I want to buy a car. Any recommendations?!

From Cork, Ireland, 1 post

I know very little about cars & would like some of you to recommend me a car for myself. What I am looking for is a 2000-2003 reg car with 1.0L engine capacity? VW Polo & Yaris have been strongly recommended to me & I have been warned against Punto & Micra. I would like to specially know about any serious issues with 2000-2003 Polos or Yarises & which one would you go for ( & if possible why?)?

I hope that some of you will be able to guide me in the right direction. I am a kind of person who will not change a car for good few years & the whole process of looking for a new car & trying to sell the old one seems very daunting. So, plan is to get the right car 1st time.

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease help!