1984 Volkswagen Polo Base 1.0 OHC petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Clutch - replaced for first time after 147,000 miles :)

Rust on bottom of doors (Three door Model).

Timing needs setting monthly.

Reconditioned fuel pump after 140,000 miles.

General Comments:

Brakes - What can I say, it stops quicker if you open the door and stick your foot on the floor!!! - Terrible.

Slightly underpowered. - fine around town. :) Nearly 45Mpg - everywhere!

13 pounds to fill up from empty (Four Star). :)

V.Easy to work on.

Best handling car at high motorway speed I have ever driven in it's size range.

45HP :(

Good for 105 mph - apparently!

Only 4 gears - what where VW thinking?

Full set of tyres for 35 pounds! :)

Full exhaust system for 40 pounds :)

No stereo, fan would never blow out cold air (ever), easy to break into (as demo'd 3 times).

0 - 30mph has to be measured on a calendar not a stopwatch.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd December, 1998

11th Jul 2002, 16:13

I drove a 1.0 litre for about a year and found it to be a very reliable car (if looked after correctly). I now own a year 2000 model Polo and reading your review brought back a lot of memories about the car.

All the things you wrote about are very true apart from the bit about 105MPH...105MPH??? I did 70MPH and the car was rattling so much that the screws holding the glove box in place shook themselves loose!!!

105MPH does seem a little much especially for a car with only 4 gears.

But still, it was a great first car and it had a huge heart.

1984 Volkswagen Polo Coupe S 1.3 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Brake pads need replacing 3 times in 25,000 miles. Water hose. Tuning.

Electrical faults, new exhaust, oil leaks,replacement engine at 99,910 miles.

General Comments:

A sporty, good looking little car for very little money. Apart from the liking of oil and brake pads it ran cheaply and reliably around town and motorway. Great Build quality and performance but poor handling!!!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st May, 1998

1984 Volkswagen Polo Formel E 1.3 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Basically at 120000 miles it is worn out.

The body is virtually rust free so you think you may as well repair it - expensive mistake.

New fuel tank, fuel pump, distributor vacuum advance, shox, front disks, exhaust downpipe and system, gearlever bushes.

Lots of carb problems - mainly dirt (although we have always fitted filters, perhaps the PO didn't).

General Comments:

If you are going to end up spending 3K over 2 years on a car, get a loan and buy a newer car :-(

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th January, 1998