buying a mk 1 or 2 polo

[david perfect]

i am buying a mk1 or 2 polo for my son as his first car.
anything in particular to look for? when did brakes have servo assistance?

[omicron]

Servo'd brakes came in on the RHD's on the Mk3 (early 90's square headlamp).

Mk1's (70's) are getting thin on the ground now, and all but the very late ones that were galvanised will be suffering from the metalworms to some extent. Other than that, there's not a lot to go wrong with them. The 1093cc is a much more responsive drive than the 895cc.

Mk2's (80's Y to G reg) most early ones are semi-galvanised, and a fair few later ones are too. As a rule of thumb, if you can see any rust apart from the bootlid and the odd stonechip. It's not galvanised. Look out for idling problems, particularly on the 1043cc. Rust anywhere on the none galved cars, and a rusty tank on any polo. The brakes and steering are harder work than a modern car (no brake servo on RHD models, and no PAS) but it's something you get used to quickly, especcially if you're new to driving. Otherwise, there's not a lot to go wrong with the Mk2, they're all proper tanks that if looked after will go on to 140k upwards with minimal intervention.

Mk2 are at least 13 year old cars now though Mk1's are well into their 20's, so expect a few little niggles. Nothing's that hard to do assuming the body's sound. Parts are cheap, though some (body parts particularly) are getting hard to find on the Mk1.

[Jim1500]

Mk2 are at least 15yr old now and even that's pushing it! Dude you've lost a couple of years somewhere

Mk2s are possible the besty car VW made since the beetle, cheap reliable and built like a tank! Not that I'd be biased or anything

[omicron]

Mk2 are at least 15yr old now and even that's pushing it! Dude you've lost a couple of years somewhere

2 years? I was probably in the pub or welding something with 5 silver bars on the grill.

Mk2s are possible the besty car VW made since the beetle, cheap reliable and built like a tank! Not that I'd be biased or anything

Couldn't agree more, in fact, in some ways, I think they're better than the Beetle.

[NornIron]

though some (body parts particularly) are getting hard to find on the Mk1.

Couldn't agree more...it gets harder and harder to find parts for Mk1's, with common rot spots such as front wings impossible to source now, unless through eBay occasionally.

Mk2 is (virtually) bulletproof

[birmman]

Best online guide I've found to buying and maintaining Mk2's is here;

http://bangernomics.tripod.com/minor.htm

Rest of the website is very useful too.

[Mk2Adam]

i'd go for a mk2 polo as a first car...
i'm 19 and it's my 1st car, nothing brings you down to earth when your high after passing your test and driving like an idiot than a couple sobering experiences in a car with flintstones brakes and no power steering. i'm glad i started with a mk2, people that start with modern cars seem to think they're invincible. plus a lil polo gives you a chance to try out basic mechanics too without causing too much damage.

Bottom line, buy your son a mk2 and then point him towards uk-p

[DanDiesel]

yeah go for a mk2, was my first car aswell, still got it in fact, in a lock up down the road but it still starts first time every time!!