€1K car - Micra or Yaris?

Stallingrad

I know this area is a minefield but which of the above starter cars (circa 2000) would be a better bet in terms of running costs, or is there nothing in it? Timing belts or chains an issue?

Nuw

Can't really go wrong with either, just pick the one that looks most looked after. Double check either would be insurable though, as they're getting quite old and insurance will be where you'll spend most of your money.

beauf

Your issue will be insurance. Few places will insure a 10yr old car never mind one that 17yrs old especially not for a starter.

I'd be looking for things like rust, leaks, keys all working. All things working.

Atlantic Dawn

Of the 2 I would go with the Yaris for reliability and the higher driving position, your unlikely though to get a Yaris for the same price as a Micra, there's a premium charged for them, very unlikely you will get one with NCT for a grand but you might get lucky.

colm_mcm

Yaris is far more modern than the Micra and just nicer overall. The 00 Micra is just an updated 1992 model.

bazz26

The Yaris is a superior car to the Micra but you would probably get a better condition Micra than Yaris for 1k.

colm_mcm

Yaris prices have really taken a dive lately with the insurance thing, plus the cheapest ones are 17/18 years old now.

alroley

I have a yaris and I absolutely love it. I learned to drive in a micra but prefer the yaris.

bazz26

If you can get a good Yaris for 1k then it's a no brainer really.

mgbgt1978

Micra's do have an issue with timing chain stretch (very noticeable at idle). Also a lot more prone to rust in certain areas....Sills, front crossmember, boot floor.
Yaris would be streets ahead, and a more spacious interior.

Although, as mentioned more than once, make sure you can get a reasonable insurance quote before even looking at anything.

You could pick up a fairly clean '04/'05 Panda for around the 1K mark. Not the worst Car Fiat ever made. They're easy to insure and although they have a Timing Belt it's a non-interference Engine so not an issue if it snaps.

Stallingrad

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

You could pick up a fairly clean '04/'05 Panda for around the 1K mark. Not the worst Car Fiat ever made. They're easy to insure and although they have a Timing Belt it's a non-interference Engine so not an issue if it snaps.

Had a pretty poor experience with 2000 Puntos (overheating, head gaskets, wiper linkages) so wary of FIAT, is the Panda any better than the Punto I wonder?

ironclaw

That early Yaris is as bomb-proof as they come. Great car and a great engine. Takes very little to keep them ticking over and can take mighty abuse in their stride. Only issue I every had with 4 of them was water pumps and MAF / O2 sensors, they tend to go at higher mileages but are simple to fix. There's very little that can go catastrophically wrong with them but a good one will attract a premium and I'd be checking over the history before parting with cash. You can get a little rust in them and the window seals have a tenancy of wearing out in very old models, likewise the lighter paint shades fade and the headlights can yellow. Takes very little to get them back up to par. Minor downside is cross country economy, its woeful. Great for around town, take it above 100km/h and you'll plummet on fuel economy and it won't be a comfy ride for 2+ hours.

All said, don't expect Rolls Royce standards for €1k. You're in the bottom of the market really with cars that should be scrapped, people are trying to rid their hands of or can't get NCTs for. Likewise you'll also find uninsurables based on the new BS restrictions.

Stallingrad

Cheers Ironclaw, there seem to be some half decent Yaris on DD with full NCT for €1500 ish. Is it a big job to get the timing chain done on these?

ironclaw

Stallingrad wrote: »

Cheers Ironclaw, there seem to be some half decent Yaris on DD with full NCT for €1500 ish. Is it a big job to get the timing chain done on these?

I believe the timing chain in them is a 'for life' part. I had one with over 200k miles on it and to the best of my knowledge it was never replaced nor have I ever heard of one being replaced.

colm_mcm

With a Yaris I'd be listening out for timing chain rattle more than anything.

mgbgt1978

Stallingrad wrote: »

Had a pretty poor experience with 2000 Puntos (overheating, head gaskets, wiper linkages) so wary of FIAT, is the Panda any better than the Punto I wonder?

The main issue with millenium Punto's was the owners. Fiat introduced a very keen finance deal and consequently a lot of 1st owners were only paying around €30 weekly (or so) for a new car. A huge proportion of these owners didn't have the knowledge or money to keep their cars serviced...a lot of them assumed that because they had bought a new car that it didn't need anything looked at for at least 3 years, etc.
In fairness you will see a lot more Pandas than Puntos on the road nowadays.
It was just a suggestion to keep within your budget but move up several years if Insuring something older is a problem.
I also picked up an '05 Ciitroen C1 last March for €1,400 (full NCT and very low mileage)....a Toyota in all but name, even uses the same 3 cylinder engine found in the '05 onwards Yaris's.

Stallingrad

Update on this:
Looked at 3 Yaris yesterday.

First: Immaculate bodywork, clutch judder, engine a bit tappety, oil weeping from headgasket, no service history
Second: Ropy bodywork, sweet engine and gearbox, no service history
Third: A few dents and dings but all original paint, worn drivers seat, very good engine, felt very tight, new tyres, full NCT and get this, FULL Toyota service history from new, all manuals and paperwork and 1 owner!

Needless to say I bought number 3, a fair price at €1100.

bazz26

Alot of small cars get dinged because they are driven either by learner drivers or elderly people. The bumpers are a bit high on the Yaris too so the bodywork at the bottom tends to be damaged from kerbs, etc too. I wouldn't worry about it.

colm_mcm

The bottom of the bumper being metal doesn't help either.

mgbgt1978

The rear bumper I assume Colm ? That lower section is damaged on almost every Yaris you see. The only saving grace is that it is a separate part so you can be lucky and find one (same colour) in a Breakers.

colm_mcm

Yep. The rear one