Both should be reliable enough for the time you expect to own them, the only thing is if the Citroen has the automated manual box its not the most reliable of things nor any pleasure to drive IMO.

Our 1.6HDi gets used mostly locally but has a fast longer run every so often and hasn't given a moments trouble...so far..;)

If you were asking about long term 5+ years or run it till it falls apart then it would have to be the Toyota.

Whenever I look at a car it's the little things that strike me. The C4 is utterly immaculate and has had the 12500 mile service done. However when I was in it today the trim underneath the glove compartment fell down into the footwell and it was clear that it had no clips on.

With all the talk of electrical issues I have heard, again maybe unjustifiably, that just makes me worry that something has clearly been fiddled with under there. May be a massive over reaction admittedly but, as I said, I notice the little things.

I spoke to the Corolla previous owner earlier who was a really decent bloke. He confirmed that the car was sound, no bumps, serviced regularly with the only issue being an engine light on that pointed to a non existent diesel leak - was cleared and not come on since.

I would agree that the C4 is the more contemporary car and certainly more economical. However it's gonna have to go some to recoup the £1400 cost over the Corolla in the 12 - 18 months I plan to own it I guess.

Which is likely to hold its value more - any idea? Not that either will be worth much by then.

I have an 06 Corolla right now, as something of a stop-gap car. It's a 1.4 petrol. It's solid, well assembled and has a bombproof feel that compares with a Mk 2 Golf I once owned. It's comfortable, handles well, decent steering and economical. Having said all that it is completely unexciting, it just does the job very very well. At 5 years old and 42K, the Corolla is barely run in! I haven;t driven a C4 but my experience of Citroens has been positive, it will have more flair than the Corolla and as a much more modern design it will have more toys, electrics etc - which could of course be a downside! If it were me, I'd have the one that is likely to cost me least over the short period of ownership you specify, ie the Corolla!

The C4 is the nicer car to drive with more kit, the Corolla is more likely to be completely trouble free. The 2.0 litre diesel C4s are stunningly good on fuel and go like a hot(ish) hatch.

I'd probably agree with that though the C4 felt a little more jittery and very harsh over some bumps. The Toyota was heavier and not as dynamic but overall felt a much more assured drive. if my agenda were different I'd have the C4 but, to be honest, I just want hassle free, reliable motoring for about a year and a half - then I plan to get an A6 or 5 series - I can do exciting then :-)

So you want to spent a smaller budget on a soft(er) riding more reliable car, then spend a bomb on a over-rated, crashy, unreliable money pit? (A6)

Not quite. I am spending absolutely NOTHING on the Corolla, not a single penny but your appriasal of it I'd agree with.

I know 4 people with A6's. All 5 - 6 years old, all FSH, all done 130k+, all trouble free and running as well as the day they were born. A very close friend of mine is on his 2nd with the first being a petrol and having been sold with 190k on the clock. Still original clutch and running perfectly.

My experience of A6's is clearly different than yours Steve but you pays your money...