1995 Corsa Manual
1995 Corsa (aka Tercel in US) - Manual Transmission $3, 500 US OBO Available in August She definitely isn’t going to win any beauty contests but on reliability she’s a 10. She gets up any hill, always starts on the first try and has never left me stranded or had any major issues.
Faults: Thermostat and thermostat switch both needed replacing when I first bought it at 86500 miles. General Comments: I have had a lot of cars in the past year. Fords, Fiats, Kia etc. But have never owned anything as comfy to drive. It really is a great little run around and very cheap to run. It's a really nice looking car too.
Even though it only has the basic 1.2 litre engine, it is still rather nippy. Sadly being the Twist version, it's totally basic and doesn't even have so much as a clock or lighter, but these silly things don't really bother me. Definatly a recommended car for new drivers for the cheap insurance and fuel consumption. Faults: When I first got the car all was fine. The body work was nice and shiny and polished well. Under the bonnet most of the metal I could see was all rusting away. Recently the rust has been has been flaking off when I shut the bonnet.
When I pull the leaver to open the bonnet it doesn't jump up like it used to do, I think the springs are worn or rusty so I have to lift it up instead and then press the leaver. The bulbs that illuminate the central console unit no longer work so can only see about 10% of the controls in the dark. Changing the bulbs isn't easy as I cannot remove the central air-vents to get to the screws behind. The steering wheel is out of rotational alignment.
The seat belts don't roll back like they used to. Condensation/misting doesn't clear even after using the heater/fan on high settings. The air flow cannot be directed completely to the side windows because of limits on the side airvents control. Cannot seem to get rid of the mayonnaise build up in the rocker cover, not easy to take off either. Car seems to jump forward as I put into gear with a thud. General Comments: Always starts in the morning, reliable. Damn cheap to run.
Opel Corsa 1995 Manual
I can get about 300 miles on a long run with a full tank and about 130 miles on short journeys with a full tank. Fits nicely into small parking spaces. Easier to control because it's a smaller car.
Toyota Corsa 1995 Manual
Interior is okay, not much room in the back though especially if you've got long legs. Nice headroom. Model year 1995 Year of manufacture 1995 First year of ownership 2002 Most recent year of ownership 2006 Engine and transmission 1.2 Manual Performance marks 5 / 10 Reliability marks 8 / 10 Comfort marks 7 / 10 Dealer Service marks 10 / 10 Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 9 / 10 Overall marks (average of all marks) 7.8 / 10 Distance when acquired 90000 miles Most recent distance 100000 miles Previous car Peugeot 309 Would you buy another car from this manufacturer?
Yes Review Date: 21st April, 2006. Faults: Rocker gasket leaking when bought - £20 and fitted myself.
Front brake pads, rear brake shoes, and 2x rear wheel cylinders renewed 1 month ago, cost £120 in parts. Slight rust on front of bonnet.
Front windscreen wash piping cracking and split, replaced for £10. Battery went flat quickly, but it turned out it was a faulty battery from a 1993 model. General Comments: The car is a great little car for running to work and back every day. It has adequate acceleration from standing upto around 50mph, then it starts to get sluggish, probably due to age. Once you get to 80mph ish, the car will happily stay there. Steering wheel wobbles at 75mph. Apart from that, a great little car.
Never broken down. Starts quickly every morning.