USED Volkswagen Lupo Hatchback (99 - 05)

My car

I have owned this car for a couple of years now. I am extremely loyal to the car. The one I have is bright yellow and can't be ignored. During our ownership our loyalty has been severly tested. The cambelt snapped at 45,000miles, out of warranty of course. £965 was the grand total and that was from a local garage, can't imagine how much it woul dbe from VW. The pedal box broke as well. This is the 'rack' that the brake/clutch/accelerator pedals attach to. Apparently this is common, £200 to fix. Main cost was labour the part was only about £40. The car drives fantastic and the above problems aside it is a cheap car to run. Costs £22 to fill up with petrol and does over 200miles to the tank. It is our second car, and as such does not travel vast distance nor lug huge loads. However when our 'big' car was being serviced we used the LUPO to do the weekly shop, it was cramped, but we managed.

Overall great car, great colour

My car

I went from a Mini Cooper to a sparkling red Lupo GTI. It goes like **** off a shovel. I am fairly confident that the 8.2secs to 60mph quoted by VW is wrong, I would say mid to low 7s is more accurate.

I regularly out-stripped big Mercedes and BMWs in this pocket-rocket. It looks the part, too, and there is plenty of grip. My only complaint are the standard Dunlop tyres VW fits (new ones aren't cheap, either!). They don't offer enough grip in anything other than dry weather and wheel spin can be common due to the lack of traction control.

Overall, it's a fantastic little head-turner. It's rare, too - there are less than 1000 in the UK (there are less Lupo GTIs than Vauxhall VX220s, in fact!). It offers superb performace, great handling and decent fuel economy. What more could you ask for? Bring it back, VW!

My car

I have owned this car for over three years now and it still never ceases to amaze me.

It is a well-built car which is reinforced with the VW badge. The fuel economy is superb and parking is no trouble with the Lupo's small dimensions.

There are minor problems with the engine but it doesn't restrict the car in anyway. It is cheap to repair, which is another great point of the car.

It isn't the fastest car ever made but it is a cheap, reliable piece of engineering that will get you safely from A to B.

My car

I recently sold the Lupo after six trouble-free years and only because of personal reasons.

I would have bought another one had circumstances permitted; my son bought a 1.7 SDI E, having been impressed by mine. Home servicing is easy, running costs are low, build quality fantastic, and the ecomony is great at 66mpg! For two adults it is brilliant, and for learners, it's safe and cheap.

Go for a late model or 1.4 TDi and have years of driving pleasure. Boy racers need not apply, as it's not quick uphill, but manages 80mph all day long on motorways, using very little diesel. Pity it was replaced by the Fox and the construction moved from Wolfsberg Germany to Brazil.