Hi Guys,

I have a company car at the moment, but for reasons i can't be bothered to explain right now, i might need to get myself a cheap banger instead....

Basically i'm looking at a budget of up to a grand, but would prefer to spend less.

Requirements:
4 seater
reasonable on fuel
T&T
hopefully a reasonably reliable thing


Current thoughts are maybe an old mondeo or escort or a mk2 golf....

What would you get?

Cheers,
Andy

I would expect an MK3 golf should come in on budget. Mk2s are likely to be ever rotten, ragged or concours (and expensive).

Maybe a Corsa, Fiesta, early Focus (Avoid the 1.6 with the weak bottom ends that go at 80k like clockwork)

My money would go on an early 90s GM, as I know they are easy to work on, and just prior to extensive computer controls and Canbus/multiplex rubbish.

volvo s40??, Just sold a 2000 model for just over a grand and it was great.

I bought a cheap Focus and am quite impressed, handles nicely. and you get a 1600 SE zetec which may be useful later on!

SAAB or volvo are probably where I'd start looking

Toyota Avensis 1.8 petrol - Hatch or Estate.

Cheap, frugal on fuel, comfy and totally bomb proof - plus you can get big bits of a Striker in one - got that T shirt!

plenty of cars out there, I would look for something that maybe joe public wont be too taken on, skoda fabia?

but you should find mk4 golfs for that no probs, I bought a mk4 2000 golf GT TDi for that sort of money

the dealer next to me just sold a 52 plate fiat stilo, fully loaded, beautiful car £995

if its older than 2000 then I would suggest staying below 1550cc so you get it into the cheap tax band

plenty of 1.4 206's for less than a grand

Puegot 406 estate 2litr diesel
Reliable, comfy, bags of room and tows a 7 type car on a trailer all day long

Mk4 or 5 fiesta everytime. Aslong as its tinworm free it wont go wrong!

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dingz
I bought a cheap Focus and am quite impressed, handles nicely. and you get a 1600 SE zetec which may be useful later on!

---

With regards to tax your probably best to buy something from before they changed the system. A few years ago I was looking at getting a MkIV Astra and the tax on the early 2000's cars was huge and I'm told this is the case with alot of cars from the period as they weren't set up for the tax system as cars are now.

Big cars tend to be alot better value in this price range as your not competeing with Kids who've just past there test as they all want small cars. Last Time I looked £500 could get you a Scorpio or an Omega and the estates are huge, I know they're not going to be amazing on fuel though. As someone else said Saabs are a good bet, pre GM cars are invincible. I'd be having a look at Merc 190's as well, again they aren't going to be amazing on fuel but they won't be to bad compared to a mondeo and they were the last of the over engineered Mercs and should last and I think they will become Classics before to long.

You can have my wife's Rover 220SDi for loads cheaper than that if you want?

It's Tax, tested, cheap to insure and you wouldn't believe the MPG's that she manages out of it!! (over 60 is daily driving and on a run she can nearly get 80mpg!!!) Granted she doesn't rag it, but that's what cheap motoring is about!

It's mechanically sound, but cosmetically has a bump on the drivers wing, and a bit of damage on the nearside front bumper (under the headlamp, but the lamp itself is fine) and that's it! Well the paintwork has faded slightly, but we never polish it, so it'd probably shine right back up with a quick hit of polish!

Flown through last 4 MoT's in our ownership. (might be 3 years worth of MoT's)

Red.

Think it's done about 90k miles...

Good car really!

Only thinking of selling as I think she's having mine and I'm getting a bike. Or selling them both to get her a bigger car (growing family).

I'd be happy to sell it for £600 or thereabouts!!!

U2U me if you (or anyone) is interested!
Photos if needed...


Steve

[Edited on 23/2/11 by Steve Hignett]

A thing to consider on larger saloons like the Mondeo, Vectra & 406 (& anything else so equipped) is the multi-link rear suspension, this gave motoring journalists loads to praise about good ride & handling but at the age you'll be looking at it can mean expensive repairs come MOT time. There's a load of stuff to wear & many of the bolts will be seized when it needs to come apart. The rear beam under the rear of the Golf up to mk4, Astras also to mk4, Escorts etc is more reliable & cheaper to fix. The same goes for the front suspension on Audi A4s & Passats.

Really this applies right across the car, at this age simple wins! Even if it means a slight sacrifice in economy or more expensive insurance all the savings of what at the start was the cheaper option are wiped out if it needs much work doing.

The Mk4 Astra is nothing special but is a good simple car, how about an Octavia or a SEAT? Solid Golf underpinnings but you're not paying for the badge.

Bring up autotrader, search for "Under £1000" and see what takes your fancy.

I used to have a diesel 106, and missus has the newer shape one. I'd likely still have it if a Cavalier didn't pick a fight!