Hey guys,

After owning a MK2 Golf GTi for the last year, I am slowly coming round to the idea that maybe owning a newish car is going to be a better idea for a daily. My girlfriend has a 1.4 9N3 Polo, and it's a good feeling getting into a car in the morning and knowing it's going to start!

Been looking around the last few months and the two cars that have caught my attention have been the 9N3 GTi and the MK1 fabia VRS. Fuel econamy is not particularly a worry, as I only travel 2 miles into work, but I occasionally do a bit of motorway driving to go to my girlfriends which is where the VRS would come into its own. Obviously I have done some research on both models, I prefer the interior look of the 9N3 GTi, but the Diesel PD130 in the Fabia and its value for money is swaying me.

Insurance is pretty similar, about £150 extra difference if I had the GTi. Budget is about £6k tops for a VRS or £7k tops for a 9N3 GTi. How much Fabia VRS can I get for my money? I couldn't find a buyers guide either, what and where should I be looking? Anything to avoid?

I'm having trouble finding a Black VRS with Xenons too, as this is a certain must have as I plan to keep the car for a good few years.

Thanks

Tbh, i would say everything about the GTI is a little better. Even though it is the same chassis, the suspension, interior, exterior are all improved. However, its so much more expensive and at least 10 mpg less economical. For example, last year I paid just over £4000 for my mint VRS with 88k on it whereas my mate bought a GTI around the same time for just under £7000 with 40k on it. Mine was in much better condition and is much better value for money.

Overall, depends what you want from a car and bare in mind, this forum will be heavily biased towards the fabia!

At least 10 mpg worse - if not more than that! My new Fabia vRS is around 15mpg down on what my old vRS MK1 could do!

Try and test drive both, you'll soon know what you prefer. If MPG and fuel cost aren't an issue go with the GTI.

If you prefer the Polo go for a GT-TDI.

Worth considering your drive to work is so short, the extra MPG of the fabia would be wiped out by this. The fabia wouldnt even be warm by the time you get to work/home.

Think i`d go for the GTI personally.

Polo!

If MPG isn't an problem, then get the Polo!

For being able to rev past 4k if nothing else! Given they're the same chassis, only one without a massive weight over the front wheels, and less power, I can't really see the argument against the Polo if the running costs aren't an option. Plus the much nicer seats and most likely better resale value etc.

For a 2 mile commute, I think I'd buy a bike or walk, and do get something much more interesting for my £7k like these if I could afford the insurance:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201203442560695/sort/priceasc/usedcars/maximum-age/up_to_7_years_old/price-to/7000/engine-size-cars/4l_to_4-9l/radius/1500/postcode/hp217hn/page/2?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201148431472955/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-to/7000/model/skyline/make/nissan/postcode/hp217hn/radius/1500/page/3?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201204444042388/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-to/7000/model/skyline/make/nissan/postcode/hp217hn/radius/1500/page/3?logcode=p

Polo!

I concur, nothing's better about the Fabia apart from the MPGsss but they won't really count with a 2 miles commute

neither, Integra type R would be my choice.

You know what I'm gunna say mate!

If you need to test drive just come downto mine for the day and you can check mine out.

2 mile drive is definitely not a strong point for a vRS though. But like said for 2 miles Id be looking at getting a push bike for that commute!

I have just bought a 9N3 Polo GTi and I have also owned a Fabia vRS in the past. The cars are pretty similar to be honest, but as I only do about 100 miles per week I have no need for a diesel so that was the main influence.

I was also looking at the Ibiza FR as I needed a 5 door but the interior just wasn't for me. The Polo comes fairly well specced for a small hatch, ESP as standard which is an option on the Fabia vRS and Ibiza FR IIRC.

Miles per gallon wise I'm getting early 30's but 36-37mpg is easy to get on my commute. Apparently a stage 1 map makes a big difference on these as they only weigh 1160ish kg according to VW, might be something I look at eventually.

I don't think xenons was an option on the Polo GTi, but there was a winter pack which is headlight washers and heated seats.

Thanks for the responses guys

I can see what people are saying about the diesel being useless on the daily morning 2 mile commute and that is one of the reasons why I considered a 9N3 GTi polo. There is something about the Fabia I like, I don't know what it is. I'm defo going to need to have a test drive of both cars, as I never know.

TriggerFish: As much as those cars are lovely, i'm not too sure mr insurance would be too please being 20, almost 21!

I think the requirements for 3 or 5 door play a part also.

IMO the 9N3 polo only looks nice in 3-door, so if the requirement was 5 it would be another tick on the fabia list!

TriggerFish: As much as those cars are lovely, i'm not too sure mr insurance would be too please being 20, almost 21!

Same boat as me then! Still, worth a thought.

I'd say Polo in that case then - the Fabias only trump.card, mpg, sounds like it would be wasted in your position.

I was in a similar position once - went for the Fabia just because I fancied owning one (I've never done the mileage to justify a diesel, which is why I'm back to petrol). 9n3 has never really tickled my fancy - what annoyed me about it is that VW deliberately kept it at 150bhp so as not provide a serious alternative to the Golf GTi - in my book you either do something properly or not at all - look at the effort VW put into the Lupo GTi (only shared panels with other Lupos are the roof and tailgate - extra thin glass - bespoke 6-speed box - pity only me and about another 20 people bought one) - I know you can easily remap it but that's not the point. However, had VW sold the Cup 9n3 GTi in the UK it would have been a different matter - extra 30bhp from the factory and looks much better as well (front end on a 9n3 GTi just looks like any other 9n3 - VW were totally half-hearted about the car).

Oh, and the Polo is a girl's car (says the former Lupo owner ). There's a white 9n3 GTi I see about a lot - lowered, panoramic roof - looks very nice but it's a young guy that drives it - I just think 'puff' - although to be fair I have seen him with a tidy lass who I assume is his girlfriend.

I personally prefer the looks and value for money of a Fabia vRS

Polo is a very good car tho and as above a little better than the Fabia in every way apart from looks for me

fabia vrs all day