Yeah, I'm planning to just do the servicing, not the cam.

This dealer says cam not done on this particular car, will do it for me on purchase, depending on price of sale. So I should get the water pump and rollers changed as well? Sorry, I am a DIY newbie. (Just booked in for night school, got the overalls and workboots ready!)

Generally an old diesel a sensible option for durability and realiability? I am not looking for city nipping or snazz I am used to staying in the slow lane. That said, Polo is quite posh on the outside.

Anything else dodgy on these Polos? Gearbox?

Thanks, S40 Man!

Old School is what I'm after.

Yours was P reg, then a few years older than the 2002 with the round double lights.

I'll give it a test drive.

My bro had a little Peugeot diesel around that age. I drove it a couple of times, it was ok. I just want a car to go camping, drive to the supermarket and a reasonably comfy occasional long haul.

I only do 5k a year but life without a car would not be cool. That's where I'm at. So Old School seems like a plan.

I know people who have fuelled up with old chip fat. Not something I'm prepared to do, but good to know after an apocalypse.

My experience of these non turbo diesels is that they go a lot better and are much more economical if they are given a good thrash every so often. But you should only do this once you are satisfied that the engine is fully warm and that it will not spontaneously disintergrate during the thrash - hence get the cambelt done and the water pump, pulleys etc etc beforehand.

A good drive up and down steep hills in low gears works wonders. Clears all the rubbish out of the engine.