Most reliable cheap car
Discussion
When considering taking the plunge at the bottom end of the used car market what do members of the forum consider to be the most reliable car make/model say for less than £1500.
The general consensus seems to lean towards Japanese and Korean models but what have you found over the years to be the case?
And what are the makes/models to steer well clear of? Are French and Italian cheap cars as unreliable as people say they are?
Are German cars worth the extra premium over more mainstream rivals or do we just pay for a badge?
All thoughts most welcome.
The general consensus seems to lean towards Japanese and Korean models but what have you found over the years to be the case?
And what are the makes/models to steer well clear of? Are French and Italian cheap cars as unreliable as people say they are?
Are German cars worth the extra premium over more mainstream rivals or do we just pay for a badge?
All thoughts most welcome.
Anything Jap and anything small. By a low owner and mileage car and you will be Golden. Bought a Suzuki Ignis Sport 5 years ago for two grand. 41K mile, one previous owner. Car is now on 84k. In all that time it has had two sets of tyres, a set of brake pads, Regular oil changes, anti roll bar bushes and one track rod end. Doesn't drink oil and is tight as a drum. Always looking to chop it in but it is so dam reliable it just keeps going. Cost me next to nothing to run.
I bought a 2001 Merc C230K around 5 years ago for just over a couple of grand on Ebay and still have it for shed duties, other than servicing all it has needed has been a wheel bearing and battery.
By far the most reliable car I have owned and it has plenty of power for general duties with almost 200 bhp
By far the most reliable car I have owned and it has plenty of power for general duties with almost 200 bhp
BricktopST205 said:
Anything Jap and anything small. ...
...and petrol engined (non turbo).We shall, of course, gloss over the fact that many of these Japanese cars are in fact made in Europe (Civic/Jazz = Swindon, Micra = Sunderland, Aygo/C1/whatever number the Peugeot one was = Czech Rep, Yaris = France, etc.)
We were given a 56 plate Mk6 Fiesta Zetec. It is in excellent condition, seems very well put together and the interior very robust.
I suspect that a lot of other people have found similar as there are quite a few of them in our area, along with the usual German saloons.
It steers and handles far, far better than a Fabia or Micra. It really is great fun to drive, and you can use all of its 80bhp.
I suspect that a lot of other people have found similar as there are quite a few of them in our area, along with the usual German saloons.
It steers and handles far, far better than a Fabia or Micra. It really is great fun to drive, and you can use all of its 80bhp.
Don't forget the Fiat Doblo. Derided by many, but it sits on a semi-commercial platform and doesn't devour suspension components like many others. Bulletproof (but underpowered and understressed) engines that are a doddle to look after and cavernous interiors which survive well. And, like most small Fiats, they're fun to drive.
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