Hi scratch, I drive a Golf TDI (2007 model) and can't sing it's praises highly enough. It is soooo economic to run and has many features, but service and parts are expensive, e.g., just had the 50,000K service and new brake pads done for $1500.
The Polo is a 2 door I think.
Value for money, I don't think you can go past Toyota. We bought my daughter a 1997 Seca (5 door) in the year 2000 and she's never had a problem with it in 10 years - amazing. Bought at a Gov. auction.
Hatches are great - you can carry the most awkward large shapes, unlike sedans where you're limited by the size of the boot opening space.
