When I first started driving anything sub 9.0 secs was considered quick. The term "Hot hatch" still hadn't been coined. I learned to drive in my fathers Capri 2000GTXLR which was supposed to be a nice car in it's day, (Odd V4 engine) but took 10.6 sec to get to 60mph. I think the original MK1 Golf 1.6, took 8.9 secs to hit 60 and that was considered a "quick car" in it's day. The Up's tiny little 1.0 gets it there in about 8.8 I think. Pretty impressive really. Plus I don't think it will be long before the "Re-map" peeps look to squeeze some more out of it.
The VW UP Gti - What do we all think?
- Thread starter Jamesyboyjim
- Start date
When I first started driving anything sub 9.0 secs was considered quick. The term "Hot hatch" still hadn't been coined. I learned to drive in my fathers Capri 2000GTXLR which was supposed to be a nice car in it's day, (Odd V4 engine) but took 10.6 sec to get to 60mph. I think the original MK1 Golf 1.6, took 8.9 secs to hit 60 and that was considered a "quick car" in it's day. The Up's tiny little 1.0 gets it there in about 8.8 I think. Pretty impressive really. Plus I don't think it will be long before the "Re-map" peeps look to squeeze some more out of it.
As mentioned previously, remaps are already available for the same engine in other cars taking it to 135bhp for all those people who correlate fun with 0-60 and nothing else
That's the nub of it, seems like everyone gets hung up on the how many "BHP" Or what's the "0-60" There are oodles of cars that are quick in a straight line that are embarrassed by even modest little runabouts on the twisty bits. Far too much car one-up manship based on figures in the glossy brochures
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I'm quite embarrassed, in fact too embarrassed to say, how much it cost me to get my Mk2 Golf 16v GTi to 179bhp!
Too true, when has anyone ever done 0-60 in a straight line while enjoying a good cross country drive or track day?
The other thing. People complaining about the price. I'm sure that when I was in my youth, a Golf GTi cost somewhere in the region of £10-12k. This was the mk2 that I remember rather than the mk1.
The UP GTi is meant to be comparable to the mk1 Golf GTi, and it certainly appears to be so. In performance, weight and price. Of course, £10k in the 80's was probably a damn sight more money in the 80's than it is now though. So it seems to be just about right to me.
I'm sure they would be great fun. For the same reasons I had more fun test driving a M135i than the M4 immediately after on the same twisty road. You could get closer to ringing it's neck with less worry of losing either my license or my life.
I bet it would make for a proper fun "trackday" car. Strip it out (probably very little to strip to be fair), mod it a little, try to squeeze 150 bhp or so out of it, and get some brake upgrades, and with the right driver, I bet it would embarrass far more than it should on a small technical track like Knockhill or similar.
The UP GTi is meant to be comparable to the mk1 Golf GTi, and it certainly appears to be so. In performance, weight and price. Of course, £10k in the 80's was probably a damn sight more money in the 80's than it is now though. So it seems to be just about right to me.
I'm sure they would be great fun. For the same reasons I had more fun test driving a M135i than the M4 immediately after on the same twisty road. You could get closer to ringing it's neck with less worry of losing either my license or my life.
I bet it would make for a proper fun "trackday" car. Strip it out (probably very little to strip to be fair), mod it a little, try to squeeze 150 bhp or so out of it, and get some brake upgrades, and with the right driver, I bet it would embarrass far more than it should on a small technical track like Knockhill or similar.
I think the new model has only just landed, so I can't find a price for a Polo Gti (5dr) in manual form. But the DSG version is listed at £21,140
That Compares to £14,150 for the little Up. Still seems a lot of money for a little car but I'm old and tight, so wouldn't argue. I do quite like them though. (That said a quick look around and all little cars seem expensive.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfWKPqwJW6M
I watched a couple of vids on YouTube and the one thing I thought was quite cool is how well it sounds for such a small engine.
List on my Fabia vRS was ~£12500 back in 2005, equivalent Polo GT TDI model was another ~£2500 on top. Take inflation into account and that £17500 for the Fabia in 2017 money, £20500 for the Polo. Prices seem about right when adjusted.
I bought a Polo 1.9Tdi Sport in 2002 (think the GT came out a little later) and that was £12,900 iirc. One of my favourites of all he cars I've owned.
Soldato
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I don't get the reference?
But seriously, on the Friday nights that I want to have fun, it's great. But, most of the week I'm stuck doing a 30 min, 10 mile commute each way, and I can't get above 60 on the A34. Then cost wise, insurance will be ~£200 year cheaper, major service (required each year on the Peugeot) is £300 vs £200 for the up so £100 year, tyres will be cheaper and won't go through them stupidly quick. Infact the only thing more expensive per year will be tax (£140 vs £130) because of the year registered!
Now that carwow has been updated with the options list, I can put in what I want (sucker for the options by looks of it) and see what I get back. Having another test drive tomorrow where we'll start talking trade in value...
Everyone loves a game of top trumps tho
Granted, plus we've all read through the specs to see what we can get for our hard earned. Years back, when hunting for a new motor I'd gather piles of brochures to sit and read through. You can do it all online now via TinTerNet and electrickery.
Soldato
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I personally can't see past the Fiesta ST in that price range for a car with performance. Had mine for a month and a half and I don't regret getting it for one second.
For a car of that size though it would be fun to chuck about on tight twisty roads.
For a car of that size though it would be fun to chuck about on tight twisty roads.
Salaries don't.