a cheap run-around (car!)

funkymonkey

ok so i am selling my little convertable smart car because i cant keep it whilst i am in so much debt and am looking for a cheap run-around.

i need it small! (cant drive big cars)

it needs to be good on petrol

cheap to fix if it goes wrong - but hopefully wont

would really like an old mini!

what would you guys and gals recommend?

fatboyonadiet

What's your budget? Would get more answers if a mod moved this to the motoring sub-board in the travel section. The honest John forum is supposed to be quite good. Also will you be doing a lot of motorway miles? Think about a diesel if you are, if it's mainly round town petrol would be best. Your budget will dictate age, make and model.

funkymonkey

thanks for the reply - i didnt know where to put it. my budget is about £1000

fatboyonadiet

Don't worry I'm guessing one of the mods will move it and you'll get more helpful responses. Have you had a look in the AutoTrader or eBay and looked at what you could get for that much?

funkymonkey

yes but there is so many to choose from - could get a mini / metro / fiat panda / fiesta / micra / old astra / loads - but just dont know what are reliable and not likely to break! i know its luck in most cases but just wondered if anyone had had a mini for years with no probs or would really recommend a micra etc.

mamaoba

I have a 1995 nissan micra 1l. These are group 2 insurance and sip petrol, cheap to run. It's also very easy to get parts as they were british made. Dunno if mine is just a really good one iykwim but it is VERY reliable and the MOT is never a problem. I fully expect mine to do another 5 years at least before I start noticing the repair bills.

Looks a bit like the old style mini's too if that helps. I think they are very cheap to buy now too.

funkymonkey

thanks mamaoba!

Quinny_2

My wife has a Micra 1.3SR,on a early 1997 P plate,and it's the most reliable car I think we've ever had in the house.

I do all the servicing on it,to save on garage bills,and it's a little cracker.

However,because it's a 1.3 twin cam,it is a bit thirsty on the petrol,so if a Micra is your preferred car,then get the 1.0litre one,and get a one post 1997,as that is when the entire range got power steering.Unfortunately the wife's was early 1997,and doesn't have it.

Or alternatively,you could get a small diesel,but as unleaded is as cheap,and small engined cars do as many miles to the gallon,it's probably not worth it.

Ken.

twink

i love my 95 micra 1.3 very rarely in the garage, cheap on petrol and even my son thinks its real nippy

Petree

Late model Renault 5 (upto N reg 1996), cost about £300 max, injection engine, 1.4 is most common, nippy and cheap on the fuel. Parts are cheap and easy to replace. Insurance is cheap n all.
For instance indicator, held in with spring and clip, pull it and it comes out. Replace with new one (£6) or scrap (50p) and then pull the spring back into its slot....ah voila!
I used to have a 1988 one, 120,000 miles, ran fine, never broke down, elec windows, remote central locking, auto. The later ones had power steering n all.

The early clio (1992-1998(6)) can't quite remember when they swopped over, is an identical car with basically all the same parts and a different shell.

That said the KA is also a good little motor and pretty cheap, lots have airbags and nice features. Or a saxo (might be a little pricey), the ZX the next size up is similar in size to a modern fiesta so might be worth a look, and the diesels can do 250,000 miles without a care.

Remember if your looking for cheap then don't get too many electrics, more to go wrong!!

HTH

Petree

balsingh

Try a Rover 200. Not too big, cheap to buy and they drive pretty well. Simple engines which are easy to work on and also a decent spec.

£1000 will buy you a mint P plate 214i or a slighly high mileage S plate model.