Help me choose a new car
Got a last of the old model Toyota Corolla 1.6 Automatic 5 door Colour collection, will be 3 years old in a few months
What I need
1 Car no wider than current car (or it will not fit some places I park)
2 Full torque converter traditonal auto box
3 hatch/seats for 4/5
4 not too slow, ideally similar to current
5 available new for 12 grand or less
Maybe happy with a bit smaller car if not too slow
What can I get? No MMT or CVT or similar
Cheers
Edited by Pugugly on 10/01/2009 at 20:31
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Kia ceed
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I really liked the Kia Ceed - HJ has a good review of them. Alas, I couldn't fit in the thing because of my height but I liked the layout and it seemed quality enough. Also, the dealer I was in, in Newport, seemed hassleless.
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Agree with the Ceed, my dad had a Corolla and then changed to one. It's a better built car, one or two plastics aren't quite so good but otherwise its a fantastic car. Don't believe the marketing hype about diesels being the same price as petrols though.
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An auto Ceed list price is just over £13k so I would hope you'd get a grand or so off to bring it down to your level.
Or the Hyundai i30 is within hundred quid of the Ceed. Depends which gives you the most off.
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retgwte
To avoid starting another thread...what's been your expereince of the Corolla? This is a model I've been eyeing for a few months as a possible replacement to my 99Focus.
What's the mpg like? Is it as well built as it looks? I'm assuming it's not ever gone wrong...
Many thanks
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FocusDriver
Don't do it, the Corolla is a lifeless pudding of a car compared to a Focus.
At least take a decent test drive - I found the Corolla's steering so vague it was unnerving.
Now if the OP fancies a move up in class, the petrol auto Focuses have traditional auto boxes.
Would need to double check, but the diesels have Powershift, which is a six-speed double clutch with manual mode.
The petrols have Durashift - a torque convertor four-speeder.
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Thanks for your response, interesting!
Never driven one but HJ says the same as you - that steering is too light - but also that you get used to it. I certainly enjoy driving my car and would be reluctant to replace it with a "lifeless pudding"!!
What I do like about the Corolla is its look (maybe I'm on my own there but never mind) and the bullet-proof mechanics. I'm a bit of a nerd for reliability which is my number one, driving experience second. But maybe that's easy to say while driving a focus...
Anyway, I think you've put me off somewhat. My gut feeling is to go for a 55/06 plate Focus Ghia (someone called 'Ghia' 'Granddad' on another thread but I'm 33 and always felt about 45 anyway) and I think, given your strong advice and the fact that Focuses are cheaper than Corollas - despite their being discontinued - and the choice is much better, that I should go for a 55/06 chain-cam Focus.
The only thing about my 99Focus that I really hate is the tin-foil flimsiness of the centre console extending into the back - it's really cheap and nasty. The newer Focuses have terrible looking joins in the console unit but that's better than having a flimsy engine and tactile plastics.
Just thinking aloud, thanks again for your unequivocal advice.
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Why buy a new car if you want something effectively identical to the old one. What's wrong with it?
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Thanks for your response interesting! Just thinking aloud thanks again for your unequivocal advice.
Buy a MK 5 VW Golf!!
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the corolla has been totally fault less, as was the other one we had
i like the way it drives
i dont like the focus
thanks for the suggestions
Kia ceed and Hyundai i30 look too wide? will have to check how wide they really are
yea why change, i guess i could keep it for another year, but its just a replacement point im more or less happy fits my needs
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>>the corolla has been totally fault less, as was the other one we had
>>i like the way it drives
>>i dont like the focus
retgwte, thanks for adding this. I've not often heard about Focuses not being liked but it certainly adds food for thought that you prefer the Corolla to the Focus. I hope whatever you decide to do works out. Certainly HJ says the i10 is "the best little car".
Thanks oldgit, I like the MkV Golf very much having driven one - albeit a very short distance. If only there wasn't a £1000 premium on used 3-5 year-old Golfs over the competition. Happy Golfing anyway :)
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I am very concious that we are all different, and thank goodness for that, but like you FD, I am wondering what there is not to like about the Focus if that is the category of car which suits.
Each to their own of course.
;-)
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"I am wondering what there is not to like about the Focus..."
Not much Humph, not much. Except for the usual boot sill issue so that mine now resembles a stagnant pond in the shape of a tiny green lake Windermere. And the dash. I never liked the dash on my Focus. Horrible tacky plasti-wood and poorly constructed console.
But even at 10 years old (had it since Jan '02) it coped gloriously with the the -10 degrees mornings though Volvo drivers' comments about getting hot air after one mile have made me a little jealous. It's not difficult to be jealous when you're shivering.
Also, Focus drivers can possibly be a little repetitive about how wonderful they are...ahem...the Obama of the car world.
Edited by FocusDriver on 11/01/2009 at 20:02
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Obama of the car world
I've set my alarm for 12 months from now to remind you of that comment !
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Mondeo drivers are of course much more reluctant to extol the virtues of their chosen cars....... Cough.....They are more like whatshisname "The Quiet Man" yon IDS fella
;-)
Edited by Humph Backbridge on 11/01/2009 at 20:11
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...Also, Focus drivers can possibly be a little repetitive about how wonderful they are...
I like Focuses and I like being repetitive, I like Focuses and I like being repetitive, I like Focuses and I like being repetitive...
Looked at a new Titanium today - nice piece of kit - think it might have to be bought shortly.
Now if I could just find a late used one with cruise and DAB radio.
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Hi,
I recently bought a Corolla auto,05 reg.I didnt like it at all,as has been said the steering is very vague and tyre noise from the front was excessive to say the least.Mind you,it has a very good auto box.
I was very dissapointed with it,but fortunately I sold it after 2 months for what i paid for it!
I have been looking at various motors since but am still undecided which to go for (as per my recent threads?!)
Is the Ford Focus auto any good?
Thanks....Phil
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Interesting about the Corolla, thanks for posting. I'm quite disappointed that it doesn't seem to light many people's fire though it does have its advocates. I've never driven a Focus auto so can't say about that.
Good luck with your search. Some day soon (I 'need' a new front door which has to take precedence I suppose) I think it pretty sure I'll get me a shiny newOld 06 Focus. The Golf is always attractive but it's a £1000 premium at least in the price/age range I'm limited to.
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Mondeo ...They are more like ... yon IDS fella ;-)
I like it, Humph. The Mondeo, the IDS of the cars. I shall remember that one. :-)
Now if there was a competition for the David Cameron of cars . . .
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Heated seats, FocusDriver.
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