ESH

Is this possible.

A good friend of mine has asked me to find him an A to B car for about £1k.

It has to be a hatchback with 3 or 5 doors. As we're all in london it shouldn't be too big, I'm sure a super mini will do fine.

Important thing though it will need to be reliable.

My thoughts were Japanese:

Mazda (121 / 323)
Nissan (Micara / Sunny)
Toyota (Starlet)

I'm not too sure ifthe Europen equivalent would be as reliable but thats what this post is here to find out.

Look forward as always to your thoughts.

Esh

SupaMiniCupa

Add Honda Civic to the list

Scooby400

I'd be going for this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Look after it and I'm sure it'll only start to make money.

Brendan Hughes

Toyota Corrolla.

Big a1

Primera eGT!!

Paid 1.2k for mine and it is a fantastic car for the money

Jonathan Davies

My old 93 primera was the most reliable car I've ever owned by a distance. Now used by a mate & just sailed through its MOT. The mechanic described it as "a very sound motor car" to my total amazement. It never had more than yearly-ish services, no attention from me or my dad (who bought it as an ex-demo a long time ago).

Very solid cars & proof that the English can build as well as anyone.

I reckon small cars are more expensive at the runabout level, cos young people and the cost conscious want them. Less demand for a daggy old 2 litre family car, cos of higher insurance and costs generally.

So I'd be looking at primeras, toyota carinas, honda accords as well as superminis. Find a nice low mileage bank manager's car and you'll be laughing... likely to be a bit safer than a car that was budget when new as well. Something with a hatch has the advantage of being a part-time workhorse too if necessary... garden rubbish, chairs, whatever.

I'd add VW Polo to the small car list though, if small is a requirement.

hades

Peugeot 306 D Turbo or similar. Whilst Pugs aren't renowned for reliability, 306's don't often rust at all, and that engine is about as reliable as they get - regular oil changes and they run forever, are pleasant to drive, cheap to insure and run, decent fuel economy etc, etc. Have just been running one for 6 months to do lots of cheap miles (~20k in 6 months), no probs at all.

It just so happens that it's even about to be up for sale, whilst it'll be over £1k it'll be under £1500 and well worth it!

AllanB

What about a Charade GTti. There are a few for sale on ebay right now. Reliable and very good fubn, quick and economical too. Oh low tax too as its a 1 litre



AllanB

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Wife's had 2 cheap Nissans a 96 Micra and a 98 Almera 1.4. Neither have had any faults. No cambelt to change and simple maintainance.Even the aircon still blows ice cold.Her mate had a Sunny which covered 244k before the camchain snapped. She knew it was going but decided to use the car until it broke then scrapped it. As electric windows etc. all still worked she got £100 in scrap.Zero image so not a theft target and cheap insurance

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Ford mondeo, you can pick up some decent TD's for next to no cash but they are not the most refined engine or the most powerful, but the car is very comfortable to drive with an airy interior and good driving position

Tony

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

micra micra micra!

ESH

Cheers for your replies.

Hot hatches are definitely off the menu. The primera is a good idea. I'll look into that and ask him what he thinks.

Other than the 306 diesel would anyone recommend say a fiat, ford (Fiesta) or anything else european?

Esh

luke m

i had a fiat punto which was excellent, cost £1000. when buying cheap cars it always depends on if you want to sell them on or not - big cheap cars don't sell well, but hatchbacks always will. i've never owned a small cheap japanese cars but i presume they are still more expensive to fix than their european counterparts. insurance tends to be higher on japanese cars too.

aggs

Any car from a person you trust and does not have a hidden agenda!!!
I.e. Something about to go wrong.

cong

stay away from puntos

d4ve_h4y

mk3 golf gti 8valve

nice build/torquey/roomy plenty of bits around if needed.

luke m

i guess everyone will have varied opinions. best thing is to stick to hatchbacks for a number of reasons, take someone who knows the type of car and look at it very carefully so you won't have to pay any big bills in the time you own it.

Mica Blue

Rover 214...

MikeWarner

Corsas are good value and very cheap to maintain. The diesels have great mpg.