Vauxhall - Corsa |
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1993-00
2000-03
Cheap to buy and run, so a popular first car or runabout. But if you can afford a bit more, there are more talented superminis that promise greater satisfaction.
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Even late Nineties cars are cheap now |
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Low running costs |
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More spacious than some supermini rivals |
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Poor ride on less than perfect roads |
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Not much fun to drive |
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Lots of irritating small faults |
Corsa looks and feels like an old design. It had a certain cheeky charm back in the mid-Nineties, but it was never the best of the supermini bunch. A Punto or Clio is just as practical, no less reliable and much nicer to drive.
Low cost of ownership is Corsa's main attraction. Insurance is cheaper than average, parts and servicing are rivalled only by Fiesta, and all models give 40 mpg or more. Tidy late Nineties cars start at £2000 for a frugal 1.2 16v Envoy; even a top 1.6i 16v Sport costs under £5000.
Other plus points include a roomy five-door body that takes a small family at a push, reasonable occupant safety, and lively 16-valve engines (especially the 1.4i 16v).
But if you enjoy driving, Corsa's flabby handling, poor steering response and uneven ride will probably sway the argument. And reliability is mediocre, too.
1.2 16v and 1.4 16v; SRi, GSi and Sport
1.5D, 1.7D; low-spec 1.0 and 1.2
Fiat Punto (1994-99)
Ford Fiesta (1995-99)
Renault Clio (1991-98)
