Corsa B First Car
Discussion
Finally passed my test first time a couple of weeks ago after doing a week intensive course and have just bought my first car (second really, sold the first before I could drive) which is a Vauxhall Corsa B 1.0.
Went and looked at various little rust buckets and petrols that sounded like transits with owners that openly admitted not servicing it for two years.. which is a good selling point! Then I came across this on Autotrader, it has full service history with main dealer stamps, serviced last month with receipts to prove and just generally a lot of paperwork of work that has been done to the car. Just in quite nice condition for its age really, was lucky to find it!
That's my mates GayA, refused to look at them at all..
Will get some better pictures as soon as it stops raining, loving it so far though, it even has a sunroof!
Went and looked at various little rust buckets and petrols that sounded like transits with owners that openly admitted not servicing it for two years.. which is a good selling point! Then I came across this on Autotrader, it has full service history with main dealer stamps, serviced last month with receipts to prove and just generally a lot of paperwork of work that has been done to the car. Just in quite nice condition for its age really, was lucky to find it!
That's my mates GayA, refused to look at them at all..
Will get some better pictures as soon as it stops raining, loving it so far though, it even has a sunroof!
Cheers guys, no plans to crash it but I am afraid a bit of modifying will be done. Nothing stupid and OTT though.
Over a few months I just want to lower it a tiny bit (40-60mm) some nicer wheels and a head unit that has an Aux input.
As for the KA's, I would of considered them but I just don't like them at all really for no real reason.
Over a few months I just want to lower it a tiny bit (40-60mm) some nicer wheels and a head unit that has an Aux input.
As for the KA's, I would of considered them but I just don't like them at all really for no real reason.
TheBurgerKing said:
Strong post count and join date to getting first car correlation.
Was always in Biker Banter as I was riding bikes around for 2-3 years, and still have one now Edited by TheBurgerKing on Wednesday 27th August 10:51
TorqueR said:
I have nothing against modifying but do not neglect informing the insurance company. If you fail to notify them of any changes (cosmetic and performance) your insurance will be invalid, should the worst happen. No doubt you already knew that, but worth mentioning. They may add the modifications to the policy for FREE but they may also increase your premium.
I would imagine that the reason why many posters suggest to not modify it is due to the cost of the (average) premium in the first year, without modifications. After having just gained my 1yrs NCB, I would hate to pay my first years premium again.
Oh I'll definitely inform insurance nothing more stupid than lying to them.. If it goes up by too much I just won't bother and take the mods off. I am on the black box insurance which is a bit cheaper though.I would imagine that the reason why many posters suggest to not modify it is due to the cost of the (average) premium in the first year, without modifications. After having just gained my 1yrs NCB, I would hate to pay my first years premium again.
dme123 said:
This, totally. Or spend it on fuel to actually go somewhere and do something with the freedom you now have. Or taking women out for dinner, or saving for a holiday. You won't regret spending money on experiences when you are young but you will regret wasting it on plastic s
t for a shopping trolley first car.
Meh. Not a fan of holidays, haven't been abroad for years. Had freedom for a while, was riding bikes on the road for 2 years and I still am. If I do 'waste' money on it it will be money I can afford to waste, I only want three things anyway t for a shopping trolley first car.
Chunkychucky said:
Good work Busbeige, will have to link up at some point!
Definitely mate, will have to do it when something is on at silverstone and we will get the other nobbers out too Finally took some other pictures of it, nothing special just to show the cars condition really which I am really happy about considering I got it for £500
Thanks again for the comments
Modifying anything for aesthetic looks (especially on a corsa) will never get good comments on here, but im doing them for myself and will be keeping the standard parts to swap back to standard if I decide to sell it.
I already love it, but I will hear a bad thing about Corsas I did my test and lessons in a Corsa D and it was the most hateful thing in the world I was in a DS3 and 308 before that and much preferred them especially the DS3.
Modifying anything for aesthetic looks (especially on a corsa) will never get good comments on here, but im doing them for myself and will be keeping the standard parts to swap back to standard if I decide to sell it.
HereBeMonsters said:
As much as I hate Corsas (having owned a 1.2 16v B and a 1.4 D) that looks like a great first car for the money. You'll love it, and won't hear a bad thing said about Corsas for the rest of your life, no doubt!
