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Original poster

VW polo as family car

26 replies

HalloHello · 26/02/2022 08:52

We currently have a golf estate but looking to save some money and downsizing to a polo. We are looking at the new style polos with a 351l capacity boot. Does anyone have one of these and find they're a good fit for a family of 4? We have a baby in a stroller so need that in the boot pretty much all the time, and shopping, coats, changing bag, stuff for a day out occasionally! I am getting my knickers in a twist about whether we are going to regret this decision! But we really need to save a bit of money with the upcoming energy price increases and cost of living in going up all the time!

OP posts:
SheWoreYellow · 26/02/2022 08:56

We were fine with a fiesta with two children - and the new polo is bigger than that.

I’d question how buying a new car will save you money though, unless your mileage is very great?

addictedtotheflats · 26/02/2022 09:00

Ive got a 69 plate polo so not sure how different the newer model is but I wouldn't recommend for a family car. My boot fits my stroller and not much else and the car in general isnt a great spec. I had a Yaris previously and much preferred it.

Kjr33 · 26/02/2022 09:03

Always managed with a small car no problem…..but the price of cars isn’t great right now if you have a car that works etc and isn’t likely to come up with any major bills I’m not sure I would see any change in vehicle as a good way to save money (unless you are selling a Ferrari to get a polo etc).

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Original poster
HalloHello · 26/02/2022 09:09

Our golf is on PCP, and at the end of contract so by changing to a Polo, we will pay around £80 a month less for the PCP and £20 less a month for insurance. 2nd hand cars are worth a fortune right now so we are getting a hell of a lot to get rid of the golf, and it's weirdly cheaper swapping to a new car than going 2nd hand!

We are going to see the car this morning so can see if the stroller fits.

OP posts:
purdypuma · 26/02/2022 09:12

You might want to have a look at a Seat Leon or 5 door Seat Ibiza. The Leon shares the same wheelbase as a Golf & the Ibiza the same wheelbase as a Polo. The Seats have VW engines & are cheaper to buy but their residual/resale values are now very strong as most people are aware of their VW underpinnings. Three of my family members have Seats, never had any issues & plan on sticking with them for their future cars.

TheVolturi · 26/02/2022 09:15

Dh works in the motor trade and there is quite a long wait for a new car at the moment op, just bear that in mind.

MauveMavis · 26/02/2022 09:18

Change brand.

Go skoda or seat. They are built on the same chassis as the VW versions.

I have a fabia my SiL a polo of the same age (66 plate) and they are very very very similar inside and under the bonnet. The biggest difference is mine has a much better stereo (and it cost less).

She bought hers after mine and rejected advice to do the same as the "VW would be better".

I was then amused when I drove her somewhere for her to sit and play "spot the identical component" in the interior.

As a wider family we've had loads of VWs/Audis over the years but don't see the point in the paying the brand premium anymore. Her DP (my brother) has just bought an octavia estate to replace his passat one.

Original poster
HalloHello · 26/02/2022 09:18

Yes that's what we have been told, to get an electric car we were going to have to wait up to 10 months! The one the dealer has quoted us on is due in 6 weeks.

OP posts:
TheVolturi · 26/02/2022 09:21

@HalloHello

Yes that's what we have been told, to get an electric car we were going to have to wait up to 10 months! The one the dealer has quoted us on is due in 6 weeks.
Just be aware op, it will likely be quoted as 6 weeks but it's often way longer. Dh has orders from December still not built. Also Vw!
Soontobe60 · 26/02/2022 09:21

I’d be very surprised if you can get a brand new VW within the next 6 months! Also, the prices have rocketed.
I ordered my new VW Taigo which is an SUV based on a Polo in early January. It won’t be available until around July.

Soontobe60 · 26/02/2022 09:22

Also, I have been able to extend my lease contract in my current VW for 6 months at no additional cost. If I were you, I’d phone VW finance before you decide, and ask about extending the contract.

NotMeNoNo · 26/02/2022 09:26

We swapped our Passat estate for a Seat Ibiza (polo clone) when DC were out of car seats. We did have access to a van for camping but for everything else it was brilliant. Really economical, cheap to tax and insure, never went wrong, parked on a postage stamp. Fun and easy to drive. Go for it I'd say.
If you have one child it should be ok, it's cheaper to change your pram for a neatly folding one than to run a huge car.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 26/02/2022 09:28

I wouldn't bank on getting a brand new car in six weeks.

Our local dealership are really struggling. Orders are taking 6-9 months on average.

Original poster
HalloHello · 26/02/2022 09:29

Yeah we have been told about extending the contract too, and refinancing. We have been in and spoken with the dealer. We aren't ordering the car, it's already coming into stock to the dealer so it should be ok I think, will double check today. Even if it takes ages, it doesn't really matter as our current PCP will be extended while we wait.

