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Sub 1k Corolla vs sub 2k Fiat Bravo (or similar)

newboard

My 01 Focus failed the NCT, Boards folk are estimating costs to be around €600 so looks like I'm back in the market for a Bangernomics :mad:

I'm looking for something that would be a good economical choice for the next 2-3 years or so. I don't mind spending a little extra (but not more than 1k). My commute is around 40km round trip 4 days a week.

Should I be looking at dealers only?

If anything spots something I'd appreciate a link - I'm South Dublin.

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colm_mcm

Squatman wrote: »

i expected a contrarian - well johnnyboy, it all depends on what you're used to. The short wheel base on the corolla does not lend itself to good handling - again depends on how you drive. but if you drive like a nun, and are used to match boxs, then "she'd Ate the road", but no, in reality it handles poorly

if you look it up on this website, then you can see independent reviews, which rate its handling lower than a Yaris

https://www.parkers.co.uk/toyota/yaris/hatchback-1999/review/

I rest my case.

I’d have to disagree too, maybe it was the model you had, but I sold a good few of these new and used back in the day and would never have said they handle poorly. Sure they aren’t a sports car, but they’re well able to be flung into roundabouts and back roads.

JohnBoy26

Squatman wrote: »

i expected a contrarian - well johnnyboy, it all depends on what you're used to. The short wheel base on the corolla does not lend itself to good handling - again depends on how you drive. but if you drive like a nun, and are used to match boxs, then "she'd Ate the road", but no, in reality it handles poorly

if you look it up on this website, then you can see independent reviews, which rate its handling lower than a Yaris

https://www.parkers.co.uk/toyota/yaris/hatchback-1999/review/

I rest my case.

I take those reviews with a pinch of salt tbh. Real worl experience is what counts.

They rate the focus highly and my corolla handles just as good as both focuses I had.

But if you want to look at reviews honestjohn agrees with me
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/toyota/corolla-2002/?section=good

Btw there isn't a hope that these handle worse than a yaris that's coming from someone who owned both.

newboard

Thanks for the replies. Sorry, should have mentioned that I'd be looking around the 1.4L range, i.e not too slow/small, but something that won't drain me dry on fuel economy, insurance and tax.

Squatman

newboard wrote: »

Question: What are the top 3 car models you'd expect to get for sub 1k? I think Corolla has been established! Anything else?

fiesta, petrol or diesel, or fusion,
golf - normally high mileage - passat good buy imo
accord - abnormally cheap for such a good car

it depends on what you want really, petrol or deisel, big engine or small.
if you want small engine, cheap an cheerful
polo
yaris
fiesta

LArge, cheap cheerful
seat toledo
VW passat
golf
avensis
or
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-c220-cdi-auto/17858822
C220 on donedea

Squatman

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

I can't agree. I have a late luna spec model and find it handles very well whilst also being comfortable.

i expected a contrarian - well johnnyboy, it all depends on what you're used to. The short wheel base on the corolla does not lend itself to good handling - again depends on how you drive. but if you drive like a nun, and are used to match boxs, then "she'd Ate the road", but no, in reality it handles poorly

if you look it up on this website, then you can see independent reviews, which rate its handling lower than a Yaris

https://www.parkers.co.uk/toyota/yaris/hatchback-1999/review/

I rest my case.

bear1

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Yeah but non will be as easy to live with as a corolla. I'd have a saloon civic up there though. Definitely as good as a corolla for reliable motoring.

Ah it depends tbh but if you're looking at a sub 1k car then those I think are going to be the most popular.
Leaving Toyota aside, I'd say a punto is probably the cheapest you could get as long as it isn't showing hg signs.
If you're brave a saab 93 turbo or if you just don't like driving a 1.4 golf.

JohnBoy26

bear1 wrote: »

Punto I'd imagine, maybe a golf or a saab

Yeah but non will be as easy to live with as a corolla. I'd have a saloon civic up there though. Definitely as good as a corolla for reliable motoring.

JohnBoy26

Squatman wrote: »

yup, i think so, i owned a 02 corolla in 2012, that i paid 1650 for, 160k miles - handle like crap tho

I can't agree. I have a late luna spec model and find it handles very well whilst also being comfortable.

bear1

Punto I'd imagine, maybe a golf or a saab

newboard

Question: What are the top 3 car models you'd expect to get for sub 1k? I think Corolla has been established! Anything else?

Squatman

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

I think in that price bracket you could pick up a better lower mileage corolla tbh.

yup, i think so, i owned a 02 corolla in 2012, that i paid 1650 for, 160k miles - handle like crap tho

JohnBoy26

Squatman wrote: »

looking at the nct disc. its 235k miles. Id stay clear to be honest. not that theres anything wrong with the mileage, just that if the owner doesnt want to be honest about mileage thats verifiable, what else will he hide. there would be no shortage of high mileage cars in that price bracket.

I think in that price bracket you could pick up a better lower mileage corolla tbh.

