Looking To Downgrade

chops018

Hey guys,

I currently have a 1.5 car, and lately it has been annoying me the tax I'm paying and how little the petrol lasts especially as I usually only use it for driving small distances with an odd long journey. So I was thinking of downgrading. Was thinking between these three:

Volkswagon Polo 1.2.
Renault Clio 1.2.
Opel Corsa 1.2.

Wanted in or around a 2003, hoping to have 2000 or so euro to spend after getting rid of my car, which would be the best? Also what would be the nicest to drive and most comfortable considering I'm downgrading froma 1.5?

renofan

What car do you drive? To be honest if you can't afford to tax a 1.5 can you really afford a car?

chops018

renofan wrote: »

What car do you drive? To be honest if you can't afford to tax a 1.5 can you really afford a car?

Of course I can afford to tax a 1.5 and I'm not trying to sound pompous in saying this but I could afford to tax a 2.0 if I wanted to, I just don't think there is a need for an engine size for the small distances I usually drive so I said I might aswell save the money on tax and the bit on petrol and downgrade to a 1.2.

Also I have had my car for nearly two years and getting a bit sick of it now. It's a Nissan Almera by the way.

Anyway this isn't a discussion of whether I can afford a car or not, I decided to go to a lower engine and wondering which of the above would be good when downgrading?

Edit: saw your name, you will probably suggest the Clio so haha?

renofan

Sorry, I picked it up that you couldn't afford the tax. I'm not a small car person (even though I have a Micra - only keeping as it was my first car and its handy as a run-about) so can't really recommend any of the ones you mention, though my brother's fiancee has a '99 clio and it is ok to drive, but with any small car you have less room and long journey's are a pain.

Anan1

chops018 wrote: »

Of course I can afford to tax a 1.5 and I'm not trying to sound pompous in saying this but I could afford to tax a 2.0 if I wanted to, I just don't think there is a need for an engine size for the small distances I usually drive so I said I might aswell save the money on tax and the bit on petrol and downgrade to a 1.2.

Also I have had my car for nearly two years and getting a bit sick of it now. It's a Nissan Almera by the way.

Anyway this isn't a discussion of whether I can afford a car or not, I decided to go to a lower engine and wondering which of the above would be good when downgrading?

Edit: saw your name, you will probably suggest the Clio so haha?

The savings will be buttons compared to the cost of changing. If you want to change anyway then focus on the actual car in front of you rather than getting caught up in make/model - condition and history are paramount at the lower end of the market.

166man

Out of the 3 my choice would be a Polo 1.2, however why don't you go the whole way and get a 2001 VW Polo 1.0l?

Relatively low tax, good fuel consumption as in, it sure as hell will be better than the Almera, they're a grand yoke for heading to the shops and that. Should pick one up for about €1500. Would be my choice anyway.

MuppetCheck

Almera's aren't all that heavy on juice to be honest. The savings will be minimal on short journeys, and on long ones the smaller engines may struggle to the detriment of economy. But it all depends on the car too.

chops018

166man wrote: »

Out of the 3 my choice would be a Polo 1.2, however why don't you go the whole way and get a 2001 VW Polo 1.0l?

Relatively low tax, good fuel consumption as in, it sure as hell will be better than the Almera, they're a grand yoke for heading to the shops and that. Should pick one up for about €1500. Would be my choice anyway.

Yeah I was looking at them, my friend has a 01 one and is letting me have a spin in it later, my Father told me to get a 1.2 at least as he said the 1.0 wouldn't pull you out of bed haha. He recommended the Clio. Gonna try see what I'll get for my yoke first and in the mean time try get a spin in all three, just trying to see what the people of boards think of them.

Anan1 wrote: »

The savings will be buttons compared to the cost of changing. If you want to change anyway then focus on the actual car in front of you rather than getting caught up in make/model - condition and history are paramount at the lower end of the market.

Well it shouldn't be too bad, I will wait to get rid of my car first and see what I get for it, I'm in no rush really. Some of the 00-03 Clio's aren't too expensive, neither are the 00 or 01 Polo's. In saying that I do realise you nearly always have to spend a couple of hundred on any second hand car you buy, but it won't bother me if I break even either way or spend an extra couple of hundred, I would hopefully be keeping it for 2-3 years.

renofan wrote: »

Sorry, I picked it up that you couldn't afford the tax. I'm not a small car person (even though I have a Micra - only keeping as it was my first car and its handy as a run-about) so can't really recommend any of the ones you mention, though my brother's fiancee has a '99 clio and it is ok to drive, but with any small car you have less room and long journey's are a pain.

No problem, I assumed you would go with the Clio considering your name haha.

chops018

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Almera's aren't all that heavy on juice to be honest. The savings will be minimal on short journeys, and on long ones the smaller engines may struggle to the detriment of economy. But it all depends on the car too.

