Reliable Sub £1k Car For Daughter - Leon / Focus...

[V8RX7]

My daughter has been driving for a year and is wanting to upgrade her 1.4 206 which has seen better days and has been a bit unreliable.

I know it's luck of the draw at this price level but are the 1.4 / 1.6 Leon / Focus a safe bet or is there something better ?

I suggested a 1.7 Puma but she wants a 5 dr.

[HustleRussell]

The Puma would rust anyway.

As you say, a bit of a lottery at this end of the market but at this age of car I wouldn't expect a VAG car to be any more dependable than a Ford etc. If reliability is your priority you must consider Japanese or Korean.

Personally I'd probably go for a Focus but I would question the value of 'upgrading' one cheap old car to another cheap old car- sometimes it's better the devil you know.

[V8RX7]

HustleRussell said:

The Puma would rust anyway.

As you say, a bit of a lottery at this end of the market but at this age of car I wouldn't expect a VAG car to be any more dependable than a Ford etc. If reliability is your priority you must consider Japanese or Korean.

Personally I'd probably go for a Focus but I would question the value of 'upgrading' one cheap old car to another cheap old car- sometimes it's better the devil you know.

I would have bought one in "smoothrite" black

I was actually thinking the VAG would likely to be more unreliable.

I can't find any nice Jap cars in budget - I'm trying to stick to sensible mileage/ owners / history which is still achievable with the Focus / Leon, I found a few nice 323 but I have to agree with her that they "look awful"

[exelero]

Civic

Edit: And Focus of course

Edited by exelero on Monday 19th December 20:47

[V8RX7]

The later (2000's) Civics are rare in a 5dr and most have around 130k on them - combined with the high price for Honda parts if they do go wrong... I don't think she can afford a nice one.

I admit the Focus is probably the best driving car... but it's ugly !

I'll stick with Leon and Focus and see what comes up

[Efbe]

something like this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Totyota-Corolla-T3-5Dr-H...

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-Toyota-Corolla-1-4-...

Edited by Efbe on Tuesday 20th December 00:39

[V8RX7]

PetrolJosh said:

V8RX7 said:

I admit the Focus is probably the best driving car... but it's ugly !

Tbh you shouldn't be worrying about how a £1k car looks at all.

Surely you just want it to go from A to B without fault?

You should have a look at what's available - there is a huge choice.

So which car can guarantee me won't break down for a year ?

[Challo]

V8RX7 said:

PetrolJosh said:

V8RX7 said:

I admit the Focus is probably the best driving car... but it's ugly !

Tbh you shouldn't be worrying about how a £1k car looks at all.

Surely you just want it to go from A to B without fault?

You should have a look at what's available - there is a huge choice.

So which car can guarantee me won't break down for a year ?

As people have posted you need to look at Japanese cars for best reliability at that price point. Dull and boring but will be less likely to break down.

Loads of choice out there just need to see what she likes.

[exelero]

Get a petrol S60, they are well under a grand