New Vauxhall Corsa

Newportnobby · January 10, 2013, 08:49:13 PM

Without turning this into a car forum, I'm thinking of getting a new Vauxhall Corsa later this year (downsizing). I've read lots of on line reviews but wondered whether anyone in Forumland has one and what do you think of it please? If replying as an owner please detail your model, fuel consumption etc as this would be a great help. Many thanks. NN

4x2 · January 10, 2013, 09:41:17 PM

Quote from: newportnobby on January 10, 2013, 08:49:13 PM
Without turning this into a car forum, I'm thinking of getting a new Vauxhall Corsa later this year (downsizing). I've read lots of on line reviews but wondered whether anyone in Forumland has one and what do you think of it please? If replying as an owner please detail your model, fuel consumption etc as this would be a great help. Many thanks. NN

As a big Ford fan i feel it's my duty to point out the error of your ways...

(ps i drive an Audi !

)

The Corsa has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, but the good old Fiesta still is the car to beat in this class.
For my money though, i'd probably look at Skoda - They've got some great deals at the moment, and the cars have long lost their dodgy image. VW build quality has fired them way up the car rankings and Skoda's ability to share bits of other cars but still have their own personality, makes them a popular choice.

As for the Corsa, i've not owned one but i have driven a 60 plate one as a hire car - it is very good to drive, the little diesel one i drove is surprisingly nippy. The only bad points i found was that it was a little uncomfortable for me as i struggled to get the seat right, and i thought the interior was a bit bland - but that could just be me !

Sprintex · January 10, 2013, 09:54:02 PM

Being another Ford fan I'll avoid launching into the full anti-Vauxhall thing

All I will say is I hope they've improved the gearbox, trying to find gears in the old models was like stirring lumpy porridge

Paul

4x2 · January 10, 2013, 09:56:16 PM

As i didn't pay for the hire i couldn't choose...

To be honest though the gearbox seemed ok, not as good as a Ford though !

mk1gtstu · January 10, 2013, 10:02:53 PM

Fords Rule!

tim-pelican · January 10, 2013, 10:27:17 PM

Quote from: Sprintex on January 10, 2013, 09:54:02 PM
All I will say is I hope they've improved the gearbox, trying to find gears in the old models was like stirring lumpy porridge

Why you'd want a manual box on anything you're *not* going to take to track days or similar is beyond me. Firmly an auto convert these days. The DSG on my Golf Plus is wonderful...

Pete Mc · January 11, 2013, 02:09:17 AM

Mick,before you contemplate buying a Corsa and I'm not sure if its the current shape you are interested in,there is a new model about to be unveiled some time this year.Apparently it is going to be a shrunken Astra GTC according to Auto Express,although no images are available at this time.If I was in the market for one(which I'm not) I would wait because once the new model hits the dealer forecourts,the current model will devalue quite rapidly.
As a Skoda convert of eight years now I would mirror what 4x2 has said.Buy a Skoda Fabia.They have an excellent range of engines and are very well put together and being a Skoda,if buying a used example,the likelihood of buying a shed is almost nonexistent,unlike Corsa's which are used quite widely by hire companies and driving schools as well as young drivers who have just passed their tests.
Fabia's are usually driven by more mature folk.I have an Octavia 1.9TDI and never,not one minute have I regretted buying mine,it has been the best car I have ever owned and has been owned by me since 2004.It is totally reliable even though it is now nudging 14 years old.
When I get round to changing my car it will be for another Skoda,this will be either an Octavia vRS TDI or a Yeti TDI 2WD.Don't need 4WD.
Our company has a Corsa 1.3dti as a pool car and have driven it recently.It drives like a bag of nails but I reckon the 167k on the clock and the fact it has been driven by almost everyone at our depot(which numbers 375 employees) might have something to do with that.
Just my opinion,hope it helps.

Pete

point blank · January 11, 2013, 06:14:21 AM

Skoda Labia it is then. Sounds a bit fishy to me though.

Pengi · January 11, 2013, 07:15:23 AM

This is beginning to get into a sort of 'What Car'.

Sometimes there are other things to consider with cars, like where is the nearest approved garage, is the garage reliable etc (particularly for someone like me who knows nowt about car engines etc). I used to have a Ford but the quality of service at the garage I used was awful so changed.

I have not had a Corsa but I do know of people that have them and are pleased with them and they are loads better than when they first came out - I can get more details if you like. I expect you have considered the Honda Jazz. It is not the prettiest car on the road but very practical, spacious and holds it's value well. It is a bit like Kato track - a bit more expensive but tough as old boots, well thought out and makes life easier. I only changed because I was running two cars (which was fun but no longer necessary) and also had a VW garage 5 mins walk from where I live. Also the Honda garage (who were superb) got taken over by the same chain where I bought my Ford.

Claude Dreyfus · January 11, 2013, 08:16:03 AM

It also depends on what you have now. Downsizing is not the same as downgrading, but moving from a Volvo to, say, a Renault may be a move you would regret!

Stans by for the flack!

Paddy · January 11, 2013, 09:23:11 AM

I am an Audi driver too but my wife has a new VW Polo (this is her third). This one is a 100BHP 1.2TFSI (petrol) SEL model and it is fantastic. Her previous Polos were good little cars but this new model just oozes quality and feels much larger than it is. You could be fooled in to thinking the interior is Audi - lots of lovely detail etc. The car is also great to drive, handles well and looks great in metallic blue. In terms of fuel economy she gets 50+mpg.

Hope this helps.

Paddy

hairygit · January 11, 2013, 09:29:25 AM

Nah, forget Vauxhall, Ford, Audi etc, too many wheels! What you need is to get a decent motorbike, fast, fun, cheap on fuel, free parking in most car parks, no congestion charge should you be mad enough to go into London, and the ability to filter up the outside of traffic jams (legally!) Just the thing for a man of your age!

Pengi · January 11, 2013, 09:42:39 AM

Here's a review of the Corsa (in case you have not seen it)

http://www.topgear.com/uk/vauxhall/corsa

Calnefoxile · January 11, 2013, 11:20:58 AM

Mick,

My missus has an 09 plate Corsa 1.4 and she likes it, but I must admit when I drive it it just doesn't feel right. My Company car is a VW Golf 1.6 diesel Estate Bluemotion, which I absolutely love and do not want to change, my new choices will be either a Focus or Astra.

But back to the Corsa, I think that because it has low profile tyres on it, it seems to be a bit skittish. Also because it's a 1.4 petrol, it revs very high compared to my Golf Diesel, i.e. at 70mph on the motorway it's revving at about 3.5k, whereas the Golf Diesel at the same speed is just about 2k.

Around town it's not bad, you can get into 5th gear at about 30mph and it doesn't struggle, inside it's reasonably comfortable but I woudln't want to drive it on a long drive, although my daughter used to drive it to Germany and back

but I find the driving seat uncomfortable for long journeys, and being 6' I have the seat pushed back meaning no leg room in the rear behind my seat, unless you're about 3'6" with short legs

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Neal.

Malc · January 11, 2013, 12:06:51 PM

Hi Mick, have a look at the Toyota range. The smaller hybrids work well as long as you don't need lots of space in the boot. In addition, low road tax and when I took the Auris for a test drive, I got 70+ mpg.
I drive an Avensis, but will be looking seriously at the Auris when I go for my next car.
Malc