MY JOURNEY IN A POLO
For several years I have wanted to write into your magazine.
As Volkswagen is your company of the year, allow me to share some of my experiences with my Volkswagen. In August 2015, I took delivery of a beautiful Volkswagen Polo 1,2 TSI Comfortline manual. I dearly wanted the Highline auto but it was out of my budget. With help from VW in Wonderboom, Pretoria, the colour that I wanted could not be sourced. After two days, we opted to go with one of the showroom models: grey metallic with a few extras. Full controls on the steering wheel and a steaming cup of coffee that appears on the electronic instrumentation after two hours on the road to suggest a rest stop. I requested an armrest – not standard on the Comfortline – between the front seats as I regularly visit my parents in Jeffreys Bay.
These journeys led to an exceptional trip in December 2019. After overnighting at a friend in Roodepoort, I went to fill up at the Total service station next to the N1. I asked the friendly man who was checking the oil and water to fill up the tank. At this stage, I should mention my racing days are over and I now drive for economy rather than speed.
My average speed for the whole trip was more or less 100105 km/h. I only needed the aircon for about 30 minutes as it was an unusually cool December day, even for Colesberg and Cradock. The car had not been serviced, despite travelling
15 000 km for the year owing to my lean budget. I did, however, check the water and tyres and added 500 ml of oil. The car performed superbly!
Passing Port Elizabeth on the last stage of my trip, about
22 km on the N2 to Jbay, it happened; the orange fuel gauge came on. All good intentions of economical driving went out of the window and I was pushing for home so I made no pit stop. My sturdy steed did not fail me and after travelling 1 146 km, I parked my Polo safely at my parents’ house.
Two days later, I thought it might not make it to the nearest service station. As always, the engine fired up after the usual first turn of the key. Another 2,5 km to fill up and my respect just rose higher and higher. What a car! ANDRE LE ROUX Pretoria North