Polo high theft / hijacking risk?

If you are looking at a B-segment car and your budget is R270K you should try the Suzuki Swift 1.6 Sport going for R233k - it is very nippy thanks to the 100kw engine. With less power but a bit more affordable you can check out the Corsa 1.4T Enjoy for R202k which only manages 88kw but its still a lot better than the 66kw of the Polo. Keep in mind a new model is due in 2015 Q1.
 
From the last stats I saw as long as you don't drive a HiAce or bakkie the risk of hijacking is fairly low. If memory serves, the only two normal passenger cars even in the top ten were the CITI and Toyota Corolla - the latter's numbers probably skewed quite severely by older variants.

At the price you've mentioned you're looking at the Highline TSI DSG Polo. The TSI engines are a bit of a revelation - they've been awarded the International Engine of the Year accolade in the 1.0 to 1.4 litre segment for 9 years running. Further to that the DSG gearbox is fantastic; it's the best of both worlds - the benefit of auto shifting without any of a normal auto's drawbacks. No additional power loss through the driveline. No higher fuel consumption.

That said, my advice to anyone who asks is always to go and drive all viable options in the market. You might find that a certain car just resonates with you, and ultimately cars should be bought on the driving experience and sensation more than any other factor. Once you've done that, and inevitably decided that the Polo's the nicest of the lot, drop me a line. ;)
 
Pitbull said:
I can never understand this worry...

Yes it's a higher risk, but it's also the most popular car out there. So in essence the odds of your vehicle being high-jacked or stolen is very slim, they have 100's of thousands to choose from. If you want it, buy it. If not buy something else. With the Figos and Fiestas being so popular, they too will start becoming a risk. If you buy a car purely based on the theft or highjack risk, you will never drive a car. Any car can be on order any day. Wrong place wrong time...
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I think once you have experienced the constant pain of your car being the target of theft you understand.

The risk on a car like the Hilux is exceptionally high and some point you start feeling like you are making yourself a target.

There is a fine line between having a "Township takeaway" and an obscure car that you can never get parts for.
Like with everything there is a balance.

I, like a lot of other people, fell that the increased risk on a VW out ways any kind of value you might get from them being an easy sell or having parts readily available.


As for the OP: The Jazz is the car to get at the moment, especially for what you want.
 
Ancalagon said:
Then your options are:
VW Polo (but high risk, as we know)
Audi A1 (expensive)
Ford Fiesta (highly rated)
Kia Rio (also quite highly rated)
Hyundai i20 (extremely popular, don't know if it is risky or not?)* Heard of three hijackings when I owned mine. I was an early adopter and was hoping it would be overlooked, sadly it did not. But it was not joy to drive so I got rid of it)
Renault Clio
Peugeot 208
Suzuki Swift (personally I think the i20 is a better bet)
Toyota Yaris

A car in a larger class, such as the Auris or Golf, will have more features and maybe a more comfortable ride, but will be more expensive to buy and maintain, and less fuel efficient.

* I wonder if the i20 will start becoming a target because it is so popular?
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To add to the crime list:
Mercedes C class
Mercedes GL
Audi Q5/Q7
BMW X1/X5
BMW 3 series (older the more lucrative it seems)

And getting older:
Mazada Midge
Ford Bantam
Nissan 1400
Nissan Sentre/Almera
And of course... dun dun dun the Golf 1! From the crime incidents I've reported these have been the most sought after and used cars in robberies/hijackings.
eye
Also, truck and delivery vehicle hijackings (a lot of violent ones along the N3), if it looks like you might have something of value in your bin/container... keep an eye out for things in the road and people flagging you down.
 
Rouxenator said:
I'll admit, it's Alfa Giulietta like sexiness is a bit hard to handle for mainstream VAG lovers. They should rather look at Land Rover Defenders, old Volvos and other brick shaped cars, just to be on the safe side and not risk a heart attack.
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Nice looking car but it's sadly just a re-badged GM now :(
 
OP asks about tracking and my answer is don't believe any tracking companies recovery stats. Why get a "high risk" vehicle and think you safe when installing a tracking system?
These system won't assist if you hijacked and no one reports it or you put your life at risk to push a button.
Tracking is merely a tool to obtain a insurance discount and maybe in 10 to 20% of the cases recovery.
VW is on a target list unfortunately because it's a good car but there is much better value for money out there.
Also never buy a black car.
 
Thank you people.
After some deliberation, excluding all the ugly cars and a few test drives........I've decided on the Polo.
Now back to the original question about tracking.......
Which one? Can someone pls assist with pros and cons?
As stated previously,"I'm considering the Matrix MX3 cos it has the early activation remote."
Much appreciated.
 
The Polo's are lovely vehicles, I had the pleasure of driving a brand new for 4 days in Johannesburg before it got 'redistributed' by two gentlemen with guns that were waiting for me in the driveway. The police did find it four years later but the new owners also liked it and really didn't want to give it back but that's a story for another day.
 
@Rouxenator. Hehe. We all have our likes and dislikes, don't we?

Some tracking advice? Anyone?
 
You can't go wrong with Matrix. Then again my recommendation would be biased since I kinda work for them. What I can tell you is that solutions they deploy have a very high recovery rate. Wish I could go into more detail on it but that would give away why it is so good.
 
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Ok. Thanks for all the help.
God-Willing, I'll be driving my Polo for another 18yrs.......just like my current 1996 Corolla!!!
 
Skytrack Tracker. Check your car from your phone or pc where it is.

Also do nice log books and pull many reports. You earn ebucks by signing a contract with Tracker.
 
So how does one buy a polo if you have to stress over it being stolen . Where's the joy in buying what you want but have to be afraid of what could happen to it
 
because polo is high risk. my insurance told me that I will have a R7k fee over and above the normal excess fee if the car is stolen. this is because I didn't want to install a tracking device in the car.
 
Spend 30k more and get a Toyota Prius 2016 with 41k on the clock. Will save a ton of fuel if you only doing 50KM trips.
 
Rouxenator said:
Where's the joy in buying something so bland and boring?
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Where is the joy in expressing your dislike in VW to ad nauseam?

Freedom of speech and opinion aside, it is really becoming irritating now!!!!!!!
 
wazup said:
Where is the joy in expressing your dislike in VW to ad nauseam?

Freedom of speech and opinion aside, it is really becoming irritating now!!!!!!!
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Been doing it for years. I'll stop once people stop buying them ad nauseam.
 
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