Well i know which one i'd go for!
I've never driven an almera so can't say too much about them but for a while i did have a 1.6 Auto Corolla as a company motor - whilst not my particular cup of tea it didn't seem too bad. It was driven pretty enthuisiastically and gave around 35mpg according to the on board trip computer.
The corolla will at least hold the price difference for several years - if anything i think the gap between the two would widen even further over the years. Also the corolla would be a hell of a lot easier to sell than the almera.
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Thanks to everyone for the replies. I think the Almera comes out of the comparison much better than I'd expected, and I'm particularly persuaded by the prospect of cheaper repairs.
I'll still try the Corolla if there is one available at the right price -- most of them are definitely out of my range.
Likewise the Honda Civic which Jase1 suggested -- nice, but far too expensive.
For £6,999 there is a choice of 04 or 05 Almera 1.8SE autos (or some 1.8S for about the same money). Cheapest similar Corolla I can find is a lone 04 with higher miles for £8,000. Civics of the same age seem to start at over £9,000, which is just too much money for a wheeled metal box. So I'm not even going to test-drive one unless I magically find one a lot cheaper.
It still looks like a 1-2yo Almera with less than 15k miles for less than £7k is a deal unlikely to be beaten. I'll let you all know how I get on :)
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For £6,999 there is a choice of 04 or 05 Almera 1.8SE autos (or some 1.8S for about the same money). Cheapest similar Corolla I can find is a lone 04 with higher miles for £8,000. Civics of the same age seem to start at over £9,000, which is just too much money for a wheeled metal box. So I'm not even going to test-drive one unless I magically find one a lot cheaper. It still looks like a 1-2yo Almera with less than 15k miles for less than £7k is a deal unlikely to be beaten. I'll let you all know how I get on :)
I am interested in the price you have quoted for the Almera, as Available Car have an 04 3 door 1.8SE auto, with 11K miles, for £5999. I haven't seen one as cheap anywhere else.
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HJ's road test says the manual 1.6 Corolla is undergeared and none too quiet at motorway speeds.
Yes, but HJ also reported in the backroom that the auto Corolla is longer-legged and hence quieter. Other roadtests suggest the Almera is noisier at lower speeds -- I'll see if I test both, but it dosn't seem likely to be a critivcal issue.
Have you actually driven both cars NW?
No, I've not driven either: I'm still on my pre-testing elimination phase. I always try to do this when shopping for anything to do with property or machines -- otherwise it's far too easy to be swayed into making an emotional decision in a salesroom.
Once I've decided which things are allowed to go on my shortlist, then I'll let my final subjective judgments swing the balance.
On that basis, for example, I've finally ruled out a Citroen Berlingo. Nice things, but I don't need the space and can't afford to risk reliability problems, so no point in risking being swayed into a spur-of-the-moment choice which turns out to be an expensive mistake.
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NW, I think if I was thinking along the lines you are (i.e. totally practical, utilitarian, unemotional), I'd be asking this: if another vehicle crashes into you, which is more likely to give better protection, the Almera or the Corolla? I reckon the Corolla, but can't back that up right now.
Also, knowing which one has the better handling balance would be a safety consideration more than an enjoyment consideration. There will always be times when no matter how carefully/slowly one drives, sharper steering responses are safer (like the time a kid deliberately pushed another kid in front of me just at the wrong moment - steered around very suddenly but didn't have to fight for control of the car). Almera seems to win out here according to views expressed above.
Thirdly, see if you can compare which is more comfortable for an hour or so behind the wheel - even with a short commute traffic snarl-ups can keep you there that long. Are the pedals and steering wheel well-aligned, is the wheel adjustable for reach as well as rake, are the seats fully adjustable with good lumbar support? No idea which would be better for comfort.
Finally, (unless I've missed someone else saying this) which would be cheaper to insure? I'm guessing probably the Almera. Overall, at the minute I'd be leaning towards the Almera.
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andymc
Vroom, vroom - mmm, doughnuts ...
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This thread was interesting enough to get me off my bike this morning as I passed my local garage to have a look at a Almera on the forecourt.
Couldnt make my mind up at first if it was a Primera as it looked quite big.
However it was a Silver 04 (I think) 1.8 Almera Estate with 15700 miles on and priced at £6495.
As new and unmarked it looked a superb car.
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I don't actually think there is an Almera estate...
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Ignore me. It does look like a very short estate shape wise I guess.
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Andymc wrote:NW, I think if I was thinking along the lines you are (i.e. totally practical, utilitarian, unemotional), I'd be asking this: if another vehicle crashes into you, which is more likely to give better protection, the Almera or the Corolla? I reckon the Corolla, but can't back that up right now.
The Corolla comes out better, though not by a huge amount: 28poiints v 26. Usefully better on frontal impact, not as good on side impact.
Also, knowing which one has the better handling balance would be a safety consideration more than an enjoyment consideration.
Unless there's a lot in it, I'm not persuaded. A sports car would handle better than either of them, but whatever vehicle one is driving the main issue wrt handling is to stay well within its limits.
Thirdly, see if you can compare which is more comfortable for an hour or so behind the wheel - even with a short commute traffic snarl-ups can keep you there that long.
Thanks for those suggestions -- will see how they compare.
Finally, (unless I've missed someone else saying this) which would be cheaper to insure? I'm guessing probably the Almera. Overall, at the minute I'd be leaning towards the Almera.
Actually, the Corolla is cheaper(lower group). £80 a year initially, tho by the third year it'll be only £40 if I hold my NCD. So not enough to significantly offset higher purcahse price.
I'm still leaning strongly towards the Almera, but I will try the Corolla.
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" ...whatever vehicle one is driving the main issue wrt handling is to stay well within its limits."
Very true, something I wish every driver was aware of. However, nobody's perfect (not even me!), and the unexpected does happen. The incident I mentioned was at a pretty low speed - just 30 mph in NSL cos I always suspect kids might do something stupid - but even with me expecting something, they were so close that the reflex time was virtually nil. I'd hate to be in a car that responds sloppily and goes out of shape easily in a sudden reaction situation. If there's a noticeable difference in this area between the two cars under discussion, it would influence my decision-making on a safety basis.
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andymc
Vroom, vroom - mmm, doughnuts ...
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" ...whatever vehicle one is driving the main issue wrt handling is to stay well within its limits." Very true, something I wish every driver was aware of. However, nobody's perfect (not even me!), and the unexpected does happen. The incident I mentioned was at a pretty low speed - just 30 mph in NSL cos I always suspect kids might do something stupid - but even with me expecting something, they were so close that the reflex time was virtually nil. I'd hate to be in a car that responds sloppily and goes out of shape easily in a sudden reaction situation. If there's a noticeable difference in this area between the two cars under discussion, it would influence my decision-making on a safety basis. -- andymc Vroom, vroom - mmm, doughnuts ...
There's a huge difference though between "interesting" handling and what you're talking about which is "safe and predictable".
The latter I personally think the Almera is very good at.
The Hyundai I have is not interesting at all. It's reaction to bends is a dull leaning followed by light, predictable understeer. The car lets me know long before it lets go. I'd class it therefore as safe and predictable. The Almera is similar.
As long as the car grips OK I don't think there's anything much to worry about really.
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On that basis, for example, I've finally ruled out a Citroen Berlingo.
Such will-power, such self-discipline. Just as well you ruled it out at this stage. A simple test drive, and it would have been too late.
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i went past a house last night that had a Corolla AND an Almera in the drive.
Tricky choice obviously!
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