VAUXHALL CORSA (2000-TO DATE)
Few would deny that the Vauxhall Corsa has been sold on its pert good looks. Even the very first 1993 versions still look neat to this day and it must have acted as a genuine temptation for the General Motors designers to come up with a car that was as good as it looked. Although steps in this direction were taken in 1997 with an overall revamp, it wasn?t until 2000 that this aspiration was realised. The late shape Vauxhall Corsa answers many of the criticisms of its predecessors and followed on from the Astra in presenting the company with a series of genuinely class competitive models. As a used proposition it is similarly appealing.
HISTORY
Perhaps reasoning that it was unwise to meddle with a winning formula, Vauxhall wisely chose to style the Corsa in an evolutionary rather than revolutionary manner when the Second Generation model was unveiled in 2000. The first models arrived in UK dealers in October 2000 and were an instant success. Here at last was a Corsa that went as well as it looked, boasted class leading technology like the Easytronic gearchange and was fitted with some decent engines. The 1.6-litre engine was dropped and a new 1.8-litre 16v unit introduced for the top SRi model. There were two new diesel versions and a completely new platform and shape. In late 2001 a diesel version of the popular sporty SXi trim level was announced. An Eco version was launched in Spring 2002, essentially a fuel-efficient version of the 1.0-litre Club. The next major facelift happened in the autumn of 2003 when the new CDTi diesel engines arrived as did Twinport fuel-saving technology for the 1.0 and 1.4-litre petrol models. Cosmetic changes were restricted to clear-lens headlights, body coloured bumpers and side rubbing strips.
The 1.7CDTi engine stopped being offered in the summer of 2005 and the SRi trim level was replaced by SXi+ around the same period.
WHAT YOU GET 
Though maybe not as cute in appearance as their predecessors, the Second Generation Corsa models have grown up in all the areas that were becoming irritating in the old model. And added a few virtues of their own.
This time the chassis and suspension were designed from a clean sheet of paper ? though the engines bolted on to them weren?t quite as fresh, borrowed as they were either from the previous model or from the Astra range. Not that this should put you off. Latterly at least, engines were never really a Corsa problem ? not in lower order models anyway. The three cylinder 1.0-litre 12 valve unit is a jewel: so is the 1.2-litre 74 bhp unit that 50% of customers choose. There wasn?t much wrong with the 89 bhp 1.4-litre 16v motor borrowed from the Astra either. Larger-engined petrol or diesel-powered Corsa?s have never been impressive however, hence the introduction of a 123bhp 1.8-litre petrol unit for the flagship SRi. And two 1.7-litre 16-valve turbo diesels developing either 64 bhp (Di) or 74 (DTi). A sporty SXi 1.7 diesel is also available but if you want the more advanced oil-burners, you?ll need to look to the CDTi engines.
In terms of packaging, the latest Corsa is a huge step forward from its predecessor. Thanks to a huge wheelbase, the little Vauxhall now has as much space inside as competitors like Fiat?s Punto and Skoda?s Fabia. Three inches of extra shoulder width make all the difference in creating a car that feels large enough to be something from the next class up.
Nice touches? Well, there?s plenty of storage space, with large door bins and a shallow tray beneath the front passenger seat. Plus there?s a sunglasses holder by the driver?s head. You?ll also like the way the rear wash and wipe activates when you select reverse in the rain. And the ?infotainment? system you can upgrade to include everything from a telephone to satellite navigation. Gripes include ?cupholders? which are actually almost useless indentations in the glove box lid. Oh and split-folding rear seats that don?t fold flat. Which is a pity since in every other respect, the loading possibilities are impressive: up to 1060 litres of space is available with everything folded. Ironically, the 3-door?s boot is more spacious.
WHAT YOU PAY
Prices start at around £3,200 for a 2000 X plate 1.0-litre 3-door Expression, with the Club model little different. For another couple of hundred pounds it?s really worth seeking out a 1.2-litre Club on a 2000 X plate. The 1.2-litre Easytronic in three-door Comfort guise starts at £4,000 and is a good choice if you plan on a lot of urban stop start stuff. A range-topping 1.2i Elegance 5-door with air-conditioning retails at around £4.500 on a 2001 X plate.
The 1.4i models possess a useful additional zip, and a sporty SRi variant starts at £4,600 on a 2000 X plate, with a 2001 X plated five-door version commanding an extra £500. Diesels start at £4,100 for a 2001X GLS, with a similar vintage Elegance five-door with air-conditioning retailing at around £4,700.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
There have been no reported issues with the Second Generation Corsa so far. Check for the usual parking knocks and scrapes and make sure the alloys aren?t kerbed. Anything without a full service history should be given the Spanish Archer and always go for the biggest engine your budget will allow.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
(Based on a 1.2-litre three-door) A new clutch will cost you about £90 and a full exhaust system around £300. Front shock absorbers are about £50 a pair and rears around £35. An alternator is about £115 and a starter motor around £90. A radiator is about £115 and a replacement windscreen close to £105. A tail lamp is about £40, a headlamp about £65 and a front wing about £75. A catalyst is just over £200.
ON THE ROAD
The suspension set-up you get depends on which of these engines you choose: there?s one for the 1.0 and 1.2, one for the 1.4 and one for the diesels and the 1.8. Each will be a revelation to owners of the previous car, both in terms of ride and handling response. In fact, almost as good as Ford?s current Fiesta ? which is saying something. In terms of packaging, the latest Corsa is a huge step forward from its predecessor. Every model gets a clever electric power steering system that needs less than three turns lock-to-lock for easy town work, yet feels composed and settled over the kind of longer motorway trips that this latest Corsa now takes in its stride. For 1.2-litre buyers, there?s also the affordable option of ?Easytronic?, a novel automated manual gearbox that you can leave in automatic or flip up and down without using the clutch.
OVERALL
As a used proposition the Second Generation Corsa is one of the best supermini buys available. It?s certainly a more modern car than, say, a 32001 model Fiesta and is streets ahead of a Punto in terms of fit and finish. Best buy? That would have to be a toss up between the 1.4SRi and the 1.2 Easytronic. Whichever model you opt for, a used Corsa is difficult to get wrong.
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