User Reviews

1.4 S 5dr

Simon

Overall Rating

Superb comfort, handling, looks & MPG. We only had two hassles with ours: 1) the o/s/r door sill rusted and Seat would not let us claim as there was only two months of warranty left. 2) The o/s/f electric window cable snapped (a common fault). Other than that, it was one of the best cars we have ever owned. The best buy is the old shape (99-00) 1.4 S as it is fitted the GTI-style body kit and interior with the Polo 1.4 16v engine but is only group 4 insurance.

1.4 16v SXE

Steve W

Overall Rating

I bought my '98 SXE 10 months old with only 5k on it. It's now 9 years old and still going strong at 100k. SXE spec means I got PAS, C/L, A/C, E/W and electric mirrors. Great spec and much better value than the comparable VW Polo. Reliability hasn't been what I would have thought from VW group though. Water pump at 28k, pedal box broken (common on this car) at 40k and again at 65k, temperature sender and thermostat at 80k, diff in g/box on the way out and power steering pump leaking constantly. Still, it owes me nothing now and so I'll keep driving it until it stops ;-)

1.4S 5dr Hatchback

Stuart

Overall Rating

I have owned a 1.4S 5 dr hatch since June 2003. Started on 44,000 miles and now on 103,000. The car has been fantastic, with no real problems, until it reached the 90,000 mark. Since then it has had a new power steering pump, o/s/f electric window regulator (cable snapped common fault), the brakes have started to be not as responsive (spongy) and the pinion bearing is on it's way out in the gearbox (another common fault apparently). Not a good car if you have kids, or if you have any passengers to travel in the back. The leg room is minimal, or if you are 6 foot like me, nil !!! The interior styling is excellent and relatively sturdy. Mine has no wear marks at all on the seats, trim or even the steering wheel. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone wanting a cheap run about, but watch out for the high mileage ones.