2008 VW Polo 1.2 Match (70ps) 5d - Polo for small family 1st car?

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Fri 25 Aug 2017 00:22
2008 VW Polo 1.2 Match (70ps) 5d - Polo for small family 1st car? - Russell Allen

Hi all,

Aftter opinions on a 2008 VW Polo 1.2 match - small family, 2 young kids, mostly for use on weekends and the occasional trip across country to see relatives scattered about.

Is 3,500-4,000 a price worth paying? Am I better looking at something else, I know Skoda something-or-other is often suggested as an alternative? I'm not after anything sporty or flash for obvious reasons, I'm after something solid, reliable and safe (so basically the more boring the better I guess!). What's swaying things a little as well is that I'm learning to drive right now, and my instructor's car is a VW Polo, although of course a slightly newer model!

Many thanks in advance,

Russ

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Fri 25 Aug 2017 01:38
2008 VW Polo 1.2 Match (70ps) 5d - Polo for small family 1st car? - SLO76
Mazda 2 is quicker, nicer to drive, smoother and more reliable, ditto Ford Fiesta 1.25/1.4. The Polo is hampered by its wheezy engine and sloppy handling though the later Mk V from 2009 is much improved in this regard it still retains the same 1.2/1.4 engines. Unless you're prepared to spend twice the money and go for a nice 1.2 TSi then I'd look elsewhere.

Others I'd shortlist
Suzuki Swift 1.2
Ford Focus 1.6/1.8
Mazda 3 1.6
Toyota Yaris 1.33
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Fri 25 Aug 2017 13:38
2008 VW Polo 1.2 Match (70ps) 5d - Polo for small family 1st car? - Cyd

We got a 2003 Polo 1.2 12valve for my son 2 years ago as his first car.

It's a solid motor. Quiet and comfy and surprisingly roomy. It drives nice too and can hold it's own on the motorway or lanes. Parts seem cheap enough.

Reasonably economical, good on insurance and easy to maintain.

Friends have just bought a 2008 Polo 1.2 for their son because they liked ours. I'll be working on it next weekend replacing the front strut top mounts (a weak point on many cars). It looks like it should be a doddle.

Just one thing if you do get it: run it on super unleaded. This helps to keep combustion temperatures down and alleviates the risk of burned valves on the middle cylinder - a common issue on 3 cylinders.

Are you planning on any DIY maintenance? https://youtu.be/7Nz-arE5TgU

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Fri 25 Aug 2017 20:19
2008 VW Polo 1.2 Match (70ps) 5d - Polo for small family 1st car? - Russell Allen

Are you planning on any DIY maintenance? https://youtu.be/7Nz-arE5TgU

No fear! If my track record with gardening machinery or household appliances is anything to go by, there'd be mysterious bolts left over every time.

Thanks for your sharing your experience. :)

Russ

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Fri 25 Aug 2017 20:21
2008 VW Polo 1.2 Match (70ps) 5d - Polo for small family 1st car? - badbusdriver

I'd be thinking along the lines of the yaris 1.33, one of SLO's suggestions. Roomy, safe, cheap to run and very reliable. It also has 99bhp, quite a bit more than the polo, but still only group 7 insurance (the polo is group 5 or 6, depending on spec)

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Fri 25 Aug 2017 21:24
2008 VW Polo 1.2 Match (70ps) 5d - Polo for small family 1st car? - elekie&a/c doctor
I would steer clear of any model Vw that uses this 3 cylinder"made of chocolate "engine.I have seen timing chains worn and broken with catastrophic engine failure on cars as new as 2012.
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