Polo, Yaris or Micra 2002ish?

woody33

So my loyal old '97 Polo is off to the happy hunting ground due to rust and now the engine is in trouble. So, I'm looking for a 1 liter replacement probably about 2002 vintage. Sadly all the cars I've seen so far have issues, though a local mechanic has a Micra that he will do some rust fixing work on but it is interesting. Curiously my insurance want a higher premium for a 2002 Micra than my '97 Polo. So anyway, I'm interested in Polo, Micra or Yaris, though Fuelly seem to suggest the Polo gets much higher MPGs. My annual mileage is pretty low all the same. Any suggestions? Thanks.

colm_mcm

Yaris is the best of those 3 by a mile. Try and get one from mid 03 onwards as these have ABS. Insurance on cars over 15 years can often be more difficult so try and come up a few years if you can.

newer shape Polo is 1.2 minimum.

woody33

Thanks, I test drove a Yaris the other day, but it had a loud whine from the front left, possibly a wheel bearing but likely the gearbox I thought, needed money spent anyway. Could still be worth it maybe. Anyway, a cheap little run about is what I'm looking for. (Either that or an electric bicycle, don't let on...).

colm_mcm

Keep trying, there's plenty good ones out there.

bazz26

What's your budget OP?

woody33

Pretty low budget tbh, €850 or less if possible. I wouldn't mind doing a bit of tidying up, but not major cash outlays. I'd still kinda like a Yaris, though a Micra from a mechanic who I know is tempting. I'm lucky in that I know another mechanic who is good enough to take a look at cars I might consider.

colm_mcm

You're at the ropey end of the Yaris market to be fair.

woody33

Can't argue with that. . I might get a Micra in better nick for about that I suppose. Do you think a Yaris would get much better MPGs than a Micra? My wee Polo was a good as a diesel in that department.

colm_mcm

Yaris def gets better mpg than a Micra at dual carriageway speeds as the gearing on the Nissan is very short.

Look at a Daiharsu Sirion too.

bazz26

I'd look at the Hyundai Getz too, they are 1.1 litre but give you more options:



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/hyundai-getz/15209727

selectamatic

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/car/15176350

It's not 2002 but it's tested till 2018 and the seller has it up for over a week so I'd say 200 would bring it.

colm_mcm

That's pretty nasty though, I know the budget is tight, but that's a 25 year old model now.