Bangernomics for softies. What to look for?

[Chris_w666]

I fancy the idea of Bangernomics for a year (or until whatever I buy explodes). The criteria are altered from proper bangernomics because I have few spannering skills and need the car to cope with a 50 miles trip every week. So suggestions of type of car to go for based on the following:

Budget 1000 or less, preferably to include the cost of 1st service.

Engine Bigger than a 1.4 and no silly Turbo bits and bobs to go pop.

Focus/Astra sized or larger, hatch saloon or estate with 4 doors.

MPG not a huge issue but 30mpg on a run would be nice, car won't be used for more than really short town trips.

I think thats it.


Options so far considered include Saab 900, 1.6 Focus, Honda Accord, Volvo 340 , Toyota Rav4, Rover 400.

What would you look for?

[carmadgaz]

For a start to hide about the 340, I loved mine!

Ford Mondeo 1.8TD. Mums cost £400 2 years ago and is pretty much bulletproof

[Plotloss]

Rather than a 900 what about a 9000?

Mine was £700 and it ran for 52,000 miles (unserviced, cough) in just over 2 years and was finally scrapped after failing an MOT as I had another spare car.

Looking for another one myself, probably an Aero if I can find a decent one.

[Chris_w666]

I don't have enough budget to buy tape for the Mondeos bumpers.

[Chris_w666]

9000 could be worth a look, I once drove to Wigan to collect one that got to the end of the street before the clutch gave up.

[Gold]

Bargetastic! - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1669306.htm

[carmadgaz]

Chris_w666 said:

I don't have enough budget to buy tape for the Mondeos bumpers.

:P Good point, well made, We have a red Mondeo and access to electrical tape so it's all good

Pug 306XTDT?

[Chris_w666]

Gold said:

Bargetastic! - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1669306.htm

Top shedy barge, just a bloody long way to travel

[Lordbenny]

I thought I'd try 'bangernomics' a couple of years ago...trouble is I fell in love with the little 22 year old £250 hatchback. I've replaced almost everything mechanical on it (because it's so easy to work on), I love it, it's a blast to drive and I wont be selling it soon.

[mcford]

Don't laugh - Ford Sierra. You should be able to get a solid one well within that budget. Very easy to work on, the electrics are not overly complicated, unlike todays modern networked control units. Come disposal time, they are popular with the kit car builders and the lightning rod racers, so it may not lose too much of its value. Ford claimed 51 mpg at 56 mph for the 1.8, so 40 mpg on a run should be attainable.

[Jazoli]

mcford said:

Don't laugh - Ford Sierra. You should be able to get a solid one well within that budget. Very easy to work on, the electrics are not overly complicated, unlike todays modern networked control units. Come disposal time, they are popular with the kit car builders and the lightning rod racers, so it may not lose too much of its value. Ford claimed 51 mpg at 56 mph for the 1.8, so 40 mpg on a run should be attainable.

Yes but they a are sh*t drive.

£1000 will get you pretty much anything, I'd vote for an Accord 1.8/2.0, they are bulletproof, or a Civic, or a Corrola, in fact anything jap, bought from a loving elderly owner, not from Bradford, not a rusty old Sierra