Has your cheap car's reliabilty dumfounded the reviews?

[LuS1fer]

By which I mean I am currently looking for a runabout which has very specific criteria like it must be short and seat 3 in the back so I'm limited to Fiestas, Clios and the like up to about £3k.

While I'd like a Clio 172, a lesser Fiesta is probably more sensible as it has 4 doors and more room for the kids in the back but every time I think I've decided, I read "that damned internet" and see a catalogue of dissatisfaction and moaning and start to think again.

So come on, all you French car buyers and slow Fiesta buyers and even Japanese buyers, has your purchase been a dream or a nightmare?

Yes the title should say "dumbfounded" - must have run out of letters.

[Jayho]

MG ZR would probably be my first thought. 4 engines to chose from 1.4L 105, 1.8 120, 1.8 160 or the 2l Diesel. None of them "Bad engines" in my book. Handles well.