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Find me a small runaround
alistairolsen - 12/12/09 at 02:18 PM

Im looking for a decent cheap small car for the mrs, must be small capacity for insurance purposes. Looking at between 5 and 700 quid.

Id looked at 1.2 and 1.4 corsas. I refuse to buy a car with 3/4 of an engine so that rules out 1.0l and the 1.6s arent insurable.

Shes mentioned Ford Ka's. I like the cars, but not the aged engine which sounds broken as soon as it leaves the factory. Old fiestas have the same problem.

Nissan Micras rust like Lancias.

I hate working on French and Italian cars

Polo/ibiza would be ok

I dont like rover 100s (who does?)

Civics are too expensive for insurance and parts.

Whats left?

Im seriously considering going back on my word and going for a 106,but Im not sure whether Ill come to regret that!

mrwibble - 12/12/09 at 02:23 PM

tbh the ford ka is a great little car. some how i dont think ur misses drives round with the windows down listening to her exhaust note, so who cares if they sound a bit like a tractor?

flibble - 12/12/09 at 03:00 PM

Nissan almera?, plenty of cheap ones about.

Jasper - 12/12/09 at 04:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by alistairolsen


Civics are too expensive for insurance and parts.

Whats left?

Im seriously considering going back on my word and going for a 106,but Im not sure whether Ill come to regret that!


I bought my wife a P reg Civic two years ago, it's needed nothing but a new rad (£40) in that time, and some tyres, so yes, it did cost £1600 but I haven't spent anything on it since, drives beautifully and wasn't expensive to insure, and when I come to sell it there's always a demand for them. I would by another for sure.

[Edited on 12/12/09 by Jasper]

RichardK - 12/12/09 at 06:38 PM

Ford ka's are alright if you like welding rear sills!

Wishbones go frequently too but apart form those they are pretty bullet proof little cars.

Rich

morcus - 12/12/09 at 07:19 PM

Your really cutting of your nose in looking for a cheap small car and saying nothing French or Italian. To be honest you ruled out about every car there is if you stick with your original margins.
Get a 205, they look good, last forever, handle well and are cheap.
At that money your best bet is to have a look at cars near by that are insurable and buy which ever you think is best of those.

Simon - 12/12/09 at 08:57 PM

Rover 200 Sdi

9 secs to 60, 72 mpg

Very cheap and prob well looked after by old blokes in hats

ATB

Simon

alistairolsen - 12/12/09 at 09:18 PM

hmm, parkers reckons 9.8s and 50mpg. The killer is IG7

MikeRJ - 13/12/09 at 12:14 AM

quote:
Originally posted by alistairolsen
Shes mentioned Ford Ka's. I like the cars, but not the aged engine which sounds broken as soon as it leaves the factory. Old fiestas have the same problem.

Nissan Micras rust like Lancias.


If you think the Micras tend to rust I guess you've not looked at many Kas!

Have to say that for a budget of £700 you seem to have very high expectations.

[Edited on 13/12/09 by MikeRJ]

alistairolsen - 13/12/09 at 01:11 AM

Last one I got was a 37k corsa 1.4 with a blown headgasket for £117. Just a question of what makes and models to look at, the bargains are always there!