3k - What cheap/basic/reliable/utilitarian car?

[Noesph]

I'd say a old Land rover defender, but then you got a 4wd system to worry about.

basic 106's and saxo's are very simple cars. No power steering, no abs, no aircon, wind up windows (rear ones don't even open at all), No central locking etc etc. A simple 8v engine that if you have any basic mechanical skill you can keep them going for peanuts.

Edited by Noesph on Wednesday 8th February 16:14

[Gruber]

Merc W124, surely?

[Motorrad]

Fiat Panda petrol.

[chrisispringles]

Spend a bag on a Volvo 850/V70. Very cheap, very reliable, very nice cars.

[twazzock]

Why would you spend 3 grand on something that's basic and utilitarian? A £500 80s hatch would do exactly the same thing...

[Mr. Magoo]

I just got myself a clean Subaru Legacy - £3500 for a 100K miles, i'm sure there are some for around 3K. Anyway it i the new shape, has all the gimmicks and saftey stuff, is nice and clean, more practical than a hatchback, 4WD....

Theres a good reason why farmers swear by them. they are cheap to buy, run and go on forever.

[Bill]

hora said:

Which year onwards had the TC fitted/issue? 2.0? I'd go for that.

No idea, but our 53 plate doesn't.

We weren't looking for a Mazda, but it was the best cared for car we found that suited our "basic petrol estate" criteria.

[lost in espace]

I like your thinking! The Felicia looks a good idea. If you want true old school series III Landy, I have a Defender and its all DIYable and fairly easy/cheap to repair.

Old school non-pd TDI, Octavia, Golf, Galaxy?

[BIG DANE]

I'm a bit mad but if I were in the market for a 3k car I'd get either a e34 Bmw or a e39 Bmw

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3198798.htm

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3596672.htm

[Yiliterate]

A Kia something-or-other. Not the most sophisticated car in the market, but lots of them come with 7-year warranties so it seems that Kia fancy themselves to have screwed it together properly...

[tercelgold]

hora said:

Key for me is basic. I never use A/C, never will. To be honest I don't really appreciate electrician windows either.

I do like the main bits to be bombproof IF of course preventative maintenance is carried out rather neglect or not keeping an eye on things.

Not bothered too much about mpg but then again I'm not bothered too much about bhp.

No it can't be a MX5 as we have a hora junior

So cheap (sub 3k), reliable etc etc etc?

Does it have to be around £3,000

Something with an XUD9 engine would be my choice with a Bosch fuel pump, 1.9 liter Diesel.

Citroen ZX, Peugeots, it will run on straight vegetable oil, Diesel, chip fat probably and reach 200K without issue.

It's a 1.9 liter Diesel engine under low stress making 90bph?. Most won't have electric windows or even an alarm.

MPG may not be an issue but these engines will run until the car falls apart, and then continue running in a tractor.

Edited by tercelgold on Wednesday 8th February 18:13

[andy43]

A nice Merc 190e. You'd get a lovely low mileage old thing for 2.5-3k. Basic mechanics, and a chance of windy-up windows in the back.
Kangoo. Just. No.

[Toaster Pilot]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

(although it seems a bit pricey given I have a GFV of £2694 at 3 years old on a 2011 one)

Or a Panda of similar age/mileage.

Edited by Toaster Pilot on Wednesday 8th February 18:21

[zb]

hora said:

Key for me is basic. I never use A/C, never will. To be honest I don't really appreciate electrician windows either.

I do like the main bits to be bombproof IF of course preventative maintenance is carried out rather neglect or not keeping an eye on things.

Not bothered too much about mpg but then again I'm not bothered too much about bhp.

No it can't be a MX5 as we have a hora junior

So cheap (sub 3k), reliable etc etc etc?

Mazda 323F like this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[twazzock]

hora said:

Its called the 1.9D also in 306's and some Berlingos?

Yes, used in loads of stuff, most Peugeots and Citroens from the 90s. There was an earlier incarnation in the 80s called the XUD7 (it's a 1.8 but 1796cc I think hence the 7) which was similarly reliable, that was used in stuff like the 205 and BX. Great engines.

[cpl_payne]

hora said:

Mr. Magoo said:

I just got myself a clean Subaru Legacy - £3500 for a 100K miles, i'm sure there are some for around 3K. Anyway it i the new shape, has all the gimmicks and saftey stuff, is nice and clean, more practical than a hatchback, 4WD....

Theres a good reason why farmers swear by them. they are cheap to buy, run and go on forever.

I had a 54plate sportswagon. The exhaust failed its MOT (they tend to rot mid section/joints) and an air/fuel sensor fitted cost me 470...then it started hunting revs on start up (garage thought it was the electronic throttle body) so I got rid asap....hence I'm sick of nice cars. Basic for me from now on. Mine was a 1prev owner/60k full Subaru history car.

Similar experience here - 'check engine' light is on (error code leads me to think it's an oxygen sensor) and the prices look positively scary, plus there doesn't appear to be anything akin to GSF or eurocarparts for spares. Despite them being fairly spartan cars I strongly suspect a BMW is going to cost less to run as spare costs are eye-watering (unlike BMW).

[smugglersvin]

Early C1 (107 Aygo) citroens seem to be getting close to that money now and they are not a bad little car and very economical

[Braintax]

Yaris T Sport 1.5, Cheap to run and insure, a fine balance of performance and economy combined with superb reliability.

[cpl_payne]

hora said:

I also had check engine light. Trying cleaning it first. Its just a small dongle-type object. I can take a photo of the old one they took out and post it up tonight if it helps along with the part number?

I found out afterwards you can source them cheaper via a US online store (well over 50% cheaper).

Interms of fitting its easy - its down the front of the engine (offside) just behind the headlight on the block (lowish down).

Thanks hora, that would be lovely if you could! Hadn't checked the thread so missed your post. If you could let me know the name of that US store it would help too. Much appreciated!

[crofty1984]

BIG DANE said:

I'm a bit mad but if I were in the market for a 3k car I'd get either a e34 Bmw or a e39 Bmw

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3198798.htm

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3596672.htm

I had an E39 530i Msport (Sound like a fanboy already don't I?)

I put about 24k on it in 2 years. Including a couple of road trips round europe (I was living in Italy at the time) A trip home for the MOT once or twice. 120mph on the autobahn on cruise control. and a couple of Alpine winters (on summer tyres! )

Didn't miss a beat.

Thigs that needed replacing/fixing were:
Brake pads and a service.
2x headlight bulbs.

Also, the spring that brought the stick from 5th across to between 3/4th would occasionally stick, so you'd be in 5th, go down to 4th and you'd have to push the stick across rather than let the spring do it. But I didn't find it was a problem.