Circumstances changed, car required.

[ZX10R NIN]

themoog75 said:

They all look like cracking motors...but I'm not going from Norfolk to Totnes to get one!

Refine the search to your postcode & I'm sure you'll find some decent cars closer to you!

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

OP - what county are you in? I'm happy to spend 20 minutes pretend shopping on Autotrader for you

[themoog75]

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:

OP - what county are you in? I'm happy to spend 20 minutes pretend shopping on Autotrader for you

Norfolk.

Specifically...the middle of the arse end of god forsaken nowhereville (aka Norwich).

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

A few to look at. I'd take the first one, the Focus.

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

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

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

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

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

[jmsgld]

1 owner Honda Civic

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

Edited by jmsgld on Sunday 22 October 13:48

[imck]

Not a massive selection around Norwich. Used Norwich FC as the Postcode.

Especially for Fermit
https://www.gumtree.com/p/ford/ford-fusion-2-16v/1...

Micra
https://www.gumtree.com/p/nissan/nissan-micra-998c...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/332420429819
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122757097789

Focus 1.6
https://www.gumtree.com/p/ford/ford-focus-1.6-10-m...
https://www.gumtree.com/p/ford/55-plate-ford-focus...

Focus 1.8
https://www.gumtree.com/p/ford/ford-focus/12716832...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112597737045

Fabia 1.4
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm//332421237379

Clio 1.5 D
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/332421238118

Rover 45 1.4
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122738764556

Almera 1.5
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112597736959
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/401425031809

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

jmsgld said:

1 owner Honda Civic

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

Edited by jmsgld on Sunday 22 October 13:48

A good call, just need to get the hairdryer on the MAX badge!

[themoog75]

jmsgld said:

1 owner Honda Civic

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

Edited by jmsgld on Sunday 22 October 13:48

Looks like a belter of a car!

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

themoog75 said:

jmsgld said:

1 owner Honda Civic

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

Edited by jmsgld on Sunday 22 October 13:48

Looks like a belter of a car!

Go take a look at it then I'd say.

A well looked after used Civic shouldn't give you much aggro.

Its MOT history doesn't appear to show much to worry about, and tallies up with the mileage advertised.
Put its reg in here - https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/
Passed its last one with the only advisory being something damage wise less than 40mm to the windscreen. Not bad for a 15 year old 139k miles car!

Edited by Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah on Sunday 22 October 14:45

Edited by Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah on Sunday 22 October 14:47

[johnwilliams77]

jmsgld said:

1 owner Honda Civic

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

Edited by jmsgld on Sunday 22 October 13:48

How depressing

[GreatGranny]

Jazz

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

Astra

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

Micra

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

[johnwilliams77]

GreatGranny said:

Jazz

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

Astra

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

Micra

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

Would be much better cycling than all of those depressing machines

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

johnwilliams77 said:

GreatGranny said:

Jazz

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

Astra

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

Micra

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

Would be much better cycling than all of those depressing machines

Except John, the OP's brief is small engined, reliable and economical. I construe that he want's something no hassle and dependable. These fit the brief, this model of Micra as an example, they're cockroaches basically! Mind, the two front wings were obviously colour matched by Stevie Wonder, unless they all look like that!

I still say a Mk1 Focus

[anonymous-user]

kurt535 said:

toyota. french will break down!

I paid 500 quid for a 12 months MOT Megane 1.5 dci. So far done 2k miles, all electrics work and has leather seats to boot. Engine sounds st but 30 quid tax and 55 mpg everywhere. i bought a tuning box as well and runs well.
i never get the blanket i''ts french so crap'' approach.

[johnwilliams77]

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:

Except John, the OP's brief is small engined, reliable and economical. I construe that he want's something no hassle and dependable. These fit the brief, this model of Micra as an example, they're cockroaches basically! Mind, the two front wings were obviously colour matched by Stevie Wonder, unless they all look like that!

I still say a Mk1 Focus

Better off with a cheap lease of a new car like an aygo

[themoog75]

johnwilliams77 said:

Better off with a cheap lease of a new car like an aygo

Which is exactly what I had. Job change means lease ends, and I want something that I own outright, cheap, years mot, no maintenance and hassle free.

Any helpful suggestions would be gratefully received, and there have been plenty so far so feel free to join the party!

[johnwilliams77]

themoog75 said:

Which is exactly what I had. Job change means lease ends, and I want something that I own outright, cheap, years mot, no maintenance and hassle free.

Any helpful suggestions would be gratefully received, and there have been plenty so far so feel free to join the party!

You can’t be sure a £1000 car won’t need maintenance so you need to lease again

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

johnwilliams77 said:

themoog75 said:

Which is exactly what I had. Job change means lease ends, and I want something that I own outright, cheap, years mot, no maintenance and hassle free.

Any helpful suggestions would be gratefully received, and there have been plenty so far so feel free to join the party!

You can’t be sure a £1000 car won’t need maintenance so you need to lease again

It shall inevitably, but the question hasn't even been asked if he has the monthly disposable for a lease.

OP - go and see that Civic, plus the £500 (?) Focus I suggested. Either should be a nice steer for little £, and both shall likely not be much hassle.
One thing you need to understand mind, £500-£1000 cars can NEVER be guaranteed as hassle free. It may never let you down or ask for a drop of oil, or it may need a new clutch a week after you buy it. This is why they are so cheap. It is buyer beware, and run until it dies at this level of the market.

[jmsgld]

I sold my Chimaera when I went to Australia a few years ago, when I returned I was broke so bought a 2003 Honda CRV from ebay with over 100K on the clock, but only 1 owner from new. It was as dull as a car could be, and I soon bought another, but my girlfriend liked it and ended up keeping it for 4 years. In that time it got through a set of front brake pads, a set of tyres, a battery and a windscreen, but that was it. It passed every MOT first time and the engine bay still looked like new when we sold it 4 years later for £50 less than we paid for it.

Single owner cars tend to be well looked after, Jap cars tend to be reliable. I have driven a 3 door Civic from that era and it was quite good fun. A Focus would also be a good shout and the 3 door civic looks slightly less ridiculous than the 5 door...

I can't believe no one's suggested an MX-5 so far, this is PH after all. A mk2 or 2.5 should be in budget at this time of year, very reliable about 29mpg, rust on sills and front chassis rails but if you avoid those you should be able to sell it in the summer for not less than you paid for it...

[jmsgld]

Not many Mx5s near Norwich

ebay 51 mx5 looks tidy, should be in budget though seller might not think so...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mazda-mx5-mk2-2001-1000-...

ebay Mk1 Mx5 in BR Green, looks slightly abused but will sell for more than £1k in the summer though mods will cost you on insurance and will probably need a little spending on it.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MK1-MAZDA-MX5-1-6i-LOW-M...

I haven't looked on Autotrader