NOT GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY - Volkswagen Polo User Review

Well I went yesterday in the evening to TD the Polo 1.2 Highline and this is what I found;

1) The warranty on paint and underbody coating is 5 years. Thats novel in this segment in India.

2) the sales rep was very courteous, well groomed and reasonably informed on the polo

3) the co does not offer free services but is confident with first service coming only after 15000 kms.

Works out cheap in the long run.

4) The rep pointed out a 2 year replacement warranty on the parts.(I have to chk this one again)(

5) He pointed out that the parts are much cheaper than the i20. Like the headlamps cost Rs 1600/- and rearviews just Rs800/- etc.Request i20 parts cost comparison wwith owners here.

Could not TD diesel. Petrol was a drag. I did not like the feel. But the pricing is attractive. The body is solid. The boot is 290litres.

Will TD the diesel again.

Not even an oil change after first few k km??

I saw this VW ad in today's The Hindu.  Rather than highlighting Polo's plus points, it makes fun of cattle-dominated Indian roads, which is in poor taste, in my opinion.

Some talented adman's idea to poop on his own client! And they expect to raise brand affinity through these campaigns??

Hi Alok and Krishna,

I need some advice from you. When I first saw Polo I feel flat for it and really found it worth the cost. Well frankly the last car I owned was 8 years back and that too a Maruti so am a complete virgin to cars and their technicalities. Also this is my figst hunt for a car.

Please advice me on the below:

• I plan to opt in for the Polo Comfortline which comes with 14" wheels specification. The spare wheel of 14" should make a difference. Will 14" wheel affect the look of the car.
• I know things like vanity mirror and other accessories like toll box cover, mats,car cover could be provided but I can do without the same.
• Do other dealers give insurance Insurance against rubber, mats, tool box cover, car cover etc.
• I have been told by the Sales executive that the maintainance/servicing spare parts cost etc will not be a burden and the car is targeted at a different income group and the company has taken these things into consideration.
• The backspace is a not satisfactory. The people who sit on the extremes might find their heads hitting against the sides.

My average use will be 600 kms/month and can afford to shell out upto 5,75,000 for a car. But am open to various other models at lesser price points as well. am also concerned abt the average. Being a female guess the aesthetics make me fall for a car and not the technicalities but I want to be sure that I am investing in the right product. Someone I am not gettign that feel with Polo. I dnt want to pay only for the brandname.

am not too keen on Swift (old now), Ritz(dont like the look of the car).

Can you please advice me on some other options which I should consider.

Regards,

Devina Shah

Hi,

Also does anyone here have any idea,update on the costs of spare parts for the Polo.

Rgds,

D

D, Welcome to CW forums! You parachuted into a nice hot debate going on in this thread!

The 14" wheel should not be a big problem,  but it is something that gives one a reason to rightly blame the manufacturer for shortchanging customers. I had 3 flats in last 3 years of my driving the current car. It can be even less, if you use the car in a limited reasonablly well-paved and swept circuit. So the 14" wheel is not in itself much of a problem. The short distance you will drive with it to the puncture walla will not harm anything, if you keep it short as in less than 10 km.

Insurance generally covers 50% of the cost of rubber parts, but I don't know the fine print about rubber mats etc being covered. Either ways the cost of these items is comparable to the compulsory minimum you need to pay for lodging the claim (Rs. 500), so I think it does not make sense to go looking for insurance cover for these items Being removable from the car, you will probably also face issues in defending your claim. So better not nitpick here.

You need to go out, try options and get in the feel of the cars to see which suits you. Polo might not be bad overall, looking at what Vinay has posted, but I think Grande Punto is also an aesthetically pleasing vehicle, and will within your budget. You can give it a try.

Lets also await other members' suggestions.

hey vinay,

had the same feedback from the rep, but its a car for those who use n throw n dont care abt the money, if u think ur into that group then good for u, but think the majority need a confidence note that nething happens to ur car v r always there for u, ya 2 years waranty or 15000 kms which ever comes first. but just imagine 15000kms without a service i dontthink ne car can stay that long without service, neways precaution in better than cure thanks

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Thanks Krishna,

Guess you right I need to venture out a little more.

Apologies the insurance question was restricted only till rubber not mats and covers etc mistake in punctuation

But thansk I think I will test drive a few others like Punto, Figo, and i20 and take a wise decision.

Will coem back for help.

Thanks

j ravi.

spare is very much needed esp in entry level cars ie hatchback...they are used mostly by working class people who do not have drivers & are working 8am to 8pm. so they cannot just stop to change tyres..get puncture repaired & then replace them again while going to the office. VW should provide tubeless ones & give a 15" spare in the highline 1.2

alok

dear vinay,

1. there is NO warranty on paint...not even for 1 day !!!

2. anti corrosion warranty is for 6 yrs...ie the body does not devlop holes due to rusting. this model has a anti-corrosion warranty of 12 YRS IN EUROPE. this shows clearly that the quality of steel has been compromised 50% !!!!

3. did you ask the rep if the 15" stock tyre will fit in the 14" spare tyre space??? what is the milage on highway when driving decently at 50-60km/hr with AC on ?

4. with free service..we get acar wash, an interior cleaned & vacuumned, nuts/bolts, tyres & so many things checked, which we cannot do manually ourself then at 15000 km they will find so many faults at one time that u would want to leave the car there itself for good !!! no it will not work out cheap in the long run !!!! the list of spares is not available at showrooms...you are not allowed in the workshop !!! so the cost of spares is just verbal !!!

5. boot space is good but at the COST of leg space in rear seats...which are more used than the boot & sitting in rear for an adult becomes very difficult.

6. & THE most important think is :_

a statement by sales CEO Neeraj Garg yesterday says as the parts will be manufactured in india, we will have to be VERY CAREFUL about the quality...& they have already rolled out 1600 units

before being VERY CAREFUL about the quality of 50% parts that have been used & were made in india !!!

well he has refused to disclose the details about the future production rate...its in all major newspapers dated may 05, 2010.

so its a big gamble for anyone who dares to take a chance .

punto seems a better option. check more & take test drive.