1.3 GSi 3dr

Great value package but slightly thirstier than anticipated

Picked up this very tidy 50k-mile one-owner fully-serviced 1.3 GSi in attractive dark metallic green for £2350. Seems a likeable and fairly talented set of wheels for that kind of money - only just out of warranty, runs smoothly, feels well built (if a bit lightweight), with loads of space front and rear.
The weekend we bought it, we brimmed the tank and set off for a trip to the Welsh Borders - motorway, A-roads, B-roads, country lanes but no urban driving at all. The car took us there and back - just - on a tankful (which seems to be about 40 litres - the warning light had been on for a few miles when we refilled). Consumption worked out at just over 42mpg; we weren't hanging about but observed speed limits while getting used to the driving style needed to get the best out of the car. It likes quite a lot of revs on twisty, hilly routes otherwise you're forever dropping into 3rd, which obviously brings a fuel penalty. Given the official consumption figures, I was hoping for 45mpg or better; maybe this will come in time?
Good points: very competitively priced compared with any used Yaris, Polo or Micra; feels light and roomy inside; quite refined apart from road and wind noise approaching the motorway limit; still looking fairly fresh despite 50k miles and five years - upholstery and carpets are holding up well.
Bad points: although it revs freely and sweetly, the engine seems to lack oomph - seems to be the gearing - and needs a bit of work through the gears to maintain lively progress on smaller A-roads and hilly country roads; fuel consumption isn't as good as we expected but this may be down to our initial driving style (that said, we've read other reports by owners who feel the 1.3 is thirstier than some rivals); boot sill is quite high but load area is well-shaped and generous - it seems you can't have it all ways; standard-fit radio/CD is a bit naff and speakers are tinny - but it's a cheap car.

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