Owner Review: Great everyday commute car - My Volkswagen Polo Sedan

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Basic information

2014 Volkswagen Polo Sedan 1.6MPI

Reasons why I bought this car

For daily drive to work, to go market on weekends, to drive the family around.

Car selection process

• I had a budget of: 90,000
• Models that I have considered include: Volkswagen Jetta
• Reasons why I chose this car: 

I first met this car when I was a student in Russia and was immediately attracted by its looks. Back then in Malaysia, the only model available was the Polo hatchback but I wanted a sedan due to the hatchback's limited boot space. By the time I graduated and started working, the Polo sedan was already available in Malaysia market, so without further consideration, immediately bought it.

 User experience

• I have already done 88000 km.

This car replaced my previous Myvi 1.5SE. I had never test drove the car before buying it so on taking the car, I noticed it felt heavier and more stable, but the pickup felt more or less the same. Overall build quality was also better, with solid door closing sounds, comfortable seats, and most importantly the German engineers took ergonomics into consideration while designing the interior cabin. Buttons were all within reach for the driver, and positioned just right so you don't have to strain or stretch for them. 

It has been a very solid and reliable car for the past 6 years. No major failure as claimed by a lot of Volkswagen haters who never even owned a Volkswagen. Maintenance is not expensive as long as you don't service it at service centre. Warranty is for 5 years but with a car as simple as this, you don't really need it. Wear and tear parts are easily available in outside workshops and if you do your homework before visiting workshops, you can get the best bang for your buck for servicing. In 6 years of ownership, the only thing that has broken down is the aircon compressor, that too, during 6th year of ownership. 

Being a naturally aspirated 1.6L MPI engine, ones who buy this car and expect it to perform as well as the TSI engines will sorely be disappointed as it definitely is not a powerful mill. It's not a 10 second car after all, it is one in its own league. The stock engine and gearbox for the CKD model is lethargic at best, and one often gets disappointed by how often one fails to beat a Myvi from a standstill at the traffic light. It may not get you up to speed quickly, but rest assured, it definitely gets you there. However after using Mannol German engine oil recommended to me by a friend, the engine performs a bit better and feels more comfortable to drive.

NVH is fairly intrusive, but after I soundproofed 4 doors, wind noise is now kept to a minimal.
This car has followed me from Penang to Sabah, spent three years in the lovely district of Tawau with regular travelling on the trunk roads from Tawau to Kunak and Semporna, then followed me back again to Penang. People who have driven the roads there would know the terrible quality of the trunk roads yet it has performed well during its stay there, for it has allowed me to traverse these roads between districts at speeds above the national speed limit.

The chassis of this car is definitely good, if not the best in its class. With a proper suspension, even without stability control, the car takes corners better than my Vios with ESC. 
Owning this car has also led me to meeting many new people and making many new friends. I have also learned a lot regarding maintaining and modifying a car. These experiences are, for me, the most precious memories as a car owner.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Reliable
• fairly reasonable fuel consumption
• fun to drive
• sufficient power for daily drive

Cons

• Always having to answer two questions: 
  1) Why you buy Volkswagen?
  2) Why your reverse light burnt one side?

Ratings

Total Score: 5
Performance: 4
Quality & Features: 5
Space: 4
Ride Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Price & Cost: 5

Summary

All in all it has been a fun experience owning the basic entry Volkswagen. My experience is the exact opposite of what the non-owner haters claim online. It has been a good 6 years and I look forward to more years with the car.
 

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