Find me a banger for my lil' sis

[GHW]

Last week my little sis has managed to drive her Focus Estate up a tree (on black ice so bad that the Police car that arrived on the scene shortly afterwards barely missed the same fate). She rang me up today to ask me to go with her to view a 150k mile, decade-old Vectra. Clearly she cannot be trusted to choose her own vehicle, so falling upon the kindness of the PH collective to help her (and keep me from looking a depressing family cars on AutoTrader).

The budget is £1300 (which is the insurance payout for the Focus). Diesel or small petrol engine for economy. It's got to carry her, the boyfriend and two young kids - estate not necessary, although preferable. Something exceedingly reliable would be good, since I'll end up fixing it if it goes wrong. Insurance is likely to be a bit of a concern, since she's now had two accidents in the past 3 years.

My best ideas so far are:

• another Focus (if we can find one in budget)
• Pug 306 Diesel
• Rover 200/25 Diesel hatch (or maybe a 1.4 petrol -- I don't want to upset the Rover crowd, but I want to avoid having to do a head gasket change if I can)
• Mid/late 90s Civic with a small petrol engine.

She could probably cope with something slightly smaller (106/Saxo/Clio/Fiesta size), but I think it'd have to be incredibly good value for money to make it worthwhile. Also, if it were anywhere near Cardiff, that'd be a big bonus..

Any ideas?

[GarrettMacD]

You should be able to get a decent, lower mileage Nissan Almera for that price. The 1.5 for lower insurance, probably more reliable and cheaper to run than any of the others you've mentioned

[rallycross]

Mazda 323 5 door hatch (called a fastback but it's just a 5 door with a good sized boot) 2000 yr onwards.

Nice to drive and reliable/economical

[petrolsniffer]

Passat tdi nice safe choice very practical my brother has one and its nudging on 290k using it daily with no problems

Mondeo diesel? cheap and plentiful

I was going suggest a bmw engined omega diesel but they seem to hold thier money plus there aren't as many about as I thought!

[T84]

Well, judging by the title of the topic the thread could've gone two ways.

[mnkiboy]

T84 said:

Well, judging by the title of the topic the thread could've gone two ways.

The 'two young kids' bit put everyone off I think.

Another Focus estate would seem to fit the bill perfectly. You're looking at the very cheapest Focus estates at this price, but it should be just about within budget.

[Steameh]

T84 said:

Well, judging by the title of the topic the thread could've gone two ways.

I definitely wasnt expecting to see actual vehicle suggestions on here. How disappointing.


On topic, similar to the 306, how about a Citroen ZX?
Someone has mentioned passat, early A4 is in budget.

Something pistonheady, how about a Primera GT or eGT.

[anonymous-user]

T84 said:

Well, judging by the title of the topic the thread could've gone two ways.

lol, I misread the title thread and was about to volunteer!

[pmanson]

We've got a Focus Estate - no way does it set the world on fire (in fact I hate driving it with a passion) but it does exactly what it says on the tin.

Cheap to run and I can throw rubbish in the back to take the tip etc without worrying about it.

Ours is a 2ltr Ghia which I paid £1500 for a couple of years ago so i'm sure she'll get something in her budget.

Otherwise I think you've covered most bases in your original post! K-series in the 200/25 shouldn't be an issue

Edited by pmanson on Wednesday 12th January 10:52

[micawrx]

Just bought a 52 plate Ka Collection (PAS, Elec Windows, Air Con) with 60k and a 12 month warranty for £1100.

Maybe an option??

Can't imagine much more depreciation on a Ka...

(Stop gap until my company car arrives so will be sold after 4 weeks of ownership, probably sell for same price)

[CraigyMc]

[K50 DEL]

If she has 2 kids and is a little accident prone then I would venture to suggest that something the size and build of a 106 really isn't suitable.

I would say another Focus or perhaps a Maxda 626, a Nissan Primera could be a good shout also.

[renrut]

Another call for the primera estate or hatch. Get the 2L SR20 late 90s one and it'll go forever providing its fed and watered regularly. Only catch is a turning circle rather larger than you expect for the size of the car. Should get a good one for the money.

[durbster]

T84 said:

Well, judging by the title of the topic the thread could've gone two ways.

CraigyMc said:

Three ways, it seems

[ad551]

Volvo V40? This one is sold but you get the idea: http://pistonheads.com/sales/2245381.htm

Nice and safe too.