Decent car for £1500 ?

[GreatGranny]

Civic would be my choiceas well. You can get the newer shape (don't know the model ref.), example below.



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[shalmaneser]

Just get her a mondeo and be done with it.

[BarnatosGhost]

cheap, reliable, no sex-appeal needed?

Simple. Depending on size, choose a Micra, Almera, or Primera.

£1500 will get something very presentable indeed.

[Beeby]

Seat Toledo 1.9 Tdi mark 2

[nottyash]

I just got this for £1550. 2001 Golf GTI Turbo

[Tallbut Buxomly]

Does it matter if auto...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...


Buy a tanker...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...


Lots of service history instead of full raises questions however its a lexus so should be bullet proof..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Unusual...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

v dub..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

CHeep cheerful...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Seat???

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[Jenx]

You can get a Volvo T5 + MoT + Tax + Insurance for less than £1500...149mph and it'll beat most hot hatches easily...job jobbed

[Jayho]

TBH I'd be looking at MG ZS's ZR's or Rover 45's 25's. If you're buying it for her, go onto the Rover MG forums and check around to see what to look out for. If its been serviced regularly then it should be fine and good to run. If you get her in the routine of checking all levels on a weekly process shouldn't be any less reliable than the next car.

The 1.4 engines in the ZR/25 are actually really really good units IMO. Rev happy and quite powerful for a 1.4. The ride in the 25 is better, but the handling of the ZR is slightly better. So depends what she wants.

Either that or a MK4 Astra? 1.6SXI should be plenty to get her about.

[Haytch]

excel monkey said:

Go Jap if you want reiability at this money.

Civic EP3? The 5 door model is very spacious.

EP3 is the Type R, best bet is a prefacelift EP1.

[rallycross]

With limited budget it will be a struggle to get a decent popular model eg golf/focus your £1500 will get you a much better example of a mid sized hatch eg Mondeo vectra Mazda 323f, or even an estate version of the golf /focus.

[nw28840]

Well we took a bit of a chance......

but plumped for a '51' plate Rover 25. one owner , FSH and 34,000 miles.

Here's hoping it doesn't suffer from the head-gasket problems which seem to be a common occurrence
on these (from what i've read).

[cptsideways]

Has to be the best final OP'ers reply to a thread I've seen in ages. Loads of suggestions for sensible reliable cars well within budget & the OP opts for what must be the 90's most spectacular time bomb

They are OK cars when they are working though, so best of luck with it - Just keep your fingers crossed

[VeeFour]

Jayho said:

TBH I'd be looking at MG ZS's ZR's or Rover 45's 25's. If you're buying it for her, go onto the Rover MG forums and check around to see what to look out for. If its been serviced regularly then it should be fine and good to run. If you get her in the routine of checking all levels on a weekly process shouldn't be any less reliable than the next car.

The 1.4 engines in the ZR/25 are actually really really good units IMO. Rev happy and quite powerful for a 1.4. The ride in the 25 is better, but the handling of the ZR is slightly better. So depends what she wants.

Either that or a MK4 Astra? 1.6SXI should be plenty to get her about.

I've had a Rover 25 as a courtesy car.

It was the most horrible heap of crap I've had the misfortune to drive since I was given a Lancia Y10...

[Night Runner]

Anything from here for reliability:

[sday12]

nw28840 said:

Well we took a bit of a chance......

but plumped for a '51' plate Rover 25. one owner , FSH and 34,000 miles.

Here's hoping it doesn't suffer from the head-gasket problems which seem to be a common occurrence
on these (from what i've read).

Just wow.

[Night Runner]

Does that have the 'k' series in it?

If it does, whoops!

[JakesterUK]

Boring but reliable, I picked up for the wife a one owner low miles 35k 52 plate mondeo, was like new with enough toys to make it a comfortable place on long trips and all for well under your 1500 budget, I wouldn't hesitate at buying another as a trouble free daily hack...

[cptsideways]

FSH probably means it's had two oil changes in its life, the coolant will be original.


Get the OH to check it weekly for oil/water & mayonaise, my bet is you'll get two weeks of daily use before it wants to stop & brew the kettle.

[Pearcyy]

Oh wow, that was a very "special" choice right there...

[AdeTuono]

OP actually said...

nw28840 said:

Thanks for all your sensible advice, and for taking time out to help me with my request.

In the end, I decided to ignore everything you so generously advised me, and bought the biggest piece of st the UK car industry has produced for the last 20 years. I forgot to mention that I hate my sister with a passion bordering on psychotic, and that this should get her off my back. It should also cripple her financially when, not if, it goes tits up. Serves her right for making me wear a dress when I was younger.

fk the lot of you.