Apart from a 96 Opel Corsa to start off, and a 1.8 Honda Accord in between for a year (lovely car) I have had Almera's the whole way up. Two 1997 one's, both for nearly two and a half years. Absolutely brilliant car, lovely to drive and grand enough on the juice. However I have had the 2003 Almera nearly two years and I never really got to like it, I never hated it but I never thought it as nice to drive as the 1997 one's and always felt it harder on petrol. The 1997's seem a bit too old now to be going back to so I was thinking of a 00-03 1.2 yoke.

MuppetCheck

Have a look at a Fiesta 1.25 - should pick up a decent one for less than budget.

166man

chops018 wrote: »

Yeah I was looking at them, my friend has a 01 one and is letting me have a spin in it later, my Father told me to get a 1.2 at least as he said the 1.0 wouldn't pull you out of bed haha. He recommended the Clio. Gonna try see what I'll get for my yoke first and in the mean time try get a spin in all three, just trying to see what the people of boards think of them

A 1.2 Polo is no pocket rocket either. If you want something to pull you out of bed you need to sacrifice the fuel economy it's as simple as that.

On the Almera, a mate in my class in college has a beige 2007 Almera Saloon and he complains it's a dog on juice although he's never given figures. Think his is the 1.5 too. Can't imagine it would be great tbh

chops018

166man wrote: »

A 1.2 Polo is no pocket rocket either. If you want something to pull you out of bed you need to sacrifice the fuel economy it's as simple as that.

On the Almera, a mate in my class in college has a beige 2007 Almera Saloon and he complains it's a dog on juice although he's never given figures. Think his is the 1.5 too. Can't imagine it would be great tbh

I suppose that's true, I will have to sacrifice the extra bit of power but I don't really use it to be honest, I always stick to the speed limits on long journeys and I'm sure a 1.2 would be well able for 60 to 70 mph on the odd long journey I take. Other than that I wouldn't need the power for going around at home.

Yeah I was never impressed with the fuel consumption of my Almera, my Father worked it out and reckons I get about 30 or maybe 32 to the gallon. He said I should get 40 or 42 to the gallon on a 1.2 but sure every little helps and it would be few quid less on tax, I just don't think it makes sense to have a big engine unless your travelling 60 or 70 miles a day. Another thing that is making me switch is the fact that I'm really not enjoying driving the car for the last while so I see it as a good opportunity to downgrade, but again I'm in no rush and will be testing the above cars to see what I think before I go and do anything too quick.

166man

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Have a look at a Fiesta 1.25 - should pick up a decent one for less than budget.

Actually this is a very good suggestion

+1

_Kaiser_

O/T: I expect this thread to get a lot busier in the next few weeks...

chops018

Dunno about the Fiesta's was never too fond of them.

My cousin always had Clio's and he swears by them, had a browse online and it looks like you would pick up a 02 for 1000-1400 quid. Way cheaper than the Polo's. I may get test driving and see what I think, then stick my own yoke on the internet and see what I get for that firstly.

john kinsella

+1 for Fiesta 1.25 great little cars

My girlfriend had a 2003 Clio which was horrible to drive. I swear to God the truning circle was similar to the QE2.

Out of your list I would go with the Polo.

CianRyan

My Almera (GA14) seems to love petrol. I've not worked it out for myself but I've looked up figures and generally people are getting 30-35mpg. In a 1.4 hatch back that's a bit nuts!
I might as well have a VZR at that rate.

I'd back the Fiesta for you OP.

FridaysWell

OP I've a VW Polo '01 with a nice little 1 liter 4 cylinder engine. Nice to drive and they are built quite well. If you can find a good one of those for a good price go for it. Make sure the TB and WP were done though. Miser on petrol and can cope well with motorway driving.

'02+ Polos are great cars too, driven a few, if you dont mind the 3 cylinder engine than they a nice car to drive and have a nicer interior compared to the '01 Polos. Good economy and they are very comfortable.

Clios are ok, not as refined or well built as the Polos, but a better choice than the Corsa. Good on petrol and interior is nice and comfy. Drive one you might find you like it. Try and avoid Corsas they arnt bad cars but the other two are better on the inside, outside and mechanically (debateable for the Clio)

Good luck!

Chuck Stone

Nissan Micra.
2003
1.0
€1950



http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4269924
_______________________________________________________

Fiat Panda
2004
1.0
€1700



http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4198773#

Idbatterim

Op i see zero point in changing from a 1.5 to a 1.2L as things stand at the moment, your talking about saving E77 per year!!! If you want to make the savings in any way worthwhile and they will still be negligible, Id got for a 1L...

CC
1000 E185 p/a
1100 E278
1200 E307
1300 E333
1400 E358
1500 E384

MuppetCheck

CianRyan wrote: »

My Almera (GA14) seems to love petrol. I've not worked it out for myself but I've looked up figures and generally people are getting 30-35mpg. In a 1.4 hatch back that's a bit nuts!
I might as well have a VZR at that rate.