Cheers I already love it, but I will hear a bad thing about Corsas
I did my test and lessons in a Corsa D and it was the most hateful thing in the world I was in a DS3 and 308 before that and much preferred them especially the DS3. H100S said:
Liam, i can help you loads with Corsa B information.
These are good honest cars. Back in the day i did the whole modifying thing in a huge way starting with a brand new SXi that ended up massively modified however i like to think it was done quite tastefully.
These are simple cars, never the best handling given the simple suspension after all this is a only a reworked Nova. Boot floors generally speaking are ok, rear panels however do go in a big way. B post cracks are common, tailgates rust around the wiper hole and eventually can get under the screen seal too. Bonnet leading edges corrode too.
Mechanically the 1.0 are ok. Idle control valves can give grief and the timing chains get noisy too. Both easy fixes. If yours has power steering then the ecu located behind the a pillar trim next to the accelerator pedal can get moisture in there giving issues as the terminals corrode. A bit of WD40 in the connector would do no harm. Column motors are also prone to problems and these can be expensive. Oh check the oil pressure switch too as they piss oil out, again these are cheap and defo buy from Vauxhall as they modified the design. The pattern ones are useless.
The good thing is all these issues are well known in the trade and easy fixes. Yours looks like a reasonable example on the pics. If its good underneath then get the wax oil out to keep it good. Lube the brake modulator at the same time as they can seize. MOT failures specific to the Corsa is headlamp mounting bushes, these plastic clips are pence but owners dont always realise to check this. Parts are cheap and ebay will also turn up some cheap parts.
Ah didn't see this reply before it disappeared from the 'My Stuff' bit, excellent post thank you very much These are good honest cars. Back in the day i did the whole modifying thing in a huge way starting with a brand new SXi that ended up massively modified however i like to think it was done quite tastefully.
These are simple cars, never the best handling given the simple suspension after all this is a only a reworked Nova. Boot floors generally speaking are ok, rear panels however do go in a big way. B post cracks are common, tailgates rust around the wiper hole and eventually can get under the screen seal too. Bonnet leading edges corrode too.
Mechanically the 1.0 are ok. Idle control valves can give grief and the timing chains get noisy too. Both easy fixes. If yours has power steering then the ecu located behind the a pillar trim next to the accelerator pedal can get moisture in there giving issues as the terminals corrode. A bit of WD40 in the connector would do no harm. Column motors are also prone to problems and these can be expensive. Oh check the oil pressure switch too as they piss oil out, again these are cheap and defo buy from Vauxhall as they modified the design. The pattern ones are useless.
The good thing is all these issues are well known in the trade and easy fixes. Yours looks like a reasonable example on the pics. If its good underneath then get the wax oil out to keep it good. Lube the brake modulator at the same time as they can seize. MOT failures specific to the Corsa is headlamp mounting bushes, these plastic clips are pence but owners dont always realise to check this. Parts are cheap and ebay will also turn up some cheap parts.
Edited by H100S on Saturday 30th August 19:11
The timing chain was done recently, but I am not sure about the idle control valves.
Rust wise, it is generally in good nick looks brand new underneath still, and just has a few small little specks around and one on the B post. The bonnet leading edge has no rust at all which is a good sign for the rest of the car really.
Will keep note of the things you have mentioned, and check them probably today seeing as it's my day off
Just came on this thread to add I have done over 700 miles already in it, but I got my black box installed yesterday
Edited by LiamB on Thursday 4th September 13:06
Edited by LiamB on Thursday 4th September 13:06
Cheers guys, the rust seems to have left this one well alone! Not even the leading edge on the bonnet has a speck on it and they are known to be bad on these
I love the colour too, my friend has just got one in some horrible piss yellow colour for the same price I paid, but it's a pile of st
vrod said:
Well done, car looks good and great colour, the bike banter posts are going to drop significantly now you have a car to post about.
Cool staffie too, but I'm going to struggle to take things seriously now I've seen your Henry hoover!
Cool staffie too, but I'm going to struggle to take things seriously now I've seen your Henry hoover!
I love the colour too, my friend has just got one in some horrible piss yellow colour for the same price I paid, but it's a pile of st Small update, decided to keep it standard which will please most.
