Now she's passed her test Mrs V's quest for her next car has begun. Fed up with the lack of power steering on her otherwise solid Felicia she's gone through some car buying magazines (and the CBCB) and come up with a small short list of cars as contenders.
Ideally the car will be up to 5 years old but she wants a 5 door hatch (kids to carry); up to a 1.6 engine; it must be cheapish to run/insure; fun to drive and above all reliable.
Top of the current list is the Mazda 323 but she's also considering the Seat Ibiza (but with a list of possible faults/problems as long as my phone bill I'm not convinced), Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Nissan Almera.
There is no rush as she doesn't use the car all that often and we'd both rather she got the right car and kept it for some time so, if there are any 323 owners out there (past or present) what's the car and ownership experience like.
Also what are your views on her alternatives?
Many thanks all.
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I've had my 323 for 18 months. The car is 6 years old. Since I've had it the only thing that has gone wrong is a broken driver's doorlock.
Plus points, for me, are:
- handling/roadholding. It goes round bends really well.
- reliability
- I think it looks nice
- plenty of room
- it has cost me peanuts to service (via a friendly independent). I'm having a 6,000 mile service and a cambelt change next week which will come to £130 in total.
Downsides
- driver's seat comfort. I was getting backache until I found that the most comfortable position is to have the seat back in a nearly vertical position. Now it's fine.
- could do with more power (it's a 1.5 and needs revving). I wouldn't want to drive the 1.3.
- jiggly low speed ride
- a few rattles
- fuel economy isn't stunning (around 35 mpg)
When I bought it I considered Civics and Almeras and I suspect I would have been happy with those too.
Hope this helps!
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Thanks for the feedback. I've been checking old threads and read about the seats issue. As we have an MPV, the car is unlikley to be used for anything other than shortish runs around town so don't envisage either of us spending much time behind the wheel although Mrs V is 5'10".
Good to hear about the reliability and servicing etc. - although I'll be purchasing the car :( she'll be paying for running it :)
As regards perfromance, whatever engine size it's got to be better than her Felicia believe me!!
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Sorry to suggest the obvious - but how about a Focus?
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volvoman
Agreed the 323 is great, my wife drives a 2.0 TD, however the drivers seat was painful behond belief, I had to get a lot of foam stuffed down the back of mine, however now I love the car. If a 323 is prefered, look for the sports seats, they seem better, mine just has the totally bog standard seats. Good luck.
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I have a 323 that I have had since I bought it new in 1999. It has been great. Total reliability, no trouble at all, reasonable room inside and drives well. I agree about the seat back but it isn't a major problem. I would strongly recommend them to anyone. Just make sure it has had all its services and you will be getting a great little car.
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Mrs GWS has a four year old 1.6l GSi 323F (note that the F does exist on the badge, despite insurance companies denials!)
No problems apart from intermittent illumination of the engine warning light. Comfort is fine for me 6'1" and wife 5'6" - perhaps this model has different seats.
--
I wasna fu but just had plenty.
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Thanks for all the replies re the 323 - all helpful and noted. The Focus would have been (still might be) an option but thus far I can't get Mrs V to modify her opinion that it's just too ugly. She can live with an ugly husband (just) but NOT an ugly car as well apparently :)
Anyway, fatally flawed or not, the rationale (if you can call it that) behind the shortlist is that these cars are the right size/type etc., likely to be very reliable, not fall apart after 5 minutes and not require a complete dissassembly/rebuild to change a spark plug or lightbulb. Hence no French or Italian contenders and I've seen/heard too much negative stuff on VAG to even think about them - so I've already discounted the Seat Ibiza even though Mrs V hasn't.
The truth is we are prepared to be 'educated' however and have no sense of brand loyalty (demonstrated by the fact that despite my BR name I own a Mazda) or snobbery.
So if anyone has any other ideas or feedback on any of the above so much the better.
Indebted as always.
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My mum has a Civic 1.6 SE (2000 I think) and it's been brilliant for her. It's huge inside, has not had a single problem, seems very economic compared to my old Focus 1.8, has a great engine and excellent brakes.
She uses it mainly for going to town and to various golf clubs and probably does 6k a year in it. Not the nicest car to look at IMO but ticks all the boxes you're after.
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There's no substitute for a long test drive in each of them. Everyone on the planet is unique (thankfully), so what fits one won't necessarily fit another.
Andy
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Good Grief!!! Has anyone read HJ's CBCB "What's bad/Recalls" section on the Focus?
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Have now! Glad I didn't read that before I got rid of my Focus or else I'd be paranoid about it!
Just out of interest, what's your budget for the new motor?
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Yep - it's a shame for what otherwise seems to be an excellent car.
Budget:
Offically (when Mrs V's about) c. £4k.
Unofficially c. £5-6k
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