I'd back the Fiesta for you OP.

Depends on the type of driving really. If it's urban than that's pretty much all you can expect. I drove a newer 2003 Almera for a while and it would average mid-high 30s, on a run it would break 40 easily.

Alanstrainor

chops018 wrote: »

Dunno about the Fiesta's was never too fond of them.

My cousin always had Clio's and he swears by them, had a browse online and it looks like you would pick up a 02 for 1000-1400 quid. Way cheaper than the Polo's. I may get test driving and see what I think, then stick my own yoke on the internet and see what I get for that firstly.

The engine in the fiestas are cracking. Really good for what they are.

I suppose they are getting on a bit now, so it's worth checking for rust on any of these, but a fiesta should be in the 1000 kind of price range I reckon.

FridaysWell

OP +1 on the Panda too, great car! If you dont mind the looks and road stance its another great 1.0L car

chops018

Thanks for all the replies guys.. Plenty of food for thought there. Didn't know the 02 Polo's were 3 cylinder thanks for telling me, don't think I would go near a 3 cylinder.

Well the little saving on tax would be a bonus but I'm more so sick of driving a 1.5 around the town and it drinking petrol.

My dad has a 1.2 micra, it's ok but they do seem expensive. The Clio seems like the most value, and there is a heap of them around so they must be ok, and sure you never know what you are getting buying a second hand car. Thinking between the 1149 cc Clio or a 1.0 Polo. Again I may see what my car fetches first haha, and test drive the above, may get onto some people I know with them - friends mother has a 01 Polo so I will try organise a nice long drive of it, and cousin has a 05 Clio so must organise a loan of it.

Idbatterim

Well the little saving on tax would be a bonus but I'm more so sick of driving a 1.5 around the town and it drinking petrol.

My dad has a 1.2 micra, it's ok but they do seem expensive. The Clio seems like the most value, and there is a heap of them around so they must be ok. Thinking between the 1149 cc Clio or a 1.0 Polo. Again I may see what my car fetches first haha.

mpg goes down drastically in any car when it comes to town driving. How much are you putting into her every week OP? Topgear have said it and Ill say it again, a lot of it is not what you drive, but how you drive it...

chops018

Idbatterim wrote: »

mpg goes down drastically in any car when it comes to town driving. How much are you putting into her every week OP? Topgear have said it and Ill say it again, a lot of it is not what you drive, but how you drive it...

Well I would have always considered myself to drive the car fairly well through the gears. I would put about €30 a week into it for just driving about the town and an odd spin for pleasure. If any additional journey's are done i.e. 25 miles or further I usually put another tenner in it depending on distance.

My father does similar driving to me apart from I drive to and from work, which is only 5 mins away, and he usually put's 10 quid into his, sometimes 20.

Idbatterim

Well I would have always considered myself to drive the car fairly well through the gears. I would put about €30 a week into it for just driving about the town and an odd spin for pleasure. If any additional journey's are done i.e. 25 miles or further I usually put another tenner in it depending on distance.

My father does similar driving to me apart from I drive to and from work, which is only 5 mins away, and he usually put's 10 quid into his, sometimes 20.

you see as your drives are only 5 mins, fuel economy will also be poor, due to the cold starts. the way I see it if you move to a 1.2 is, currently you are only paying extra E77 per year for 300cc & you get the advantages of that. take a look at the gap per extra 100cc between 2L and 2.1 and 2.5L and 2.6 = E183 and E199 respectively.

CianRyan

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Depends on the type of driving really. If it's urban than that's pretty much all you can expect. I drove a newer 2003 Almera for a while and it would average mid-high 30s, on a run it would break 40 easily.

I guess that's it really, I'm mostly doing short runs and it's barely getting up to temp', seems to do well on longer, steadier journeys though alright.

chops018

Idbatterim wrote: »

you see as your drives are only 5 mins, fuel economy will also be poor, due to the cold starts. the way I see it if you move to a 1.2 is, currently you are only paying extra E77 per year for 300cc & you get the advantages of that. take a look at the gap per extra 100cc between 2L and 2.1 and 2.5L and 2.6 = E183 and E199 respectively.

I didn't look at it that way, I won't be doing anything hasty anyway. I was thinking of a car change and thought why not downgrade for the bit of saving that might be done on tax/petrol even if it is only a little. All food for thought though, all the posters on here have been very helpful so thanks to all.

Mycroft H

CianRyan wrote: »

My Almera (GA14) seems to love petrol. I've not worked it out for myself but I've looked up figures and generally people are getting 30-35mpg. In a 1.4 hatch back that's a bit nuts!
I might as well have a VZR at that rate.

I'd back the Fiesta for you OP.

Would sound right. They're not awfully economical cars and it's a bit rubbish for a 1.4.


I can push 46mpg and average 42mpg in my 1.4 Clio.