000 Fully Comp on my Fabia 1.9TDi, which is in the same group as the Fabia 1.4 16v (Group 12/3)

I have been quoted £1,100 with Admiral saying I'm a student living at home doing 12,000miles a year, which is a lot less than this years premium. It's around £850 for the Fabia next year. Both fully comp but with big excesses as I am unlikely to claim if I crash unless it's a write off due to the affect on next years premium. And unless that goes up massively, that should be affordable.

indeed, one of my 6n2 (tdi) kept popping the rear window washer line, but that was probably down to me being a tight-wad and watering down the juice too much

It was a frequent problem with my ibiza of similar vintage. The worst problem was that when the pipes popped off it dumped the contents of the washer bottle on the road. Not good when its snowing :(

Gearbox was fubared on the ibiza too

the engine is not a bored out 1.4, the 1400 engine has an alloy cylinder block and are prone to piston ring failure, the 1600 6n2 gti has a cast iron block with better piston rings(chrome plated), the bores are the same size but it has a longer stroke on the crank for the extra cc's, they have variable valve timing too.. it's a nippy little car to be honest and the handling is far superior to a fabia... it's based on a 6n polo so it doesn't suffer the same anti roll bar/console bush/droplink woes that the fabia is cursed with..

indeed, one of my 6n2 (tdi) kept popping the rear window washer line, but that was probably down to me being a tight-wad and watering down the juice too much

the interior is nice and well made with good quality plastics etc and they have a nice blue colour to the instruments etc, and they don't rattle, but the gti seats are great if you like frequent visits to the chiropractor... the only real criticism i can think of is the doors are quite heavy to open and close!! nice car though... very well made

Thanks, a good reply there. Thats great about the engine, just what I wanted to hear. In all the pictures they look incredibly simular which is why I thought they might be related. Also nice to know about the ARBs, although mine hasn't had that fault. . .yet (about the only one it hasn't!).

Thanks again, that's one of my main concerns settled there. :yes: