2010 VW Golf GTI Vs 2014-Ish VW Polo GTI

Xenox1997 on 07/09/2019 - 11:21

Hello all!

So I recently got paid out for my written-off my17 WRX and am in the market for a nice, easy to drive, good on fuel, comfortable, reliable hatchback

I'll be sharing it with mum and little bro just for daily duties. Personally I'd be happy driving a 1993 Daihatsu charade but I want the fam to be comfy.

I liked the WRX because it was pretty zippy and had a sunroof, but was too much of a burden to drive, and drank like an alcoholic.

Ideally my budget is ~$16k, but if there are any cars that are far better for up to ~$25k I'd consider them.

What are all your thoughts on the VW golf GTI (2010-ish) vs the VW polo GTI (2014-ish)?

So yeah, basically I'm asking for your advice/thoughts/criticism for an easy to drive Hatch that's good on fuel, is comfortable, reliable, and relatively quick, and those 2 cars are what I'm looking at the moment

Sunroof is a much appreciated bonus!

Thanks in advance ozb army,

Xenox

Poll Options expired

  • 13
    Get a corolla ya moron
  • 5
    2014 VW Polo GTI
  • 5
    2020 $80000 high yield investment car
  • 4
    2010 VW Golf GTI
Automotive Car Volkswagen

Comments

  • Stalker on 07/09/2019 - 12:46
    +1

    The MK6 GTI's are decent. Find one with lowish km's, that has a good service history and signs that it has been well looked after and you'll be sweet. FYI - I'm still driving a 2010 MK6 R and I love it as much today as I did when I got it. ;)

    • Xenox1997 on 07/09/2019 - 18:33

      I think I'll end up going down this path. VW just has comfort and functionality that other cars don't have.

      Are there any common problems I should look out for? What would you consider lowish km's?

      • bobkin on 07/09/2019 - 23:40

        When I was looking at these I came across reports of issues with the MK6 DSG transmission. Not sure if that would still be an issue in 2014+ models

      • Stalker on 08/09/2019 - 11:04

        Be a bit wary of DSG (as mentioned), but if it's been well looked after / regularly serviced it should be fine. Mine is DSG and hasn't missed a beat. Test drive it and if it changes gear smoothly / engages gears quickly then that is a good sign. :) I use the steering wheel paddles 99.9% of the time so the DSG rarely has to think for itself - maybe that's why I have had no issues? Who know. :s

        I've just ticked over 100,000 kms. Anything close to that would be low km's in my book. ;) Good luck!

      • brad1-8tsi on 09/09/2019 - 10:47

        DSGs are fine on the MK6 onward. Even the Mk5 are OK if serviced properly (every 60k km but I'd do it at 45k km)

        They do have issues with the cam chain tensioners not maintaining tension when the engine is off. This causes catastrophic damage to the engine. There's a revised part. You can check if the tensioner has been upgraded. It's ~$1000-$1300 to get it done.
        Search "TSI cam chain tensioner check" on youtube.

        Waterpumps like to lunch themselves every 80k-100k km. Count on $800-$1200 depending on the mechanic. I DIY'd my 2nd one for $200 including coolant.

        The inlet carbons up due to direct injection not cleaning the valves. depends how you drive but it will be 80k-100k km. On the bright sid eyou can have that cleaned at the same time as they do the waterpump.

        Golfs aren't cheap to run but they are fun and reasonably well appointed (the Skoda Octavia vRS withe the same engine and chassis is better appointed IMO).

        You should be able to get a 2010 MK6 GTI for a lot less than $17k (it's almost 10 years old FFS!)

        The 1.8tsi Polo GTI is a good car (lousy DSG 7 speed dry clutch gearbox though). Don't get the 1.4 twincharger. I's trouble.

        • antojamo on 09/09/2019 - 15:17

          Yes, avoid the 1.4 twincharged at all costs. Absolute lemon.

  • SnoozeAndLose on 07/09/2019 - 12:54

    Get a Toyota Camery Hybrid? Honda Civic Hybrid?

    Honda Civic hatchback? Mazda 3?

    • Xenox1997 on 07/09/2019 - 18:31

      I do want something that is a bit quick, not sure if hybrids are though. Mazda 3 actually seems really nice so I might add that to the shortlist

      • SnoozeAndLose on 07/09/2019 - 18:44
        -1

        Hybird is super fast on start up at traffic light as it use electric motor.

        • brad1-8tsi on 09/09/2019 - 15:39

          "Super Fast" is subjective.

