Corolla or Astra, any opinions/advice?

pateen

hi,
basically 'the oul lad' is looking to change car!
he's had an Opel corsa for the last 7 years and its been nearly trouble-free!
does reasonably low 'suburban' miles with a few medium-long runs and feels like going slightly bigger this time.

the budget would be around 5-6k, and would be buying straight cash, no trade in.
been looking around and think we've kind of settled on a corolla or an Astra 05 upwards, more than likely 1.4 petrol in both cases.

looked at a 06 astra today with under 40k miles on it for around 6.5k

really just wondering does anybody have any advice or opinions or expirience with either of these cars like any common faults or problems and which ye would advise.

any information on fuel economy or any of that craic would be greatly appreciated.

regards,
P.

examples:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/LIFE-1.4/201121202546183/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Corolla/1.4-TERR/201121202544155/advert?channel=CARS

bazz26

Neither of those cars would appeal to me, they are bog standard base models of both types. I'd rather go back a year and get a decent spec model with a few toys for similar money.

I'd also add a Ford Focus to the list of candidates, something like this perhaps:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201129203519228

pateen

yeah was thinking the same myself, but they're two of the ones with reasonable miles at a reasonable price. i don't think toys or driving experience would be too important, of course alloys and fogs would be nice, reliability and reasonable economy would be kinda top of the list!
the buyer isn't much of a ford man to tell you the truth!
thanks

Minister Boyce

Well the Corolla is looking like your friend. I do warn you though I am a biased toyota fan. I lack an adventerous streak, reliabilty is king to me:D The focus would be my second choice before the astra

psycho-hope

My mum has an 05 version of this lovely car to drive and lots of room, the bf is 6'5 and he fits quite comfortably in the back, only problem is they have no temp gauge so if anything is going wrong with the thermostat etc you wont know untill the car starts pouring steam
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/LIFE-1.4/201121202546183/advert?channel=CARS

Ardennes1944

I have a 05 1.8 Sri and I love the car. Has lots of kit and the interior is a really nice place to sit. They are a fine car although they do not get much love on this forum as they are an Opel . I know your father wants good economy but having owned a 04 astra g 1.4 as my last car I can tell you that the mpg figures aren't great at all. The newer model is even heavier so I would only presume it is worse. I brimmed the tank in both cars to find the accurate mpg and my current car is doing 32.8 whereas the last one was getting about 31.5. If i was your ol man I would be getting the 1.6 twin port astra. Powerful enough for the weight of the car and good economy also from the excellent twin port engine.

Another option might be getting a 1.7 diesel estate astra. A nice looking estate that you can get cheaply here as they are out of favor with the Irish.

Ardennes1944

psycho-hope wrote: »

My mum has an 05 version of this lovely car to drive and lots of room, the bf is 6'5 and he fits quite comfortably in the back, only problem is they have no temp gauge so if anything is going wrong with the thermostat etc you wont know untill the car starts pouring steam
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/LIFE-1.4/201121202546183/advert?channel=CARS

If he gets a higher spec than sxi with a trip computer, holding down the settings button for 6 secs and then pressing bc , you will be given a whole host of information and temperatures. Only found out yesterday by accident

pateen

thanks guys!
i think 1.4 would be the limit as keepin the 1.0 goin is already tough enough in the lines of tax and what not, thanks again

Ardennes1944

well if thats the case id get one of these http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2335418

i know its a corsa but it will be bigger and beefier than the older models

or

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2328916

pateen

anything else?
everything's welcome!