VW Polo '00-01 vs. Opel Corsa '03-04

lacrimosa

Hello Folks,

I’m about to get myself a small car and, having done some research, reviewed opinions re reliability and including my personal preference, focus on:

* VW Polo 1.0l 2000 – 01

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Polo/5-Door/1014325/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Polo/1.0-BASE/945016/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Polo/1.0-Abosolute/723041/

or
* Opel Corsa 1.2l 2003 - 04.

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Opel/Corsa/1.2-XE/987813/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Opel/Corsa/1.2-NJoy/977224/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Opel/Corsa/Life-5/978276/

My budget would be ca. 6k. So could get Polo for <5k in total (car price + AA car inspection + insurance, etc.), and in case of Corsa would have to fork out ca. 7.5k (incl. getting a 1.5k loan).

Now, I was wondering as buying car for 2 years approximately, would it be more reasonable – in view of future re-sale – to go for a newer one (ie. Corsa)? I mean, do you think it would be easier to put that car into market after 2 yrs, or it wouldn’t make much difference as the market is quite flat, or maybe hard to tell what’s gonna happen in 2 yrs time?

I’d be defo more satisfied with a newer, neat Corsa (even though need to take loan), however I believe that Polo is a reliable choise as well. Anyway, a car is always kinda a waste of money so I’m open for arguments .

Cheers!

meathstevie

Everything else being equal ( service history, crash free etc) I'd go for the Polo.

Madison breslin

from what im told VW would be a better option than the corsa.your priority should be reliability. From experience Toyota is hard to beat

ninty9er

Having owned a Corsa and having a friend with a Polo, I'd take the hit on the Corsa for the superior ownership experience.

Polos of that vintage will not have central locking or electirc windows, which will hamper resale value, for the same money a newer Corsa will serve you better. Just DON'T get the 1.0l

coolbeans

Madison breslin wrote: »

from what im told VW would be a better option than the corsa.your priority should be reliability. From experience Toyota is hard to beat

Both the Polo and Corsa are mediocre at best in terms of reliability. Check out JD Power, What Car satisfaction survey etc. Auto Express do 'em as well. Just use your googles.
If trouble free is your priority you really should be looking at the likes of Skoda's Fabia, Toyota's Yaris (the earlier ones built in Japan are the best). I really don't know how you managed to narrow your choice down to two of the crappest cars on the road; no offense intended.:o

itarumaa

I really cannot see any reason to spend 5k to 00-01 Polo, way owerpriced.

Why dont you get Toyota Yaris, if you are interested about relibiality, you can get that for same money than Polo and it is much more modern car,

lacrimosa

thanks for the replies Guys.

Well, those are the cars I like, it's just my personal (subjective) preference. eg. I test drove Yaris but just didn't like it, found it too much of a women's car. Probably can't argue with reliability of older Yaris (or Honda Jazz).

@ coolbeans
I wouldn't agree with you, hopefully not only before car purchase
As per TUV/ Dekra reports, Polo 2000 - 01 seem to be more reliable that newer model (say 2002 - 03), and for Corsa it appears to be not too bad either.

Just a bunch of figures: TUV report 2007 ->
* 2-3 yrs old cars: Corsa - ranked 24th, Polo 41st;
* 4-5 yr old ones: Corsa 21st, Polo 51st;
* 6-7 yr oldies: Corsa 38, Polo 20.

S.I.R

i reccomend the polo because the clutchs in corsa's are known for there danger... ( learner drivers often burn them out and choke on the noobish clutch smoke ) aswell as there the worst car to ever come from germany....


polo all the way... thoguh a 106 would be lighter , juts as quick and look a little better for same price.... there a great car too , less problems then most of the peugeot range

ninty9er

S.I.R wrote: »

i reccomend the polo because the clutchs in corsa's are known for there danger... ( learner drivers often burn them out and choke on the noobish clutch smoke ) aswell as there the worst car to ever come from germany....


polo all the way... thoguh a 106 would be lighter , juts as quick and look a little better for same price.... there a great car too , less problems then most of the peugeot range

I really like the Opel clutch, I even moved onto an Astra manual rather than an intended automatic choice when I came across one in 1.6.

There is so much scope to release the clutch, not like the Japs, where the bite is there, then suddenly...*conk*

You do have to push the clutch considersably further in the Opel and VW to disengage the gearbox, so much so I nearly rammed my foot through the floor of my mam's Yaris recently. you barely have to press the thing!!

Opel clutch is perfect for learners, but as already warned...DO NOT GET THE 1.0 or ANY 1.0 car for that matter you'll regret it if you do any bit of non urban driving, even occasionally.