And this happened, no idea how. It got like this after a small initial blow in 2 days, ordered a replacement today for a whole £26
Also, I have discovered another 3 door Corsa B 1.0 Breeze in my town in the exact same colour and everything. I know that doesn't sound amazing, but the very strange thing is his number plate. Which is S7?? SAG!
My mates have been swearing at the poor bloke thinking its me
And this happened, no idea how. It got like this after a small initial blow in 2 days, ordered a replacement today for a whole £26
Also, I have discovered another 3 door Corsa B 1.0 Breeze in my town in the exact same colour and everything. I know that doesn't sound amazing, but the very strange thing is his number plate. Which is S7?? SAG!
My mates have been swearing at the poor bloke thinking its me
HereBeMonsters said:
Nice. They are cheap to run!
When I had one (well the wife, but she drives about as much as I go jogging) I was parked up in a busy street waiting for her, and a random woman walked up and tried the door handle. Then she near yanked it off. Then shouted at me "for God's sake, it's not funny. Let me in the bloody car!"
It was only when she bent down to peer in she noticed I was not in fact her husband.
Her husband was sitting in an identical V reg silver 5 door Corsa B about 3 spaces back, laughing his head off.
When I had one (well the wife, but she drives about as much as I go jogging) I was parked up in a busy street waiting for her, and a random woman walked up and tried the door handle. Then she near yanked it off. Then shouted at me "for God's sake, it's not funny. Let me in the bloody car!"
It was only when she bent down to peer in she noticed I was not in fact her husband.
Her husband was sitting in an identical V reg silver 5 door Corsa B about 3 spaces back, laughing his head off.
Happened to me as a kid, I was waiting for my mum to come back from the shop in her Zafira and a random woman got in the drivers seat and shat herself when she saw me staring back at her from the passenger seat! Her identical car was 2 spaces next to us! BMWE34FAN said:
It's great that you are keeping it standard, it actually looks a nice clean car. Just keep it in tip top shape and when you come to sell it you won't lose very much and you will sell it faster than if it was barry'd up!
The thing is, I don't know if I will sell it. By the time I'm done with it (When I can get insured on something semi decent) it will be worth pennys so will probably end up keeping it. I like it, so wouldn't mind keeping it. Also, I finally got the exhaust replaced yesterday after driving round for a couple days with it sounding like the biggest chav exhaust in the world and me feeling like the biggest mug in the world driving it around. Was going to get it done straight away when I got the centre section, but I got under the car and discovered it has has a brand new downpipe and cat recently so I thought I may as well replace the rest of the system for less than £40 rather than mix and match new and old bits. Euro car parts managed to deliver the right parts for once, then I took it to my mates dads garage yesterday to get it all fitted
Everything is going well with the chavwagon, still no major issues just a few jobs that need doing like a wheel bearing, I want to change the clutch soon and I want to give it a service too. I've done either 4000 or 5000 miles (Counted from resetting the trip meter when I got it and then leaving it to go round and round and I have sort of forgot where I am)
BUT
It's making an even weirder noise than the 3 cylinder does when it's running right. It sounds like a hissing/rattling noise and it only happens when I rev the car above 3kish. At first it was just happening when the engine was under load but now it's doing it in neutral too. I think it's a bearing of some sort but I have no clue.. I got a video of it but had no one to rev the car while I filmed so it's a bit st.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6ZkJ1EYgO0
Thanks!
BUT
It's making an even weirder noise than the 3 cylinder does when it's running right. It sounds like a hissing/rattling noise and it only happens when I rev the car above 3kish. At first it was just happening when the engine was under load but now it's doing it in neutral too. I think it's a bearing of some sort but I have no clue.. I got a video of it but had no one to rev the car while I filmed so it's a bit s
t. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6ZkJ1EYgO0
Thanks!
nipsips said:
Take the drivebelt off and see if it still does it. Dont run it too long though if the water pump is driven by it.
Did that and was still happening, it isn't a bearing according to my mechanic and I'm safe to leave it for a short while Two things have happened recently, it has passed its MOT with no advisories
And all this lot arrived to start putting in the car, I like my music so this is probably all I will do to it... for now.
