Fix it or get another car?

booksale

Sorry for a rather long post. Really need some advice here. THANKS.

I have been driven an Opel Corsa 1.0 1999 since June 2010. I have done the exhaust three times (the exhaust pipe was fallen). I changed the sensor. And two new tyres. It passed the NCT in May. I quite like my car... but...

The exhaust fell again. And also, now I am driving at least 2hours a day and these few weekends, I need to drive 6 hours a day. All due to work. And I found the car got kinda sick.

It sometimes cut out when I stop at light. The garage said I need to something inside the bonnet (sorry I could not get the name), so the air can get through. Since money is a bit tight and I was thinking to change to another car once my job get stable (not stable yet), so they helped me clear the inside so the air can get through. It was driving fine for about a few weeks or so then.

Then, yesterday, the exhaust pipe fell again.

Now, my car has two kinds of noise. One is from the exhaust pipe clicking the other metal of the car. The other noise is from the engine. I am not quite sure whether the noise from the engine is due to the fallen exhaust pipe as well or what?

The garage said I could still drive it for a few days ('cos I dont have time to drop the car to them to fix and no garage opens on Sunday) and then drop the car to fix on Tuesday or so.

But does it worth to fix it and keep it? Can I take this little car for a long journey?

Now, I spot another cheap car (money is tight), it's a 2000 Ford Fiesta 1.3.

Do you think it might save me more money to change the car instead of fixing the Opel?

Any advice welcome.

Whoever fixed that exhaust those 3 times would want a kick up the hole.
Can't say would you be better off changing or not, the Fiesta could be a crate of sh1t or a good one. Wouldn't fancy doing all that driving in a 1.3 Fiesta either tbh. Are you limited by insurance or motor tax changing?

flyingsnail

The exhaust brackets on these do seem to be a weak spot, I had mine done twice but there was about two years in-between.


I think the thing here is better the car you know than the car you don't. You could buy the fiesta and it could have lot of things wrong with it too. I had my corsa 1.0L for 4 years (got it at 79K and got rid at 121K) and outside of normal servicing I probably spent less than 1K on parts and repairs.

I used to regularly drive from Limerick to Dublin and back in my corsa which meant spending 4.5 - 5 hours a day in the car and I can tell you it is not a very comfortable place to spend that amount of time. Somebody with more experience with the fiesta might be able to tell you what they are like.

If you do decide to buy another car make sure you have a mechanic look over it first so you know exactly what you are getting.

How long have you had the corsa ?

Bob Cratchet

booksale wrote: »

Sorry for a rather long post. Really need some advice here. THANKS.

I have been driven an Opel Corsa 1.0 1999 since June 2010. I have done the exhaust three times (the exhaust pipe was fallen). I changed the sensor. And two new tyres. It passed the NCT in May. I quite like my car... but...

The exhaust fell again. And also, now I am driving at least 2hours a day and these few weekends, I need to drive 6 hours a day. All due to work. And I found the car got kinda sick.

It sometimes cut out when I stop at light. The garage said I need to something inside the bonnet (sorry I could not get the name), so the air can get through. Since money is a bit tight and I was thinking to change to another car once my job get stable (not stable yet), so they helped me clear the inside so the air can get through. It was driving fine for about a few weeks or so then.

Then, yesterday, the exhaust pipe fell again.

Now, my car has two kinds of noise. One is from the exhaust pipe clicking the other metal of the car. The other noise is from the engine. I am not quite sure whether the noise from the engine is due to the fallen exhaust pipe as well or what?

The garage said I could still drive it for a few days ('cos I dont have time to drop the car to them to fix and no garage opens on Sunday) and then drop the car to fix on Tuesday or so.

But does it worth to fix it and keep it? Can I take this little car for a long journey?

Now, I spot another cheap car (money is tight), it's a 2000 Ford Fiesta 1.3.

Do you think it might save me more money to change the car instead of fixing the Opel?

Any advice welcome.

Overall, take your car to the garage and tell then you're thinking of either changing it, or getting everything that needs doing done, depending on how much it costs, as you need something that’s going to be fairly reliable.

Compare it with the cost of the Fiesta, and how good a condition the fiesta is in. If the Fiesta is in good nick and low miles, it might be cheaper just to change, but the Fiesta could just look clean, and need nearly as much work as your own car. It all depends really. If you like the fiesta, you could also ask one of the mechanics to look at the fiesta, ask the owner can you bring it in on a test drive etc., and bung the mechanic €20-30 to check it over for you. If the car is in good shape the owner will not object to this. If they do, walk away, and find another car to look at. There is no shortage.

Only when you've done the above will you know which car is going to be cheaper in the long run. There's a bit of work in it, but that's what budget motoring takes. On the plus side, it's the cheapest way to motor by far.

booksale

hiya, tks for your reply.

i think i might need to take a bit responsibility as i drove on a lot of rural roads these few months.

the opel corsa is very economical on petrol. I spent 40 euro a full tank and can run for around 500km which is very nice. so i was thinking to get another small one to save the petrol, and tax and also insurance of course.

booksale

tks you guys for the reply.

i have had the car for 1 year and 1 month since i started driving.

yea, i can tell you it's a real pain to drive in the corsa for 6 hours!!!

the garage already told me if im getting a new part for the air problem, it might be something around 150-200 euro. plus the exhuast now... , it might be 300 euro at least then...

will go and see the fiesta anyway to get some car viewing experience.

in fairness, i think i did not treat my car very very well so... i do like her.

Mar4ix

If you like your corsa, might be worth spend some money for new exhaust, and fit it properly. Sound from engine .... that could be chain,if i am not mistaken 1 litre engines had chain instead timebelt, and it sometimes do some sound. Might worth keep, if there is no other problems.

Mr Benevolent

The exhaust rattling on the Corsa 1L is a known issue, mine has started to do it in the last week.

I'm considering pushing it off a cliff.