What cheap car next?

[oldbanger]

At some point this year I'd like to be in the position to buy another car. Budget will be minimal - I am going to set a ceiling of £2k though it could be a lot less.

I have been driving around in boring cheap old hatchbacks and estates for a few years. I am probably going to borrow a Meriva as a stop gap measure. I would really like to get something a bit more exciting next.

This would be a 2nd car, so whilst I ought to get something to fit kids and dogs, I am also thinking of 2 seaters as a possibility. I would however need to use it for commuting - motorway and city driving. Also being a 2nd car, I'll not have any no-claims to sweeten insurance.

So far I'm considering a Toyota Celica, an Alfa Romeo 147 (possibly out of my budget and would reliability be an issue?) and the traditional MX-5 (aren't the older models now eligible for classic car insurance?). Any other suggestions would be very gratefully received.

[oldmanbm]

Don't be afraid of a good Alfa 147. My last 1.6TS Lusso went to 168000 miles with few problems before I changed it for a newer one. Lovely cars to drive and parts are okay if you search carefully. Buy on condition and not age and drive on a roughish road - the front suspension can give problems.

[oldbanger]

Thanks oldmanbm, what are they like in terms of running costs?

[oldbanger]

Bumped - are there any other makes/models where I could potentially find a decent specimen for under £2k?

I know I'll have to look around given the budget, but I do have time on my side right now.

[MorganP104]

oldbanger said:

Thanks oldmanbm, what are they like in terms of running costs?

If I may jump in here...

They cost no more to run second-hand than anything else of a similar vintage/price point. It goes without saying that you should avoid main dealer servicing on a bag-of-sand shed at all costs, and find yourself a decent indie.

If you live anywhere near Penrith, Bedfordshire or Bournemouth (there's three branches), I can recommend Autolusso (it's run by a good mate of mine - he does all my cars).

There's no need to be scared of running an Alfa Romeo. My best advice would be to jump on an Alfa-specific forum, make a note of all the big/scary/expensive things that go wrong with the 147, and make sure any car you buy has had most of it fixed/addressed (with evidence) in the last few years.

Also, if you believe Jeremy "the ape man" Clarkson, you're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa. Whilst he talks a lot of crap, there is something special about an Alfa, especially at the lower end of the market (i.e. LOTS of "personality"), which some people hate, but most car enthusiasts love (even if we don't always admit it).

[oldbanger]

MorganP104 said:

If I may jump in here...

They cost no more to run second-hand than anything else of a similar vintage/price point. It goes without saying that you should avoid main dealer servicing on a bag-of-sand shed at all costs, and find yourself a decent indie.

If you live anywhere near Penrith, Bedfordshire or Bournemouth (there's three branches), I can recommend Autolusso (it's run by a good mate of mine - he does all my cars).

I'm near Brum, so miles away, unfortunately.

Thanks for the advice