Wanted - Fiat 500 & VW Polo

[Cyclone1]

Hi All,

I’m on the lookout for a couple of cars for first time drivers. I am already checking out all of the usual websites, but thought it worth asking if any members are selling or know of any of the following cars for sale also. For both cars condition is number 1 priority. Doesn’t have to immaculate but needs to be well looked after.

Number 1 - Fiat 500 (1.2 or 0.9) budget around £3k

Number 2 - VW Polo (1.4 petrol preferred although consider a 1.2tsi, 1.2tdi & 1.4tdi) - Must be white and preferably 3 door. Looking at 2012-2016 budget up to £5k

Cheers Jules.

 

[Guy]

My eldest 2 sons has one of each for their 1st car. The Polo cost nothing to run in 4 years. It was a 12. 3cyl higher output Match version. It did about 40mpg
The 500 was a 105bhp 0.9 2 cyl and needed a few bits including a clutch and flywheel was more fun but only did just over 30 mpg and I would not have wanted to keep it much longer than the 4 years as it is not so well made and the fact they stopped building that motor says something...
Good luck with the search.

 

[Cyclone1]

My eldest 2 sons has one of each for their 1st car. The Polo cost nothing to run in 4 years. It was a 12. 3cyl higher output Match version. It did about 40mpg
The 500 was a 105bhp 0.9 2 cyl and needed a few bits including a clutch and flywheel was more fun but only did just over 30 mpg and I would not have wanted to keep it much longer than the 4 years as it is not so well made and the fact they stopped building that motor says something...
Good luck with the search.

Great advice. I’m a little cautious over the 1.2tsi as they can suffer chain timing stretch and need replacing. I think this was prior to 2013 on most VAG cars but it’s just a watch out. The VW Polo is for my Son, the Fiat for my niece. The 0.9 engine has a bit more power than the 1.2 and as she will use it to travel a fair distance to Uni and back I think is the better option.

 

[Guy]

Great advice. I’m a little cautious over the 1.2tsi as they can suffer chain timing stretch and need replacing. I think this was prior to 2013 on most VAG cars but it’s just a watch out. The VW Polo is for my Son, the Fiat for my niece. The 0.9 engine has a bit more power than the 1.2 and as she will use it to travel a fair distance to Uni and back I think is the better option.

our Polo was 2014 and the 500 2015. I think the main issue with the 0.9 motor is lack of torque so needs to be worked hard whereupon it really shifts and sounds good! Hence the vast difference between gov mpg and reality! My daughter has the best of them though, a 2018 Mini 1499GT. She is at uni in Durham and I am a lot happier from a safety perspective in the Mini. The budget is a tricky thing as you need to avoid the Minis with chocolate engines c2007-2012. I love R53s and if well maintained are very strong motors and plenty to choose from between 2002-2006.

 

[safrane]

Liklihood is we will be parting with our 2003 1 owner from new Mini this autumn as Charlie will not need it for work duties.

Will post on here when that comes. FSH and just about to reach 100k.

 

[midlifecrisis]

Have you thought about VW stable mate Seat Ibiza or maybe a Skoda something cheaper. Same mechanicals just wrapped in different metal to the same standards.

Likewise Panda or MiTo for the 500? And you really want the larger engine as it has the torque and therefore cheaper to run and more reliable.

 

[Cyclone1]

our Polo was 2014 and the 500 2015. I think the main issue with the 0.9 motor is lack of torque so needs to be worked hard whereupon it really shifts and sounds good! Hence the vast difference between gov mpg and reality! My daughter has the best of them though, a 2018 Mini 1499GT. She is at uni in Durham and I am a lot happier from a safety perspective in the Mini. The budget is a tricky thing as you need to avoid the Minis with chocolate engines c2007-2012. I love R53s and if well maintained are very strong motors and plenty to choose from between 2002-2006.

Good call on the Mini, post 2012 puts the newer 1.2 turbo engine within budget and it’s reasonably low on the insurance front. My son is keen on a Polo but will suggest the Mini and see what he thinks.

 

[Cyclone1]

Have you thought about VW stable mate Seat Ibiza or maybe a Skoda something cheaper. Same mechanicals just wrapped in different metal to the same standards.

Likewise Panda or MiTo for the 500? And you really want the larger engine as it has the torque and therefore cheaper to run and more reliable.

Yes have considered both but my Son prefers the design of the Polo and seems set on this over the Ibiza and Fabia.

The 500 choice is purely visual, so the Panda and Mito are out. She did mention a Clio or Adam as an alternative……

 

[Erlingtheyounger]

Great advice. I’m a little cautious over the 1.2tsi as they can suffer chain timing stretch and need replacing. I think this was prior to 2013 on most VAG cars but it’s just a watch out. The VW Polo is for my Son, the Fiat for my niece. The 0.9 engine has a bit more power than the 1.2 and as she will use it to travel a fair distance to Uni and back I think is the better option.

yep, had that engine in an A3 and it was nothing but trouble.

