2003 Vauxhall Corsa SXI 1.2 from UK and Ireland
Summary:
It's got city car written all over it
Faults:
Engine ignition went wrong.
Tracking was out and still is.
Breaks are uneven, and you some times end up on the other side of road when braking hard!!!
Washer jets have broke.
CD player broke.
Front trim is missing from the dealer.
Engine ticks like an old Ford Fiesta.
General Comments:
This car is definitely suited for city driving, as it is fast off the line for a 1.2.
If you show this car a country road, it gets confused and the biggest problem shows up - its wallowy handling (probably because it is made by an American car maker, GM). A boat would probably handle better.
The suspension is so soft, but the handling is fairly predictable. If pushed too hard, it will under-steer and you can control it with the throttle.
If you want a car to race your mates in, go for a Pug 106 or Citroen Saxo. They may fall apart because they are french, but at least they go round corners.
A Vauxhall Corsa does not handle like it is on rails.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 2nd August, 2006
22nd Dec 2007, 16:09
Hey, just thought I'd point a couple of things out...
Things break. Fix them? If you're tracking goes out, then your tracking isn't going to come back, now is it?
You have noisy tappets I suspect, well then don't rag your car so much, get the oil done and let the engine warm up in future. I have noticed that all the Corsa's my mates have do suffer from noisy tappets, they have all ragged their cars, from cold.
Don't think for a second that I like Corsa's, or indeed any American cars (other than Escort RS Cosworth), but don't slag them off just because you abuse your car.
I own a 306 with 86k on the clock, it's not going to fall apart. The engine is silky smooth, quiet and pulls ever so well, intermittently the idle bounces up and down, once in a blue moon it cuts out, just needs a new throttle sensor.
Biggest problem is that Peugeot's tend to eat exhausts, I know people that've had to change exhaust annually. This is because Peugeot design the air intake, engine, exhaust to work together and create lovely flat torque curves, unmatched by any other manufacturer. A new exhaust once in a while is a price I'm prepared to pay.