Reliable first car £1200 max ?

[Spanglepants]

Hi, posting for advice on a first car for girlfriends sons and daughter to share/ learn to drive in.

Budget is £1200 max, 5 door hatchback, not sure whether to go for petrol or diesel. It needs to be as reliable as possible- we've just been stung big time with an Astra 1.4 petrol.

We're going to view a 2006 Nissan Almera 1.5 petrol and a Hyundai Getz 1.4 CDX. I had an Almera as a runaround a few years ago and it did what i wanted it to with no problems. Are the Hyundais worth viewing ? Should we stay away from anything french i.e 206 1.4 HDi ?
Any other recommendations welcomed, Thank you

[loskie]

nissan micra

[Justin Case]

The answer to this question is always Toyota Corolla.

[magpie215]

At this price


Something petrol and Japanese.....condition is everything down here at the bottom of the market.

[loskie]

Maybe insurance cost will be the biggest factor?

[colin79666]

magpie215 said:

At this price


Something petrol and Japanese.....condition is everything down here at the bottom of the market.

This. Just about anything Japanese or Korean but at 10+ years old rust may become an issue, even if the drivetrain is bulletproof. Nissan Micra was mentioned above and is a popular choice for new drivers but be aware they are in many ways a Renault at this kind of age. As already said though, condition and history are key. Also keep in mind insurance costs, Japanese are often in higher brackets for some reason. Honda Civic (the grandad models, not type r!) is something to consider.

Edited by colin79666 on Sunday 27th December 23:07

[littlebasher]

NOT the Almera

The camchain will be horribly stretched, like they all are!

[Tyre Smoke]

Generally I'd agree with the Japanese thing, but...don't rule out a Fiat Punto.

Just bought one for my son to learn on. My garage describes them as great cars, only ever need spark plugs and coil packs if something goes wrong.

Have to say, I was and am pleasantly surprised how well put together it is. Plus being the 1.2, it's cheap as chips to insure.

[ZX10R NIN]

It'll be insurance dependent but I've sometimes seen good (you won't need a diesel unless your kids are doing around 1k a month) numbers on the following:

Citroen C2

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012267...

VW Beetle

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009133...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012237...

Grande Punto Sporting

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012217...

Alfa 147

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009224...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007070...

Mazda2 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012147...

Swift Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011146...

MG ZR

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009073...

Seat Ibiza Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011246...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010305...

[OzzyR1]

Does it have to be 5-door for any particular reason?

If not, go with a Yaris or an Aygo - pretty much bulletproof especially the earlier ones.

If you need 5-door, agree with the above that a Corolla would be the obvious choice.

[chunkyjh]

OzzyR1 said:

Does it have to be 5-door for any particular reason?

If not, go with a Yaris or an Aygo - pretty much bulletproof especially the earlier ones.

If you need 5-door, agree with the above that a Corolla would be the obvious choice.

Aygo’s are available in 5 door.

Citroen C1/Peugeot 107 are same underneath, just choose which looks you prefer

Very simple 3 cylinder engine, cheap to run and insure

[A500leroy]

petrol yaris, or jazz

[Rozzers]

Reliable at £1200 is a challenge, best you can hope for is cheap and easy repairs.

Personally I would avoid Honda and Nissan just as much as the other less fancied suspects.

Its a bit lady like, but a Fiat 500 in 1200cc guise is so common that all faults are known and as they are popular first cars, the scrapyards are full of cheap parts, you can get a low mileage engine and gearbox for £600.00 for example. Avoid all other engines, like the buzzy and complex twin air or the DPF equipped JTd.

On a cheap one I’d be looking for corrosion to the rear spring cups and the sump, water leaks in the boots, odd power steering and gearbox noise.

[randomeddy]

Micra K12.
Just make sure the ignition switch is 100 %.
Local garage quoted £400 to fix it (because they didn't want to do it).
I fixed it for less than a tenner, the wife is happy with it now having a push button for a starter.

[Jag_NE]

With the budget being 1200 I presume you won’t be travelling far to look at sheds. On this basis I wouldn’t restrict yourself by make and model as the choices become tiny, it’s all about condition and history at the price. Personally I wouldn’t buy from a dealer, I’d find something private that has been well looked after. Throw up your postcode and we can make some suggestions via autotrader.

[Eyersey1234]

Jag_NE said:

With the budget being 1200 I presume you won’t be travelling far to look at sheds. On this basis I wouldn’t restrict yourself by make and model as the choices become tiny, it’s all about condition and history at the price. Personally I wouldn’t buy from a dealer, I’d find something private that has been well looked after. Throw up your postcode and we can make some suggestions via autotrader.

I agree with this though I wouldn't rule out a dealer, especially if you can find a P/X to clear.

[PGN]

Fiat Panda - they're much better than you'd think.

[Spanglepants]

Sorry for not replying earlier, appreciate all the replies. We ended buying a Hyundai Getz 1.4 CDX, one owner, everything works on it - even the AC. Only a 20 minute drive away and has 10 months MOT left on it. Pleased with it so far, thanks again

[Jag_NE]

Spanglepants said:

Sorry for not replying earlier, appreciate all the replies. We ended buying a Hyundai Getz 1.4 CDX, one owner, everything works on it - even the AC. Only a 20 minute drive away and has 10 months MOT left on it. Pleased with it so far, thanks again

Good result, thanks for the update