OP posts:
KeepYellowBoxClear · 26/02/2022 09:30

Key question is how big is your pram and when will you be finished with it?

My 2009 plate Polo was fairly basic and the boot would fit the beast that was our Mamas and Papas Ocarro pram with the wheels off and nothing else. My 2020 plate Polo has a slightly bigger boot, but it matters less as my kids are more reliable walkers/we had a smaller pram.

I also think it depends on how tall/big you are as a family - my 6ft 4 husband doesn’t like sitting in the front seat for long! But if you’re smaller, it might be more comfortable.

Original poster
HalloHello · 26/02/2022 09:31

@NotMeNoNo

We swapped our Passat estate for a Seat Ibiza (polo clone) when DC were out of car seats. We did have access to a van for camping but for everything else it was brilliant. Really economical, cheap to tax and insure, never went wrong, parked on a postage stamp. Fun and easy to drive. Go for it I'd say. If you have one child it should be ok, it's cheaper to change your pram for a neatly folding one than to run a huge car.
My babies are still in car seats at the moment, we will try them out in the dealership in the polo they have in.

We have just bought a Joie litetrax which folds way smaller then the big pram we had. All I need is space for shopping and a pram. The only thing that concerns me is if we go on holiday but we have no plans this year (due to baby and £££) and can maybe get a roof box fitted if that does become an issue.

OP posts:
Findahouse21 · 26/02/2022 09:32

How long are you planning to keep the car? If it's over 3 years then personally I'd reconsider the electric option because a petrol engine in 4 years will have awful resale value - I know you're looking at pcp but it does still make a difference when you trade in

Original poster
HalloHello · 26/02/2022 09:33

@KeepYellowBoxClear

Key question is how big is your pram and when will you be finished with it?

My 2009 plate Polo was fairly basic and the boot would fit the beast that was our Mamas and Papas Ocarro pram with the wheels off and nothing else. My 2020 plate Polo has a slightly bigger boot, but it matters less as my kids are more reliable walkers/we had a smaller pram.

I also think it depends on how tall/big you are as a family - my 6ft 4 husband doesn’t like sitting in the front seat for long! But if you’re smaller, it might be more comfortable.

Yes we used to have the Occarro too, it's bloody huge! Just bought a Joie litetrax which is way smaller, going in to try it out today. My baby is only 6 months so still a long buggy life ahead of us but do use the carrier a lot as well!
OP posts:
User405 · 26/02/2022 09:37

I've just waited only three months for a Zoe if that's any help. Similarly we are getting it on PCP and while the prices of second hand cars are so high. I'm selling the car I've had since 2016 for £9000 and I bought it for £11000. Which is crazy.

I did look at the VW ID3 and the wait was 9 months so was really surprised with the short wait for the Zoe. And it's one of the smallest electric cars.

JustWonderingIfYou · 26/02/2022 09:45

I think it is too small to safely fit a car seat behind the driver unless you are both short.

You shouldn't have the front seats pushed back against car seats, there should be a 10cm gap. In a smaller car this generally means having the front seats all the way forwards.

Most people seem to ignore this, don't know about it or simply don't car that much about infant safety.

NinaDefoe · 26/02/2022 09:51

Get a Skoda.

I have driven VWs for 30 years and have just bought my first Skoda.

Read this!

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.carbuyer.co.uk/tips-and-advice/154652/seat-skoda-and-volkswagen-whats-the-difference%3famp

Chloemol · 26/02/2022 09:53

@HalloHello

Yes that's what we have been told, to get an electric car we were going to have to wait up to 10 months! The one the dealer has quoted us on is due in 6 weeks.
Lucky! I have been quoted 13 weeks which is more believable
Original poster
HalloHello · 26/02/2022 09:57

@Findahouse21

How long are you planning to keep the car? If it's over 3 years then personally I'd reconsider the electric option because a petrol engine in 4 years will have awful resale value - I know you're looking at pcp but it does still make a difference when you trade in
We would have loved to go electric but the monthly PCP was just pushing our budget to the limit unfortunately!
OP posts:
Original poster
HalloHello · 26/02/2022 09:58

@JustWonderingIfYou

I think it is too small to safely fit a car seat behind the driver unless you are both short.

You shouldn't have the front seats pushed back against car seats, there should be a 10cm gap. In a smaller car this generally means having the front seats all the way forwards.

Most people seem to ignore this, don't know about it or simply don't car that much about infant safety.

Will test this today! Thanks for the info!
OP posts:
moderationinWumbsnet · 26/02/2022 10:10

@JustWonderingIfYou

OMG as babies I had DC's squashed in the car like sardines. I'm so glad nothing ever happened. Literally never knew this.

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