I know they’re a few years older but an Audi A2 is infinitely superior to the ‘modern’ VW (or even Audi!) alternatives imho!

Aluminium space frame tech makes for a light weight car that’s handles better the virtually all of its contemporaries and there is a first class forum who are really supportive. I’ll confess I’m biased as I’ve had 10 of them and usually keep two at any one time, but if you’ve not driven one, do!

 

[Zep]

On the Polo front, go for the post 2014 facelift, that will get you a TSI engine which is much less gutless than the old 1.4 16v. If you can stretch to post 2017 you can get native CarPlay on the standard touch screen.

There are two 1.4 versions. 95 bhp with a 5 speed box and 105 with 6 cogs which is a lot nicer to drive, but very hard to find.

 

[Gazcw]

My boys ds3 1.6d was 90bhp. Had auto lights and wipers, cruise, folding mirrors, was very comfortable to drive and nippy, 0 tax and 600miles per tank. You can get 15/16 for around 3k. Just sold his for 2750 with 66k miles on it.

 

[Cyclone1]

On the Polo front, go for the post 2014 facelift, that will get you a TSI engine which is much less gutless than the old 1.4 16v. If you can stretch to post 2017 you can get native CarPlay on the standard touch screen.

There are two 1.4 versions. 95 bhp with a 5 speed box and 105 with 6 cogs which is a lot nicer to drive, but very hard to find.

Yes agree on post 2014 but it starts to stretch the budget a touch.

The TSI engines offer more performance but the 1.4 version is a much higher insurance group than the 1.2. I can only find the Polo 1.4 TSI as 148 bhp and the 1.2 TSI as 90bhp?

The none turbo older gen 1.4 engine has 84bhp and even lower insurance group, but stopped being used after 2014. I think for a first car this is fine, but have considered the 1.2/1.4tdi’s also. Both 75bhp but with the 1.4 making more torque.

 

[3leftovercrest]

I did a lot of research on cars for my daughter when she passed 2 years ago and plummed for a 1.2 Zetec Fiesta on a ‘66 plate. Was on 34k, 1 owner so 6-yrs old.

Has been faultless. Always starts on the button and you can’t beat a ford clutch and gear change feel. She can’t use it for Uni as she’s in Oxford so ULEZ (and then some) but goes all over the country seeing mates at Unis and I have felt comfortable when she is driving 400 miles away (as far as a Dad can ever be).

Don’t discount the good ole Fieata (but don’t get an Ecoboost 1.0 as they suffer head gasket problems)

Stu

 

[midlifecrisis]

Yes have considered both but my Son prefers the design of the Polo and seems set on this over the Ibiza and Fabia.

The 500 choice is purely visual, so the Panda and Mito are out. She did mention a Clio or Adam as an alternative……

Which is fair enough on the 500 front I get that totally but I thought that Seat were a young man's VW...must be me then...

 

[Cyclone1]

I did a lot of research on cars for my daughter when she passed 2 years ago and plummed for a 1.2 Zetec Fiesta on a ‘66 plate. Was on 34k, 1 owner so 6-yrs old.

Has been faultless. Always starts on the button and you can’t beat a ford clutch and gear change feel. She can’t use it for Uni as she’s in Oxford so ULEZ (and then some) but goes all over the country seeing mates at Unis and I have felt comfortable when she is driving 400 miles away (as far as a Dad can ever be).

Don’t discount the good ole Fieata (but don’t get an Ecoboost 1.0 as they suffer head gasket problems)

Stu

Good call and agree with the 1.0T issues.

 

[Cyclone1]

Which is fair enough on the 500 front I get that totally but I thought that Seat were a young man's VW...must be me then...

You could well be right, but he really likes the design / shape of the Polo over the other two

 

[gb-gta]

Got my daughter a 1.25 zetec fiesta. She loves it, they drive great too. No power to speak of, but that’s ok. I guess the 1.4 would be a little more lively, the 1.6 too much for insurance. Other one we nearly got was a Suzuki swift.

 

[philw696]

Definitely avoid anything that has a wet timing belt as they are disasters with engines failing at 30K belt disintegrates and debris blocks the oil pick up oil light comes on Game Over.
A twinair for a boy new driver probably not a good idea as I'm 62 this Summer and rag our 2014 105 6 speed relentlessly but in 3 years 1 split boost hose and I've replaced the front struts fuel consumption seems to be 44 mpg all the time.
Just replaced it with a 2005 Mini Cooper which is a far better car and also a cracking drive and got nothing unnecessary on it just basic mod cons it's really good if your a Dinosaur like me.

 

[3hcp]

Any good to you?
2010 1.4 60k

 

[Cyclone1]

Any good to you?
2010 1.4 60k

Send me a pm with details please and price