Best Shed for under £1k

[youngricharduk]

Apologies as this probably been done to death

I'm thinking of getting a second car, as me and the Mrs are struggling to manage with 1 car shared between us.

If I discard any vanity and my only criteria is getting from A to B as cheap as possible for the odd journey to take daughter to school etc, would the Toyota Yaris be the answer? Are they as reliable as people say and what is the best model year etc to look out for?

I would pay north of £1k if necessary and would need the car to be in the North East.

Any replies appreciated

[HustleRussell]

At this end of the market the 'best' car is whatever is available as a private sale (preferably from a friend, family or acquaintance) which is in good mechanical order and ideally has a long MOT.

Bonus points for Japanese.

[GreatGranny]

Yaris is a good shout as is the Micra.

Go for condition at that price. You can tell if it's looked after.
Matching tyres is a good indication.

Avoid Facebook pages, ones for sale on our local one all look dodgy as hell.

[lost in espace]

GreatGranny said:

Yaris is a good shout as is the Micra.

Go for condition at that price. You can tell if it's looked after.
Matching tyres is a good indication.

Avoid Facebook pages, ones for sale on our local one all look dodgy as hell.

And Jazz.

[GreatGranny]

lost in espace said:

And Jazz.

Good call.

Nothing wrong with a Fezza either.

[carboy2017]

How about a VW Polo or a Golf,can even get a Focus or Fiesta

[youngricharduk]

Thanks for the replies

I'm thinking something like this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Yaris-1-0-VVT-i-...
but I'm not in huge rush as it will be a luxury having an extra car rather then necessity.

Just really wondered how reliable these things are from anyone who has owned one and any issues to look out for?

Edited by youngricharduk on Friday 26th January 13:58

[RSTurboPaul]

If my understanding from what's been posted on various threads here is correct, the diesel Yaris is chain-driven and lives forever (over 200k miles easily) and is also under a grand for earlier ones.

I'm tempted myself for the super MPG it would get, but I can't have that little power due to needing to get past dithering morons on A-roads on my commute... lol

[youngricharduk]

RSTurboPaul said:

If my understanding from what's been posted on various threads here is correct, the diesel Yaris is chain-driven and lives forever (over 200k miles easily) and is also under a grand for earlier ones.

I'm tempted myself for the super MPG it would get, but I can't have that little power due to needing to get past dithering morons on A-roads on my commute... lol

Yeah you're right, I would have to look at it like a glorified push bike either that or make sure wor lass drives it

[VPXavier]

Jazz of course

[Toed64]

We have a Panda for absolute economy and cost half your budget, but why buy something tedious? Why not an MX5 or an MR2? Both can be had for £1000 in OK condition.

[mike9009]

https://www.diy.com/departments/10x10-atlas-apex-s...

Am I doing this right??

[avenger286]

I am up in the North East and have a yaris for going back and forth. I payed 300 for mine and has not put a foot wrong in the past year and past its mot without any advisorys and has only cost me 35 for service bits. I get 47 mpg round and about. It has done several 600 mile trips with ease it's now on 104k. I would be tempted to try and find a t sport in your budget or an Sr.

[cylinderfin]

youngricharduk said:

Apologies as this probably been done to death

I'm thinking of getting a second car, as me and the Mrs are struggling to manage with 1 car shared between us.

If I discard any vanity and my only criteria is getting from A to B as cheap as possible for the odd journey to take daughter to school etc, would the Toyota Yaris be the answer? Are they as reliable as people say and what is the best model year etc to look out for?

I would pay north of £1k if necessary and would need the car to be in the North East.

Any replies appreciated

My daughter has an early Yaris 1.3 (04 plate). Had it now for 4 years and it has 135K miles on it. Motor is sweet and has only needed a water pump, rear wheel bearing, alternator and rear exhaust section, about £250 in total parts (Euro Carparts). It can cruise really nicely on the motorways which is a bonus over the 1.0. It gets fresh oil every 3000 miles and feels like it will go for a long, long time. Paid £950 for it and it won't be worth any less now. They are a great buy in my opinion, just get one that's been looked after as there are plenty about to choose from.

[Toyoda]

youngricharduk said:

would the Toyota Yaris be the answer? Are they as reliable as people say and what is the best model year etc to look out for?

I would pay north of £1k if necessary and would need the car to be in the North East.

Any replies appreciated

Ok... the yaris to go for is the mk1 phase 1 1999 to early 2003. These were made in Japan and were regarded as more reliable than the phase 2 which were built in France. Look at the vin plate. If it starts jtd it's a jap build. I think the French ones began with a v. The phase 2 has the teardrop headlights like the one in your eBay link. The base model is the 's' 1 litre petrol and for shedding is the obvious choice. Came with hand winding windows, no central locking. Power steering was an option but its worth having so look for a round pas fluid reservoir in the engine bay (hydraulic on the phase 1s but went to electric on the French phase 2s)

Incidentally, all t sports were made in Japan right up to the end of the mk1 in 2005 but obviously prices and parts are dearer so not the best shed. Any questions ask away.

Edited by Toyoda on Saturday 27th January 14:00

Edited by Toyoda on Saturday 27th January 14:01

[RSTurboPaul]

cylinderfin said:

My daughter has an early Yaris 1.3 (04 plate). Had it now for 4 years and it has 135K miles on it. Motor is sweet and has only needed a water pump, rear wheel bearing, alternator and rear exhaust section, about £250 in total parts (Euro Carparts). It can cruise really nicely on the motorways which is a bonus over the 1.0. It gets fresh oil every 3000 miles and feels like it will go for a long, long time. Paid £950 for it and it won't be worth any less now. They are a great buy in my opinion, just get one that's been looked after as there are plenty about to choose from.

How long does it take to do that 3k miles? If I needed to do that, I'd be spending out on new oil every 6 weeks...

[RSTurboPaul]

Toyoda said:

Ok... the yaris to go for is the mk1 phase 1 1999 to early 2003. These were made in Japan and were regarded as more reliable than the phase 2 which were built in France. Look at the vin plate. If it starts jtd it's a jap build. I think the French ones began with a v. The base model is the 's' 1 litre petrol and for shedding is the obvious choice. Came with hand winding windows, no central locking. Power steering was an option but its worth having so look for a round pas fluid reservoir in the engine bay (hydraulic on the phase 1s but went to electric on the French phase 2s)

Incidentally, all t sports were made in Japan right up to the end of the mk1 in 2005 but obviously prices and parts are dearer so not the best shed. Any questions ask away.

Edited by Toyoda on Saturday 27th January 14:00

Useful info, thank you

[T5SOR]

I just picked up a 1.2l 2004 Clio was 33K miles on the clock for £500. Needs a good clean and to be driven, but looks like a good shed.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say a gen3 Clio ticks all your boxes:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mazda3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Benjijames28]

My first 3 cars were all Clio's so I would always recommend one if u find a good one.

I've been shedding a Toyota avensis for a few weeks and so far so good mechanically.