Vauxhall Corsa SXi 1.2i

~ CONNIE IS THE WINNER ~

I’ve had my baby for about eight months now and love it. Connie my Corsa came from a Hartwell’s garage in Bath and I purchased it back in March this year. After passing my driving test in early march I was anxious to get my first car. To be honest I never really liked Corsa’s the old ones just looked naff and I also thought they were the ultimate ‘chav’ car. People around where I live buy them and but stupid mismatched bumpers and body kits on, they looked horrible. When I went to Hartwell’s that afternoon I was looking at a newish blue Renault Clio 1.2 when I noticed this in the corner. Connie was on sale for £3,999 and looked in brilliant condition in a shiny silver colour. After taking the Corsa out on a test drive which was nerve racking, my first drive since my test in a new car, I instantly loved it. The great factor about the car is that I got a very good deal on it. It only had one owner before me which did not drive it very much and had only 28,000 miles on the clock for a 2003 car. I was impressed with the state of the car and decided then to get it. The car was spotless when I went to collect it. It had brand new alloy wheels put on and serviced to perfection. I had a fantastic package with the car including three years warranty and breakdown cover.

I do not know a lot about cars so this review may be a little short. I can tell you about my experience with the car and its performance but the technical stuff I am rubbish at!

~ APPEARANCE and INSIDE ~

I was very impressed with the high quality look of the car. I think the three door cars look much nicer than the five door and that’s what I choose. I loved the new alloy wheels put on as they were decent and looked great. The small car is a lovely design inside and out. It looks sporty but yet sophisticated. Outside the car as nicely places bumpers and unique back lights. There are also very sporty looking spotlights at the front which I think make it look very nice. Everything about it just looks very smart from the windows to the mud flaps. The chrome gear stick helps with the sporty and luxury look of the car.

For a standard newish 1.2 SXI Corsa you receive electric windows, central locking, a great CD player built in and good speakers. The windows and locking is very nice to have and I think I was lucky to get a nice car for my first. The power steering is a big bonus and my sister hates me for this she has never had power steering in all three of the cars she has had.

I have a three door car which at first I did not want but I think now I prefer to have them, the car looks more elegant with the two doors. The seats are grey and fitted in with the unique look. They are very comfortable and are of a good size. Even though it is a small car you have three seats in the back which I have taken three people in and it has not been too much of a squash. Everything looks very neatly done and when my Connie is cleaned, I think she looks very nice. There are plenty of side pockets and space to place objects and foot room in the front. Being a small car I was quite surprised that it has such a large dash board. The car has quite a large boot for a small car and I can fit a lot in it. I think this is quite impressive and it is always good to have spacious boot space.

One thing I like and my boyfriend is jealous of is a little footrest on the left on the clutch. His Ford does not have one and says this is really good. I find it handy when driving long distances to rest my left foot.

~ PERFORMANCE ~

The things I know about my Corsa, which is not a lot! The engine is very nippy for a 1.2 and I have had no problems. As I drive on the M4 a lot to go up to Oxford, she manages the roads very well. I never struggle and she can easily keep up. The car can reach 60 mph in about 12 seconds which is not too bad. I do not need anything that is fast and when she reaches it, the speed is good for the little Corsa. She keeps a steady pace and I like driving long distances in it.
The handling is pretty good and the brakes are accurate. I can drive quite fast in the rain and with caution can see how great the brakes really are. I think it performs very well.
The car is a very pleasurable, the gears are hassle free and I think it is a smooth drive.
The SXI is a sporty version of the 1.2 Corsa so it is a little faster and sounds a little sporty. My exhaust seems to be getting louder which I know will have something wrong when I take it for an MOT in February. I sound like a boy racer! ~ MY EXPERIENCE ~

I think the car is very well made and reliable. I have had no problems in the eight months I have had the car and am really impressed with it. I enjoy driving in my car and as I do a lot of it, I think it is important to have a great car you like. For me it is the perfect first car and I hope to have it for a few years. The car just seems to be a part of me now and I am glad I have a car I really like. I do try to take care of my car by cleaning it regularly but it will need a service soon I think. I have driven a lot of miles since I have had the car. It is comfortable for long distance driving.

The only negative about my car at the moment is the wipers which I need to replace. It is annoying hearing them squeak over the screen and it make smeary. They work fine when it is pouring down but the drizzle makes it hard to see. This is down to getting them replaced which I keep forgetting too!

I have only had one knock in my which was quite a small one. My car rolled back into a wall in a car park near my house. The wall had to be replaced as it cracked in the middle and bent outward, even though this is an ancient wall! My car had a black starch on the bumper which is not really that noticeable. I was quite surprised that my car did not have a massive dent as I went back quite fast. The bumper is pretty strong and it looks as though it is well made and able to cope with small knocks easily. I am very lucky my car is not worse and glad it was a wall it hit and not another car.

~ COST ~

The SXI is very cheap and affordable to run. Even though my insurance is quite high this is due to my age and just passing my test a month earlier. The car is actually in one of the lowest insurance brackets. For petrol it is extremely good, even though the prices as gone up now it is still easy to get a high quality performance from the car. I use quite a bit of petrol driving to Oxford and back but it does last a sensible time even though the tank is quite small on the 1.2. When I first had the car I could put in twenty pounds and would last over a week and I drove every day to work and in to Bath and Melksham at weekends. I have noticed the change now and the petrol does not last as long as it used to. It also took about £35 to fill up the tank a few months ago, now it is more like £45.
Tax is also in the lower brand and costs £66 pound for six months and £120 for a year, which is not too bad.

~ OVERALL ~

I really enjoy driving in my Corsa and think it is a really nice little car. They are smart, elegant looking and quite nippy. I have had no problems with my SXI and would recommend them to anyone looking for a little car with great features. I am lucky to have this as my first car and I will have it for a few years yet. She has been reliable, fun to be in and cheap to run. The SXI is sporty, spacious and has a lot that comes with it. I was impressed by all of the features including the built in CD player, central locking and power steering, makes life a little easier! You can find Corsa’s quite cheap if you look around, I think the best way to get a good deal is at a garage dealership. Hartwell’s is a good start because they are friendly and have really good second hand cars. I am now glad I picked the Corsa over the 58,000 miles on the clock Clio. I would rate this car a 9 out of 10 for me.

~ EXTRAS ~

Websites- www.vauxhall.co.uk/

www.hartwells.co.uk

Also published on Dooyoo xx