Small Hatchback?

Carrie · 19 Feb 2002, 20:54 (Ref:219116)

As I said in another topic, I'm looking to change my car some time in the not too distant future. My aim is to get a used car that's about 12 months old.
At present I have a 1996 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 and I want to get rid of it before I get it up to 100,000 miles on the clock.
I'm looking for a similar sized car and I can't decide if I like the new Corsa. I've always had Vauxhalls and the only other make I have experience of in smaller cars is Renault.
Anyone able to comment from personal experience of any small hatchbacks? (Please nobody mention Fords, my boss has a Fiesta which seems to think its sole purpose in life is to try to cripple my back whenever I get in the thing

)

AndyF · 19 Feb 2002, 22:58 (Ref:219208)

Ok, I am probably not the best person to help here, as I have only ever driven three cars. When I was learning to drive, I used a new model Fiesta, but recently my instructor changed to a Mitsubishi Colt. Although its Japanese, and although its not much to look at, it was really comfortable and easy to drive - it made the Fiesta look years out of date!!! Probably not much help, but there's my penny's worth!

Don K · 20 Feb 2002, 06:33 (Ref:219328)

How about a Volkswagen Polo?
I've driven one for some time, and it's only problem was the size.

Or a Seat Leon. Very popular with my younger colleges.

If those cars are not small enough, you might have a look at a VW Lupo or a Seat Aroza.

Crash and Burn · 20 Feb 2002, 07:08 (Ref:219338)

Small Hatches
Polo
Golf
Corsa
Lupo
Seat

To name but a few - depends on what you want if ref
Size - colour - insurance group etc.
I have dropped in engine sizes to a little 1.2 Corsa and love it, cheap on Tax and more to the point Insurance. Plus to me it is great fun. (Would prefer a mini - but to dangerous in a crash)

woodyracing · 20 Feb 2002, 11:23 (Ref:219380)

i like the look of Pug 106's, preferably the sporty models but ive not driven one.

Chris Y · 20 Feb 2002, 11:49 (Ref:219391)

Get a Mini

Nudge, Nudge

josvandeperre · 20 Feb 2002, 16:57 (Ref:219541)

Chris - please be more precise .....

Chris Y · 20 Feb 2002, 17:40 (Ref:219556)

Alright. I will...

Get a Mini Cooper 1275 injection

Get a Mini Cooper 1275 injection

Sorry..

AndyF · 20 Feb 2002, 17:48 (Ref:219562)

I think Chris might have some views on this! Not sure what they are though?? Is that the new model or the old one?

Crash and Burn · 20 Feb 2002, 19:56 (Ref:219618)

New one - old one unless modified was no good in an accident

Carrie · 20 Feb 2002, 20:11 (Ref:219630)

Quote:

Originally posted by Crash and Burn
I have dropped in engine sizes to a little 1.2 Corsa and love it, cheap on Tax and more to the point Insurance. Plus to me it is great fun. (Would prefer a mini - but to dangerous in a crash)

You've dropped engine size to a 1.2 Corsa and you're happy with it!!!!!! My main complaint about the Corsa is how underpowered it is in comparison with my previous 1.2 Nova. Oh the joys of Corsas, I also think that mine is about to head for its third steering column

Eek, got that done on warranty last time, I'm dreading thinking how much it might actually cost me now

I'm looking for a 1.2 or 1.4 to keep within the cheaper tax bracket and also don't want something that's going to cost a fortune in insurance.
Someone mentioned colour, well, I refuse to get a grey car, had one, found it completely drab and depressing

My preference for paintwork is to get a car with metallic paint. The reason for this is we have sycamore trees on our road and anyone who has a sycamore anywhere near their car will know that the sap they produce is a killer for car paintwork. Experience shows that metallic paint can withstand sycamore attack far better than ordinary paint which seems to fade very quickly when confronted with sycamores.
Woody, I think the Pug 106 is a bit too small. I did wonder about Pugs, but have read in the reviews that the driving position is slightly off centre. That does make me question whether a Pug would be a mistake for me because I do get a bad back very often (as anyone who has seen me only half able to walk at work the last couple of weeks will confirm!!!) and so I wonder what effect an off centre driving position would have. Talking of driving position, I'm only 5'3" and have quite long legs for my height, so I find the height adjustable seat I have in the Corsa very useful and will certainly be looking for the same in whatever car I change to.
Wayhey, VW Polo - I learnt to drive in one - or at least my driving instructor spent plenty of time telling me off for speeding in one

Anyone any comments on the Clio? I'm tempted because our local dealership seems to get some good offers on ex demonstrators.
Chris, much as I love Minis I don't think my mother would ever speak to me again if I got one because in her opinion, their size means they're not safe.

Crash and Burn · 20 Feb 2002, 20:46 (Ref:219663)

Clio's a brill little cars ( I love my car - so far no problems with is and it is nippy when it wants to be - in the lower gears it would have left my old 1.4 car standing - but then would loose out at the other end - which to me is fine as there is no real need for speed around our area unless you go on the Motor way. Again it is good as I still have a clean licence) To me it will be safer than a mini - which I would love to have except the fact that in an accident the two sub frames would come to meet each other with you sat in the middle! (ooch!!!!).

TimD · 21 Feb 2002, 00:18 (Ref:219814)

I can't comment on the current shape Clio, but I was given the keys to a 1.2RT old shape when one of the family cars was in for repair.

