bgood

iTrader: (2)

I watched a bit of Fith Gear last night and the thing with the old Merc got me thinking, they'd bought an old E class, I think it was , for £700 and proceeded to test it to destruction to prove how well built old Mercs are, didn't see all of it though so dunno how well it faired in the end.

Anyway, I have absolutely no luck with cars but could do with something to run about in so what I'm after is something absolutely bombproof, 100% reliable and very, very cheap to buy, run and maintain, the closer to £500 the better. If I can get something with a years MOT then if the worst comes to the worst I can at least ditch it after a year and get something else.

So what do you reckon I could get for such a measly amount?

brybusa

E30 or E34 BMW's...pretty much bullet proof and you can pick one up for that amount..with an M.O.T.

Anything Ford or Vauxhall wise is likely to be a rust bucket from the same era.

Larger engined models not brilliant on fuel thou'

RS Grant

I bought a '92 Rover 216GTi 5dr to take the dog to the beach & vets.. bought off eBay, came with 6 months T&T, 80k miles with FSH and a folder full of reciepts showing oil changes every 4k miles.

1st Owner, 1992-1995 was a Director @ Brooke Bond Tea.
2nd Owner 1995-2006 was the guy I bought it off, who was around 70yrs old.

Comes with a Honda engine & gearbox and hasnt missed a beat. Surprising turn of speed as well, as quick as a standard Ph2 Saxo VTS going by experience.

Paid the huge amount of £400 for it.


Cheers,
Grant

Andy M3

I think E30 BMW's are great cars, but not the most reliable [had 325 + M3]. I would stick to value for money stuff. A mondeo / Vectra / Rover 600 is ok etc etc.

Ideally non GTI's or sport models for the obvious reasons.

bgood

iTrader: (2)

Hmmm, interesting so far, not thought about BMW's to be honest, will have to look into that.

Any thoughts on E300 Merc, surely all those European taxi drivers can't be wrong???

RS Grant

Surely if something does need replaced, then even parts for older BMW's will cost a fair crack more than the same part in something like a Ford/Vauxhall/Rover...

That was the reason that I didnt bother looking for german stuff to do dog duties, I wanted something that would cost nothing to run. It was under £200 for a years FC insurance, and if something does go wrong then I can replace the parts for pennies. Thats the point of budget motoring IMO, I couldn't have given a toss what the badge says!!

Get yourself down to the auctions, a friend picked up a Gold '93 Honda Accord Auto with FSH and a years MOT for £120 including fees to run around in over the winter while she rebuilt her ST205 GT4.


Cheers,
Grant

Tobisausage

VW Polo

VW GOLF

Ashtray

The Chief

I have an old Cavalier (nicknamed the bomb)
it has just been about the most reliable car i have ever owned.
i keep saying i'll sell it but TBH its worth 250 tops, so i think i'll keep it.
cheap, cheap, motoring

bgood

iTrader: (2)

Decisions, decisions

RS Grant, I know where you're coming from, the expensive parts is the one thing that puts me off of a Merc/BMW although supposedly it would not need any but with my luck with cars it probably would

Quite like the look of that Golf Tobisausage

Maybe the auctions is the place to go to grab a bargain, only problem is I'm not much cop at checking cars over so could end up buying a right old dog my mechanical abilities stretch about as far as oil, filter, plugs, discs and pads anything much more than that and I've had it so if it does need something doing I'll most likely have to pay someone else to do it.

Maintenance free, well except for servicing of course and reliability are key here, looks aren't an issue (I used to drive a Renault 18 for god sake ) I just wanna be able to get in and get from A to B with no hassle.

Thanks for all the help so far , anymore for anymore?

Petem95

Audi 80 1.9 TDi - bomb proof, and good MPG as well.

EvoBarry

If you are serious about cheap and reliable it has to be Japanese imho.

Get an old 626 Mazda, Honda Accord type thing. Cheap to buy, loads about, reliable, and with most creature comforts thrown in.

Jeff Wiltshire

Has to be either a Honda Civic or Accord

misty

Walked past a bargain whilst walking the dogs last night. 1995 nissan primera, 12 months mot, 3 months tax, body excellent, interior excellent, £350.00......Bloody hell it's the price of 6 tanks of fuel for the EVO!!!!!
dave

RS Grant

That was my fear, I dont have the greatest luck either!!

This one doesnt look too bad. Long MOT and some Tax too.

For the record, I wouldnt have bought a Rover with a Rover engine & 'box... Haha, It was a Rover/Honda hybrid or nothing!!


Cheers,
Grant

bgood

iTrader: (2)

Doesn't seem to be any interest in Mercs here, shame cos I've seen this and I know the guy that owns the garage, although it's not exactly local being as I am in West Yorkshire now but I reckon I could get a deal on it

http://www.tandfmotors.co.uk/

PART EXCHANGES TO CLEAR - NO WARRANTY GIVEN OR IMPLIED - MOT AS STATED ANY INSPECTION WELCOME


84 (A) MERCEDES 190E AUTOMATIC, 1990cc, 4-DOOR SALOON, SILVER / LIGHT BLUE, POWER STEERING, MOT 07/06 £795

but you guys seem to have more experience of this stuff than me so I'm happy to go with the majority

RS Grant you seem determined to get me into a 216 but to be honest I've always found em to be a bit of rust bucket, sorry.

I reckon an Audi 80 could be a good bet, looked at a few ads already but I'm leaning towards a Civic at the minute, small, cheap and reliable, what more could you ask for only issue I can see is are those small jap engines up to doing big miles?

Again thanks for all the help so far , this is getting very interesting

fatherpierre

Go for a Merc 124. 230, 300 or one of the diesel varients. Avoid the 200 as it's underpowered.

I've had a few and currently have a 1991 300 24v Sportline. 231bhp, fully loaded (LSD, aircon, etc.) 110k, full MBSH, full MOT and 3 months tax.

I got very lucky on ebay and got mine for £410!

Apart from being prone to rust on the front wings they're bullet proof and good for mega miles.

brybusa

Ah, thats the common perception the BMW cost more for parts, minor and major service items are no more expensive than a ford from places like Euro Car Parts, even panel parts arent that dear but you shouldnt need them unless you prang it

And as for looks, well rovers n jap stuff are OK but BM's of that era are fab looking vehicles to own and drive compared to any of the other suggestions..

You wouldnt think this was 17 years old would you?

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=9800

the_boy

Nissan has got to be one of the most reliable cars out there.

Get yourself something like a Nissan Primera 2.0.
Comes with a camchain rather than a belt which is good for 200, 000 miles.

Parts are expensive but they very rarely go wrong so long as you service them correctly.

If you're not doing that many miles a Micra would be even better!

Jamesemt

One of the best handling regular cars - had loads of fun in one