Opinions welcomed...

dxg · Post by **dxg** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 9:38 pm

Following my experiences with my current example of the Polo, and VW UK's washing their hands of the whole sorry affair, my local dealer has stepped into the breach and has actually been really helpful in trying to get me to a position where I can be happy. This is a good thing (tm). A decent, honourable dealer (who'd have thought it?).

Anyway, I've been offered a sensible trade in value for the car you can see in Member's Rides, and have been offered the following options:
- A New Lupo GTI at cost.
- A New Polo FSI Sport at cost.
- A six-month old 1.4 TDI Sport (with San Marinos) at a fair price, but only Â£2k below book for a second hand car. And it's a 5 door, when I much prefer the look of the 3drs (sorry if you've got a 5 dr).

On Saturday, I'm booked in to look at :
- A second hand Lupo GTI at a different VW dealer.
- A second hand Fiat Barchetta (private sale - so I need to try to get a cover note sorted for a test drive -- completely forgot about that!)

Should also point out that going for a new Lupo GTI or the 6 month old TDI is pushing it for what I can afford...

What would you go for if you were in my position? Originality and fun are what I'm looking for. Practicality isn't important.

Would really appreciate your thoughts on these options, guys. Any 1.4TDI owners want to provide their opinions of the engine?

Cheers - looking forward to what you say...

Deek.

Post by **Josh_PoloGTi** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 10:41 pm

Don't go for the little boat. Please.

Lupo GTi's are meant to be amazing fun.

my 0.02â‚¬

KarlM · Post by **KarlM** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 10:56 pm

Lupo Lupo Lupo!

Post by **mole** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 11:57 pm

Originality and fun are what I'm looking for. Practicality isn't important.

That sounds like a Lupo GTI

You've had a Polo, so may be time for a change?

Speedlaw · Post by **Speedlaw** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 12:00 pm

I can second the Barchetta comments -

I drove one a couple of times, and yes it's pretty fast, goes round corners ok, etc. But, it also leaked water, had rust spots where the cover meets the body (rear), and is seriously cramped inside. Not something I'd call desirable.

Lupo all the way!

dxg · Post by **dxg** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 12:18 pm

Thanks for your input peeps,

Thing is, although the Barchetta and the Lupo are both second hand, there's only a difference of Â£4k between them

(Difference of Â£5.5k if I go for a new Lupo)

That's why the Barchetta came into the equation -- it's cheap, if nothing else (but also absolutely georguous(sp?))

Donations welcomed...

Deek.

tigor · Post by **tigor** » Sun Nov 09, 2003 4:22 pm

Was reading recently about the locks on the Barchetta continuously freezing completely shut in the winter. Some design fault.

Lupo GTi for def.

dxg · Post by **dxg** » Sun Nov 09, 2003 9:11 pm

Hmm.. still trying to make my mind up. Will have to act v soon.

however, seeing the polo 6n2 at position 96

(out of 100 -- 77.3% satisfaction) in the top gear survey and the lupo at 94 (77.7% satisfaction)

I'm a bit worried. What with all this talk of peadl box failures and the dealer flat our denying there's any problem to me. Aside from a kerbed alloy, the Lupo I looked at on Saturday was outstanding. Oddly, better brakes than any I'd tried before -- weird.

Although pulling onto roundabouts in that barchetta was a bit of an ordeal. It did make the best noise, though! BUt the seating position is terrible - too high -- I looked straight into the top of th windscreen and kept hitting my head off the roof mechanism - I'm only 5'9"!! It also had a really heavy clutch and a pretty poor gearchange.

Hmmm.

Another option is a second hand Skoda Octiva vRS. Now that came 3rd overall in the survey - outstanding (3 place, 90.4% satisfaction)!!! None available locally, though...

Deek.

dxg · Post by **dxg** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 5:05 pm

Oh dear God, please save me now!!

A work colleague just offered me a 1999 Renault Megane for Â£3k, and...

... I'm seriously thinking about it as a viable "non-decision" route.

(Help!)

Deek.

SilvaGTI · Post by **SilvaGTI** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 6:25 pm

You're concerned about reliability and you're contemplating buying a Fiat rag-top

You'll also notice that only 1 fiat car made it into the top 100 out of 137 in the Top Gear survey(Fiat Multipla at #97!). Everthing else they made was in the bottom 37! Granted the VW's dont fare much better though

I'd personally go for the Lupo GTi though I do think they should be a couple of grand less than they are. At nearly Â£14.5 by the time you get metallic paint and air-con it's crazy money for a small car IMHO. How much is the 'cost' price for one by the way ?

des_pd_ tdi · Post by **des_pd_ tdi** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 12:08 pm

Well I'm looking at buying a New Honda Accord, somehow don't think I'll go for another Polo myself.

What reason do you have for showing an interest in the Lupo? Best thing for you to do is write up a pro's and con's list.

I can start you of with the list for a Lupo GTi

Pro's

Xenon's
16v 1.6
roadholding
style
alloys

Con's

small boot
price
aircon extra
old generation model
insurance

Des

dxg · Post by **dxg** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 11:04 pm

Trouble is, I really love the sense of community that comes with VW's (well, there seems one surrounding most of the VAG cars).

It's actually really good to come on here and see what everyone's up to. I can't quite bring myself to loose that. In fact, I'd say the community is all that is keeping me looking at VW, rather than the cars themselves.

Basically, I'm looking for something fun and a bit different. The Lupo GTi screams both to the layperson, but an Octiva vRS, well they take a trained eye to spot... So that's tomorrow's quest - try to find a decent second hand one in the midlands and test it.

Hopefully, I'll get a decision by the end of the week.

(Still looking at the Megane tomorrow as well, though

). It's funny that you mention the Honda Accord, though - there's a really nice example on one sitting on a local Arthur Daley place. Was having serious thoughts about it. It's just a nice car - but not different, and I doubt it would be fun.

dxg · Post by **dxg** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 4:26 pm

I think I've found my car....

Octavia vRS. Two words: awesomely. fast.

But:
- it doesn't make any of the kind of noises ala the Lupo GTI's "growl"
- it's huge!!
- it's got no soul

Deek..

KarlM · Post by **KarlM** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 4:47 pm

any care with that engine is a winner. an induction kit/sports system/dump valve would give it the noises your after

and with a set of 18s it does have quite a road presence. theres one that used to chase me off our estate nearly every morning!

des_pd_ tdi · Post by **des_pd_ tdi** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 4:54 pm

What about trying the Fabia Vrs an another alternative.

I saw a Silver one yesterday and looks the business, especially with the deep front spoiler and sparkling alloys. However, the white interior was its achilles heel.

By the way a have a choice of 2 Accords to test drive this weekend.

2000 Silver Type R - 40,000 miles Â£11995

2003 SE 2.0 with 17" Alloys 7000 miles Â£14995

The 2003 model is the new generation and will obviously be safer

but the Type R as we all know is a screamer. But sadly I need to be practical