skippy wrote:Do let us know how you are getting on with the Polo salsajoe. I have considered the 1.8 GTI as a possible future purchase!
Hi Skippy,
Had the car for just over a month now. First impressions on the 1.8 engine is how well it pulls from about 1500rpm. Throttle response is excellent (better than the Scirocco twin charger (with stage 1) and the Mk6 GTI and with the lower body weight acceleration is good at 6.7 to 62
. If I had to describe it in one sentence - 'Drives like a roller skate on steroids'. Gear ratios seem just right and the gear change is positive and smooth. Brakes seem good but not had to really test them yet. Did not know what to expect with stop/start but works well and does not kick in until the engine oil temperature is high so no engine wear worries. Heard someone has fitted a DTUK box and is getting Golf R figures on the rolling road!
The interior feels a bit like an updated (in terms of technology), slightly shrunken version of the mk6 Golf. The seats are comfortable and supportive, although they could do with a little more height adjustment, as even on the lowest setting, I feel like I'm sitting quite high compared to the seating position in my Scirocco, but there is plenty of headroom. The quality of plastics is good - better than the equivalent SEAT Cupra etc. There are one or two little things that are a step down in terms of Scirocco quality such as the interior of the glovebox and the door pockets are hard plastic and not lined (yet!), the central arm rest is all but useless when driving and there's more bare painted metal around the rear window inside the car than the Scirocco, but overall it still feels quite refined and grown up for a small car. On the looks front, it's quite subtle - much more subtle than a Fiesta ST or Corsa VXR - has the MK7 golf red line through the lights and GTI logo on the front wings which I think are nice design touches.
I spec'd the optional Sports Performance Pack, which has a Normal and Sport setting. Normal is the default, and the ride in Normal is firmer than it was in normal setting in the Scirocco but I don't find it uncomfortable. The Sport setting is very firm though, and feels a little bouncy on uneven roads. You also get an increased artificial exhaust note in Sport mode, which I don't particularly like (might have to get out the VCDS), and the steering weights up a bit which I do like.
The standard LED headlights are brilliant and alter to European mode at the press of a button. Economy wise; currently getting high 30's much like the Scirocco twin charger. Not sure if it will go up or down once I get a few more miles on the clock and the engine loosens up and I start to drive it a bit more enthusiastically.
Some are getting mid 40's but not sure how they drive.
Negatives:
- the boot is small - the battery is in the spare wheel well with the space saver on top because there is not enough room in the engine compartment with the 1.8 engine! Not a big problem for me though, but could be if you regularly carry passengers with luggage.
- The standard sound system is OK but not brilliant. Aesthetically, some might think the car 'sits' a little high, but I can live with that and it handles well in corners which might be helped by XDS and does not roll so do not see much point in lowering it.
Overall, initial impressions are very good and I'm not disappointed. GTI Polos are built in Spain, but the build quality feels just as good as my wife's German-built mk6 GTI and a little better than the Scirocco - no rattles or squeaks yet.
. Probably pop back to the forum from time to time to see how the 1.8 engine is holding up in the Scirocco. Lets hope there will be a next generation Scirocco before long. New Polo due out in 2018 so may be after that?
Polo now in UK so hopefully just one week to wait before it is in the dealers. 