Corsa 2001+ Model (Help)

Larnica

Larnica

Larnica

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Corsa 2001+ Model or Better (Help)

Hiya Everyone

Just a quick question (I think). I've been looking at some Corsa's recently, and they are growing on me (The looks mainly). Was just wondering, is there anything, anything at all that would deter you from purchasing one or even telling a potential buyer what they should be wary of?

Many Thankies

Larnica :D
 
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They are not very good to drive - the steering is ultra light and is devoid of any feel and the ride is very crashy on any of the "sporty" versions like the SXi. The seats are also rock hard.

They seem to be fairly reliable and durable though. I can see why people who don't give a stuff about cars buy them.
 
Ive only had one problem with mine, the patented corsa chocolate gear linkage, fixed on warranty. Another problem was the timing chain, there was a recall, ring vaux and they will check the reg for you.

Steering is uber light, a hamster could probably steer it! Everyone slates them on here, but I like mine, Its an 04 SXI, with the powered by the beast-like 1.2 79bhp monster engine! Ive never had a problem with its slowness, and I drive 60 miles a day to and from work. Needs revving and 70mph is 3700rpm so its not quiet on the m way.

id go for a facelift version though, looks much better imo.

Any other questions id be happy to answer them :)
 
Thanks.

Well, I'm currently looking for first cars, and Ive always had my heart set on a Corsa (The 2001+ model look). Although I have been open to suggestions I think its best to go what I had my heart set on. Ive not seen many facelift's on the later models (If by that you mean bodykits and what have you).

Based on that, as a first car what do you think?
 
fiesta would be a good place to start, depends how much of a budget you have.

Have you driven a corsa? or even sat in one? i found the seats very hard, and very uncomfortable, but then some one else may like them. I actually prefered to drive in my 899cc Fiat Cinquecento than have a lift in a Corsa Comfort 1.2

But each to their own, so make sure you look at plenty of cars, dont just purchase a corsa because thats all you have looked at.
 
Larnica said:
Was just wondering, is there anything, anything at all that would deter you from purchasing one
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I've driven a few Corsas and as a result, the following would put me off purchasing one:

a) Appalling build quality. I was at one point convinced the indicator stalk would simply come off in my hand. It was that flimsey. Touching any of the buttons on the dashboard was racked with peril - would they fall off?
b) No body control whatsoever. It was so bad it was actually funny - negotating roundabouts at 20mph led to a feeling that the entire car was about to fall over. It never did, obviously, but the bodyroll was comical.
c) Handling - it didn't.
d) Rattles - everything rattled. It got very annoying.
e) Engine - pointless. Had two settings, noise or more noise. Put your foot to the floor and it made loads more noise but didn't appear to gain any more speed. Was absolutely awful. To keep up with traffic I was virtually caning it to within an inch of its life, or at least, it felt like it.

So, pretty much the worst car I've ever driven, I would never buy one.

It looked alright, though, which I guess is why so many people drive them.
 
Thanks for the input, even if it is heart breaking to read, thanks :p

I have been a passanger in one quite a few times, the seats were "Okay" but the noise from the engine did seem quite high :rolleyes: .

To be honest, the only reason I think I would like one is because its the only car I like the look of in the 2.5k - 3.5k mark, unless anyone has any other suggestions, call me a woman but the car has to look good :p

If you did want to help, a few things would be im still learning but getting to the point of booking a practical (Today hopefully) :), oh and I believe getting it from "Trade" as in a garage would make me feel better :cool:
 
Stacks of great small cars around for your budget.

Look into:

a) Ford Fiesta 1.25, might scrape a new shape one
b) VW Polo if you can find a 2001- model
c) Toyota Yaris, looks girly but it's dependable
d) Seat Ibiza
e) Skoda Fabia

All better than the Corsa.
 
[TW]Fox said:
Stacks of great small cars around for your budget.

