VW Lupo - What to look for?

[megatron]

Hi Ph, After the great responses from my recent "mom wants a new car" thread i`m back again after some more advice for the families second car.
Basically the old dear is currently replacing the family cars, she is currently trawling classifieds, looking for the right little car for her. Now were after a second car thats primarily cheap to insure meaning i can gain some no claims bonus.(using an admiral multicar policy as we have a small van belonging to my stepdad) And suitable for my sister to learn in aswell. The cheapest thing we have found is a VW Lupo.
Does anybody have any advice? Such as problems with the cars, and common faults.

Other car suggestions such as the Seat Arosa are also welcome, with the criteria of it must be cheap to insure, good for a learner, relatively small and cheap as it will mainly be one person using it to drive to and from work.

Thanks guys.

[mnkiboy]

Despite owning an Arosa (though looking to sell) I don't actually know a great deal about them.
Electric window switches tend to corrode, though there's a good fix on clublupo.co.uk.
The 1.0 engine isn't as economical as you would expect, but the 1.4 petrol is more expensive on tax and insurance.
The one to go for is the 1.4TDi, but it commands a large premium over the petrol models.

The back seats are roomier than you would imagine but I wouldn't try squeezing a 6 footer in the back, and the boot can only be described as tiny.

Personally my 97k mile 1.0 still drives well and everything works, so high mileage shouldn't necessarily put you off.

[megatron]

Cheers for the tips, You mentioned both of the things we were worrying about, as alot do have high milage and the rear seats are tiny. As i said it will mainly be just one person using it to go to and from work or a couple using it for a driving lesson so it shouldn't be too much of an issue, even though its nice to know its possible to fit people in the back if entirely necessary.
Thanks for the advice on clublupo ill give it a look.

[mnkiboy]

As I say, the rear seats aren't as bad as you would think - an adult can use them for short journeys without having to have your knees shoved up to your ears.

Another common fault on the petrol versions i've just remembered is that the engine temperature sensor can fail, meaning the temp gauge will read lower than the true temperature and cause the engine to over-fuel. Again it's a fairly easy fix.
If you test drive one, make sure the needle gets to the middle and stays there.

[megatron]

Thats fine then, passengers would be a rarity and it would only be into town or alike.
Cheers for the test drive advice it was exactly what i was looking for!

[va1o]

Problem with the Arosa and Lupo is although good small cars, they aren't really that cheap to buy due to popularity and the fact theres not that many of them about. You will probably be better of looking for a Polo of a similar era, the 2000 - 2002 6N2 model is good.

[megatron]

I have seen the significant difference between prices, however due to living in an area where an asbo is considered a qualification the insurance prices are even higher than average, this rules out the majority of similar cars due to most of them being on there roofs in council house drive ways. For some reason the polo demands almost twice the insurance costs.
The Peugeot 206 and vauxhall corsa also give me the same headache. Given a couple of years no claims i should have a little more choice.