Squatman

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

200k miles id say. They are well capable of high mileage so I wouldn't be overly concerned if the car is good.

looking at the nct disc. its 235k miles. Id stay clear to be honest. not that theres anything wrong with the mileage, just that if the owner doesnt want to be honest about mileage thats verifiable, what else will he hide. there would be no shortage of high mileage cars in that price bracket.

JohnBoy26

newboard wrote: »

Thoughts on this? Asking €890. 200km mileage a concern?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/04-toyota-corolla-1-4-new-nct-3-19/18446801

200k miles id say. They are well capable of high mileage so I wouldn't be overly concerned if the car is good.

newboard

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

If you show that car any kind of respect it should do another 200k kms.

Thanks - what would be a reasonable offer would you say?

Toyotafanboi

newboard wrote: »

Thoughts on this? Asking €890. 200km mileage a concern?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/04-toyota-corolla-1-4-new-nct-3-19/18446801

If you show that car any kind of respect it should do another 200k kms.

newboard

Thoughts on this? Asking €890. 200km mileage a concern?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/04-toyota-corolla-1-4-new-nct-3-19/18446801

YzIxOWFhOWY4MDIzNDc0N2I2ODIyMDM4MWI1ZjI0NmVbq-M1bk8l7PDO_Gez-fc6aHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b185ODUyMDQ4Mnx8fDYwMHg2MDB8fHx8fHx8fA==.jpeg

YzIxOWFhOWY4MDIzNDc0N2I2ODIyMDM4MWI1ZjI0NmVbq-M1bk8l7PDO_Gez-fc6aHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b185ODUyMDQ4Mnx8fDYwMHg2MDB8fHx8fHx8fA==.jpeg

Toyotafanboi

The panel gaps look very wide around the front of it?

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’d agree, it could do with a polish, it’s obviously been repaired at the front, headlights need a compound, passenger side moulding is wrong and the drivers seat is worn but for a grand you won’t expect it to be pristine. It would tidy up well I think.

3 door adds to the appeal for a lot of the target market

What makes you think it's been repaired at the front? It looks original to me or am I missing something?

colm_mcm

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Can't see how it looks very, very tired tbh. To me it looks ok for something with 180k miles. I agree about the cheaper examples though. €950 is a bit optimistic.

I’d agree, it could do with a polish, it’s obviously been repaired at the front, headlights need a compound, passenger side moulding is wrong and the drivers seat is worn but for a grand you won’t expect it to be pristine. It would tidy up well I think.

3 door adds to the appeal for a lot of the target market

bear1

It will be sold with an nct, so for now there is no nct?
I'd be a bit sceptical about that one. Much better ones posted previously.

LeakingLava

newboard wrote:

Thoughts on this?

I would check on insurance quotes. I know I am a young driver somewhat but I received a no-quote on a corolla of similar age when I asked my current insurer for quote to change cars

ELM327

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Not bad with the bit of tax on it, you could do a lot worse.

+1 , the tax included, 950 is a good price.
The interior is quite nice looking, doesn't look like it has nearly 200k on the clock. It's no mark levinson but quite nice all the same.

JohnBoy26

joujoujou wrote: »

Looks very, very tired.

Newer and cheaper examples were here before.

Can't see how it looks very, very tired tbh. To me it looks ok for something with 180k miles. I agree about the cheaper examples though. €950 is a bit optimistic.

joujoujou

newboard wrote: »

Thoughts on this?

1.4 2003 hatchback Corolla tax and NCT asking for 950

[...]

Looks very, very tired.

Newer and cheaper examples were here before.

Toyotafanboi

newboard wrote: »

Thoughts on this?

1.4 2003 hatchback Corolla tax and NCT asking for 950

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/03-toyota-corolla-1-4-t2-tax-07-18/18128579

Not bad with the bit of tax on it, you could do a lot worse.

newboard

Thoughts on this?

1.4 2003 hatchback Corolla tax and NCT asking for 950

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/03-toyota-corolla-1-4-t2-tax-07-18/18128579

colm_mcm

It means the seller has the VRC and it’s passed a basic check.

newboard

joujoujou wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/just-nct-taxed-till-may/18408195

Yet another cheap saloon corolla. 2004, 1.4 petrol, test until Feb 2019, 825 asked.

However hidden number plates would put me off a bit.

This looks nice. Does that Greenlight Verified thing on Done Deal not mean it's okay (re the reg being hidden)?

newboard

Some nice links there lads thanks. Just on the phone here sure so will go through them properly again.

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Do you think a focus and a fabia are more presentable than a corolla? I've owned both a focus and corolla and I don't see the corolla as being less presentable. It's also much better screwed together, more comfortable, more economical and offers better performance.

I wouldn't like to be commuting in a fabia tbh.

I feel my 01 Focus is more presentable than a 01 Corolla (which I owned prior to the Focus). Granted it was that nasty green colour you see a lot of them in and had patchy paintwork.