How I ended up buying a Polo

This is the much needed clarification on how I ended up buying the VW Polo, that was due for long. Since I bought the car and posted first pictures, I have been getting this question from almost everyone around- What made you change the decision? I just thought of putting an end to it with this blog along with my long term ownership report.

I had booked Baleno from Nexa Aundh-Baner, close to Pune University. My experience was far from what can be called as premium. Once booking was done, getting any details regarding the booking was literally pain in the a**. Relationship manager never used to pick phone, showroom cannot retrieve the details because of some weird system constraint and it was just an endless story. Then one fine day after long 4 months of waiting, I got one more shocker-  Sir you have to wait for another 4 months. I made some quick calls to the friends in Maruti.  With no help seen coming, I called it quits. Cancelled the booking and back to old question- which car to buy?

I had already eliminated Jazz and Figo, so options were Polo, Swift, Punto and Etios Liva. Out of these, it was Liva that surprised me with me space, overall drivability and astonishingly cheap cost of maintenance. If you could overlook bare minimum interiors and a bit noisy engine, then it is car to go to for worry free ownership experience. Punto was a big disappointment with its cramped interiors and odd driving position. Also the powertrain was not really responsive. Swift also didn't live up to the expectation. The test drive car which has done around 40k had all sorts of  rattles and noises.

Another factor that drew me back to Polo was the dealer. My experience at  VW Pune West (B U Bhandari),  was the exact opposite of what I got from Nexa. People were very helpful and cordial and made the buying experience a memorable one. Also I got a good discount too which finally nailed the deal.

I got the delivery of the car by first week of May within two weeks of booking. Meantime all processes regarding loan and registration  were completed..

Thats how she is baptised. @ Alibaug

Long Term Onwership Experience 

By now I have completed about 7500km and is due to for the first check up. Though regular service interval is at 15000km or 1year, after the first 7500km / 6months, car has to be brought for a check up. Till now she has been doing very well and there are no issues at all. :) I have done a long trips as well- one to Goa apart from short trips to Mahabaleshwar and Alibaug.

First things first- If you are a tall guy, its gonna be really tough to find a comfortable driving position. I'm 6' and every time I drive some other car, it makes me realize how really cramped the Polo is. It takes infinitely lot of adjustments to settle down into a comfortable driving position. And the thigh support, just forget about it- the left leg you can rest on the central console has some relief, but the ur right one is gonna suffer. Its better not to talk about the rear seat leg room. My recommendation to VW is make it a two door car and save the costs on rear doors.

But if you have a family of not too tall people, you can live with it, which is same as the case with Ameo. Seats themselves are pretty comfortable and well cushioned. I would say simply its best in class. The fit and finish and overall quality is next level. Barely any noise comes into the cabin, no squeaks, no rattles and everything is perfectly put together. Once you settle into a comfortable driving position (though its gonna take some time), everything just falls in place perfectly- whether it is the controls on the central console which is neatly tilted towards the driver or the steering turn indicator switches. All switched work with a definitive action and feels like built to last. Marutis, Fiats and Hyundai's feels really cheap.

Coming to driving aspect- 1.5TDI engine is a pure joy. Turbos kicks in just after 1700 rpm and then the slight flex of right foot is enough for most over take maneuvers. Even when the turbo is off, from 1000 rpm onwards it pulls decent enough with a light foot. The first two gears are short while the third is relatively long. In city drives, you can manage the show with 3rd gear alone provided you don't drop down less than 30kmph. But the gearbox itself is such a joy to use with its short, smooth precise and definitive throws, you end up changing gears more than required. Adding to that experience is the rev happy engine which goes all the way till 5000 rpm without much complaints. On an average I get 16kmpl in a mix bag of city and highway driving with AC on. If you drive very consciously, you can extract till 21kmpl.

This one from the Goa Trip

About the chassis department- suspension set up is pretty good. Soaks bumps at low speed well, though sharp edges still seep through. At high speeds and at corners is where it really comes on its own. The body roll is controlled and very predictable. Steering though very precise and direct, not much feedback is available.


Overall its a very good package and an enjoyable driver's car provided no else messes with your seating position. :) Pretty happy and satisfied now and hopes it last for ever,even after paid services. :P

Many more miles to go!!