I drove past a new Audi earlier today which was parked up in front of a breakdown van and yep, it was there because of the Audi. Therefore I don't think it's a case of the newer the car, the more reliable it is.

I know my Polo is only 2000 reg, but I was surprised at how comfy a ride it is and I'm used to newer cars usually.

Probably the worst logic I've ever heard in my life.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Now, now, play nicely children!

Reliability is more about maintanence than anything else. Anything can be reliable if its maintained properly. My MK1 only broke twice in 2.5 years. Once was due to the plugs fouling (got it going within an hour) and once because of fuel starvation, due to crap from the tank blocking the carb (again, got it going myself). It was 895cc, manual choke. It would start first time every time, even in freezing cold (although would stall if you werent quick enough to hold the revs up or the choke wasnt out enough). It used to de mist faster than my MK3's did/do, and get warm really quick. Used to jump in on icey mornings, get it going, put the heated screen on and the heaters on full blast, lock it with the spare key, have a coffee and come back out to a defrosted, toasty warm car 10 minutes later. My last MK3 i had 2 years and not once did it let me down, and started on the button even in -18. All i did in two years was do regular checks, change the oil every 5k and fit a filter. I didnt do very many long journeys in ether of those though. My current MK3 is much similair, and has been on a load of long trips all over the place, again totally reliable. People seem to have the misconception that all old cars are unreliable, which is more than likely down to their own experiences of badly maintained examples.

For further proof that anything can be reliable, i'll throw this into the mix. I know a guy who drove a 1954 oval beetle all around europe and back again for help for hereos, with two guys, a load of camping gear, food, beer etc. towing a tear drop caravan. IIRC All that went wrong with that was one rear wheel fell off on the M5 due to the powdercoat not being cleaned off where the bolts seat and they worked loose.

I will agree on the fact that new cars are more comfortable to drive, being quieter and more refined though. However i could make my polo just as quiet inside by stripping the interior and installing some of that multi layer sound insulation, and some foam packing between all the interior panels to stop rattles, but then i wouldnt be able to hear the engine, and i like to hear it, as i know what its doing. I am yet too find any car with a more comfortable seat than my Dads MK2 Golf factory Recaro's though.

Anything can be reliable if its maintained properly.

Tell that to an Austin all-aggro owner in winter of 1974.

i do get a lot of comments telling me to buy a new car, there so much more hassle free. my comment is usually, wheres the fun in that? that would be easy.

When its 7AM and -1 degree outside I don't really care about how involved I am with the car. I just want the heater to get warm quickly.

1982 Polo it is then. The 2003 Corsa takes forever to warm up!

dont it take a fiat panda like 9 seconds to get hot?

I can get a new Fiat Panda hot in 9 seconds, given a fag lighter and a newspaper.

i dont belive you, i think you should try it