Cheap runaround recommendations

[James_N]

Hi All,

After being carless for a bit, i'm hoping to get myself a cheap set of wheels. It will be used for work (2 miles each way) and going to see family a few times a month (100 mile round trips). Don't really want to spend anymore than £500 but looking in the usual places, it seems you can get quite a bit for your money nowadays. I'm not bothered about speed, but reliability more of a priority and i want something cheap to insure and run. My shortlist so far is:

K11 Micra - Seem to be very popular opinion wise on here. Most of the ones ive seen so far have advisorys for rust - sills not too much of a problem, as the father in law can weld, but i see a lot with "general underbody corrosion" on the MOT advisory. Is this something i should worry about? Some have had fails on the rust around suspension components, and obviously been sorted as its been MOTed after and passed. My thoughts on one of these are just get the boggo 1 litre one with as much MOT as possible, then see where i am come the next MOT.

VW Lupo / Seat Arosa - Again seem cheap enough, not sure on reliability though.

I'm pretty set on the Micra unless someone has any other suggestions, and anything else to look out for on the Micra. I read about the front cross members rusting too. Again i'm hoping the father in law could sort that cheap enough.

many Thanks
James

[Lemming Train]

Micras have had their day. They're all rust buckets now and to be avoided. Default answer to cheap motoring run-about is C1/106/Aygo if you want reliability, no rust and cheap day-to-day costs (£2 per month tax, tank of petrol lasts forever). But they hold their value well as everyone wants them for their kids to learn in/first car so you'll need min £1500 for a tidy one without moon mileage. Pretty much every one I saw under £1500 was battered to a lesser or greater extent. The boot will be full of water on them but it's an easy DIY fix so don't worry if the carpet is soaking.

Focus is usually next choice and plenty around the £500 mark but you'll be paying £140+ in tax and the petrol ones struggle to do much more than low 30s mpg locally. Watch out for underbody rust, particularly on the rear half. Door bottoms go on them too.

[Lemming Train]

ETA : Previous thread on same.

[Nickp82]

I know the Micra is supposed to be bulletproof etc etc but they’re dull as ditchwater, buy a Fiesta or Puma

[anonymous-user]

1999-2005 Yaris. Just check the radio can pick up stations and the heater blows warm air. Much better than a Micra (I've owned both).

[imck]

The Mrs has had 3 K11s and 2 MK1 Yaris.

K11s have had their Day unless you find an exception.
All of ours rusted. Repaired the Sill on one and replaced the Rad Support Panel on the other two.

Yaris. Find a 1.3 if you can. 55 Plate 1.0 was very dull to drive. Current 53 Plate 1.3 Auto I like driving.

[James_N]

Thanks guys I'll maybe look out for Yaris or focus I think.