a cheap run-around (car!)

chewbacca_2

if you want a cheap japanese car that looks the biz consider a nissan 100nx, cheap to buy, and cheap to run. very similar to the tigra that you liked, but has added advantage of convertible/t-bar roof, very reliable and cheap parts as it is a nissan sunny underneath the posh exterior. please pm for any more info.

webmasterpolo

If you don't mind driving a micra, I would buy it, they are considered excellent budget run arounds.

If you don't like the micra consider a yaris which is also reliable.

As far as parts go it is common for the japanese cars parts to cost more, but it is also common for them to break down less. So it's up to you how you'd like to gamble it.

I would not recommend a vauxhall, I had a corsa (3yrs old, cost £5000) for 3 years and it was in the garage about 8 times a year for various things, I knew the mechancis by name and they knew me! Anything from a suspension spring falling off...yes bounced off down the road behind me...to the drivers door lock spinning around not letting me unlock the car....tracking constantly going off, reset 4 times in 2 months etc. I completely regret buying it, glad I don't have it any more.

I did buy a warranty from car care plan which paid for lot's of the repairs, otherwise I would of been spending loads on it. I'd recommend getting a quote if you are worried about bills, mine was only about £180 for 2 yrs and I worked out the cost of repairs covered was about £2000 so I was very happy.

-Web

Katgoddess

I've been driving a 1989 Ford Fiesta Mk II and hasn't had any major problems with it. It's very cheap to repair and cheap to insurance. I am looking around for a newer car and will probably get a MkIII fiesta.

funkymonkey

hi guys - thanks for all the replies. i bought a Micra at the weekend. cost me £600 - M reg, 51000miles but with a rattly cam chain! it means it will needa new tensioner but the cost to have that fitted is £400 so i wont be bothering. supposidly micra chains dont snap and are prone to rattling. will just run it into the ground!

sara2323

I've had a micra for over 5 years (1997 model, 1.0l) and has been one of the most reliable car I've had, has only broken down once with a battery fault cost about £30 repair, I would highly recommend it. Also really easy to park .
The only prob is that mine does'nt have power steering

Graham_Devon

Wish I'd seen this earlier. You'd have done much much better with a MK3 Golf in diesel form. Solid as anything. They will give you roughly 550 miles to a £45 tank of fuel, cheap insurance, solid build and very very solid and reliable engine. The TDi's are very nippy also. Might not be a sports car, but neither is a micra! Will also just run and run, 300k miles is easily achievable. I got one when I needed to release cash, I said I was going to run it into the ground. Yer, that was hard. It's still going with 270k on the clock and never lets the owner who has it now down.

Good luck with the micra though.

rdwarr

I concur with the Micra. My favourite would be the "Grey Import" version, sometimes called the Nissan March. You still get the decent and economical 1.0 litre engine but also aircon and automatic transmission as standard as well as a higher trim level.
Japan went over to the "new shape" in 1991 and there are still some great cars around on a J plate.