Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-62
When I bought it, the gear stick was loose and you had to put it in first or third gear before you could shift it to first gear. The previous owner (who also bought in used in 2000) thought that it was normal and found it amusing that it shifted like an old VW bug. I took it to the only authorized VW service center in Metro Manila and there was no parts. (some kind of bushing) As of this writing, The gear stick still sucks and there doesn't seem to be a way to fix it without that simple bushing thing...
I found the clucth also too low (when shifting) and too high (when releasing). It took a lot of getting used to. I took it to the service center to have it adjusted, but they claimed whether the clutch was new or old it cannot be adjusted and they gave me a quote of about US$500 for the entire clutch assembly (plus installation). I thought it was pretty ridiculous so I went to an independent VW specialist and now it is running splendidly.
The left rear power window doesn't work. Again, the VW shop said the mechanism isn't available per piece and you had to buy all four power window mechanism sets for about US$400! I guess since they are the only authorized VW shop who has a large inventory and German trained specialists, they take advantage to a diabolical level.
The two rear speakers are grounded and barely squeeks out the tunes. I was told only the blaupaunkt place can fix it (every one else is afraid to touch it).
The polo also has a lot of blind spots and it takes a lot of getting used to specially in the wild and crazy traffic of manila.
I really really like the car. Its solid and has great suspension. For city driving, its amazing. The polo is quick and always seems to have the right torque whatever speed. All the doors close nicely and quietly requiring no force. It uses up fuel more efficiently than my old 89 16v corolla.
My 1997 POLO classic also suffers from 'over communicative steering'. It's very difficult to drive at speed when the roads are not as smooth as they're supposed to be. The car just keeps on pointing in several directions.
The engine's quite happy even at low engine speeds, although it sounds and feels like it could use some more grunt at speeds in excess of 70 miles per hour. Power windows seem to be OK, but the locks recently failed because of a vacuum leak. Two of the lock pulls also broke off after being snagged in my shirt! (talk about poor quality!)
I have a 1997 Polo Classic and I experienced the same problems with the locks, clutch and the windows, but the worst of them all is the air-con. I had it fixed twice at the only authorized service center here in Metro Manila. They charged me $500 each time I had it fixed. They claim that the high cost is due to expensive parts, but to spend $1000 without even replacing the compressor is a bit too much. Yes! the $1000 did not include the compressor. I think only the filter and the valve. They said that if they had to replace the compressor it would cost me $1500 if a want the original. As to my windows, when the front passenger window and the 2 rear windows broke down they quoted me $550 for the 3 windows. It was too much for me so I only asked them to close the windows securely so it will not fall until I decide to have it fixed. Luckily I was able to find someone who knows how to fix it at a lower price, way lower than what was quoted to me by the authorized service center. These are just some of the problems I experienced, but I guess it goes with the car's age. Any car that's 6 yrs old definitely has it's own problems. Maintenance is definitely one of the disadvantages of buying a VW in the Philippines. Having only one authorized service center with mile high prices will surely stress you out. I really hope that the after sales service of VW will improve because I intend to keep my classic!
I bought my polo a few months ago as a second hand car. Overall the car feels great. the suspension has a little roll, perfect for city driving and the engine pulls nicely. The only downside in owning a polo or any VW car in the Philippines is the cost of maintenance. I've spent nearly $2000 worth just to bring the car to its top condition. Transmission bushings were replaced, engine support and shock absorbers had to be replaced as well. the old owner must have thought that the car was indestructible. The shocks were bent out of shape. I still have to replace my wheel bearings and a radiator hose. The hose have to be ordered in Germany and won't be arriving for a few weeks. The previous owner had converted the airconditioning system to a generic one so it's not as cold as the original system, although it's a lot cheaper to maintain. Fortunately I found a place in manila (along espana cor. maceda) that services VW cars and sells parts at one third the price of the VW service center. Still, its expensive compared to any Japanese car parts around here. I love the car simply because its built like a tank and definitely will last a lot longer than its japanese counterparts.
