Discussion
Hey, congratulations on your first car; I have been using the exact same car (5 door, SXi, Nautilus blue) for the last 3 weeks or so.
Words of advice; do not paint the wheels black, as this particular wheel design kerbs terribly, and these wheels look cheap in black (imo).
Also, try to keep on top of brake dust on the front wheels as they are a pain to keep clean.
The handbrake is very weak on these cars, so leave in gear if parked on a steep incline.
Finally, let the EPS light go out on the dashboard before you set off, otherwise the system might throw a fit (and its initially quite unnerving).
But apart from that, they are a great car to learn to drive in, with a light clutch and equally light steering. Just don't expect it to handle like a sports car. Drive safe
Words of advice; do not paint the wheels black, as this particular wheel design kerbs terribly, and these wheels look cheap in black (imo).
Also, try to keep on top of brake dust on the front wheels as they are a pain to keep clean.
The handbrake is very weak on these cars, so leave in gear if parked on a steep incline.
Finally, let the EPS light go out on the dashboard before you set off, otherwise the system might throw a fit (and its initially quite unnerving).
But apart from that, they are a great car to learn to drive in, with a light clutch and equally light steering. Just don't expect it to handle like a sports car. Drive safe
AndyBe said:
You're a regular on PH. You know the score. Spend money on servicing, and save for something better, whilst gaining experience in what you have. Spend money on sockets, spanners and a service manual instead.
Nice sensible first car and the above is a great piece of advice.
magpie215 said:
AndyBe said:
You're a regular on PH. You know the score. Spend money on servicing, and save for something better, whilst gaining experience in what you have. Spend money on sockets, spanners and a service manual instead.
Nice sensible first car and the above is a great piece of advice.
Ross-O-Tron said:
nice clean car mate, wish i had one when i started driving, i had to put up with a rover metro
Haha sorry to hear that. 
Had my first drive in it the otherday, private land obvously. I learnt to drive when i was 11, in a MX5! True PH spirit. But i must have totaly forgot how to drive, i was s
t! But still, only need a bit of practice and im sure il be alrite. Thought id give it a bit of welly, see what the 1.2 could do, was impressed when i herd the wheels spin going into second 
Done a few photoshops tonight to give some ideas what it would look like with the wheels painted.
So the car as it is now
First off i was thinking, spray the insides of the alloy. If i where to do this id probably have to spray the front silver again as there looking a bit tatty atm. Also paint the V grill on the front black.
Secondly i did a full black alloy. Doesnt look great in the photoshop but it gives you a idea what it might look like. Again, the V grill painted black
Then a final photoshop, what id like it to look like when im done. Lowered, sprayed V-grill, tinted rear windows and sprayed alloys.
Found these pictures of someone with a 3 door SXI that painted the alloys black and the V grill too. Think it looks quite good
Opinions please?
So the car as it is now
First off i was thinking, spray the insides of the alloy. If i where to do this id probably have to spray the front silver again as there looking a bit tatty atm. Also paint the V grill on the front black.
Secondly i did a full black alloy. Doesnt look great in the photoshop but it gives you a idea what it might look like. Again, the V grill painted black
Then a final photoshop, what id like it to look like when im done. Lowered, sprayed V-grill, tinted rear windows and sprayed alloys.
Found these pictures of someone with a 3 door SXI that painted the alloys black and the V grill too. Think it looks quite good
Opinions please?
Nice car mate. With those subtle changes it would make a world of difference. The only thing I wouldn't do is tint the windows as you might be a bit of a target for traffic patrol. Without the windows done it would have a cool touring car look about it I think. 
Edited by School boy on Monday 6th July 23:16
School boy said:
Nice car mate. With those subtle changes it would make a world of difference. The only thing I wouldn't do is tint the windows as you might be a bit of a target for traffic patrol. Without the windows done it would have a cool touring car look about it I think.
Cheers. Yeah i agree about the tints. I dont think il ever get them done. Too much money mainly. Could be something like £200-400 to do the 5 rear windows. No chance am i paying that much on the car. Id rather keep the money for when i get my 125cc bike.Edited by School boy on Monday 6th July 23:16
If your definately going to be spraying bits, then the first option would look best. Diamond cut alloys with black spokes always look the biz.
I seriously suggest NOT lowering the car though. Your most likely going to go the cheap route and just buy springs, which yes, will lower the car, but your just going to upset the geometry of the car and make it handle worse. The only way you would make the car handle better would be to get full coilover kit, but they can be expensive and its kinda pointless spending that ammount of cash on a boggo corsa.
Oh, and as said before, dont paint the wheels black. You will (inevitabely) kurb the alloys at some point, and if there black, you will end up with bright silver lines on your alloys, which will look terrible.
I seriously suggest NOT lowering the car though. Your most likely going to go the cheap route and just buy springs, which yes, will lower the car, but your just going to upset the geometry of the car and make it handle worse. The only way you would make the car handle better would be to get full coilover kit, but they can be expensive and its kinda pointless spending that ammount of cash on a boggo corsa.
Oh, and as said before, dont paint the wheels black. You will (inevitabely) kurb the alloys at some point, and if there black, you will end up with bright silver lines on your alloys, which will look terrible.
NateWM said:
If your definately going to be spraying bits, then the first option would look best. Diamond cut alloys with black spokes always look the biz.
I seriously suggest NOT lowering the car though. Your most likely going to go the cheap route and just buy springs, which yes, will lower the car, but your just going to upset the geometry of the car and make it handle worse. The only way you would make the car handle better would be to get full coilover kit, but they can be expensive and its kinda pointless spending that ammount of cash on a boggo corsa.
Oh, and as said before, dont paint the wheels black. You will (inevitabely) kurb the alloys at some point, and if there black, you will end up with bright silver lines on your alloys, which will look terrible.
True true and true. Yeah lowering it is just a fantasy. Its not going to happen. Mostly cause when the cars 5 up and already lowered, it wont get over any speed bumps! I seriously suggest NOT lowering the car though. Your most likely going to go the cheap route and just buy springs, which yes, will lower the car, but your just going to upset the geometry of the car and make it handle worse. The only way you would make the car handle better would be to get full coilover kit, but they can be expensive and its kinda pointless spending that ammount of cash on a boggo corsa.
Oh, and as said before, dont paint the wheels black. You will (inevitabely) kurb the alloys at some point, and if there black, you will end up with bright silver lines on your alloys, which will look terrible.
I painted the spokes of the wheels white on my first car using a tin of hammerite and some masking tape, what a plonker. I hate to be negative, but it's a 5 door corsa, there is literally nothing you can do to make it look good, so just enjoy it for what it is which is an excellent first car which you are very lucky to have!
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