car under £1000/1500 - Thought I would give you a laugh..

[talksthetorque]

If you're avoiding big bills I'd avoid an 11 year old folding hardtop from Vauxhall.

[Bear-n]

That MK1 focus is pretty legendary for longetivity, albeit a bit sluggish. It's what I'd plump for if tyres/mot/everything else were acceptable.

I sold mine at 178k

[TheJimi]

Not only that but assuming everything isn't totally shagged, a Mk1 Focus is genuinely great to drive.

In fact, if you're on shed money budget, need the practicality, I'd say you'll struggle to get a better driving experience.

[VR99]

I can vouch for the mk1 focus.. very reliable and can take fair bit of abuse if servicing is kept up..I own a.petrol.manual 1.8 and it just.works and gets the job done. If it.goes wrong most places can get the issue sorted.easily. it's been more reliable than my previous car which was a jap hatchback. But be warned there are a lot of dogs out there as the MK1 is pretty old now. Mine was a 1 owner from Ford used approved and full service history.

[Mr Tidy]

Another vote for the Hyundai!

My sister bought an 02 Focus in 2005 until a few years ago, when it just threw up one big issue (and bill) after another - so it went!

[smallzoo]

Still looking

2 coupes down.... both described completely differently to how they were in real life ... I dont mind a few bumps and scrapes for £1000 but not rust bombs !

Anyway.. I'll keep looking fr any car that will at least give me 1-2 years reasonable motoring

cheers

[SCEtoAUX]

Yaris. All you need to know.

[mick_coupe]

SCEtoAUX said:

Yaris. All you need to know.

This or Honda Jazz

[talksthetorque]

smallzoo said:

Still looking

2 coupes down.... both described completely differently to how they were in real life ... I dont mind a few bumps and scrapes for £1000 but not rust bombs !

Anyway.. I'll keep looking fr any car that will at least give me 1-2 years reasonable motoring

cheers

It sounds like you're looking at stuff that will be st at that price!

[smallzoo]

I'll tell you one thing I'm learning... what not to touch with a barge pole before I even got to see them

1. Ask about history / cambelt etc ?

2. Is is their car or the mate(s) dads car ?

3. Zoom the photos ..anything that looks dodgy ?

4. Check MOT history..advisories as long your arm ?

5. Trust my gut ?


I'll be able to write a book soon

Cheers

[TheJimi]

My instinct is that if you want something decent for a grand or so, you need to be looking at boring, sensible, small cars.

Japanese, preferably.

[Ankh87]

You could get a Yaris T Sport or a Corolla T Sport or Celica T Sport.
All are reliable and a decent one for about £1500. The latter 2 have a decent amount of power

[smallzoo]

Thanks

I did like the celiac but I was told they were rot boxes.. not sure how true that is..

[ZX10R NIN]

At this price point all cars have the potential to be rot boxes just do your checks & concentrate on cars that have a fairly fresh MOT rather than one that's expiring in a couple of months.

[k6chris]

There are hundreds of sub £1,000 minis on the market. Worth looking at?

[smallzoo]

Aren't Mini's very expensive to fix if things going wrong ?

[egor110]

smallzoo said:

Aren't Mini's very expensive to fix if things going wrong ?

Parts aren't that cheap but there pain in the ass to work on , the labours what will sting you .

If you want something fun spend around 600 on a puma with loads of mot , yes they rust but i've got $500 puma thru 3 mot's with out to much trouble ,plus parts are cheap and there easy to work on and you can track them .

[TheJimi]

I wouldn't be touching a shed money MINI, if I were you.

[smallzoo]

Ok.. my MOT has run out so I m officially without a car ..lol

Saw and spoke to these based on what people have said..

Opinions ?


2003 Volvo S60 - £ 600
129,000 miles
12 months MOT
advisories
Nearside/Offside Front Suspension arm worn
exhaust system slightly corroded
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play



2006 Ford Focus C-Max 1.6 16v Zetec - £ 895
89,000 miles
12 months MOT
No advisories


2004 Toyota Yaris 1.3 VVT-i - £ 1374
104,000 miles
12 months MOT on purchase
advisories unknown

[talksthetorque]

A or B

You could be unlucky with any of them so limit your exposure.