I've been pondering a change of vehicle in the sub-£7500 bracket for some months. Have shortlisted a Fox & Polo. I just wondered whether, apart from a few bells and whistles, there was much material difference between the two. I guess the Fox might have less of a re-sale value, although it's considerably cheaper than its 'big' brother.
As far as I can see, the entry-level models share the same 55bhp engine, platform and chassis. The interior of the Fox is not exactly the VW norm, but my purchase is price-driven. I'm not really hung-up on power windows, central locking etc. Thoughts, opinions and general musings welcome.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 05/05/2009 at 19:49
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I went down the Fox route, I've had it for 3 weeks now (not a huge amout of time I know). Personally Im very pleased with it so far, it has a spacious interior of the size, feels robust in a basic kind of way (no soft touch plastics etc), the boot is large too. The 1.4 I've got is reasonably nippy and refined, getting between 40 and 50mpg which is ok, from what I've read the Fox is supposed to have a reasonable resale value from around 45 to 50% after 3 years. The Fox is also smooth riding and you sit up slightly higher like a mini mpv.
Obviously the Polo is a higher quality car inside and certain models look flashier than the Fox, plus the Polo could seat 5 at a pinch, the Fox is strictly a 4 seater. The Polo is worth slightly more after 3 years, just breaking the 50% barrier. But, as you said they both share very similar mechanicals, 12year anti corrosion warrenties and similar used values. I quite like having the Fox as its not often you see another coming the other way.
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The road testers seem to agree that the Hyundai i10 (particularly) and the Suzuki Alto are better to drve than the Fox, so it might be worth trying these out and seeing which you prefer.
If you do prefer VW, it sounds as if the Polo wouldn't be worth the extra price for what you want.
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Great, thanks. Appreciate the replies!
Perhaps I'm going through some mid-life crisis but I kind of think the Fox is a good-looking piece of metal. I understand that other cars such as the C1 or Ka are probably more fun to drive.
It seems that the Fox is a taller, stripped-out version of the Polo so it gets my vote. I understand VW will flog one for £4885 with scrappage ... or £6250 without, so can't go too wrong.
Thanks Again!!
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PS
Think it's all a bit academic as VW don't have any stock due to the scrappage scheme. Suddenly, it's all very reminiscent of the seventies .... In fact, all small vehicles are in short supply - whether you're prepared to pay cash or want the scrappage deal. I told my local VW dealer that I'd be paying cash for a new Fox. However, they wouldn't arrange a test-drive such is the shortage. Thanks Spalding! If I were paying £14K on a Golf, things might have been different.
Time for a rethink!
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I don't believe that the VW Fox has anything going for it.
If you want an economical car from a low-wage zone of the World then you would be better off looking to Eastern European countries, think Fiat Panda, Citroen C1 and similar.
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Yep, test-drove the Hyundai i10 today. However, even these aren't available. Great value if you can find one.
I like basic, 'retro-tech' cars (if that makes sense) which you can tinker with yourself - hence the Fox option. I'm now inclined to save my cash and buy a 2-year-old KA.
Thanks for the advice!
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Found a few garages with an i10! I'm not sold on the idea ... for my wife!
There are two engines available ... one is the 'Kappa' version (whatever that is!) The other, I think, has its origins in the Picanto. However, I'm not sure on this.
I can't find much info' on these. However, if anyone has an idea of which of the two might be the best all-rounder for town driving & economy, I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks for 'selling' me the i10!!
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Hi Geordie,
The Kappa engine is the 1.2 chain-cam engine; HJ has a review of this.
I test drove a 1.2 i10 yesterday and have ordered one with ESP. Normally its only the ESP fitted ones that are factory orders (i.e. 13 weeks) - but the salesman said that they have no 1.2s in stock and all 1.2s are a factory order.
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Brilliant, thanks for the help. Have spotted the review, but it says that all i10's will have the Kappa engine ... so, slightly confused. Dealer said he could get me an ES ...!?
"Hyundai has now started fitting the excellent chain cam 1.2 Kappa engine to all i10s, and also offers a customer saving of £205."
HJ
Jan 2009
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OH ... found quote. Though still slightly confused. So, go for the 1.2! ??
"i10ES from May 2009 has the old belt cam 1.1 engine, not the later and much better 1.2 chain cam Kappa engine"
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Georgie - the ES has a 1.1. Less poke than a 1.2 and has a cam belt - which if you intend in running the new car into the ground after 12+ years (as we do) is bad news.
Have you looked at the Hyundai scrappage document?
www.hyundai.co.uk/a/pdf/brochures/scrappage.pdf
- The price list in front of me at the dealer yesterday did offer a 1.1 in Comfort as well as ES - with a 1.1 Comfort for the same price as a 1.2 Comfort.
I'm happy to wait 3 months to get the 1.2 Comfort with ESP. Just hope a) Scrappage scheme doesn't run out of cash (Mike Rutherford's comments in the Telegraph I reckon are wrong - scrappage is useful if you have a small elderly car - and want a new small car - and have cash) and b) our Polo doesn't die before then.
Edited by LondonBus on 10/05/2009 at 12:00
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Thanks, I'll join the (long) queue for the 1.2! (3 months)
Yes, scrappage makes sense on a handful of models only. It seems that the Koreans have embraced the scheme, whereas the likes of VW etc are lukewarm to the whole idea.
I guess there's no guarantee that we'll get these cars given the restricted nature of this scheme anyway.
Any other thoughts welcomed, as ever!
Thanks again!!
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My wife has just taken delivery of a new Fox through the scrappage scheme and we are amazed with this car. It's nippy and solidly built, very spacious inside and doesn't look like a silly supermini. It seems to be a scrappage well kept secret!
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My wife has just taken delivery of a new Fox through the scrappage scheme and we are amazed with this car. It's nippy and solidly built very spacious inside and doesn't look like a silly supermini. It seems to be a scrappage well kept secret!
Agree about the spaciousness, but the MPG, C02 and power are terrible. It'll cost 20% more than average in fuel and road tax costs a lot more too.
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