Pioneer Headunit and Pioneer 17cm coaxial speakers with a 12" Vibe Slick Sub with a built in amp
The sub and speakers are going in today providing the speaker adaptors turn up, but the head unit is already in and has improved the sound loads as it is, the standard speakers aren't too bad!
jayemm89 said:
Enjoy it, you could sell the number plate to one of the TVR boys!
In a few years you'll probably miss it dearly when you've moved on. The first is always special.
I think I'm enjoying it a bit too much for a Corsa.. and it probably won't get sold when I am in a position to upgrade car just because it will be worthless, and I fancy doing something stupid with it when I'm done with it In a few years you'll probably miss it dearly when you've moved on. The first is always special.
Got the sub in a couple of days ago, and I'm very happy with it. Just need the time to get the speakers in now, which is a 20 minute job but it's fiddly and annoying to do. The system works well enough with the standard speakers (I was surprised at how clear they are) but should sound even better when I get the Pioneers in
The wiring was pretty simple as there was a grommet in the passenger foot well that comes out next to the battery for the power cable, then it was all tucked under the kick panels. But I still need tidy it up where it comes out in the back.
Bit of an update, first of all after reading the last two posts I feel I should say my mate with the GayA got rid of it for a 4 door Corsa C 
My car on the other hand has been off the road for a week or two as my alternator finally died. Which I can only blame myself for really. After putting in my 'banging sound system' I should of put in a better alternator and battery, but didn't. Oh well! It has taken me a couple of weeks to save up for all the parts on apprentice wages, but it doesn't help that the aux belt tensioner is £60 brand new! All the parts have arrived now though, so I should be getting it fixed over this weekend at some point.
Other than that, it has still been faultless apart from a puncture when I accidentally snagged the tyre on a bit of curb that was sticking out a lot further than the path.
I should only have it until the end of May now though as I have been offered a Nissan Juke from a family member, and as the Juke is nicer to drive, A LOT nicer inside and cheaper to insure than the Corsa I think I will probably take it!
My car on the other hand has been off the road for a week or two as my alternator finally died. Which I can only blame myself for really. After putting in my 'banging sound system' I should of put in a better alternator and battery, but didn't. Oh well! It has taken me a couple of weeks to save up for all the parts on apprentice wages, but it doesn't help that the aux belt tensioner is £60 brand new! All the parts have arrived now though, so I should be getting it fixed over this weekend at some point.
Other than that, it has still been faultless apart from a puncture when I accidentally snagged the tyre on a bit of curb that was sticking out a lot further than the path.
I should only have it until the end of May now though as I have been offered a Nissan Juke from a family member, and as the Juke is nicer to drive, A LOT nicer inside and cheaper to insure than the Corsa I think I will probably take it!
Luckily nothing has ever been done to it, it is still exactly the same as when I got it apart from the stereo and it's a bit tattier. But this Thursday is when I should be giving it it's final ragging up to Buckingham (On the fun back roads of course) to swap for the Nissan Juke. I will slightly miss this car even though I haven't owned it long, as it just hasn't given up. The only times it has broken has been my fault... The alternator failed, and the belt tensioner snapped, which was entirely my fault for putting in a massive subwoofer and not upgrading the battery or alternator. And it got a puncture once when I drove into a sticky out bit of a curb accidentally.. Oh and the exhaust had a massive hole in before falling off, but it was still drivable, just a bit loud
And it took abuse like it was nothing, my front tyres have probably done a 1000 more miles than my rears have and I am surprised the handbrake cable never snapped. I used it like a true first car should be used, making my own rally stages when I could and crashing into my mates when we park just because it's funny.
Now I am giving it to my sister to use as a first car, because I'm nice like that. Plus I have no where to safely store it for when I want to do something stupid with it.. But soon I should never have to willingly drive a 1 litre Corsa again
How I used to leave it parked when with friends in their cars
And multi purpose uses
Yadizzle1 said:
How does it compare?
I haven't driven it more than 10 miles yet, but as you can imagine it is very very different. Just from going from having nothing electronic interior wise to having, sat nav and heated seats etc. is just amazing.The drive itself I find is quite surprising for the type of car it is. It is very flat on the road, where as I expected it to roll about a lot. Also has quite a bit of push when you put your foot down, but then again I would say that coming from a 1.0 Corsa..
I might put a thread up in the next few days when I get used to it all
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