Cheap small car for less than a grand?
Discussion
I'm looking to buy a cheap, small, runaround for less than a grand. Something that I don't have to worry about scratching down narrow single track lanes, or getting door-dinged in car parks or tight spaces. It doesn't need a big boot, but 5 doors would be best, as I often carry stuff on the back seat.
Cheap to maintain is important, as is low road tax and decent fuel economy. It won't be doing a lot of miles (2 or 3k a year), just used for local journeys that I don't want to use the Touareg for.
Performance and style are totally unimportant. In fact, an ugly/quirky car would be a bonus, as I'll probably get it sign-written.
I'm leaning towards a Panda, although someone I know may be selling a Vauxhall Combo van (with a remapped 1.3 Fiat diesel) for just over my notional budget. What else should I consider?
Cheap to maintain is important, as is low road tax and decent fuel economy. It won't be doing a lot of miles (2 or 3k a year), just used for local journeys that I don't want to use the Touareg for.
Performance and style are totally unimportant. In fact, an ugly/quirky car would be a bonus, as I'll probably get it sign-written.
I'm leaning towards a Panda, although someone I know may be selling a Vauxhall Combo van (with a remapped 1.3 Fiat diesel) for just over my notional budget. What else should I consider?
Got a Yaris T-Sport I'm about to advertise, 127k miles, done exactly what you're looking to do with it for the last couple of years (4/5k for the odd journey to the tip / when the other car is in for service) 12m MOT put on it today. 3 doors, cosmetically a bit tatty but runs fine and easily 30+mpg. Drop me a message if interested, I'm down Andover way.
Focus is bigger than I want - it needs to be small and narrow so that I can park it in tiny spaces when visiting customers' houses. I'm fed up with driving big cars down lanes that are so narrow I'm touching the vegetation on both side simultaneously, or having to walk a long way from where I'm forced to park.
Yaris would be a good shout. I'm near Penzance though.
Yaris would be a good shout. I'm near Penzance though.
clockworks said:
I'm looking to buy a cheap, small, runaround for less than a grand. Something that I don't have to worry about scratching down narrow single track lanes, or getting door-dinged in car parks or tight spaces. It doesn't need a big boot, but 5 doors would be best, as I often carry stuff on the back seat.
It was halfway through this bit^^^ I thought Panda, so I think you've answered your own question 
clockworks said:
I'm leaning towards a Panda
Although I guess you could also consider a little Suzuki (Alto, Ignis, Wagon R)...?
An Audi A2 is nice and narrow, and pretty spacious, with the seats down at least!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
clockworks said:
Focus is bigger than I want - it needs to be small and narrow so that I can park it in tiny spaces when visiting customers' houses. I'm fed up with driving big cars down lanes that are so narrow I'm touching the vegetation on both side simultaneously, or having to walk a long way from where I'm forced to park.
Yaris would be a good shout. I'm near Penzance though.
Only £86 and a 5.5 hour train journey away (?!) That's a hell of a trek, don't blame you for looking closer to home.Yaris would be a good shout. I'm near Penzance though.
In Jan I bought a 2002 1.0 Yaris with 115,000 miles for £550. Probably spent another £600 on maintenance - £300 was for essential change of starter motor/coolant and new windscreen. The rest just preventative maintenance stuff as I aim to keep the car going for 2 more years. It's mainly done late night long motorway drives to parents as most of my commuting is by train. Only word of warning is availability of spare parts. At the min Im trying to find a tail light for my car which is french built but all the parts from breakers are for the jap built model!
RaymondVanDerDon said:
In Jan I bought a 2002 1.0 Yaris with 115,000 miles for £550. Probably spent another £600 on maintenance - £300 was for essential change of starter motor/coolant and new windscreen. The rest just preventative maintenance stuff as I aim to keep the car going for 2 more years. It's mainly done late night long motorway drives to parents as most of my commuting is by train. Only word of warning is availability of spare parts. At the min Im trying to find a tail light for my car which is french built but all the parts from breakers are for the jap built model!
Could you not buy two JDM lights (with bulb holder sections if required) and replace both?RSTurboPaul said:
Could you not buy two JDM lights (with bulb holder sections if required) and replace both?
I don't think so. I received a jap tail light (before I realised the difference) from a breaker and the wiring plugs at the back of my car are 7 pins and rectangular in shape (one plug one each side for each tail light) - but the jap light requires a 4 pin square plug. It might be possible to rewire or buy an adapter but that's beyond my skill set. Panda prices here in Cornwall are crazy. Even as private sales, 12 year old cars with less than 100k on the clock start at £1500. They are selling within a week at close to asking price. £900 for a 2004 without a single straight panel, sold that day on Facebook. £2k at a dealer for a decent one with 80k on the clock.
Utter madness when a new shape 2013 is not much over £4k. If they hold their value that well, probably makes more sense to buy one at £4 or 5k and keep it for 5 years?
Utter madness when a new shape 2013 is not much over £4k. If they hold their value that well, probably makes more sense to buy one at £4 or 5k and keep it for 5 years?
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