1999 Volkswagen Polo 16V review from UK and Ireland

Blocked throttle body

Electric windows.

I have had three of these cars, between each I forgot how annoying they are to drive.

The engine has 100BHP yes, but with it being a 1.4 engine and a short ratio gear box you have to rev hard to get anywhere, even pulling off from a normal junction you sound like a boy racer. Motorway journeys are somewhat noisy in 5th gear but it's a very nippy car once you get used to the noise. Like I say, this car is certainly not fast, just nippy, but also fun.

The fuel economy wasn't that great due to the short gears, i'd say perhaps 35mpg, in the end I thought I might as well have a golf gti instead because it was much much faster and had the same economy.

The 16v's suffer from clogging of the throttle body, this might mean your car will cut out at any time, any place. Mine cut out as I was turning a tight corner in the middle of town which was scary. Thankfully the solution is cheap and easy! Just get an old toothbrush and some RedEx and brush inside the throttle body. (unscrew the air-box)

They are group 10/11 insurance so I wouldn't advise one as a first car.