Vauxhall Corsa - What's the 1.2L petrol like?

[NeilF]

Investigating cars for my son, as his first car. Looking at around a 2012 Corsa.

Seems the Corsa 1.2L, 1.4L and 1.3EcoFlex Diesel are all about the same to insure.

The 1.4 petrol and 1.3EcoFlex seem to be pretty few in numbers second hand, with the huge majority being the 1.2L ones.

Anyone tried the 1.2L version compared to the other two? Thoughts on the drive? eg: How painful up hills or down motorways etc?

 

[NeilF]

Ford Fiesta 2012 would be my preferred choice over a Corsa.

Appeared more expensive to insurer for a new driver... And more expensive vehicles generally.

 

[NeilF]

What's your budget out of curiosity?

Say around £3200-3600!?

 

[NeilF]

How much is the Corsa to insure?

The Corsa 1.2, 1.4 petrol and 1.3 diesel are all about £1100 for his first yèar when he passes. Fiestas seemed to be nudging that a few hundred pounds if I recall.

 

[NeilF]

The 1.2 will be absolutely fine - 84bhp isn't going to set the world on fire, but it's more than enough for a small first car.
(They also do a 64bhp 1.0 version - which will however be dog slow)

Personally I'd rather have the similar age Fiesta as suggested above, having driven both (and both a Focus and Astra of similar age), The Vauxhall's of this era are just so dull and uninspiring to drive - almost feels like the life is being sucked out of you.

What size engine in the fiesta is tolerable? Ie: is there a sensible say sub 100hp engine ideal for a new driver?

 

[NeilF]

The 1.4L petrol was the smallest engine in the 8th and 9th gen Civic. Civics are not cheap to insure in general; a 1.4 Civic is insurance group 11 to the Corsa's group 6.

Thanks... So I suspect that means a fairly inflated premium then.

Is that group 6 for the corsa 1.2 or 1.4 ooi?

 

[NeilF]

82bhp 1.25 or 96bhp 1.4.
64bhp 1.25 is one to avoid.

My wife currently has the 1.4 fiesta and it's plenty quick enough. I've also driven the previous model fiesta with a 1.25 75bhp version and that was still "nippy" enough but I would personally want anything slower.

Well a quote for a 1.4 (96hp) Fiesta is about the same as the Corsa (eg: £1100). Maybe a touch more.

But the money gets a car that's 1-2yrs older probably...

 

[NeilF]

I had the 1.2 for 3 years. Avoid. it was dangerously slow and quite thirsty due to the weight etc. Go for the 1.4

Thanks...

 

[NeilF]

Always preferred the Clio's over the other alternatives.

The cash your looking to splash will get you into Mk3 Ph2, the 1.2 16v 75bhp is pretty much the same 1.2 that was in my old mk2 clio when I first passed my test, it was a fun car to drive, the engine was quite pokey for what it is, Will be a little slower in the Mk3 just cause it's put some weight on over the Mk2, There's also the option of the 1.2 TCE 100bhp (Turbo) engine which i'd imagine will be plenty for new starter, but also insurance depending.

Another alternative, Renault Twingo 1.2 16v 75bhp or the 1.2 TCE 100, Pretty much an updated Mk2 clio, They weigh less than a ton so not that much weight for the engines to lug around.

Something like this
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...early New&onesearchad=New&make=RENAULT&page=1

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201910113206334?postcode=cf104uw&advertising-location=at_cars&year-to=2011&aggregatedTrim=GT&sort=relevance&model=TWINGO&radius=1500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&make=RENAULT&maximum-mileage=70000&page=1

If the cars are looked after and maintained properly like any other car, you can ignore the usual stereotyping for french cars, My old clio lasted me 6 years and 120k we got rid for a new car. Also these cars cost peanuts to run/maintain.

I've looked at Clios, and could literally only find one that seemed OK in the price range...? Meanwhile there's a hundred Clios in that range.

ps: He's 6"4' so height is a consideration too

 

[NeilF]

Always preferred the Clio's over the other alternatives.

The cash your looking to splash will get you into Mk3 Ph2, the 1.2 16v 75bhp is pretty much the same 1.2 that was in my old mk2 clio when I first passed my test, it was a fun car to drive, the engine was quite pokey for what it is...

Just looked again. The reason I found so few Clios was I was not looking at their 1.2 75bhp version, as the reviews for it were seemingly bad. ie: A very old outdated engine etc...

 

[NeilF]

I would try insurance quotes on a ford focus or vauxhall astra. If its anything like when I passed in 2008, it was cheaper for me to have a 1.6 petrol focus than a 1l corsa or 1.2 fiesta.

I'm glad I did too as it was a much nicer car to learn to drive in.

Just tried it. 1.6L Focus (99hp) is a good couple of hundred pounds+ more than a Corsa (1.4L 99hp)