Opinions on a few options

Loopy_Girl

Hello....me again

Okay, so I have a list of cars which I am planning on going to view. Have only seen ads and I am basing my choice on type of car (engine size etc) and also what I find pleasing to the eye...

Again I would be grateful if anyone has any strong opnions (good or bad!) on any of my choices:

Corsa
Tigra
Clio
Punto (I know I have asked before...just gauging opinion again)
Lanos
Matiz (have a soft spot as I learned to drive in one of these )
and also a Ka...I know everyone says they are a rust bucket etc but this one is a 02 plate and has only done 37K miles.

Am I really really best steering (pardon the pun!) away from the Ka or is it worth a look anyway with such low mileage?

Have been studying the Auto Trader guides on how to view a second hand car....all seems straightforward. I guess I will never know for sure (since I'm not a mechanic!!) but using those guides, the invaluable advice here and common sense I should hopefully get a good 'un!!

Also, when I have bought privately before I have always knocked £100 off to start the haggling and then work it out that way - would that be the same for a trade dealer (as some of these are?)

Again, many many thanks in advance

Rolandtheroadie

A guy that works on my cars occasionally, runs a corsa and says they are the cheapest cars in the world to fix. I run a corsa too for the same reason.

Loopy_Girl

That's certainly a plus!!! The one I have saw is a 1998 and has 60K miles on clock, 1.4L. As I say, looks nice in the pics but could be a different matter up close;)

Do you enjoy driving it?

Loopy_Girl

Scrap the Lanos...have changed my mind now I have looked at it again...looks a bit like an old mans car!!:p

Was hoping to see if there was a Micra available but the only one that seems to be available in my budget is a red one...and I have a real superstition about owning and driving a red car...not sure why but I just can't get a red car:o

vikingaero

Re: Corsas. Avoid the 1.0 litre model. Best bet is the 1.2 as it has a cam chain. Avoid the 1.4 if you can - cambelt and high emissions

Rolandtheroadie

Loopy_Girl wrote: »

Do you enjoy driving it?

lol. I've a 1998 1.7 diesel with 59 BHP, I dont think enjoyment comes into it.

Loopy_Girl

vikingaero wrote: »

Re: Corsas. Avoid the 1.0 litre model. Best bet is the 1.2 as it has a cam chain. Avoid the 1.4 if you can - cambelt and high emissions

Hmmmm....interesting. That knocks out the one I have seen then...thank you - it's this kind of advice that is invaluable to me. I am going to see if there is some kind of car maintenance/mechanic for muppets kind of course near me too as I want to get more savvy about cars and try and keep repairs down. The parts are usually cheap - it's the frikkin labour that's the killer!!!

out of my choices I would say probs my faves are the Clio, Punto and then the Matiz. Am trying not to be drawn to a Ka (but I have always liked the look of them *sigh*!)

The Clio I have seen is a 1999 with 43K miles and only 2 owners from new. Looks nice in pic and has the basics I am after and is MOT'd for a year

Hammyman

Loopy_Girl wrote: »

Scrap the Lanos...have changed my mind now I have looked at it again...looks a bit like an old mans car!!:p

Was hoping to see if there was a Micra available

Most Micras I see are driven by old men...

TVR2

vikingaero wrote: »

Re: Corsas. Avoid the 1.0 litre model. Best bet is the 1.2 as it has a cam chain. Avoid the 1.4 if you can - cambelt and high emissions

Emissions are irrelevant pre 2001 (unless you're a stalwart environmentalist) and discounting a car because it has a cam belt is ridiculous! Sure, it is a weight off one's mind having a chain (my current cars does) but most cars have belts and providing they're changed as and when the manufacturer suggests then they're fine. Certainly, my last three cars had belts and it didn't bother me and all my Dad's cars bar his latest one have had belts and none of them have snapped. AND actually a chain can stretch with age and slip causing damage so they're not indestructible.

Plus having driven my Grandma's 1.2 Agila IMO it's not up to the job of pulling a car...

Phew rant over - I think I need a coffee.

Indout96

Hi Loopy
Corsa / Tigra at that age are basically the same car, as you know from the other thread I run a Tigra now and very happy with it. Just check the carpets under any mats are dry as there can be leak problems under the dashboard and they are not always as easy as some lead you to believe to fix
Clio - I had a 6 month old one back in 2000 which I sold to my friend who still has it. It has needed 1 small repair and its now 10 years old.

Rest - never had so cant comment

jaydeeuk1

Matiz is a god awful car, even when chevvy took them over. Don't even consider the fiat either. Micra is a good'n though (the old model, not the crap one renault make)

I had a lanos, and was reliable and a lot of car for the cash. Also handled like a boat. Have you looked at the Lacetti? About £1000-£1500 will get you a relatively new car and toys like airon, heated mirrors, leccy mirrors and windows all round