Sub £1K, low running costs.

[Gloriaaaa]

So I know this isn't what PH is about, but I'll ask regardless.
I'm saving to buy a house, so I've just sold my car.
I plan to buy something more economical.
I only do about 150 miles a week.
Budget is £1k.
Higher MPG, the better. (40+MPG on B roads?)
One day, I will return to a proper drivers car, but for now I need something cheap to run.
It doesn't need to be fast.

I'd prefer a rare sight on the road than something common, even if that means a sacrifice to driving dynamics (though if there is something great to drive whilst matching all other criteria, I'd go up to £1200)

Ideas?

[A500leroy]

panda, foot to the floor everywhere 55mpg italian noises

[designforlife]

Suzuki ignis sport.

[dontfollowme]

Mondeo? Or a Toyota of some sort like an Avensis?

[clockworks]

I've just bought a Panda for journeys where my Touareg is too big to park or squeeze down narrow tracks. £1020 got me a 2006 diesel with 12 months ticket, a year's tax, and business use insurance.
So far I'm getting an indicated 72mpg, and it's actually quite fun to drive.

[Gloriaaaa]

designforlife said:

Suzuki ignis sport.

I've had one. If I could manage 45mpg I'd definitely have it on my list.

[Gloriaaaa]

dontfollowme said:

Mondeo? Or a Toyota of some sort like an Avensis?

Thanks for the suggestion, but both of these are everywhere. Plus without getting a diesel I doubt I'd see over 35mpg.

[Gloriaaaa]

A500leroy said:

panda, foot to the floor everywhere 55mpg italian noises

I'd love a panda100hp, though I don't know if I'd manage 45mpg? But the regular one sits on the "if nothing more interesting comes up" pile.

[Gloriaaaa]

clockworks said:

I've just bought a Panda for journeys where my Touareg is too big to park or squeeze down narrow tracks. £1020 got me a 2006 diesel with 12 months ticket, a year's tax, and business use insurance.
So far I'm getting an indicated 72mpg, and it's actually quite fun to drive.

I must admit, those numbers sound appealing, even if it's not the rarest of cars.

[JZZ30]

306 TD?

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

[KomodoWagon]

I'd have gone Panda too. Or a decent Yaris.

Otherwise... thinking of your rarity criterion...

I don't know how good it'd be for a grand, but Audi A2? A rare sight these days, economical, and something slightly different design-wise.

You can get a first generation A-Class for that too, although I'm not sure that's where I'd put my own money. They aren't known for being the most reliable, and you're paying MB repair prices. (Unless you find a good indie.)

<scrapes barrel> MG ZR 1.4 105?

<gets weird> Peugeot 1007?

[mike74]

I wouldn't have thought ''£1000'' and ''rare'' and ''cheap to run'' necessarily go together, at least when it comes to cheaply and easily obtaining spares and repairs.

[Gloriaaaa]

JZZ30 said:

306 TD?

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

Good call, that can go on the list.

[Gloriaaaa]

KomodoWagon said:

I'd have gone Panda too. Or a decent Yaris.

Otherwise... thinking of your rarity criterion...

I don't know how good it'd be for a grand, but Audi A2? A rare sight these days, economical, and something slightly different design-wise.

You can get a first generation A-Class for that too, although I'm not sure that's where I'd put my own money. They aren't known for being the most reliable, and you're paying MB repair prices. (Unless you find a good indie.)

<scrapes barrel> MG ZR 1.4 105?

<gets weird> Peugeot 1007?

A2 is on the list, thanks.

[Gloriaaaa]

mike74 said:

I wouldn't have thought ''£1000'' and ''rare'' and ''cheap to run'' necessarily go together, at least when it comes to cheaply and easily obtaining spares and repairs.

You're probably right, but it's worth a look. By rare I don't mean incredibly so. Just not a Mondeo or a Corsa.

[Condi]

JZZ30 said:

306 TD?

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

This.

Used to run one off 50% raw veg oil and 50% diesel. Good times.

[ninjag]

Honda Accord EX 2.2 diesel (7th Gen), official economy is almost 50mpg combined and Honda diesels tend to get pretty close in real world driving unlike the Bavarian hordes. Plus, the £1,000 is all you'll spend, very reliable. Don't see many of them about.

[irish boy]

Avensis mk1.

Preferably with the TD or 1cd-ftv early d4d. Loads running around Dublin with 600k plus on them. Quicker than you would think being light and a dollop of torque and stupidly reliable. Solid 55 mpg Even the a/c still works on mine. People say the have no character, but its simply for work, a tool. Also there is something characterful about the fact it just keeps going, no matter what.

[GreatGranny]

My default suggestions is the Civic when sub grand threads come up.

Loads available (so not rare :-) ).
Cheap to run
Still look decent IMO
Bullet proof engines
Refined

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

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

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

[Zetec-S]

Sensible answer = any Mk1 or Mk2 Focus with the 1.6 petrol engine in it - buy on condition rather than age/mileage. And go for a saloon for 'something different'

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

Less sensible (but not unreasonable) answer = Alfa 147?

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