13 years & 65000km with my VW Polo 1.6: Gave it a well deserved refresh

This car is good to go for a few more decades i hope, as I have promised to hand it over to my daughter in 12 years.

BHPian ronk recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Something about old Polos, especially the 1.6! One of those cars you really can’t replace, even with a car priced 3x higher! The build quality, linear NA engine, nice gearshift and that door thud!!!

I have had mine for 13 years now. Had booked a Swift, and during the long wait period test drove the 1.6 and fell in love. I remember reading Sadnabrina’s original thread and being validated, especially his being the first documented 1.6 in my hometown.

I’ve had to rent out additional parking, just because I can’t let the Polo go inspite of more cars being added to the garage! Mine’s done about 65k kms till now.

Suspension and other work has happened over time. In a burst of Covid YOLO I got a full exhaust and intake done in 2021, only to remove the exhaust a month later! Left the conical BMC intake which gives a lovely subtle intake brrrrr. In 2023 I went ahead and upgraded the music system with 2 amps and a sub and it’s a joy to spend time in the car. So much that even my wife ever so often gives up the automatics for some refuge in the polo with a nice drive and loud music.

However, last year the starter motor gave up, and I decided it was time to do a midlife cosmetic refresh. However, I am a sucker for original paint and could only get myself to paint a dented driver door, all alloys and replace the bumpers. Alloys were repaired and repainted, and I took a chance with a different shade to make it look sportier. Not original, but I love it.

This car is good to go for a few more decades I hope, as I have promised to hand it over to my daughter in 12 years when she goes to college(hopefully ). She holds me to it and reminds my every time I let a friend or relative borrow the car!!!

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