Is mk1 polo a good first car for a 17 year old?

I'm new, so dont rip into me! Basically there is this lush mk1 polo that i walk past everyday and i want one, but im wondering if it will be a reliable first car, also whether it will be loads to insure.

thanks

Simple answer - no

Owh

Why not?

Basically anything around that age won't be a good 1st car especially if you're not at all mechanically minded as you'll spend god knows how much getting it fixed and having problems I'd say. Stick with something a bit more modern for now then go nuts later on.

You seem to want it so do it is my opinion. No one should make that decision other than you.

I think mk1 polos are very underated and style wise its something you dont see every day. Its nice to be different. There is a nice black one where i used to work and i wish i had the cash cos it needs a good home.

Just make sure your pockets are deep cos if its got gremlins and you dont know what your doing then its gonna cost ya. If not maybe a mk3/4 polo would suit your situation better.

would it be to insure than a newer car?

Its down to your circumstances. Get some quotes.

the old polos were like the golfs, pretty bullit proof in the engine department but like has already been posted here if it has gremlins you may need deep pockets to keep her on the road, still a good car to get you going though, simple and reliable, my advice is get it checked by someone who knows what to look for


chris

I've got a 1.1 Mk1 golf for my first car, it costs me about 1400 quid to insure for a year fully comp, I didn't know a thing about mechanics, but now I know every nut and bolt. Plus something a bit older without electrical driving-aids, helps you develop your driving skills and ability. Go for it, just make sure it's a good 'un and make sure you always have a little money set by for if something goes wrong (god i sound like my dad!) Oh also, make sure you have a Haynes manual - I'd be in trouble without it!

I had a mk1 polo as my first car, I loved it and it looked quite cool. but that was back in 1999, so you are adding another 10 years of use, rust and mileage onto that it would probably start to have problems for sure, it won't be trouble free motoring (cold wet morning starting, mot's, misty window-tastic)  
Having said that, they are quite simple cars, a good learning block.
if you want one…..get one and deal with the rest later!

We have a Mk1 Polo, thet're great little cars and are simple enough to work on - parts are interchangable from Mk2 and Mk3 polo's (there's always quite a few Mk3 polo's in the scrapyards!) Also spares are pretty cheap.

The main thing is that they can rot pretty badly - even if they look 100% solid (as ours did) they can rust up in the wing seams pretty badly (as ours has!). I've been fixing ours up as and when time has allowed (it's taken a long time!).

Prices vary massively, from a £500 MOT'd project up to £3000+ show cars. They are a good alternative to Mk1 Golfs and top quality examples are much more affordable.

What sort of budget will you have as this affects the amount of work your likely to have to do!













I have the other inner wing to repair, and a new genuine front and rear panel to fit (so a lot of work considering it looked so tidy!)

Forgot to add - get yourself on MK1Polo.com  8)

mk1todd said

Owh

Why not?

Firstly, not everyone is a big retro car fan. Girls, for example, might not even know the make/model even after having it explained to them many times. They will, however, notice that the interior is quite small, the trim is tatty, it has a dirty/lived in appearance and that the windows need to be manually wound up and down rather than pressing a button.

Secondly, any older car is going to be less reliable than a newer car, except if you go for cheap french rubbish (which tend to fall apart within 4 years or so). So, budget for running repairs and also factor in the inconvenience of breaking down too. Don't forget how awkward/inconvenient/expensive rust is, to fix.

Lastly, a Mk1 Polo ISN'T a Mk1 Golf. In its day it was pretty average as a new car, and remember its much less powerful and smaller too, and much less well equipped. Also there's not that many about so parts will be tricky to get hold of. The main mechanical stuff is shared across other VWs but there's still plenty of stuff (trim, etc) which will be unobtainable now, also there will be plenty of other parts which seem minor but will stop you in your tracks if broken (steering, braking, suspension components for example).

MileymanB said

I've got a 1.1 Mk1 golf for my first car, it costs me about 1400 quid to insure for a year fully comp, I didn't know a thing about mechanics, but now I know every nut and bolt. Plus something a bit older without electrical driving-aids, helps you develop your driving skills and ability. Go for it, just make sure it's a good 'un and make sure you always have a little money set by for if something goes wrong (god i sound like my dad!) Oh also, make sure you have a Haynes manual - I'd be in trouble without it!

I dont know anything about them either, how long ago was it when you insured/brought the car?

As said, in general they are more likely to break down. On the other hand you can buy an old car, drive it for 3 years, have no bother from it and you can buy a 10 plate car and have big problems within the first couple 1000 miles. You can be unlucky with any age of car.

My advice is if you find a decent one at a decent price go for it. If you really want one why back out of it just in case it doesnt work out. They will only become harder to find the longer you put it off and you may never find the right one.

I had and still have my first car which is a 1.1 mk1 golf and its never given me big problems and its the same with my 1.3.

If you buy one and it gives you endless grief then you can always sell it on but you will never know unless you go for it

Thanks a lot for all your advice and opinions, really tempted now!

But will they be more to insure?

You're best getting quotes for yourself etc. Nobody can really answer that one for you.

The one Big advantage the Mk1 Golf will have over the Polo is it will be more useful posting stuff on this site it being a Mk1 Golf site and not a Polo club :wink:

 Get a Golf and watch your street cred go ballistic  

welcome to the club.

For quotes stay away from comparing websites. They just seem to give you stupid prices from everywhere. I wouldnt be surprised if you could get cheaper quotes from every single insurer involved if you went directly.

Try elephant. I got a great deal this year for my 1.3. Almost half of what I payed for my 1.1 with the same modifications last year

Who's the blonde!  8)………………….I mean the car  

LOL back on subject I also have a mk2 polo as well as my golf! and my Golf cost £500 to insure and my polo costs a meer £210 and that Polo is bullet proof! I have done nothing to it and run it through winter mostly its a beast!!! 1.1l woo!