Corsa B - for a good start?

Sooner or later this problem will appear - “what should I ride when I get my license?!”. "Kids" is a disgrace. Still. There are so few of them now that they will become desirable at any moment. In turn, not everyone dares to get into big cars after receiving a document from the Communications Department, it's all about money anyway. In the vast majority of cases, it should be cheap. But now this is not enough - it should still be “beautiful”.

Not so long ago it was really hard to find a good car that was inexpensive at the same time. But the world is changing. Opel Corsa B was released in 1993. It's hard to believe, because visually it still looks great. Compared to its predecessor, it is like the Petronas Towers against the background of a hut in the middle of an overgrown bush, which is heated by a 100-watt light bulb - it has acquired roundness, charm and tenderness. And this was enough to interest people, because the offer on the secondary market today is very rich. But not entirely thanks to the Polish car dealerships of those years. The Corsa B is one of the most frequently imported cars in its class, so the chances that the car you get aren't imported are as high as the chances of finding Celine Dion underwear in your own drawer. In general, such a great interest in this car is not surprising - it is really practical.

If 3 doors isn't enough, the Corsa is also available in Europe with a 5-door body style. Everything looks just as neat, and the advantages do not end there. Trunk capacity is 260L, and although this capacity is not impressive in itself, it makes a really good impression against the competition. The car itself is small, neat, and squeezed into most parking spaces. This is just a huge minus for everyone around. Some versions do not have painted bumpers, so in the wrong hands, such a Corsa can sow fear in the parking lot and leave souvenirs on the doors of other cars. But be that as it may, the owner of a small Opel will still be happy. But not all.

Power steering? Well - in older versions it's as rare as caviar in a milk bar. Unfortunately, domestic versions were no better equipped than the cells in the Kłodzko Fortress. It was better with the Westerners, but you shouldn't count on much. However, this has its advantages - in total there is nothing to break in this car. This is a big advantage, because in the case of a cheap car, you always want to spend as little as possible on repairs, because every unexpected disappearing zloty is as painful as a heavy metal concert at a neighbor's wall - in the middle of the night, of course. But how much will you have to pay for such a car?

Prices are very different, but you can safely approach several thousand zlotys for a copy in good condition. However, this is nothing - my friend bought this car for exactly 1075 zlotys. Seriously. On the lips of the question: "did he go and who died in it?". The very nice old lady who sold it didn't know much about his dark past, but she was convinced that yogurt could be put in the engine instead of oil, because it is also fatty. The only reliable assessment of this car was the most stupid one - “by eye”. In fact, it looked like someone dug it out of the ground a few hundred years after the volcanic eruption, and there were more lights on the dashboard than at a Lady Gaga concert, but ... he drove! And this is for a quarter without repairs! Then he went under the hammer and today someone else is fighting him. How did such a dilapidated machine work? Contrary to appearances, it is very simple.

Corrosion is one of the Corsa's biggest problems - it affects the sills and spars, as well as the edges of the body sheets. However, when it comes to mechanics, it's so simple that you can almost repair it just by looking at it. Most likely, the ignition and cooling systems will fail. In addition, engines suffer from oil leaks, but on an old car, this is not surprising. In slightly newer versions, an EGR valve appeared - there may be problems with it, and it costs a lot. Suspense? It's as complex as the human mind, which means not at all. Even a mine will not damage the rear beam, and the biggest problem is very weak shock absorbers and rubber-metal elements, which often crush after many years. The situation is a little worse with the electrical installation, which in the first versions is simply old and the connections fail. On the other hand, how many electronics are in this car? Exactly - fortunately, almost nothing.

As for the engines, the original designs were as simple, strong and modern as a medieval chariot. Their biggest problem is only fuel consumption. Minor malfunctions that occur in them from time to time are the result of wear and tear. The 1.2-liter 45HP is so terrible in its role in this car that even driving around the city with this bike under the hood is exhausting. The 60-horsepower 1.4-liter Corsa is much better. Later, the manufacturer decided to give the little Opel a bit of modernity and equipped it with 4-valve rather than 2-valve engines per cylinder. More modern, but also more expensive to repair. The 3-liter 1.0-cylinder scares everyone - hopeless flexibility, a work culture worthy of a jackhammer, and productivity. But other designs have much to offer. The 1.2L has been upgraded to 65km, the 1.4L to 90km, and the 1.6L to 106-109km. The Corsa is also available with a diesel engine. 1.5D and 1.7D are old school immortal constructs that can be controlled, but not too fast. So just in time for such a machine. The smaller block is also available in a supercharged version so you can enjoy more agility and the drive to overtake other cars in the city. It is a pity that these diesel engines drown out human thoughts and military radars with their sound. What about the interior?

Well, I recently came to the conclusion that the structural stucco in my home is nicer to the touch than the materials used in this car. And the color is more interesting, because the gloomy tones of the interior sometimes even encourage you to start eating antidepressant pills instead of sweets. However, this does not change the fact that the cabin is quite spacious. Everything is in place, you don’t need to look for anything, the service is trivial, the reasoning of the designers is clear. Yes, it's a bit crowded in the back - but it's just a city car. On the plus side, there's plenty of room up front and it's fairly easy to find a comfortable position. Pay attention only to versions with a hatch, because tall passengers can feel like they are in InterRegio cars during peak hours. Which option is better to buy? Those at the beginning of production seduce with their price and scare off rust, but the model was refreshed in 1997 and it turned out to be good for him. The manufacturer changed the design of the suspension, which made the car more manageable. In addition, the suspension has become quieter and more pleasant - less vibrations penetrated the cabin.

Is it possible to buy a good car for little money? You can. Corsa B found a good team - the designer had his own vision, and the engineer had a hard time with accountants. Despite this, many accuse this generation of being too feminine. So what - after all, women usually have good taste, so why not listen to them?

This article was created thanks to the courtesy of TopCar, who provided a car from the current offer for a test and photo session.

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