A Cheap Runaround
 

I need to by a cheap runaround to use as a daily commuter. Will be doing around 70 miles a day so needs to be good on fuel. As all my 7 years no claims are on my scooby will have to start a new policy with 0 years. What do you think I should get. Have about £2000 to spend on a car but would still like it to be nippy and have a few mod cons. I'm 24 and have had a few quotes for around £590 fully comp on a corsa. Any ideas?

most insurance comp will offer to match your no claims on a second policy, give yours a ring and ask them, if they do then you will pay a lot less for it, I have 2 cars, 2 policy's and only pay £120 a year for a crappy old renault 5

If you want something small and reliable I'd steer clear of a Corsa. Go for a Micra if you want something that size. No image but 100% reliable and they are a registered charity to run

Micra if interested in them, check under the front crossmember for rust and holes.

Why steer clear of a Corsa? I had a Micra as a loan car a few weeks ago and did not like it one bit. It was one of the new ones. The clutch and brakes were too jolty and it looked like a beetle that went wrong. Are the old ones any better?

UMMMM??????? cheap????
 

I would personally buy summit like a 106 or 205. Cheap nippy, and not bad consumption. Get a 1.4 diesel 106 cheap, and they aint too bad!

A mates micra had an issue with a dodgy MAF ( honestly ) .. 270 quid from a main dealer.......

Go for a Yaris

may be a little more expensive - the 1.0 is still reasonably nippy and if you are vaguely sensible you can get 50+MPG out of one

as it is a toyota it is pretty much bomb proof - and servicing is cheap - and as it is desirable - (especially the ladies) then i wont depreciate like a brick the instant you buy one.

My ex has one and has had no problems for over 3 years (was 2 years old when she got it) - was going closer to 100 miles a day without a hitch

Regards
Mitchell

I've got a second car as a run around and to take stuff to the tip with etc.
If doing 70 miles or so then personally I would be going for something a little quiter / bit bigger than than a Micra and a little better on the motorway.
I got an R reg 1.6 Primera 55K on the clock- OK not the best of drives but its fairly economical, (mid 30's to 40 mpg all the time) its got elec windows, AC, etc. £1.5K with will Nissan Service History.

Richard

Get yourself a Rover 220/420 SDi or SLDi. Cheap as chips to buy and run. Better and quicker than Golfs twice their price. No one nicks them and still ok quick. 120mph top whack and in gear is suprisingly good. I beat mine into the ground every day and have done for 18k so far in 14 months. It's needed brakes and tyres thrown at it, but touch wood it's ace. Handling is very neutral as underneath its a Euro Honda Civic...

Go for a G or H plate Legacy GT Auto!! Poor on fuel but great on the right foot and still sound fantastic! (Available for £2-3K and then you'll start modding!).

We bought a M reg Citreon ZX 1.9 Diesel that had done 50k miles in August for £1350. It is in immaculate condition and gives 50-60 mpg depending on how hard you drive it. OK it doesn't handle and it is slow, but it is fine for motorways. For less than £2000 you should be able to pick up a turbo diesel version without mega miles, which are much quicker, but less economical if you use the performance.

Smart car :p

Sorry guys wasn't ignoring u. Just got my Pc back from being repaired.Primera sounds interesting. As for the Legacy I would like one on top of my Impreza but that would be defeating the purpose. Has no one got any good things to say about a corsa as i like the look of the sxi around a t reg. Could get one for about 2.5 k. I really want something small.

I owned a Corsa B 1.4 16v Sport for a year on an S plate. It had 77k on clock and had full service history, i never had a single problem with it and was very nippy around town.

I am also on the look out for a 2nd run around. At the moment I have my head set on a Pug 205 Turbo Diesel. Or a 306 Turbo Diesel as the 306 is only group 5 as the 205 is group 8. That may give you some ideas. Currently doing daily searches on the autotrader website. Fingers crossed.

you can get civics for under 2k, and if your lucky enough, you can get yourself a v-tec. not sure on economy though

I have a Peugeot 306 turbo diesel. Not a bad little runabout to be honest. Resonably nippy and returnes 50/55 mpg. Real cheap to service. Parts from German and Swedish. 3 off filters approx £10. Turbo oil in 20ltr drum @£19.00 from Costco's. Cheeeeep.

I got a toyota Celica GT4 as a runabout.

Buy anything for £200 that has 12 months tax and test, don't spend anything on it, if it breaks throw it away and sell it before the tax and test run out for another £200. Even if you throw 1 away every 6 months, your £2000 will pay for 5 years motoring and if you choose well, it'll cost you nothing but petrol money as you'll pretty much always get your cash back.

I got a ford KA as runabout. 48 to gallon , reliable 1.3 cvh engine. leave it anywhere and believe it or not its fun to drive.

SG

Cheers guys. Some good ideas there. I will start looking.

I'll 2nd that. I picked up an M reg Primera eGT from my local auction for £200. Not bad for 150 bhp and a 7.5k red line. And I can park it anywhere....

I've got a '91 Merc 190E for sale if you're interested.

My ex had a Punto Sporting the 1.2 16V one and it was a cracking car. She never used either of her Golf GTi companies cars by choice as the Puntoi was just so much nicer to drive. Fuel economy was very good and we never had a single problem with it in 3 years. I'd buy one myself if I didn't have 3 x Charade GTtis as cheap runabouts that have now turned into and expensive diversion.


AllanB