The Car Without a Hole (VW Polo (1994-99))

Name: CrisisWolf

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Product:	VW Polo (1994-99)
Date:	25/01/05 (2896 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Reliable, Good 1st Car

Disadvantages: Minor winter problems, Price

This is what my first car is. I've owned it since Nov '03. Mine is a 1.0L T Reg in white.

Now this is the cheapest, most basic model there is. So Im going to keep that in mind in this review. Also remember this is my first car so I dont have any other cars to compare it to really.

Anyway on with the review.

Handling wise, the suspension feels a bit soft, I dont have power steering but I've test driven some cars that are alot worse without power steering than this, such as the Peugeot 106 which was a horrible drive. I can live without power steering on this car, although on alot these models it comes as standard anyway, I was just an unlucky one.

When it comes to sharp cornering, its not the steering which is at fault, but rather the suspension. This car has a high centre of gravity and throws you around the car at sharp corners. The car really does need to be lowered 40mm to sort the gravity problem out.

Comfort wise, despite being basic I havn't had an uncomfortable drive as of yet. I've driven for 2-3hrs in this car, along motorways, in town and I've never had a painful moment.

Quality and reliabilty, I mean sure its not the best looking interior, but its entry level spec so Im going to ignore that. Reliable yes, never had a problem starting it or anything of the sorts. I live for reliability, I couldn't live without it.

Performance, its a 1L engine what exactly do you expect. Its not a very good 1L either. Although with a 0-60mph of 17sec the 0-40 run is only about 8 or so, it that last bit it really does stuggle with. But then, where do you do 0-60mph? Not in town, not on country roads. It will get there in the end I promise... and beyound. The only place this car feels wrong, out of place and slugish is on dual carrageways with lots of stopping and starting and 0-60 elements. If you dont do dual carrageways, then this car is damn fine!

Room inside, is plentyful, Im 6ft and I dont feel crushed at all, not sure about the person who sits behind me though. A good fit for 4 people, but 5 its a bit full, a bit heavy and the performance drops off. A good run around thou for 2 people no problems at all. On top of that the boot isn't to bad either.

Running costs, its officially 47MPG I think. Well I've got my very very rough guide that £20 lasts me 2 weeks, and on that £20 I get about 200miles of it. So is that good or is that bad? You decide.

Value for money, it holds its price well so its not going to eat away at your wallet as you drive but its an expensive start. I paid £2500 (Was £3000 on the car but knocked it down) that was nearly 2 years ago. I can safely trade it in for around £1800 with nearly 60k miles on my clock now. It is more expensive than your average low spec car, but then again its not like a Corsa which is 1 in 10 cars on Britains roads (rough ratio) so for that little bit more you get something different.

Finally sound, mine came with a Tape player, it lasted about 5mins before I put a custom CD Player in it, the sounds not to bad for standard. 4 Speakers, 2 in the door and 2 Tweeters in the dash, thats it! Nothing else.

Its also built like a solid rock, so it feels safe to drive in as well which is always nice to know.

For a first car thats different yes.
For a run around car for someone who wants something a bit punchier, some more features no.

Get a 1.4CL if you want the best one. Its the most common Polo spec out their and with good reason.

Summary: