I own a 2012 VW Polo 1.6 MPI and totally love the car. However, it is now 10+ years and the time has come for its replacement.
BHPian Epic recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
Hello everyone,
I own a 2012 VW Polo 1.6 MPI and totally love the car. However, it is now 10+ years and the time has come for its replacement.
Why replace it?
It’s more than 10 years old and has started to show it s age and I would like to have a turbo automatic now.
Why a hatchback?
My other car is a beautiful 2015 VW Jetta DSG which I use for my outstation trips. My Polo has been my city driving machine.
Requirements for the replacement.
- Must be powerful – Minimum 100 bhp
- Must be a turbo engine
- Must be an automatic – Preferably a DSG / Dual Clutch
- Must have good handling capabilities – As good as or better than the Polo.
My thoughts
- Replace my 1.6 MPI with a used GT TSI. But now that the Polo has been discontinued all together, this would not be an ideal choice.
- Look at the Hyundai i20 NLine. This is however a whooping 14 lakhs on road. Wondering whether it is worth the price tag. It looks better than the Polo on paper; but is it better in reality?
Please share your thoughts on the same.
Here’s what GTO had to say on the matter
If you want to save money, definitely do a lateral upgrade to a newer but used Polo TSI, or a Rapid / Vento TDI DSG (if your running is high + better legroom).
But IMHO, 10 years is more than enough to experience a car. You should get a different “flavour” now. Considering you keep your cars for long, would really recommend the i20 N-Line & the Sonet too.
Because you keep your cars for long, it’s okay to splurge a bit. How about a Taigun / Kushaq? 1.0 AT if you can’t stretch the budget too much (1.0 turbo-petrol is a blast to drive), although I would strongly urge you to spend on the 1.5L DSG. That engine + gearbox combination is absolutely deadly. Work a little harder & make up the price difference.
Here’s what BHPian Gannu_1 had to say on the matter:
Your best bet is a Polo 1.2 TSI or even the last of the 1.0 TSI lying somewhere with a dealership (unlikely though).
As for the i20 N-Line, please check this thread which reports a few instances of fuel pump failures with turbo-petrol engines from Hyundai-Kia.
Here’s what BHPian AKSarkar1 had to say on the matter:
You have a garage combo that many would be envious of!
The Polo 1.6 is a modern gem, surely a piece of newer automotive history that will be appreciated in the years to come and just for this alone it is worth hanging on the car, of course this opinion is from the heart.
Now, talking strictly from the head, you can essentially buy the last lot of Polos which is the same car as yours, newer Polo owners are going to be using their Polos for a good 4-5 years to come (if not more) so I don’t foresee a part shortage or upkeep problems anytime soon. Is your car suffering from any major mechanical flaws or issues? If not then it would be much cheaper to get the car refreshed mechanically and cosmetically too if you wish. The 1.6 MPI engine is extremely refined and one of the most reliable engines out of VW India’s stable, it should be able to easily serve you well for the 10+ year mark.
Having said this, I do understand that ownership inertia sets in after 5-7 years. Do think of doing something to refresh the car maybe a new RCD340 or a fresh coat of paint? Small things go a long long way, needless to say that this car is extremely mod friendly! IMHO there is no viable option today to ‘replace’ this legendary iteration of the Polo.
You can yet buy a Turbo petrol but let me tell you that you will for sure miss driving this car. I own a Vento 1.6 MPI amongst Automatic Turbo Diesels and Petrols in my garage but the NA engine gives a joy that is second to none.
Do get a new car to satisfy the new car itch if it is really bad but don’t let go of this gem!
P.S.: Would love to see some pics of the iconic 1.6 Polo!
Keyword: Advice needed: A suitable replacement for my Volkswagen Polo 1.6 MPI