1996 Vauxhall Corsa Vegas 1.2i from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A little Beast!!!

Faults:

Problem with engine electronics controller about 10,000 miles ago. Took some time to be diagnosed as problem did not show up on Engine Management System, eventually replaced costing £150.

General maintenance and stone chips on bonnet.

General Comments:

A great first little car.

Extremely cheap to run.

Cheap to ensure.

Will go if you push it hard enough.

Features and accessories are not the best, but given the price range of the car that is understandable.

A very good, very reliable part of the family... Will be sorry to see her go :- (

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th April, 2003

9th Nov 2004, 11:21

Hi ya all. I have just bought a vauxhal Corsa Vegas pick it up tomorrow. I can't wait. It is my little car. I'm so excited. What a bargain I got it for! Love Sian From Scotland.

1996 Vauxhall Corsa LS 1.2 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Why oh why are these so popular, they're awful!

Faults:

Unsure. (see below)

General Comments:

Firstly, this car was a courtesy car. It had clearly been neglected, however the car in general was most unimpressive.

The steering is absolutely dreadful. Sometimes impossible to turn when parking. It may lack PAS, but with such tiny wheels the feel of it was simply unacceptable.

Going round corners, i.e. turning into a road needed careful manovering, you need to be so quick with the steering.

I don't like the gearbox, the reverse is awkward, lifting up and then putting over to the left.

The radio cannot even be adjusted, in terms of bass, treb etc. Ridiculous!

When stationery at traffic lights, when the car is revved whether moderately or harshly, the temp. gauge needle shakes.

Wingmirrors and wipers vibrate when stationery at the lights.

Lousy English piece of engineering.

Foul colours, this one was in an industrial vaccum-cleaner type purple, I've seen worse colours like pink and bright peppermint green!!

The car seems to have a old-lady type image. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the elderly, but you see many old dears driving these cars, but I class myself as a driving enthusiast and this car was damn awful!

Steering is also very off centre, I guess it needs a serious wheel alignment.

The engine was very nippy and fairly refined, but I wouldn't like to take the car on a long trip, could it cope?

Cannot match 1980's Japanese/German cars for build quality, reliability, design or drivebility. A 1987 VW Golf or a 1985 Nissan Cherry is just so much better put together.

I have a Mazda Premacy people carrier, bought from my local Staffordshire dealer. Just couldnt wait to get it back and enjoy the razor sharp steering, body control (its based on the 323) and STYLE!!!

I passed a scarp yard on the way to the garage when I was in the Corsa, guess what crossed my mind?!

I suspect my courtesy car was just neglected, so I shouldn't be too harsh. But the car was disappointing.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th April, 2003

15th Dec 2004, 06:30

What's good luck with your Mazda for???

The Corsa was a 1.2 engine with no PAS, a rattly wingmirror, cheap interior and it was a tacky purple colour. So I dont need any good luck thanks!!

15th Jan 2005, 03:20

Why did you buy it if you didn't like the colour? I agree with you though that the purple is awful! Aso, did you not test drive the car before you bought it?!

2nd Mar 2005, 02:51

It was a courtesy car as stated in my review. I probably got one that had been highly abused, but the car as a whole was disappointing. I'd rather have something Japanese even it it was 5 years older! Sorry to the owner who has the 1.6GSi who commented on the review, but he/she should appreciate that The 1.6GSi is the top of the range. I got the bottom of the range and boy was it ghastly.

17th Apr 2005, 05:58

The Corsa is not an English car at all. Like all Vauxhalls it was engineered by Opel in Russelheim in Germany.

25th Jul 2009, 09:46

Corsas are made in Spain.

19th Sep 2009, 13:31

The time has come to sell my P reg Corsa, and although it has been a bit tinny, the engine has been very willing. I have many good memories, like overtaking all the cars stalled in the snow on Telegraph Hill in February and making it safely home to watch the other drivers being rescued on News at Ten.

15th Dec 2009, 22:21

It's insulting for Mazda to be even compared with an Opel/Vauxhall. I own a 1992 Nissan and my girlfriend owns a Mazda 323, they are just superb cars. Used to have a 1997 Opel Astra, and that was a nightmare.

Vauxhall's are sold well because they are cheap and stylish. But when it comes to reliability and performance, they are no where near Japanese.