          I've driven Camry Hybrid quite a lot. It's responsive but not "Super Fast" when compared to a WRX or a Golf GTi or Octavia vRS (and they are all just spritely shopping trollies).

  • Presence on 07/09/2019 - 13:33
    +3

    Buying a ten year old European car is not something any ozbargainer will recommend.

    • Xenox1997 on 07/09/2019 - 18:29

      Why not? Because of reliability or price? Because I feel as the euro cars feel generally higher in quality, and they depreciate at a much faster rate than jap cars. Assuming it's reliable enough, I don't see what's wrong with it.

      • SnoozeAndLose on 07/09/2019 - 18:46
        +4

        The maintenance cost is growing up exp when car ago go up

      • Quantumcat on 08/09/2019 - 08:49

        Something will go wrong and it will break your bank to fix it

  • meiztom on 08/09/2019 - 10:35
    -1

    Wouldn't touch a DSG from around 2010. I learnt the hard way.

    • brendanm on 08/09/2019 - 13:57
      -1

      Learnt the hard way that there are two different types of dsg, and you got the rubbish dry clutch version, then tell everyone that all dsg are bad even though you don't understand the difference.

      • Brick50 on 08/09/2019 - 17:54

        I have a 2010 MK6 gti and my DSG is rooted, has terrible shudder in 1st and reverse

        • brendanm on 08/09/2019 - 22:21

          Done the services when due? Drive it like an auto? You can buy those gearboxes for a grand or less used with warranty, this is because they are generally not problematic.

          Does it sound rattly at idle? It's more likely the flywheel.

          • Brick50 on 09/09/2019 - 09:34

            @brendanm: No it just shudders when you take off, i've had a previous one with 280,000kms with no issues. This one has 105000kms and something not right at all.

            It's either clutch packs or mechatronic but i'm leaning towards clutch packs

            • brendanm on 09/09/2019 - 10:11

              @Brick50: Does it give a shudder slowing down from 2nd to 1st, and/or coming to a stop?

              • Brick50 on 09/09/2019 - 12:37

                @brendanm: No, just when taking off in either first or reverse

                If you take your foot off the brake in first on flat or uphill ground with no accelerator. It will give a harsh push forward and then do nothing for a second and then give another harsh shudder

                Enough to throw you back in your seat. To get around it can never take foot off brake and roll for even 1/10th of a second. Need to get straight into the accelerator then it seems to know what to do

                • brendanm on 09/09/2019 - 12:44

                  @Brick50: Had someone do a relearn on it?

                  • Brick50 on 09/09/2019 - 18:22

                    @brendanm: I've got a VCDS cable coming so I can do a dsg reset and clutch adaption, although not holding out hope but it would be nice if it fixed it

                    • brendanm on 09/09/2019 - 18:45

                      @Brick50: The only time I've seen something similar, when it didn't have flywheel noise, it just needed a service and relearn.

      • meiztom on 09/09/2019 - 08:42

        Nope mine was wet. VW Fanboy?

        • meiztom on 09/09/2019 - 08:45

          I should elaborate mine was in an Audi

        • brendanm on 09/09/2019 - 10:08

          Not a vw fanboy, I'll happily say when they make shit, eg dry clutch dsg, 118tsi, fsi V6 timing chain tensioners etc. Simply that the wet clutch boxes rarely give problems in any make, and the dry clutch ones give problems in every make.

  • brad1-8tsi on 09/09/2019 - 10:57

    Just a thought but an Audi A3 2.0TFSI (I have no idea why Audi sticks with TFSI) with the same 2.0TSI as the GTI will be similar money and a more comfortable car than the GTI with a more upmarket interior.

    There are plenty around
    eg:

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2010-audi-a3-tfsi-a…

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2010-audi-a3-tfsi-a…

  • Mananatech on 16/09/2019 - 10:53

    I have the 2014 polo GTI since new and have done 173k, the 2013-14 6R polo GTI have the upgraded DSG clutch pack and software unlike the early DSG with the problems, One know problem with the golf and polo GTI is the timing chain tensioner when going to buy one ask for service history to see if it has been done if not then will be up for a min 1500 job, if you need space in the car i would go the golf if you just need a car that's for around town then polo is fine and its good on fuel (do not use 95 only 98) can go with skoda if you want more bang for your buck same engine platform etc just a different badge. Can try get the 6C polo GTI comes in manual to for that gen 2015-18 with better interior etc

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