Nissan Almera vs VW Polo?

Bushboy

Can anyone give me a bit of advice?

Have got around 5-5500 grand to spend and cut down to 2 models.

Nissan Almera 1.5
VW Polo 1.2
Both around 03 plate with about 20k on the clock

Are the VW's as reliable as what they used to be?

The Nissan is more loaded but depreciation is more than the VW so I've read
Are these cars good to drive?

I'd be driving abroad with it as well, so is the 1.2 too sluggish for a drive to Norway or Spain?
Any help gratefully received, I'm stuck for which one to go for at the mo'

Thanks

balsingh

The Polo is the trendy option but is a smaller car. The Almera is actually the better car though. Personally, I'd go for a 2 year older Almera. It will be much cheaper as it will have lost a lot more of its value (unlike the Polo which would still be pricey). For driving abroad, the Almera will also be a lot more comfortable.

romario_2

I worked for a car rental company for a couple of years. The Almera was not a popular car with either staff or customers, this is comparing it to other cars in its class (Focus Astra Golf etc). If it was me though i would pick the Polo. Although well built the Almera just 'lacks' something, it gets you from A to B but is not a pleasure to drive.

ArsenalFC

Hard to say....

The almera is a good car and better value but it does lack in looks and edge. The polo at 1.2 maybe sluggish on motorway drives.

You may want to look into the ford focus 1.6 as it is a very good car in general. Will be good for motorway drive too.

marksward

If you are looking at VW polo why not also consider skoda fabia. Not keen on the Ford focus as they tend to 'run out on you' between 50 and 70 on the motorway

tomstickland

Almera never caught on, but it is the better car of the two in my opinion. Nissan quality control is excellent, better than VW. As to why Almera was never a big seller, I think it's just an image thing.