It had to be done.
The Jag has gone to a new owner and I've bought a little learner-friendly buzz-bomb so my eldest, Charlie, can learn to drive when she turns 17 next month.
I started out looking for something cheap and cheerful with a 5K budget but that all went out the window when I suggested to Sue that she might have to let me use the Impreza on days when Charlie wanted the car.
Here's what we ended up with...
Its a Polo 110R. A tiny 1 litre 3-cylinder turbo kicking out 110 brake scrabbly style.
I caned the tits off it going to work on Friday and still managed a fairly creditable 48 mpg which is more than double the Jag ever managed. High 50s is allegedly possible but I think I'll leave that to the delicate footed.
Its very quiet and the seats seem pretty comfy (although I haven't done a 250 mile run in it yet).
It seems to go alright and the 6-speed box is a lovely smooth unit. Boot space is limited compared to the Jag and the parking "help" gets on my tits a bit as does the stop/start. However, you can switch both of them off (every time you get in the car).
So, how long do you reckon I can put up with it before I start hankering after something with 3 times the power and opposite wheel drive ?
Initial impression was two weeks, but you are a patient man, so maybe a month.
I rented a 1.2 Polo last year for a week, and found it neither nippy or fun, but surprisingly capable on the 250mile journeys I did do in it.
With the cruise control set to sufficient leptons though, the economy was little better than the S14 would have done on the same journey.
Maybe the 110hp 1litre would be better, but I'm doubtful.
That's quite cool
The basic 1.2 is 60ps and normally aspirated so you can't really expect that to be nippy or fun.Originally Posted by Jon
They do a 150ps 1.4 turbo as the GTi but the insurance for a 17 yr old is a killer.
Just found out the car tax for the year.... £0 which kind of offsets the Imprezas 510 quid a year
Realistically, its got to last me 2 years or until I move to a house with a larger garage whichever is the sooner.
I thought so. It looks better in white than any of the other colours, I think.
From the drivers seat its more involving than the Civic was. It feels quite solid. It has a sort of quality feel that wasn't there in the Clio I had years ago, the Civic nor the Fiesta I test drove. It gives the impression that, if looked after, it might still feel good when its 5 years old.
I'm afraid people are going to look and go "Look at that old codger in his daughter's car!"
to be fair that has already been ....
EDIT: I take that back. I was thinking S13 rather than XJ
Last edited by Jon; 29-11-2015 at 18:21.
Meeeoooww ! lolto be fair that has already been ....
EDIT: I take that back. I was thinking S13 rather than XJ
couple of comments in and no one has asked for pics of the 17 year old.
man this place has changed
....enter ross.couple of comments in and no one has asked for pics of the 17 year old.
man this place has changed
jkz jonny.
i love these and this looks especially cool. i'll not ask what your payments are but can they be had for sub £200PCM? last time i looked they were mightily expensive. my mum had a polo, it was cool.
Jw im disappointed in you but im glad that you at least have a nice long 3 year warranty and im hoping they threw some road side in.
see when I brought a vw I thought this one car would be it for 5 years and at first I didnt understand the versatility that a vw would provide and the hugely positive impression on the neighbours having a new car delivered sometimes upto 2 times a month each time a different model, spec or colour allowing me to experience most of the vw range for FREE. All while the car I paid for was away been lovingly looked after by numerous highly trained dealerships specialising it changing the same part that allowed me to keep having these wonderful new cars for upto 3 weeks at a time.
so while you might only think its a 3 cylinder polo its actually a 2 litre golf, a diesel passat, a cute little up and a stunning people carrier with folding seats for when your partner just cant wait till you get home after a romanic dinner.
but make the most of it as one day the dream ends and the truck arrives and to collect at the cheque lands on the mat.
That's lovely. Worse ways to learn to drive for sure!
I am sure I dont have to post my thoughts
I didn't finance it. I got it for a little over 14K with a full tank of fuel...which still seems to be full after 100 miles of use....enter ross.
jkz jonny.
i love these and this looks especially cool. i'll not ask what your payments are but can they be had for sub £200PCM? last time i looked they were mightily expensive. my mum had a polo, it was cool.
Hopefully, Ghost got unlucky with his. I can't find any other reports of problems with the bluemotion petrol units but, hey-ho, there is probably some dodgy software in there telling me everything is OK when the engine is busy eating itself
I know, I know. Your problem will be that it doesn't have a blue oval on the front of it.I am sure I dont have to post my thoughts
Speaking of which, you would have been proud of the local Ford dealers sales technique, Mark.
As my daughter and I approached the beautifully clean plate glass windows of the showroom, one of the sales guys standing outside with two colleagues managed to fit the F-word three times and the C-word once into a single sentence. He then turned to us as cool as some cucumbers and said "Can I help you ?".
VERY professional, I must say.
At least the VW salesman was polite, helpful and smiled while he took my debit card off me.
Its a good time to buy a VW, they must be begging people to buy them
Finding a decent salesman is a pain in the arse and most Essex ones are shite, we mainly use John Grose in Ipswich
Speaking of which, you would have been proud of the local Ford dealers sales technique, Mark.
As my daughter and I approached the beautifully clean plate glass windows of the showroom, one of the sales guys standing outside with two colleagues managed to fit the F-word three times and the C-word once into a single sentence. He then turned to us as cool as some cucumbers and said "Can I help you ?".
VERY professional, I must say.
0% interest billboards and cars with stickers on all over the place up here.Its a good time to buy a VW, they must be begging people to buy them
Can't figure out why
So why didn't you buy the Fiesta then?
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
