WHAT OTHERS SAY...

The following reviews are from carsurvey.org

(1) Anonymous, From UK & Ireland.

Everyone has one car that fits their whole persona, I've already found mine. Without doubt the best car I could have bought for the money. Its so fast you wouldn't believe, and the K-series engines are one of the most tuneable engines around.

147 brake horse power as standard, and I plan to take mine to 180bhp in the next few months!!!

0-60 in under 7.5 seconds, and a top speed of 140, puts many other GTi type cars to shame.

My hit list so far includes.

Impretza turbo (5 bodies in the Subaru, couldn't catch my Vi @ 135mph)
Many Golf GTi's, Renault 19 16v, Saxo vts etc.

The best part about this car is its undersatedness. It's so subtle, and it looks like a 214Si. in a nice burgundy red metallic, very classy. Walnut dash, 15" alloys, Sun roof, Full electrics, Anti lock brakes, twin airbags, a mesh front grill and spot lights all add to the package. Being quite young, and conscious about drawing attention to myself from police etc. I find the Vi a great way to disguise my young testosterone fuelled urges, to plant the pedal to the metal. The understated looks also invites people to go for the overtake, as they generally think it's a 1.4, and even the Police are none the wiser. Very much on par with the MG ZR 160 but with out the plastic "boy racer" look with its primary colours and spoilers. A simple modification of £90 for a Piper Cross induction kit takes the car to 150 bhp!!! The engine uses variable valve timing, like a Honda v-tec engine, but its even more efficient as the 1.8 VVC is infinitely variable, where the Honda has 2 settings. Or in English, saves petrol. These cars are currently selling for around £6000, and for a car that cost £16000 3 years ago, that's not bad at all. The stereo is crap, but the engine is quite loud and makes for not very good acoustics in the first place. Especially once you fit the Piper Cross kit. I'll have my Vi for ever, even once I've moved on to something newer (or more sensible), and ill still be explaining to people that its not a 1.4!

(2) Anonymous, From UK & Ireland.

The engine is great. A friend had one before me and after driving it I knew I had to have one. The eats are good, but the standard stereo is terrible and should be binned immediately. Cabin is nice, a bit too gray in places but comfortable. In a straight line this car is fantastic. As soon as you get the right side of 4000rpm you're away, but it still pulls well from 2000rpm! The close ratio gear box is fantastic and matches the engine power band well. If you want to fly, the first four gears are all you need as fifth feels a little further away from the others and is really the economy gear. The engine is the best part of this car without doubt. It doesn't quite feel as torquey as a tuned 2 litre, but it revs well just a like a proper 16 valver should be. It really fizzes in the high rev range and overtaking is a doddle. You can really feel all of the horses pulling at high revs and it feels quick.

Handling is not as good as it could be, especially in the wet, but it keeps things interesting! After owning a 306 (which the handling is supposed to be based on? Believe me it doesn't feel like it!) it took some getting used to, but I think some better front tires will help.

On the motorway it's OK, but things start to get noisy at higher engine speeds. I regularly get 38mpg out of it (try that in a Golf GTI or 306 GTI?), and it can be driven easily round town at low revs without drinking petrol.

I've had the car 8 months, I've done 12000 miles, and I've never looked back.

Price/performance/economy? You'd do well to beat it (and I looked everywhere?)

(3) Anonymous, From Turkey.

The 200Vi is incredibly fast. Acceleration is better than most of the higher class sports cars. She beats GTI cars like Honda Civic VTEC, Peugeot 106 GTI, Peugeot 306 GTI or Audi 1.8T on 1-100 (0-60) with a time of 7.6 seconds. 1.8K vvc (145 HP, 174 Nm) is a dream engine.

Handling is fantastic. B-Road potential is huge too. I'd like to try a 160 HP MG version...

(3) Anonymous, From UK & Ireland.

(133mph & still 2000 revs left)

A wolf in sheep's clothing. Yes it has 15" alloys and front fog lamps, but to people who ride around in lowered Nova GSi's, it just looks like a 214Si....... until they try and overtake!!

138mph seen on a trip to Germany, many other hot hatches upstaged etc, etc. Handling very sharp and tail very driftable, grip much better after fitting Pirelli P6000's. Rock steady on A-roads. Leather, ABS, 2 Airbags, electric everything..... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

(stereo only average...)