I'm from the Philippines too and whoever suggested the auto supply shop in Espana corner Maceda, THANK YOU. I've been spending unrealistic bills servicing my Polo at the authorized VW service center in Edsa, but now, I can get better priced parts and access to free lance mechanics who know the VW's quirks. My Polo really hasn't given me any problems except for the power windows (I got this fixed at espana for a fraction of what Edsa was charging me!). Other problems: on two occasions, the throttle body/gasket leaked, causing rough idle and uneven revving, which usually means it's time to replace it (I think it's an effect of the Philippine's warm and humid climate causing the throttle gasket to deform). But that's it for complaints. What I like about it? I really love this car and I absolutely love the handling and ride. It's firm compared to Japanese alternatives, the steering wheel is perfectly sized and has good if slightly rubbery feel. I up-sized my car's wheels to 16 inches with 50 series tires and there hasn't been any significant detriment to ride quality - but it does wonders to the car's looks and increases its stability especially in cornering. It's a pleasure to own; the car doors thunk with solidity and there's a lot of quality and ergonomic/industrial design in the details. However, it's small and I don't think it makes a comfortable first car for a family. Best to treat it as your personal everyday car/baby and have a bigger car or van for the occasional family trip. And the last thing I like about it is, in the streets of Manila, it's different and is set apart from the regular Civics and Corollas you see everywhere.
I am also from the Philippines. The polo classic is a great car to have. A used one is really cheap. I have one now for about 2 years. Bought used.
Just budget a few thousands for all repairs and the car will be good to you for years.
Great suspension, engine is OK, electricals are great too plus the original aircon is really cold.
I have had my 97 polo classic for almost three years. I am the third owner and know the previous two owners personally. they hated to sell the car, but had to because of the impractically of owning a late model vw in manila and their lack of personal knowledge regarding anything mechanical.
As for me, I kind of tinker a bit and after a little research fell in love with the car and bought it for a reasonable price of P200k. this was in 2001.
The dudes at shell ACA on McKinley Rd corner edsa are pretty good and their parts are sometimes cheaper than the other evil edsa place, plus you can watch them while theyre fixing it. apparently, SM ACA used to be an authorized dealer and service center for VW in 1997 before Proton lost its distributorship because of their weak marketing. I must try this place in maceda.
The polo is due for a clutch change. you have to replace the entire clutch assembly and at shell aca it costs P10,500 plus P1,600 labor to install. pretty steep, but not bad since the clutch is 7 years old and the new one should last at least half that long. there are not many people who can fix the polo so its best to do all the preventive stuff if you have the cash. I will probably only have it done when the clutch completely runs out.
Overall, car runs great and after a new paint job, my polo is in showroom condition. if only I could clean the engine properly.. don't want to have anyone who doesn't know what theyre doing "engine wash" it and kiil the computer thingy.
After two years, I gave in and tinted the windows (magic medium). wanted to give my ac a break. besides, the ac has been running without a thermoswitch, apparently the aux fan has 4 speeds and it regulates the aux fan accordingly along with the ac levels. once it ran out of freon and when I refilled it, it ran out again, proton wanted to replace entire compressor for P80,000! evil! anyway, the thermoswitch costs P6,500 so I said forget that! the guys at aca wanted to charge P3,000 to take it out and hotwire the fan into one speed, but instead I brought it to alex the super aircon dude who took it out and did the necessary rewiring in 3 minutes and didn't charge me anything. another thing, if you haven't yet, have a thermostat installed in your ac, it will lengthen the life of your compressor.
When I got the car the power windows were semi-functioning and when I brought it to the "casa" they wanted to replace all the locks for P20,000! I brought it to shell aca and spent P300. apparently, the contacts were only a bit corroded and the dude just took all the switches apart, sandpapered it, sprayed wd40 and they still work perfectly to this day. it just took forever to dismantle the switches the car being not japanese.
The car is quite fuel efficient if you take it easy and drive like an old lady, but when you floor it, it gives you the needed speed. I often surprise newer cars at how fast the polo is. the fastest I have driven it on the NLX was 145kph and it still had more to give, but there was no road left. the steering gets a little light and shaky at that speed and a little over sensitive that I could steer lightly with two fingers and maneuvered easier than when I gripped the wheel with two hands often over-compensating.
I test drove the new minicooper (made by bmw) and a lot of the center dash instrumentation is similar. even where the power window switches are. what is the name and tel of the place in maceda street? maybe they have a better priced clutch assembly.
I am planning to sell my polo to get another polo with less mileage. mine has 73,000km already.
