Comments on: 2008 Volkswagen Polo GTI Review

By: suzukiGTI

suzukiGTI — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:22:48 +0000

How about da good ol’ suzi GTi? Mate’s had one that had 160 or so kw at the wheels (front) and boy it was a $#@$ of a thing to take off. But once in gear it ate everything, including hotted up 200sx.

By: SteveC

SteveC — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:05:03 +0000

I remember driving one of these last year. Have to say, it put a smile on my face. The Golf didn’t. Not saying the Golf was bad. Hardly, it was a fantastic car.

I went with a Punto instead though. Bigger grin factor and I like Italy more than Germany… I am biased.

SteveC

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:39:16 +0000

To Neo Utopia. I agree, I would prefer a 207 GTI over this but only because this is getting a bit old. If what you said about the Clio only being $3,000 more than the Peugeot is true then that would be a better buy. I have read numerous things that say the Clio 197 is the best hot-hatch supermini.

By: Neo Utopia

Neo Utopia — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:16:57 +0000

After some quick research of discovering the new Renault Clio Sport 197 produces 145 kW and 215 Nm, and deals with 1-100 in only 6.9 seconds! But it is approximately 9.5 K more expensive though! Unlike the Peugeot 207 GTI which is approximately 6.5 K more.

Is it worth spending the sizable extra $ for only about an extra second? Maybe it is for the Peugeot.

By: Neo Utopia

Neo Utopia — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:55:00 +0000

Correction South Africa, not Spain.

By: Neo Utopia

Neo Utopia — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:52:51 +0000

I agree with Phil. “I dont think golf GTI buyers would be too happy if a polo was quicker in a straight line, considering the price difference..”

But when the next Golf 6 GTI arrives it will be a bit quicker and you can bet the next Polo will be a bit quicker as well, say 7.5 seconds I would think, considering the Peugeot 207 GTI does it in only 7.1 seconds and produces 128 kW and 240 Nm!

BY THE WAY CAR ADVICE, I THINK YOU HAVE THE NUMBERS BACK TO FRONT WITH THE POWER AND TORQUE FIGURES IN THE SPECIFICATIONS SECTION OF THIS ARTICLE.

I think the body does look a bit outdated now, compared to a Peugeot 207 GTI.

I think the Golf GTI is the best hot hatch, but if I were to choose between this car and a 207 GTI, I would definitely choose the latter.

One more thing, the Polo’s quality/reliability should be a little bit better I think, even if it means producing it in Germany (not Spain) and with a price of $30,000.

By: Heath

Heath — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:05:39 +0000

A Hot hatch with the DSG technology of an Audi R8 could only be a good thing

VW_PoloGTI – Just because Someone likes a DSG Gearbox does not mean they are inferior drivers, Formula 1 cars use a seamless shift gearbox without clutch because it has superior performance, Just ask Shumi.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:29:26 +0000

Yeh Tom, 220kW would create the mother of all torque steerers.

I defy anyone that hopped into a Polo GTI and had a real ‘go’ to come away being anything but impressed.

By: The Original Tom

The Original Tom — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:16:13 +0000

110kW is pretty weak for 1.8 turbo. Even the parts-bin Toyota 2001 Corolla Turbo had 115kw and 237Nm.

It seems VW has purposely left the engine detuned for some reason (reliability?), which it sounds like you can easily fix.

But for the price it is still great value. Would make a great commuter car. I would prefer a 5-door, though.

The 220kW in the specs section would be pretty awesome

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:25:25 +0000

To VW_PoloGTI – I can drive a manual very well thank you very much, I also own quite a few manual cars and love driving them very much. I love manuals but even Jeremy Clarkson who famously hates flappy-paddle-gearboxes says that the DSG is worth it. What’s wrong with the DSG? You can pick which gear you’re in which is all you do with a manual anyway but there is a faster 0-60 time and no pause when changing. All I was saying is that if you order a Volkswagen Golf GTI with a DSG gearbox, it’s not as if you are saying “I want this car, but only so people can see me in it, not so I can properly drive it” because in reality you get as much control. And if your brother loves manuals so much, why didn’t he order his $40,000 car with his favorite gearbox? Seems a bit stupid to me. He would have used the DSG enough when test driving for him to decide that it’s “still not a manual!”