Dying VW Polo 1.2 - New Car Needed

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Sat 23 Jul 2016 17:04
Dying VW Polo 1.2 - New Car Needed - 096
Hello

Some of you may have seen my old post on my dying VW Polo I am looking to sell it on as parts. Its a mint car and everything is functioning apart from the engine valve.

However I need another car. I am 20 years young and do a 50 mile trip to work daily. My insurance is currently £1700.

I have been looking at a Toyota Yaris 2006 - 2010 my budget is £2000. Should I buy a 1.0 or 1.3? And what are the common faults because I don't want another misfiring problem.

What other cars are there, I feel insecure buying anything French or a Vauxhall, are Corsa D's any better? How abouts a Fiat Grande Punto?

I've also been looking at 1.25 Fiestas circa 2006. What are their common problems?

Please help, cheers.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Jul 2016 00:37
Dying VW Polo 1.2 - New Car Needed - Avant
Condition matters more than make or model: try to find something that appears to have been well looked after and has a service history.

The Yaris would be a good bet (the 1.3 is worth it over the 1.0 but if you can only find a 1.0 in good condition then that's better than many others). The advantage of Fiestas is that there a lots of them around to choose from. Look at the car-by-car reviews on this site to see common problems.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Jul 2016 00:38
Dying VW Polo 1.2 - New Car Needed - daveyK_UK
The corsa is the best car Vauxhall sell, would recommend one.
cheap to insure and maintain.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Jul 2016 10:44
Dying VW Polo 1.2 - New Car Needed - Steveieb
Just bought a Y Reg Yaris upon recommendation of this site. But an early one as they were Japanese built as opposed to the ones from 2001 which were French built and like most things French, the build quality was not as good.

It's a brilliant car recommended by HJ and one poster here says they are galvanised. The battery failed the other day on this 15 year old car but this was due to leaving the lights on.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Jul 2016 13:02
Dying VW Polo 1.2 - New Car Needed - FoxyJukebox
Have a look at a half decent 3 year old Kia Rio--amazing value and you would still have 4 years guarantee?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Jul 2016 13:58
Dying VW Polo 1.2 - New Car Needed - Wackyracer
I would choose in the following order Yaris 1.3, Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10, Hyundai i20, Kia Rio and maybe a Hyundai Getz (plenty around going for sensible prices)
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Jul 2016 16:58
Dying VW Polo 1.2 - New Car Needed - Avant
I take Steveieb's point, but Yarises are built in France to Japanese standards and using components designed (and possibly some also made) in Japan. My daughter had four 1.3 Yarises in succession and none gave any problems.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 25 Jul 2016 21:49
Dying VW Polo 1.2 - New Car Needed - Steveieb
That's a good recommendation Avant but I understand that some of the Japanese paint and component manufacturers that set up in Europe to supply the car companies were abandoned for locally sourced products, some of which did not meet the same high standards.
Take for example the Honda handbrake levers which were source locally and failed when they were applied.
Also the modern Yaris auto boxes and Dpfs have been troublesome.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

We give you the low down on how to save on insurance, little-known tricks and tips, what insurance groups mean and how to use insurance aggregators to beat insurers.

Insurance group finder and how to save on insurance

If you cover no more than 100 miles per day and have easy access to a charging point at home or work, then an EV is ideal for you.

Is an electric car right for me?