Volkswagen Polo Hatchback (2002 - 2009) 1.2 E (55ps) 3d (02) (2003/03) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

It says that I need a car that's cheap to insure, and that I couldn't afford my own, so I have to use my mum's!

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

My family are used to the car, as we've had it for over eight years now! My friends like the way that the instruments light up blue and red when the lights are on, but the aforementioned issue with the handle on the front passenger seat can cause some frustration.

Would you buy this car again and why?

I would consider another Polo, but not with the same engine, as it's quite loud and slow.

What are you likely to buy next?

Something cheap that's economical, cheap to insure and nippy. Maybe a Peugeot 206 or Citroen Saxo.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£4,500

When did you buy the car?

January 2005

Did you get a good deal and why?

At the time, the car was good value at £4,500, as it was only 18 months old and had 12,000 miles on the clock. It's worth a lot less now, but at the time, it was a good deal.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

My parents bought it to replace an F-reg Micra that had been written off. I drive it because it's cheap to insure and meant that I didn't have to pay to buy my own car.

What was the dealer like?

I was only nine years old at the time, but I remember the test drive. The salesman left us to test drive the car by ourselves (me, my younger brother and my parents were in the car).

What's it like to drive?

The car is quite easy to drive once you get used to it. The gearbox is really nice to use, but the brakes are very sharp - they feel like they are either on or off at first, but you get used to it. The lack of a sixth gear makes motorway journeys quite unpleasant, but the 55bhp engine means that the Polo is best-suited to driving around town, where it doesn't feel too slow. The car pulls nicely from low revs - you can cruise in fifth at 30mph comfortably.

What's it like to park?

It's pretty easy to park, as all-round visibility is good, although you do have to consider the towbar before you reverse too closely to something. If you have the wipers on and select reverse gear, the rear wiper automatically comes on, making parking in the rain that bit easier.

Have you had any problems with the car?

It's almost ten years old now, and it has 56,000 miles on the clock, and it is used for many stop/start journeys. The suspension is the worst issue. It is very squeaky, especially with just one person in the car, as there's more weight on one side. The handle that moves the front passenger seat forward is badly fitted - it comes off a lot of the time, meaning that people who want to get into the back have to do so via the driver's side only.

What's most practical about your car?

The towbar we fitted allows us to take up to four bikes. My nan can get in and out of the car without major difficulty, and her wheelchair can fit in the car. We once transported a gazebo in its box from B&Q in the car with three passengers.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The electric mirrors mean that I don't have to stretch across the car to adjust the passenger side door mirror.