The auto supply store in Maceda corner Espana Street is called Carabelle Enterprises (that's really how it's spelled). Call them at 732-7753. They usually have a good stock of Polo Classic parts. There are a couple of mechanics who can do quick repairs hanging around the store, though I think the mechanics overcharge if they think you're loaded. The next door shop specializes in aircon and they do conversions for Polo Classic. I had mine converted complete for 21,000 with new compressor and thermostat. Your experience with ACA sounds good, and I do think the price for the clutch they quoted might not be that bad, but don't know how much Carabelle charges for it. Anyway, good to know I could go to ACA as an alternative.
Hi I'm from the Philippines... I recently bought the '97 polo classic six weeks ago and I must say that its quite a great car... I bought it so cheap with only 75000 mileage... the only unfortunate thing that happened was that clutch disk broke down that I have to replace it at hefty 7,500 which I bought in a supplier in buendia near taft ave...
Overall the performance is good... the ride, the suspension and of course the sleek design which can make people turn heads and have second look plus I found it so easy to find when its parked in large parking even if I forgot the exact place I parked it... also the best thing is that when a civic bumped my back bumper with a hard impact I was surprised to find out that I only had 3 small unnoticeable dents while the civic's front had a quite a big wreckage on its front...
I intend to keep my polo because only a few have it and having a limited model would be a privilege... I think I would only relace it if I could a later model with lesser mileage of the same model.
Hi guys, I recently bought a VW polo classic from my uncle's friend who is a US Navy based in Bulacan with 45500 km. It is classic green. I am very glad to read all your comments guys, I am only 25 years old. At first, some people told me not to buy the car because of unavailability of parts and only few mechanics know about the engine and other stuff. Thank goodness that I got valuable informations from you.
And yes, I love driving it. I have my cousin in Malolos who owns a shop "MARFER" in front of former NISSAN along McArthur Hiway checked it out and said it is in good condition. He is a former chief mechanic of Nissan Malolos and now operates their own shop together with my other cousin.
I am based in Makati City, but I work here in Manila. Please email me at ddrdecastro@mapua.edu.ph if you have time. Thanks.
I bought my second hand 97 Polo Classic last January, and the only major repair I had was the clutch cable. I had it replaced at a very minimal cost. Minor repairs were the power windows and locks. Overall performance is great, aircon and all. I don't think I'll be reselling it for another 2 years. I have come to love the car especially that it can blend well with the latest models of Toyotas and Mitsubishis here in the country because of its design and electronic power features that only top of the line models of other brands have.
Owning a VW is like a love story that never ends.
The sheer joy of driving & german fit & finish will make you want to keep the car.
For cheaper than espana parts you can buy at singapore.
Just send your motor#, chassis# type of fuel & engind type.
& zip code to:
Mr Lian / VW, Audi, Skoda importer in singapore
Email: lianyee8@hotmail.com
Tel ; 0065 62581633
Look for Jasmine Yee.
They are cheaper than Carabelle.
Of course you pay for the courier charges.
Kind regards.
I bought a second-hand VW Polo Classic from a nice lady six months ago and so far the only troubles my baby caused me are the typical window and lock problems. Just recently though, it gave me a really nerve wracking air-con headache. Prior to my long trip to Baguio, I got my car's AC system fixed, which unfortunately included a change of compressor (aaargh!) anyway, it was running real smooth for a week, but just when I needed some cool air while traversing the oh-so-long MacArthur Hi-way, it gave up on me. So I went to the mechanic and demanded that it be fixed, so they just loaded it with freon, and asked me to observe it a couple weeks...aargh! But the nice thing about my scar-faced baby (I kinda had a few "encounters") is that it's totally dependable especially when we were climbing the steep roads of Baguio, initially you may have doubts about it getting over the first steep climb, but just like the little train that could, it didn't let me down.
Thanks to the guys who shared the Espana Maceda Polo Haven and the Singapore supplier, I just may go there one of these days. Over-all I love my polo, it ain't bad for a first car especially for a girl, and it sure is one hell of a first car. Gotta love it.
Check out this website: www.vwpoloclassic.tk.
It's a local car club on the polo classic in the philippines. they have useful tips and tricks for almost everything that goes wrong with the polo.
So, how can I join the club.
Just click the link below, this leads to the registration page. The administrator will validate your entry.
To join the club is free!
http://s7.invisionfree.com/vwpolo/index.php?showtopic=30.