kelvin

I'm having a think about changing my car sometime soon (figured it was probably a good time of year to think about it with the 54 plates coming out). I'm more than likely going to have between 3, and 3.5k to spend and I really need something with fairly low mileage (40k or less). I cover about 20k per year driving to and from Uni so something that isn't going to scream above 65mph will be an added bonus

I'm thinking along the lines of a 4-5 year old 1.4 Clio (new shape) or similar - a Fiesta (try not too laugh ) or Punto (at the right price - again, new shape) is also a possibility. I don't really want anything older than a '98 or '99 model as I'll more than likely hold on to it for a few years to come.

Any suggestions other than what i've come up with? And/or opinions on the cars i've mentioned above? What should I look for etc?

Any advice will be greatly received...

Kelvin.

Sub97

Personally I wouldnt go for the Punto. The misses had one and they are horrible cars. Unrelieable, bad handling, lots of rattles etc.

Out of the three I think I'd get a Fiesta. You should be able to pick up the previous shape Si for that sort of money.

wide

I had a punto once good car better in all areas than a fiesta, I would go with a good mk3 golf though bit older than you want but top car

Andy M3

Go german for reliability - or take you you cash and drop it on a Hyundai getz, with 5 years warrenty, free insurance serviceing etc, bargin motor, and best of all, auto expresses no. 1 car for reliability ! Sorted a means to an end !

sosobad.com

honda civic 1.6 vti - 3 door - engines is awesome - car is cheap about 2.5k to 3k and you can get your money back when you sell it - and awesome to modify.

Davie

If you are thinking about the punto, have a look at my sporting:

http://www.davidaitchison.co.uk/punto.html

possibly for sale at £3750

kelvin

Thanks for the pointer - that's a nice car you have there In all honesty though, £3.5k is my absolute limit Sorry... I actually have a Mk1 Punto at the moment which has been a good car - just feel that the time has come for me to replace it. At 87k, it's going to pass the dreaded 100k mark soon so i'd like to get something for it while it's still holding some value

Thanks for all the pointers so far - some good suggestions there One thing I do have to bear in mind though is insurance (should have mentioned that in the first place! ) - i'm only 21 so a 1.4 is probably as high as I can sensibly go.

K.

Mica Blue

Get the fiesta! But make sure it is the 1.25 zetec model, as the 1.3 is a really old push-rod engine.

You could probably get quite a nice MK5 model for £3,500

LG John

An MY99 Peugeot 406 V6 (or similar citreon/renault) with 60-80k on the clock which is nothing for this engine (if you ignore the fact mines blew up at 85k (i was pushing it!)). You'll not even hear it at 65mph and it'll go a whole 85mph faster than that if you want, plenty of kit, different and I feel the best value car for the money. Rather quick as well

Eddoe

My W reg saxo vts, 38k miles very good car, only selling due to keeping my scoob now!!!

I need a really quick sale so its only £4000,

LG John

Fooking hell eddeo that is cheap!!!!! What the hell is wrong with it :suspicious:

Rich D

iTrader: (12)

For that money, a 106 GTi or Saxo VTS for sure!

Small, quick, cheap and fantastic fun...

LG John

V6 is faster Until corners

kammy

Screw those cars and buy something less sensible, your only young once. Renault 5 turbo for 1k, insurance 1k, modify it £500, and £1k for over heads/ speeding tickets / life insurance etc You know it makes sense
One a more sensible note, i bought a CRX 16v, for 1k, runs purrr-fect and insurance was £800. Im tweenty with nothing to my insurance (no no claims) and am at uni. I use it for track days or the odd the odd 180mile trip home,35mpg etc. Also fit some harnessess and you dont really need air bags.
Kambo

Gary C

Got a Celica GT4 ST185 for 2200.

Turbo 4wd rally special, hum, sounds familiar. Sure I've got something else like that round here.

wide

Renault turbo? Why so you can spend half your life under the bonnet with a crap engine

Andy M3

At 21 i had a BMW 325i E30 model - £430 third part fire and theft with the Mrs on the insurance - a nice choice of car. 23-33 mpg - 170 bhp, 8 sec 0-60 good for 130-135 and sound amazing - just a though ?!?!?

Dream Weaver

Mk2 MR2 - fantastic car, and very good on the motorway actually. I used to do an 80 mile round trip in mine everyday. Averags 45mpg on runs, reliable as hell, great fun and more practical than some people think.

Vinesh

Very true

danny-boy

Almera GTi

Fun car cheap - 99 T around 4k, plus gives good MPG and cheap to insure.

If you want a real runabout, highly recommend a Micras.