Hi, I am in Europe (Ireland) and have owned one of the rare VW Polo Gti since new back in May of 2000. It is a 1.6 naturally aspirated fuel injected double overhead cam 16 valve variable. The two main issues I have had with it has been a badly designed pedal box using a cable clutch. The spot weld on the pedal box kept breaking. VW eventually agreed to recall all Polos to reinforce them with a gas weld. This resolved the pedal box breaking every six months. However, it did not resolve the sharp clutch bite which keeps stalling the car in first gear especially while going uphill. Twenty years of owning it and I still have not mastered the bite and have to rev in order to make sure it does not stall.

The other issue has been that I have never been happy with it’s low end torque. The top end is great. I can drive it at 100 mph on freeway our all day, no problem.

The milliage on it after twenty years is 130 K. The engine has lasted well all this time. I have changed timming belts every 4 years, the fuel pump once, clutch three times, and once reconditioned the ABS brakes.

Our government demands cars older than five years must undergo annual road worthiness tests. This year the car failed due to high emissions. One mechanic said it is due to piston rings wear costing €1600 to repair. Another suggested it is head gasket. He investigated the coolant resovior having oil mixed in it conlucing the head gasket needs replacing due to a leaky water pump leak and radiator. He is proposing to recondition the cylinder head, timing belt, valves, radiator at a total cost of €2300. The car has zero rust and very clean chasis.

Every one has been telling me it is not worth sinking more money on a twenty year old car despite the fact that it is rust free. To be honest if it was not for the clutch/pedal box issue, I was toying with the idea of rebuilding the engine and wait until I have enough money for new or almost new BRZ or GT86.

Then I realized the new Fiesta ST-3 with mechanical LSD, 3 cylinder 1.5 turbo charged Ecoboost is a car than can afford. It seems perfect for low consumption, low tax, low insurance and very satisfyingly torquey engine, fantastic handling and suspension. I just worry about how bullet proof those 3 cylinders would be over time. I red that the 1.0 and 1.6 (beween 2012 and 2014) ecoboost engines had overheating problems which Ford claims has resolved. The versions I am looking at are 2018 onwards. Brand new cars come with seven years standard warranty.

If there is any question over the Fiesta’s I might just decide to rebuild my Polo engine and wait till I have more money for a BRZ/GT86. I hear next year Suburu will be coming out with a 2.2 cc flat four. I have also been toying with the idea if I rebuild the Polo to then redesign a hydrolic clutch. This could be a dangerous rabitt hole raising the repair costs. It might also make the car livable for another few years.

I would love to hear your thoughts about the my Polo and the Fiesta ST-3 (post 2018 to 2020) proposal.

Many thanks in advance.

Siavash