Appreciate the hated cars

tzang · 19 Mar 2006 at 03:13

Since this is an appreication thread, I'm gonna hate defending the Corsa but here goes nothing

paradigm said:
After driving anything more powerfull than a hairdryer on acid, the 1.2 SXI is nothing but a 1.0 with a bodykit, it plain sucks. Sure for a 1.2 is isn't that bad, but in terms of a car that supposedly sporty, it sucks more than most brand new dysons.

Well done for comparing a 1.0l 12v engine to a 1.2l 16v engine which are completely different. If the 1.2 Corsa is as bad as you say it is, any 1.2 engine from any other supermini must be worse (I'm talking about economy and performance)? You seem to be expecting supercar performance from a 1.2. The SXi range (both the 1.2 and 1.4) don't deserve their sporting credentials and I won't argue with that but you are saying any car that has sporty looks but can't performance suck? (e.g. C2 1.4 Furio, Fiesta 1.25/1.4 Zetec and the very fast "omfgwtflol" 206 1.1 Sport

)

paradigm said:
The 1.8SRI, although not that bad performance wise is FAR FAR FAR too expensive to buy new for what it is, and isn't any better than ANY of the competition (Clio 182 anyone?).

Can't argue with this, 1.8SRi is a joke for a supposedly top of the range supermini from VX.

paradigm said:
the trim levels genuinely suck, utterly and completely. It feels like your driving a cheap car, most likely because you ARE driving a cheap car, they are built with the nastiest hard plastics, they have the handling of a runaway suitcase, and have all the appeal of an unattractive skin condition.

I fail to see how plastics in general for superminis are any better than what you see in the Corsa (take the new Grande Punto as an example, which is by far worse then ever... I could go on). I'm not going to even comment on what you said about handling and the looks, put it side-by-side with your Saxo and I'm sure there is plenty to talk about

willd58 · 19 Mar 2006 at 03:38

tzang said:
Since this is an appreication thread, I'm gonna hate defending the Corsa but here goes nothing

Im with you on it.

Well done for comparing a 1.0l 12v engine to a 1.2l 16v engine which are completely different.

Show me a better performing 1.2i 16V engine, there isnt one imo, itll keep up with most older 1.4 engines. Its plastics are just as bad as any other super mini, its handling isnt fantastic, but its steering is light and perfect for girls, you can slate it all you want for not being a 182, but my mum would hate a 182, and after all the super mini's she drove, she liked the 1.2 the most.

Mickey_D · 19 Mar 2006 at 03:49

geiger said:
WOW MD

Was that a V8 or something, sounds like the truck off TG

Nope, just like this one, except mine was considerably more beat up and was 15 different shades of white.

[DOD]Asprilla · 19 Mar 2006 at 09:20

Mickey_D said:
My 1979 Toyota truck. It was a $200 steaming pile of ****, but good God that thing was reliable!!! And I beat the SNOT out of it every time I drove it.

If I didn't have the loud pedal stuck to the firewall, I was matting the brakes. I took it 4 wheeling in places a friend wouldn't take her 4WD Toyota truck.

705,000 miles, all original mechanicals, and it still started on the first turn of the key every time. Wish I still had that thing to this day. Would have been fun as HELL in the snow out here!!

There is a reason why, when you see footage of some godforsaken war-torn place in Africa, the local warlords are always driving around in Toyota pick-ups with heavy machine guns on the back.

I want one so badly, but I just can't justify it in central London or Surrey.

Chronos-X · 19 Mar 2006 at 10:05

See the Top Gear video on the Toyota Hilux

http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/prog28/hilux_broadband.ram

Fusion · 19 Mar 2006 at 10:18

I'll fight the Ford 1.8 TDDI's corner (stop sniggering at the back). It's clanky and agricultural, and bears no resembleance even to a 1.8 TDCI in terms of smoothness and power delivery, but they are highly economical, exceptionally reliable, will run on anything and will start first time, every time.

The TDCI may be now be common (did you see what I did there?

) but their reliability is not yet proven. Providing it's serviced regularly and the inevitable cambelt change intervals are adhered to, 150, 200k on a TDDI shouldn't be much of a problem at all. Plus if anything ever does go wrong, you can find parts absolutely anywhere. Even if you happen to be on the outskirts of Malaig.

Serj · 19 Mar 2006 at 10:20

[DOD]Asprilla said:
There is a reason why, when you see footage of some godforsaken war-torn place in Africa, the local warlords are always driving around in Toyota pick-ups with heavy machine guns on the back.

I want one so badly, but I just can't justify it in central London or Surrey.

Depends what part of Central London, though i imagine that in most areas even a Technical with a mounted .50 cal would be over kill

Big Chris · 19 Mar 2006 at 11:16

S@njay said:
So the Escort should be a desired car still!

I think desired is a little strong a word to use, but there's definitely some love between me and my 'Scort. As much as I whinge and bitch about its woeful performance and frankly dangerous handling, not to mention the fact that it's rapidly fading from red to pink in areas, it's my first car and has served me very well the last three years.

I've had to replace the clutch, the head gasket went and I reversed it with the passenger door open past a lamp post to test the strength of the hinges (result: not very strong :rolleyes:

) but these are all things that go on a car at around 80k.

PMKeates · 19 Mar 2006 at 11:21

I don't frankly mind the Escort tbh. In fact, I'm recommending one to a friend of mine for his 2nd car. With £800 to spend - there isn't anything a great deal better that isn't bigger in size.

Barton · 19 Mar 2006 at 11:25

willd58 said:
Show me a better performing 1.2i 16V engine, there isnt one imo,

Maybe the Fiat 1.2 16v?

great advice · 19 Mar 2006 at 11:34

willd58 said:
Im with you on it.

Show me a better performing 1.2i 16V engine, there isnt one imo, itll keep up with most older 1.4 engines. Its plastics are just as bad as any other super mini, its handling isnt fantastic, but its steering is light and perfect for girls, you can slate it all you want for not being a 182, but my mum would hate a 182, and after all the super mini's she drove, she liked the 1.2 the most.

The Punto 1.2 16v is miles better as it can be called "quite nippy" when compared to a Corsa.

My mum has a new Corsa every two years, i keep telling her they are pants and she can get better for the money but she loves them

I had a mk5 Escort, best car ive ever owned. I had it for 8 years and nothing went wrong with it, not even something basic!!! was a fun ride too, i really miss it