Around a grand to spend on a car - any ideas?

Sput2001

Hi folks,

My Mazda 323F has breathed its last so I'm looking for a replacement. It's mostly for urban driving but with the odd motorway run - not usually more than 100 miles or so.

I'm looking for:

Cheap insurance
Cheap tax (so smaller than 1.5l?)
4/5 doors
Decent MPG
Looks sexier than Angelina Jolie*

I was thinking about a VW Golf, Peugeot 306, Ford Focus - something along those lines.

Any suggestions welcome!

*OK, maybe this isn't so realistic.

Inactive

Get another Mazda 323f, with a 1.3 engine, you will be hard pressed to find anything as good.

Sput2001

I did like the 323F but parts were expensive.

I had to replace the exhaust and clutch, both of whch were pretty painful.

Inactive

NickMidgley wrote: »

I did like the 323F but parts were expensive.

I had to replace the exhaust and clutch, both of whch were pretty painful.

But no more expensive than most other cars I suspect, they are both consumable items.

The 323F is a very reliable car in general terms, as you probably know, many cars under a grand will plague you with ongoing problems.

vaio

or even fix your existing "known quantity and with replaced clutch & exhaust" one rather than spending a grand on a replacement which could well need a clutch/exhaust in the near future

Lirin

Just had to fit brakes on a 323F- the owner managed to split a disc in half! Not sure how he did it, but didn't look as if pads/discs/calipers had ever had attention.
I've never had major probs with any car, and most of mine were around 1.4k.... Personally I'd prefer an older car- much easier to work on!

forgotmyname

The newer the car, generally = dearer to fix.

Dont buy a 2000 onwards diesel, a clutch could cost you more than your whole budget.

jaydeeuk1

Its luck of the draw at that price.

Only because I've had one before which served me well, how about a daewoo lanos. 1.6 engine best, and you might find then with working air con.
Literally hundreds available for under £1000. Servicing cheap, components plentiful. As long as its has some sort of serviced life, then you won't go wrong. Not the best car you'll ever get to drive, but they're cheap and reliable. Tax about £200 for 12 months I believe. I'd avoid the auto, and avoid the 1.4.

somech

ebay is your friend in this price range. on friday i brought a megane coupe s reg for £200 has no mot (just needs a few small jobs to pass) already have a buyer lined up willing to pay £850 for it

for a grand buy on condition and long mot there are hundreds of cars in this price bracket and only buy from those with 100% feedback.

LandyAndy

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Its luck of the draw at that price.

.

Not quite, perhaps.

You can give yourself a better chance by looking at Japanese and possibly German makes and ignoring French and Italian ones.

What you can't do is be too fussy about which make or model you end up with.

Lirin

The V6 I have cost me under a grand! 77,000 mileage, leather interior, criuse control and climate control.
Plenty of great cars for that price.