Look into:

a) Ford Fiesta 1.25, might scrape a new shape one
b) VW Polo if you can find a 2001- model
c) Toyota Yaris, looks girly but it's dependable
d) Seat Ibiza
e) Skoda Fabia

All better than the Corsa.
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Thanks, off to browse now
 
Ibiza, Polo, Fiesta, clio

Depends what else you want in a car.

306 HDi would be a good choice too, economical, ok performance and good on insurance.
 
Thanks for your help

Wow, youve given me a lot to think about already! :D

Going by looks, the Yaris, Fiesta and the Polo all look good. I think from first impressions the Polo looks very smart indeed, and a very nice interior (Shame about the alloys hehe) :) Where as the Yaris is just as nice but does look "Girly", was just browsing pistonheads and already seeing "Owned by woman" hehe but I like it very much :D

Is there a 3dr version of the Polo?
 
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Have you considered a Puma?

Good fun to drive, but while they will be older than the comparitive small hatch, your money will probably be safer in terms of depreciation etc...

Should get a tidy example for the mid to upper end of your budget. :)
 
Kingy said:
Have you considered a Puma?

Good fun to drive, but while they will be older than the comparitive small hatch, your money will probably be safer in terms of depreciation etc...

Should get a tidy example for the mid to upper end of your budget. :)
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Personally, I think any of the previous suggestions would suit better.

Aside from anything else, all the Puma's are higher insurance than most of the Fiesta's et al.
Not forgetting the rear seats are not very practical :)
 
Hello Larnica,

I'm the owner of a 2002 Corsa SXi 1.7 Dti.

I've no shame in it. I have a house and needed to economise.

I've owned it for nearly 2 years.

In that time:
I've needed a new steering rack (dealer warranty)
I've needed a new washer switch (dealer warranty)
I've had 2 x cam belt and oil pump change (dealer warranty)

Check out 'honest john' on the web for the other things to watch out for.

On the plus side, It's very economical and I regularly get 470 miles to a 44 litre tank of fuel. Apart from the above, it's been reliable. Tyres were inexpensive and services is pennies. Insurance is group 4 (probably £330 ish for me this year fully comp and all the trimmings) and tax will be £115 this year. It's slow of the line, slow to accelerate and sits comfortably at 70 mph.

I am thinking of changing it, but its a sensible car for me and this point in my life.

Someone drove into me recently and I currently have a 1.4 Auto 07 Corsa as a courtesy car. This is a different car altogether.

I really want a Toyota Glanza V, but that's a new thread I haven't been bothered to start.

Good luck searching.

Andrew.
 
Thanks and thanks for opening my ignorant eyes :)

After looking at all these cars suggested, and shopping around myself I decided to go back and look at the Corsa, and now they are not appealing (The looks) as much as say the Yaris and the Polo. You suggested the 2001 Polo, which is nice but Ive seen the later models (The more curvey back) for similar prices, is there anything wrong with these models, hence why you said 2001?

Also, thanks for the in-depth view of your Corsa Andrew. I know Corsa owners who dont want to slate there own cars. And as you said, your current car is much different from your everyday car (Is it a bad different?)

Many Thanks

Larnica :)
 
Scottland said:
Personally, I think any of the previous suggestions would suit better.

Aside from anything else, all the Puma's are higher insurance than most of the Fiesta's et al.
Not forgetting the rear seats are not very practical :)
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Given that no specific requirements other than looks or budget have been mentioned, I think the Puma is a decent shout.

It could be argued that that the Puma's increased insurance costs (if they are actually higher) would be offset by the lower depreciation. Also, while the Puma is certainly 2+2, you can get people in the back if necessary, and while I'd concede that rear head/legroom would likely be better in the other hatches mentioned, I certainly wouldn't be volunteering to spend hours on end in the back of any of them.

It's ultimately up to the OP to decide what he wants, but I've seen nothing in this thread so far that is 'betted suited' than the other motors (Corsa excluded) based on what I've read so far.

I'm sure we can agree that *.suggestions>Corsa though. :)
 
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