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[Varche]

Leap into the dark for us. Haven't bought a car in Uk since 98!

We need a small car to keep here for the seemingly endless trips over to help ailing elderly relatives.

We have plumped for a 5 door manual Corsa up to say 2000 pounds. (2004 or thereabouts) maybe 60k miles

Haven't time to bid on Ebay or visit auctions etc. Worse, we are in Dumfries and Galloway(a truly beautiful part of Scotland) so have a far smaller choice so it looks like mostly dealer vehicles off Autotrader or Ebay.

What to look for on a small engined car?

Cambelt change same as Omega or 60k?
CV joints on full lock
Heavy steering for pump problems
Service history

Any other pointers appreciated.


 

[andrew38]

I have the 1.2 Twinport Corsa C its a good car on a 2005 plate. One of the things to watch out for is wet carpets, its caused by the seal around the brake servo being faulty and it becomes pourous, its not a 5 minute job to fix mine cost £500 to do and that was cheap. Apart from that, make sure the oil has been changed regually, old oil blocks the oil ways to the timing  chain, mine does all short journeys so I do three changes a year. Apart from that parts are cheap, oh yes one other thing is that the side light and indicator bulbs cannot be changed without taking the from bumper off, you can't get your fingers in their to change them, right rubbish design.

But its cheap transport and served us well, I would have another Corsa when it comes time to replace, very painless to own really. Make sure you buy a 1.2 or 1.4 dont buy the 1.0 had one of them first, really slow and no power to nip out into traffic.

[lee4206]

The main issues  on the corsa C    I tend to come across on the mot are insecure outer cv boots and the center exhaust box leaking at the ends. Other than that there ok. The power steering is electronic and sometimes has issues being stiffer one way and the smaller engined ones are chain driven.
Lee

[omegod]

Not sure if it's just the 1.0 3 cylinder model but timing chains and head gaskets are considered consumables, I see plenty going as spares or repair

[Webby the Bear]

And to  add. .. Corsas of that vintage are chain driven. Any tapping may indicate new chain required

[scimmy_man]

so basically dont?

buy a golf.

[05omegav6]

so basically dont?

buy a golf.

I wouldn't do that either, tbh

[cem_devecioglu]

check for oil leaks, coolant leaks  coolant smells inside car , check all controls inside the car, air condition, all gears, brakes, steering response .. odd noises etc..


check tyre to bumper distances for equality for both sides.. door gaps for being equal..



check the idle  when engine is cold and hot ..

[joshwyatt]

I rarely see any Corsa C petrol that doesn't have some kind of timing chain rattle...maybe I just see the clapped out one's 
I would rather buy an Astra G or H 1.6, cheaper to buy and not that much more expensive to run.

[cem_devecioglu]

I rarely see any Corsa C petrol that doesn't have some kind of timing chain rattle...maybe I just see the clapped out one's 
I would rather buy an Astra G or H 1.6, cheaper to buy and not that much more expensive to run.

agreed

[henryd]

I rarely see any Corsa C petrol that doesn't have some kind of timing chain rattle...maybe I just see the clapped out one's 
I would rather buy an Astra G or H 1.6, cheaper to buy and not that much more expensive to run.

Chain rattle normally caused by crap maintenance,the 1.2 is a good motor if cared for

[78bex]

Not sure about the Corsa C bit, but my sis ran a nearly new 2003 1.4 16v DOHC for about 5 years, the car was quick.   She had the cam belt replaced after about 50k miles. The seats were hard & I could never really get comfortable in it & orrible blind spot to the right A pillar. The boot space is tiny unless you fold the rear seats down & adult rear passengers have little leg room.
From memory she had broken front spring, leaking cam cover gasket & probs with the coil over plug wotsit & the cam sensor. The biggy was the cars ECU snuffed it when she was out of warranty & something like £500 from a vaux dealer to sort it hang on just remebered it was "Comfort spec" with 3 rear headrests on the rear seat    just a radio /cassette player with a silver sprayed bezel     

[Varche]

had a look at an Astra1.6 today . The idiot salesman couldn't even direct us to his own lot. The car was a poor example and when I did the pedal trick it had stored codes.

Going to try and see three on Tuesday a.m. Awful weather for looking at cars. I couldn't tell today whether it was day or night it was so wet and grey.

thanks for the pointers.

[Kevin Wood]

had a look at an Astra1.6 today . The idiot salesman couldn't even direct us to his own lot. The car was a poor example and when I did the pedal trick it had stored codes.

Going to try and see three on Tuesday a.m. Awful weather for looking at cars. I couldn't tell today whether it was day or night it was so wet and grey.

thanks for the pointers.

You should come and buy one in Hampshire. It's very much "Westfield weather" here.

[henryd]

had a look at an Astra1.6 today . The idiot salesman couldn't even direct us to his own lot. The car was a poor example and when I did the pedal trick it had stored codes.

Going to try and see three on Tuesday a.m. Awful weather for looking at cars. I couldn't tell today whether it was day or night it was so wet and grey.

thanks for the pointers.

You should come and buy one in Hampshire. It's very much "Westfield weather" here.

Yep,been driving and walking around the New Forest today,weather was lovely