I've been looking into getting a smaller car so that I'm not stung so hard by insurance (I'm 22 and live in inner-Manchester, as a new-ish driver anything with a big engine cripples my bank balance) - I've been thinking about either a Nissan Micra or a Ford Fiesta, although preferring the Micra as I learned to drive in one of those.
My question is this, I've looked though various places (including Auto-Trader) and I can't find a mention of a Micra with power steering - is this because of the small nature of the car? Or are only recent Micras equipped with Power steering?
And would such a thing make that big a difference to the way the car handled?
Thanks for any advice.
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The Micra had PAS from Jan 1996 (apart from some base models)
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Thanks for that, do you have any idea as to how much of a difference PAS makes in smaller cars?
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In the case of the micra a considerable amount! We had an M reg micra for which the heavy steering was quite a surprise. As everything else was great, we swapped after a couple of years to a W reg Micra with PAS (celebration edition) and it has been much much, much better. You should be able to find plenty of choice of cheap 2nd hand examples out there with PAS. In the late 90s some had PAS, some didn't and there wasn't always any rhyme or reason as to which did. Worth looking around, asking and checking. A great little car.
Splodgeface
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Thanks a lot for the reply - most helpful!
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Ironic Hero
I also have a Micra W reg Celebration and it is an excellent small car. I part exchanged a Fiesta for it and I find it a much lighter car to drive, with having power steering I have never been stuck to get out of tight spaces, it is economical and the insurance was cheaper than the Fiesta aswell. Mine is the 1Litre model and it is very nippy and powerful enough for motorway driving aswell.
Hope this helps with your decision.
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I've decided to go for a Micra, but would prefer one with PAS, so it's going to cost me a bit more than I hoped - but it's better to pay more for a car that I'm going to be completely comfortable driving, than to pay less for one that I'm not happy with.
Thanks for all the feedback
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Depends what your budget is but you should have no problem picking up some really good deals at any price. I don't think PAS should hike up price by too much because there are so many around. Read HJ's advice in the car by car breakdown - colour of oil etc. Found this helpful when getting ours. I went to the Great Trade Centre for ours.
Splodgeface
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I too am looking around at Micras and can't believe how the prices vary. My g/f just bought one - a Y plate 1.0S for £3250 with 15,000miles (non rental), but there is such a range of prices. I am looking at around the £2k mark, and find it hard to find much on a 'R' plate round my way for that much.
Anyone got any advice on where to find decent ones (Berks). Nissan MD are in a world of their own and prices are all over the place. Also with the one litre engine what should you look for?
Sorry if I have hijacked the tread, but I feel we are on the same vein of thought.
Paul C
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I mean apart from advice already in the CbyC breakdown.
Paul C
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When I was searching, I found many of the local dealers were asking about £1k above Glass's guide figures. That's why I went to GTC because theirs were more in line with Glass's. If you follow HJ's advice, then you should find some good choice in one of the supermarkets.
Another option is to search on AutoTrader - you'd get some useful comparisons there: price/year/mileage etc. I got our first one through this method.
Splodgeface
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