(Not my fault - a taxi hit it while stationary.)

I can honestly say I found the old Clio quite worrying. It was tinny, in a way that only French cars seem to manage, and it was all-round dynamically average.

Regarding an offset driving position, Carrie, how did you find the Mk1 Nova? Those had the most extraordinary offset I've ever encountered. If you were comfortable with one of those, the offset may be less of a problem than it seems on paper.

My own choice would probably fall between the Peugeot 206 and the VW Polo, but then I'd probably be looking for a larger car anyway, so disregard that completely!

Chris Y · 21 Feb 2002, 00:58 (Ref:219833)

Having been in a Mini during a high speed accident recently, I can confirm that they're no that bad, C&B. Anyone who saw what James Day did to his Mini at Rockingham will know that they're surprisingly resillient, despite their small size..

Anyway, they won't suit you Carrie as your back would be murdered by the rubber cone springs.

Quote:

Originally posted by Carrie
I also think that mine is about to head for its third steering column

That's just heavy-handedness - I've seen your biceps, Carrie

paul c · 21 Feb 2002, 10:09 (Ref:219966)

A friend of mine has just bought one of the new Honda Civics. I went with her on the test drive and we were both extremely impressed by quite how quick it was, and I'm pretty sure this was just with a 1.4 engine. It was also very comfy in terms of seat support. (She also has back problems). Are you in the market for a new, new car Carrie? If so, it might be worth a look.

Crash and Burn · 21 Feb 2002, 12:26 (Ref:220016)

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris Y
Having been in a Mini during a high speed accident recently, I can confirm that they're no that bad, C&B. Anyone who saw what James Day did to his Mini at Rockingham will know that they're surprisingly resillient, despite their small size..

Last time I saw a mini that had been envoled in a R.T.A. they two people did not come out a live. It was not nice know that the car you are scraping people had died in it. A 45 mph speed o/s front corner into a lorry and it just caved in. Ok like most cars it depends on where you hit it. Chris - I know you know more about them - but is your race car same as a road car - but with a roll cage in or have you just made it stronger?

Chris Y · 21 Feb 2002, 12:56 (Ref:220028)

It does depend on what you hit, yes - and also the condition of the vehicle. Obviously, Minis are prone to rust, and rusty parts crumble more than good metal. Also - just about anything hitting a lorry is going to come off worse!

As far as my car goes, it does have a roll cage, but that only protects you when you roll over, it has no strengthening capability in the front/rear direction.

We're not allowed to make our cars stronger - and we wouldn't want to - Miglias are stronger, yet more people are injured in them, because the only thing that moves during an accident is the driver!

**Craig** · 21 Feb 2002, 20:51 (Ref:220271)

Honda Civics are, I have on good authority, very nice cars (the latest model that is) and I can personally recommend the 306, so I presume the 307 would be a good buy too.

Not sure if you'll listen to me when I suggest it, but you really must take a test in a Focus. Super little car - my old man's about to take delivery of one.

Also, when buying it, be sure to visit www.trade-sales.co.uk who are heartily recommended and mega cheap.

**touringlegend** · 21 Feb 2002, 21:46 (Ref:220318)

Considered a MG ZR?? Maybe seems a bit sport but round my area they come with a years free insurance.

Talking about crashes, my cousin had the squarish shaped Clio and she wrote it off just going into a small fence!

SL · 21 Feb 2002, 21:53 (Ref:220322)

Do never ever get a small Citreon thingy (Xsara ?) Had one in Spain this week, OK a hire car but when you turned the steering there was little clue as to which way the car would actually go. Overtaking trucks / coaches meant a huge haul on the steering to prevent being pushed into the barriers by the wind deflection.

The speedo was optomistic to say the least, managed 175kph at one stage. The best and maybe only good thing was going over speed bumps, kerbs and small mammals the super soft blamange like suspension meant a smooth ride.

SL

DAVID PATERSON · 4 Mar 2002, 08:53 (Ref:227529)

Carrie, my uncle just bought a Corsa 1.8 for his wife and she hardly gets a chance to drive it. He loves the thing and takes it everywhere. I went for a ride, it goes well, is comfortable and roomy, handles and rides OK too.

My sister just bought an Astra Cd 1.8 and is very happy with it. It goes well and handles and rides nice and is well eqipped, but I didn't like the driving position and thought it was a little cramped, but then I'm a hell of a lot bigger than you. Her husband just bought an Astra 2.2 and much the same applies.

matty_lee · 23 Mar 2002, 20:30 (Ref:242505)

How about these:

Citroen Saxo VTR
Peugeot 106 Quicksilver
Vauxhall Astra
Renault Clio 1.4
MG ZR
Fiat Punto 1.8 HGT
Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec

All small with great comfort and some with a bit of power and torque and others that are a bit slower.

Carrie · 3 Apr 2002, 21:57 (Ref:251352)

Right, done it, got a new car

Vauxhall Astra 1.4 16V

Tony_Simpson · 3 Apr 2002, 22:02 (Ref:251357)

Why not get a Peugeot 106 XSi, a 1.4 litre with 100bhp, good handling, ok insurance, and costs less than £3000 to buy a good one. Or how about the 106 rally, a 1.3 litre with 100bhp, cost a bit more to buy and insure but great to drive.

DAVID PATERSON · 5 Apr 2002, 11:20 (Ref:252587)

Congratulations Carrie,

When do you pick it up, how old is it and most important, what colour is it?

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