Volkswagen Lupo GTI (five-Speed)
by David Freeman 11.02.03
I bought a silver Lupo GTI last March (a demo with 6500 miles on the clock, 2001/Yplate). This has been one of the worst cars I have owned and am getting rid in the New Year (after only driving it a further 7500 hateful miles!) - have ordered a new Mini Cooper. It has been back to my local VW dealer three times (once for almost two weeks), not the dealer where I bought it from either, who has been brilliant, listening patiently to my rants and gone beyond the call of duty in trying to resolve the problems - unlike the (national) dealer I did buy it from. The car rattles, creaks and groans driving me to distraction. The dashboard has been removed to try and cure its creaking, the wiring looms have been re-laid to resolve the whistling emanating from them and the rear seats and head rests have been examined in detail and various trim items replaced to stop them rattling. VW quality is sorely lacking in this vehicle. It has also had new master and slave clutch cylinders replaced after the clutch pedal refused to return to its normal position (randomly and always while on the move - a very scary and unnerving situation to find oneself in). The driver's windscreen wiper continually judders across the windscreen (despite being replaced) and is very irritating and dangerous. Now the standard fit CD player is not working correctly, further trim items are dropping off, the seat release handles to gain access to the rear seats and the handbrake covering has worked its way loose and the central locking periodically goes into a strop! . A three-year warranty has been one of the best items on this vehicle. On the plus side - its looks very pretty (from all angles) - your 'girl-racer' label might well be right! The interior packaging is very good - roomy, especially in the front, good for my 6'3" frame and quite comfortable for a sporty suspension short wheel base town car. There is no boot to speak of and no spare wheel either. The interior lighting is a masterpiece and the blue dashboard lighting wows everyone. The gas discharge Xenon headlamps are excellent and contribute to safe nighttime driving. I don't find the performance as electrifying as the specification suggests and as motoring magazines imply but it is quick, surprisingly economical for a sports orientated car (I seem to get high 30's no matter what driving conditions) and handles exceptionally well and safely. I wanted desperately to love this car especially after reading the motoring press and expected to keep it at least three years but it feels flimsy, does not inspire confidence and leaves a bad taste. And I certainly would not entertain another VW either.
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