VW Polo 1.2 (59)

Whaaa they took away my VRS!

After getting scraped by a lorry a few weeks ago the coach works came and collected it leaving a 1.2 Polo behind.

It's really nippy says the driver, just keeps going and going. Yes thanks.

Ok could be worse. It's a 59 plate 1.2l 3 cylinder. I assume it's the 60PS. Looks like it's short life has been quite hard.

Inside it's all a bit black and blacker. Plastics are all solid if a bit Tupperware. Even the little bit of soft touch trim manages to look cheap.

Comfy enough though. But you do feel like you sit on it not in it. Controls are sparse but all fairly VAG standard.

Wind up windows! Not seen that since my 1989 Astra Merit. The VW is a little bit better equipped, the radio has FM.

Start up!

I think the key turns a little level that pokes a needle into the bum of the angry hamster that lives under the bonnet. There certainly isn't a car engine in there.

Ok it's not a hamster but it does clatter to life like a lawnmower. I did a quick check that it isn't a 2-stroke.

On the road. Well actually ,sensible hat on, it's ok. The engine seems quite torquey for what it is, it does sound really awful but you can make reasonable progress. It's not comedy slow like an 8 valve Clio.

The steering is a bit light for me and the ride a bit floaty but by no means terrible. Seems to be getting through petrol a bit quicker than I'd have thought.

On the road that 3 cylinder is pretty noisy and road noise is on par with tghe VRS

It would make a good first car in 6-7 years. Little to go wrong, all seems quite solid. I think it was nearly £10k when new, you'd be nuts to buy it for that price.

I don't think I could life with the awful sounding engine and the miserly interior but if you could get it cheap it would do for basic motoring.