New Nissan Micra

[ZrByte]

Originally Posted by keithwalton

It is a bit of a no brainer these days towards german built diesels, they are at least as powerfull if not more power than there petrol counterparts, they produce significantly more torque across a wider band (more drivable, but they dont rev that high) they are more economical, and just as quiet. Only thing they dont do is sound quite as nice when thrashed, hopefully people wont fit drain pipe exhausts to them (although i have seen a 306 hdi about with said exhaust type ) oh and diesels tend to be more reliable as well and run in all conditions on any ol' junk fuel (no need for 'super' fuels and such)

Thanks for that, Im going to test drive anything I plan to buy first but thats still good to know beforehand. Since economy is the most important factor to me Im thinking I will go for a diesel. And allthough I do like some sporty accessories (alloys with low profile tyres etc) I loathe most body kits, K&N filters and fatboy exhausts so that wont be a problem .
I have also often noticed older diesels still sell for a reasonable price with over 200,000 miles on the clock depending on the model. Petrol cars sell cheap (if at all) when over 110,000.

[homealone]

Originally Posted by ZrByte

How horrible is the gear stick in the new civic? That placement might work in a larger car like a scenic but it just doesnt look right in a sporty hatchback to me.
As for the fabia, I can see why its so much cheaper than the polo, I think its very ugly on the outside (around the bonnet). Though the interior does look rather nice it gets dragged right back down by the worryingly long list of faults on a lot of reviews I have read The SEAT Ibiza seems to be a much better version than the fabia, though according to every review I have read the polo is still on top.

I do like the look of the honda Jazz, very nice on the outside, just as nice on the inside. Whats it like for repairs? I know for such a new car repairs will be few and far between anyway but are they pricey when they are needed?
This was part of the appeal of the polo/micra as they are supposedly quite cheap to repair allready (obviously nowhere near as cheap as my corsa is now to fix).

So does anybody have an opinion on the Fiesta LX? or while im here how about the Punto Active or the Corsa SRI?

And again, the age old question, Diesel or petrol? I know the old arguements used to be things like petrol = quiet but greedy, Diesel = Economical but noisy. Is this still true of modern engines?

Just to make suggestions a bit easier I'll let you know my budget etc. I will have £6,000 plus my Corsa to part ex (may only get peanuts for that) I will be buying second hand (1-3 years old, 3 being most likely) and I will be buying at the end of october when the 55 reg comes out to take advantage of the dealers sales (Have I got the date for the 55 reg right?)

Thanks again everybody.

I have to say our Jazz has impressed us for two main reasons

the fuel economy - it does what it says on the tin

the versatility of the rear seats - so simple to operate, too..

I agree that the Fabia is good value for money, though - we wondered about the vrs version...

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/art...3432_2,00.html

at one point

[SMHarman]

Diesel has a lower (ie less cold) freezing point - import if you live in a cold climate

[Paul]

Originally Posted by homealone

I have to say our Jazz has impressed us for two main reasons

the fuel economy - it does what it says on the tin

the versatility of the rear seats - so simple to operate, too..

Ok, it's at this point that you grabbed our attention Care to elaborate as Chi want's a more in depth explanation

[punky]

Originally Posted by ZrByte

And again, the age old question, Diesel or petrol? I know the old arguements used to be things like petrol = quiet but greedy, Diesel = Economical but noisy. Is this still true of modern engines?

Not at all. New diesels are now really quiet, and don't belch out as much blue smoke as they used to. Even the turbo whine (most diesels have turbochargers to bump up performance) has been reduced quite a bit. You don't even have to wait for the old glowplugs to warm up either, as most new diesels now have engine heaters. The diesel engine though isn't recommended if you have a lot of harsh cold weather where you are (the engine works on compression for combustion, not a spark like petrol engines), so if its cold, the compression doesn't heat the diesel enough and it suffers.

[Nugget]

Originally Posted by Paul

Ok, it's at this point that you grabbed our attention Care to elaborate as Chi want's a more in depth explanation

Well, bearing in mind that he's only 3 foot tall ( ), Mrs Gaz is probably finding how small a gap she can fit him in

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Nugget

Well, bearing in mind that he's only 3 foot tall ( ), Mrs Gaz is probably finding how small a gap she can fit him in

Let's face it our Gaz could probably fit in the glove box

[Nugget]

Originally Posted by Paul

Let's face it our Gaz could probably fit in the glove box

Ashtray, really

[homealone]

Originally Posted by Paul

Ok, it's at this point that you grabbed our attention Care to elaborate as Chi want's a more in depth explanation

ok

they fold completely flat so the whole of the area behind the front seats is available for loading.

they split fold 66/33

the rear seat sqabs can be folded up, freeing a nice loading area directly next to the door (& with a lower sill than lifting something into the boot)

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/?id=34

'magic seats'

[AndrewJ]

The new shape Micra a relative of mine has uses it daily and it has not a spec of rust and ferrys him his wife and his daughter around with no issues, sure the 1.2 Hairdryer engine aint up for overtaking at anything past 50mph it aint quick loaded up a bit.

Nice car for cash I would buy one over the Jazz anyday of the week as for Seat and Skoda I prefer there to buy the VW.

[Nugget]

Originally Posted by homealone

<snip>

Well, that wasn't as interesting as it could have been

[ZrByte]

Originally Posted by homealone

ok

they fold completely flat so the whole of the area behind the front seats is available for loading.

they split fold 66/33

the rear seat sqabs can be folded up, freeing a nice loading area directly next to the door (& with a lower sill than lifting something into the boot)

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/?id=34

'magic seats'

I can see that being handy, sort of like turning the car into a combi-van.
__________________

Originally Posted by AndrewJames

The new shape Micra a relative of mine has uses it daily and it has not a spec of rust and ferrys him his wife and his daughter around with no issues, sure the 1.2 Hairdryer engine aint up for overtaking at anything past 50mph it aint quick loaded up a bit.

Nice car for cash I would buy one over the Jazz anyday of the week as for Seat and Skoda I prefer there to buy the VW.

Thanks for that, nice to have a positive perspective, Nothing but micra bashing here
Though it does look like I wont be getting one anyway, seems to be the Polo in the lead with a possibility of the fiesta when my Aunty lets me have a test drive next week of her 1.25 finesse. She might even offer to sell me hers if I really like it because she hates it, though that isnt really a bad thing, my Aunty seems to hate change (even positive) like my Dad
__________________

Originally Posted by punky

Not at all. New diesels are now really quiet, and don't belch out as much blue smoke as they used to. Even the turbo whine (most diesels have turbochargers to bump up performance) has been reduced quite a bit. You don't even have to wait for the old glowplugs to warm up either, as most new diesels now have engine heaters. The diesel engine though isn't recommended if you have a lot of harsh cold weather where you are (the engine works on compression for combustion, not a spark like petrol engines), so if its cold, the compression doesn't heat the diesel enough and it suffers.

Thanks, thats good to know, though diesels are a rather high insurance group for the engine size arnt they. I cant really afford anything over group 3, most diesels are 4 or 5.