Matiz- any good?

[shack]

Thinking about a cheap and cheerful second car, and a local one has turned up, but any good- experiences good and bad welcome, economy, reliabilty etc (It's a 2000 SE)

[boboneleg]

My father-in-law has one in Italy, having driven it I'd rather walk

Piece of trash, there's got to be better cheap cars about than that?

[hotbulb]

Triumph make good triples, but perhaps not Daewoo!
I've only been in one once (as a passenger) ... all I can remember was that there was very little shoulder room for 2 men in the front:sort of 2/3 scale model!

[tramp]

They dont call them a flying coffin for nothing....about as safe as a cardboard box in a crash..

and parts arent that available either...

Stick with a nova/corsa or old saxo/pug 106 just watch out for the kids trashed one`s.

or a old renault 5/clio

[Mervinh]

yes a 1.1 petrol 106 we bought one with 115,000 on the clock for the kids to learn on a few years ago, we where advised to avoid high mileage diesel 106,s as they got unreliable, but that little car did us proud, we kept it 3 or 4 years both kids learnt to drive on it, I think we put 1 set of pads and discs on it (£30/£40 ebay) a service exchange drive shaft , £35 local motor factor, and a few tyres. oh and a front downpipe on the exhaust

[Jakey]

Get an old Honda civic
Rock solid reliable and dirt cheap.
Too many people are obsessed with new cars in the UK!

I have a late 80s (fourth generation) civic and it is SOO much nicer than a Saxo/106 and half the price!

[shack]

Thanks all, pretty much hearing the same thing everywhere I ask, and 'HonestJohn' gave it 2 out of 5 (I think) but prefer to hear from people with personal experience in these matters.
cheers.

[AlanH]

They burn well.

Another recommendation for the Civic from me.

[boboneleg]

Get an old Honda civic
Rock solid reliable and dirt cheap.
Too many people are obsessed with new cars in the UK!

I have a late 80s (fourth generation) civic and it is SOO much nicer than a Saxo/106 and half the price!

Yep, can't go wrong with a Civic

[Windmill John]

Typical of a bunch of people who have never driven one! here say is a wonderful thing hey
Had a Matiz, very good. What other car for the price gives you everything:
Four doors
Central locking
Power steering
Electric windows

About three years ago, I came off my BM on ice and thought ooh, how about a car for the winter

Anyhoo, the Matiz is the most luxurious car for the amount of money.
Only one downside really, you do need to think about over taking; not too powerful at all.

So, there's my view from someone who had one and traded in after a coule of years. It is nice having more power now, but if you can cope without overtaking as much then it's a little cracker.

Oh better not buy a Transalp... they're under powered.....